Starting BJJ

[kebam]

jay,
life got in the way, work, kids, etc. I've always been interested in grappling but didn't have any way to get into it. I have watched mma since ufc 1 and have always had an interest in bjj. I was driving by a strip mall and saw a studio, the price was right and here I am. I'm 6'1, 235 and my teacher is 140 lbs. We have another black belt that is my size and he has never got the best of the smaller man, so how is that for a shot of confidence. bjj is all leverage. Cardio is a big deal because I just don't recover (age). I would like to go to three classes a week but at this point my body won't take it. You should have no problem. It is very physical so be ready for that.
Don't be afraid of new things. The worse that can happen is that you won't like it.

[jaymackz]

jay,
life got in the way, work, kids, etc. I've always been interested in grappling but didn't have any way to get into it. I have watched mma since ufc 1 and have always had an interest in bjj. I was driving by a strip mall and saw a studio, the price was right and here I am. I'm 6'1, 235 and my teacher is 140 lbs. We have another black belt that is my size and he has never got the best of the smaller man, so how is that for a shot of confidence. bjj is all leverage. Cardio is a big deal because I just don't recover (age). I would like to go to three classes a week but at this point my body won't take it. You should have no problem. It is very physical so be ready for that.
Don't be afraid of new things. The worse that can happen is that you won't like it.

yah..i understand that theres other things besides martial arts....i'll probably like BJJ....im nervous/excited at the same time ahah but i guess you're right i shouldnt be afraid to try new things...lol...

[NYBJJ]

You will do fine in BJJ... It is a lot of fun. Be smart when training and don't push too hard. Remember to stretch before and after, that alone will help a ton. You will gain some confidence over time especially doing this. You will be up close and personal with people, it should help you.

I'm in the same boat as Kebam, I am 36 and just started BJJ 5 months ago. I have been lazy as hell and loving it! I'm married (eating good!, bad food but it is sooo good!) and have a one year old son. I work full time and take college courses online. I have little to no time, but my little guy is my inspiration... he has so much energy and I want to be able to keep up and be active as he grows up. I'm too lazy to go to a formal gym and lift weights or get on a bike/run... I like this because it is all those things plus you learn something.

Where are you from and where will you be training?

I'm in NY, on Long Island. I train at Serra Jiu Jitsu... One of the best things about the school and something you should look for in a school is how the other student communicate and get along. The atmosphere where I go is very relaxed and people are extremely friendly. It makes the wholo experience much better and you wont be worried one bit when you start meeting the people, and getting to know them.

Rich

[jaymackz]

Argh....you're so lucky you get to train at such a good gym...I live in Canada (laugh all you want LOL) but yah..i train at Perfection Kickboxing Academy but i might either train at Revolution Martial Arts where "Kalib Starnes" who was a fighter on TUF3 (The Ultimate Fighter 3) on TV ....he lost but yah that gyms alright...or i might train at this other gym which is closer to my house. I'd give you the sites of the gyms but i dunno if thats allowed in this forum....

[NYBJJ]

No big deal... Just check them all out and see which one you feel would fit you best. I came to this site and a few other sites and asked lots of questions before choosing a gym. I have never wrestled or had any other formal training (with the exception of Karate when I was 19 for 6 mon). The one response I recieved from each of my posts at the different sites was related to getting to the gym early and seeing how the people there get along and what kind of enviornment it is...

Most people felt this was one of the most important aspects of choosing a school.

Having Matt Serra as an intructor (not usually for me, I dont often train when he teaches, I train with his brother and one of their other instructors) is very cool. But the people you will be rolling with are gonna be the ones who really help you learn and progress.

[kebam]

nybjj,

type 2 diabetic is why I started trying to get in to shape in the first place, if I had found this place earlier I wouldn't be in this boat. I have a 6 and a 3 year old that are good for motivation also.
Because we are close in age, how long did it take for you to start putting it together? After 3 weeks my pacing is better but I still am having trouble putting together moves (seeing and doing are to different things, where did my muscle memory go?). I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as how different positions tie into each other.

kebam

kebam

[NYBJJ]

nybjj,

type 2 diabetic is why I started trying to get in to shape in the first place, if I had found this place earlier I wouldn't be in this boat. I have a 6 and a 3 year old that are good for motivation also.
Because we are close in age, how long did it take for you to start putting it together? After 3 weeks my pacing is better but I still am having trouble putting together moves (seeing and doing are to different things, where did my muscle memory go?). I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as how different positions tie into each other.

kebam

kebam

It took a few months before I started getting comfortable. And by comfortable I mean remaining calm and using technique over muscle. I'm still far from where I want to be... but I have definately improved.

I'm still shakey when I have someone in my half guard, I can sweep, but I still feel like a turtle flailing on my back. I try to do passes or just get out when rolling right now, over submissions. I feel that if I can't defend well, then I shouldn't be going for subs just yet. I have learned the subs, but try not to use them.

One of the best feeling I have had in class is when my instructor started to coach the other classmates instead of me... before he would have to coach me.

[KiotoQuinn]

damn.....15-20 years....without doing any activity?? i'd wouldnt even have the motivation to even take BJJ or w/e the hell it is you're doing..what made you say "you know what, i think ill take BJJ class" lmao....and im planning on buying a jock/cup for sure...i just hope it wont feel uncomfortable...i really reallllly want that shock doctor looks comfy as hell....ahhaha as for cardio....i'm fine with it...im still in highschool and i dont do any sports...other than boxing/kickboxing and i do a lot of running/swimming and HIIT...so im fit enough for BJJ (i hope)......im really nervous when it comes to new things.......and i have no confidence in myself whatsoever in anything i do....i need motivation...badly lol

BJJ is one of the few sports I have ever done that has given me true confidence. If you have the right attitude and that is "Im going to tap every time and if I dont once its a victory," than you will learn a lot. Learn from why you tap. Learn how to play defense. Everythign in BJJ is learning, it never stops because it is a relatively new sport than involves only your body. Just like basketball is the same game, they always come up with new ways to dribble, pass and dunk the ball. Same is Jiu Jitsu, we are given two legs two arms and ten fingers but there are new submission ideas all the time. As far as a cup goes, I have been training for eight months now and never used a cup in training...However, I just purchaseed one. I did this because Im gettign to the point where I am doing armbars and other movements where my junk is exposed and vulnerable to injury. It is not necessarily a shot to the goods, or any strikes. Mostly for me it is when I armbar, or when I am just simply rolling and a get a knee if the nuts when my opponent is trying to pass my guard. It happens. Most of the time it doesnt get hurt, but man, once or twice and you start to think about it, because when it hurts, and you crank that armbar and YOURE ready to tap, thats a bad thing. Get a good gi, I love ATAMA-kimonos.com stuff. Single weave or gold weave is good, double, not so necessary. If you are scared about your smile maybe get a mouthpiece but unless you have braces it isnt necessary. Get some good flip-flops, because after your gripping gis for an hour or so you wont have the dexterity to tie shoe laces. Or maybe thats just me. Get a gear bag and be ready to air dry your gi so it wont shrink. Best bet is to have two of them if yu are training twice a week, it could take a couple days to completely dry out and you dont want a smelly, wet gi now do you? Your opponents wont either. Maybe get a decent book on BJJ, I suggest "The Bible of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu" by Grand Master Francisco Mansur. He is one of only a few student under Helio Gracie himself, and the highest ranking belt in America. Hes also my schools master, but ya know. Its honestly a great book, and something to review after a training session if you wanted to look at how a move was executed. These are all unnecessary you know because the only thing you need is a gi, a place to train and someone to train with and that is what I started out with. The other stuff has just helped me to become a better athlete and BJJ practitioner. First thing is to be ready to dedicate your time, and sometimes your life to BJJ. It is one of those things that, whether you want it to or not, will take over your whole world, and hours of thinking every day. You will dream of tapping people. You will have nightmares of being tapped. You will have unique visions on moves that might work while your in class or at work, or driving. Its an addiction and it might make you spend a lot of money. But it is never a waste and you will be quite willing to spend more. It might just become your life.

[jaymackz]

Wow thank you for the long response quinn....i actually might go today..but yet theres is another problem...EVERY fukin time theres always a problem in my life.....my friends gonna think im a pussy and probably my master will think that way too..i quit Boxing/Kickboxing last year and just recently i have been training there for about a month....now if i leave and join BJJ....and return back to boxing/kickboxing......i dont think they'd treat me the same way they treat me they way they do now..im getting paranoid and i dont know what to do..i knew i should've learned BJJ...because in the gym that has BJJ it also comes with boxing/muaythai/greco wrestling but cost more..and i wotn have many friends there.....it sounds like so much fun....and i've always wanted to learn the armbar..but i think i dont really have much choice but too keep training boxing...and just take it later after a few months or so....

when they say "1 free week intro class" does it mean that they expect me to join after the 1 week is over?....cause...what if i dont like it..i just wasted their time then..

[sapatiero]

I've never worn a cup, for me the discomfort of them outweighs the tiny chance of getting a knock in the family jewels. In the last 3-4 years of training, I've only sung soprano twice, including training four times a week and tournaments. Just wear briefs or fighting shorts instead of boxers that allow you to swing low if you know what I mean...

[jaymackz]

Also do you know anything about

"when they say "1 free week intro class" does it mean that they expect me to join after the 1 week is over?....cause...what if i dont like it..i just wasted their time then.."

[OmaPlata]

People wear cups in BJJ classes? lol. wtf?

[OmaPlata]

Also do you know anything about

"when they say "1 free week intro class" does it mean that they expect me to join after the 1 week is over?....cause...what if i dont like it..i just wasted their time then.."

Its means go train for a week, and yes they want you to join before the week is over, if not, go about your business, they arent going to chop off your head over it

[jaymackz]

Its means go train for a week, and yes they want you to join before the week is over, if not, go about your business, they arent going to chop off your head over it

well ...i see..i guess it is sorta rude if i just go there, complete the 1 free week trial and just leave.. lmaooo....i really just wanna see if im actually gonna enjoy BJJ....

[Training]

Great post KiotoQuinn.

Today from a shoot, to the takedown, to a mount I caught a knee in the balls. I think I will pick up a cup now