7 Things I Learned from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

I’ve recently started BJJ. For those who don’t know BJJ is short for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. A combat sport focused on grappling and ground fighting. So far here are seven things I learned.

Helio Gracie, the founder of Gracie jiu-jitsu and later, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

I am weak as fuck

While rolling, I was easily manhandled by my sparring partners. They toss me, pull me, push me and turn me in every direction and they made it look easy.

Solution

I have to get stronger! I need to work on strength exercises by incorporating barbells and kettlebells into my training. I’m thinking of adding 3 day week training program like StrongLifts, The Big 3 Routine, and/or Simple & Sinister from Pavel Tsatsouline every day.

My cardio is horrendous

The cardio in Bjj is not the same as other cardio. It’s more anaerobic than aerobic. I’ve riding a bike, row, CrossFit, played hockey, downhill ski, run around bases and practice Muay Thai. All fun activities but not the same as Bjj cardio.

Solution

Do Bjj 2–4 times a week.

A great gym makes a huge difference

I train at BTT Canada in Montreal. The gym is owned and operated my Fabio Holanda. I never met so many people with black, brown, blue purple and even white belts with a heart of a teacher. Not only do they love BJJ they actually live the BJJ philosophy. Right now, I’m still in the learning stages of BJJ. Therefore I need to focus on my skills and techniques before I can teach anyone else’s.

Grip strength is important in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Grabbing, pushing, pulling are core movements of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. If you can grab, you can’t defend.

Solution

Focus on these 7 exercises to work on my grip strength. And I’m keeping my hair and nails short. It’s very difficult to grab an opponent’s GI with long nails.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a lot of fun

Meeting new people. Learning new skills, laughing when you’re getting my ass kicked. I have to admit. It’s a lot of fun.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a philosophy and a way of life.

Some important things to be no longer as important. Reminds me of a quote in the novel Fight Club.

“After a night in fight club, everything in the real world gets the volume turned down. Nothing can piss you off. Your word is law, and if other people break that law or question you, even that doesn’t piss you off. “ — Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club, Chapter 6

Edward Norton and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Shower and wash thoroughly after training

I can’t believe some people leave the gym without showering. We spent the last 1.5 hours rolling with each other’s sweat and the risk of staph infection is higher in a BJJ gym, hygiene is of the utmost importance. Shower with an anti-Bacterial, anti-fungal soap.

Solution

Get some Defence Soap or African Nubian Soap and wash thoroughly after every training session.

That’s it for now. I’ll post another update on my BJJ experience in another 3–6 months or so.

Me with my rashguard and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Face.

What has been your experience with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

In health,

Joe