Workout Program of the Month: Brazilian Juijitsu (BJJ)

It's probably one of the fastest growing martial arts in popularity ever since Royce Gracie blew everyone's minds at UFC 1 back in 1993.  BJJ is known as the one martial art that the "small guy" can take and beat the big guy.....much like Royce Gracie did against Chad 'Akebono' Rowan where there was about a 308lbs weight difference....yea insane.

I borrowed this from: marrajj.homestead.com

But factoring out that we may all one day face an angry sumo wrestler with a 300lbs weight advantage, there are great advantages to practicing BJJ over other martial arts.  I have tried multiple types of martial arts and still practice a variety, but I would have to say that when done right BJJ is the "safest" and most versatile.  I say "safest" because if done wrong or if you let your pride get in the way it is potentially....maiming.  When practiced in a professional environment (not letting your inexperienced friend try what he saw on tv) with the right training it can be a very educational, and humbling workout.
  I have practiced BJJ for the past 6 years earning my purple belt and have seen how awesome of a martial art it is.  Throughout that time I have had the privilege to teach BJJ as well as lead an inductive bible study that incorporates grappling with the word of GOD and how to apply it to your life (so if you are ever in Jacksonville NC and you are curious, go to Calvary Chapel on Sunday morning).....that was a plug for you there Jerry.haha  I have also had the misfortune of suffering strained ligaments in my knee, ankle (twice), and back , all as a result of my own pride and not tapping out as a dumb kid....I'm only 23, can I use the dumb kid excuse?   By no meas am I an expert or a grand master of fighting but here are some of the pros and cons that I have noticed:

Pros:

• It is a martial art that is tailored to all sizes and body types. (tall, short, fluffy, skinny, strong, weak, young, older)
• A lot of schools have programs for all age groups...and kids are scary good at it.
• BJJ is by far the most humbling martial art I have even done.  You think you are tough as a muscly 18 year old (like me) until this tiny 110lbs guy ties you in a knot over and over again....like me...
• If done with a bit of competitiveness and not laying around it can be a seriously great cardio workout and can definitely put you in great shape.  You will by no means look like Arnold Schwarzenegger but you can lean down.
• You will experience improved all around flexibility and dexterity.
• Unlike striking martial arts you can do several full speed sparring matches back to back and still feel pretty good (if cardio permits).  Where as with striking usually after having someone punch me in the face for a few rounds I will probably have a head ache and a black eye the next day.
• If you are looking at something for self defense this is a pretty good option.
• The curriculum is not as strict as some martial arts.  You can put your own spin on things and tailor it to yourself, in fact its encouraged.
• You can never learn ALL of the moves, this art is ever growing and someone is always finding a better way to do something. For example the Chaotic Arm Bar....who thinks of these things?!

Cons:

• This isn't as much of a con as it is a warning.  If you are easily frustrated or dont like losing then DO NOT DO THIS.  No one likes grappling a sore loser and this will take a LONG time to get really good at.  I lost maybe 30 times before I got my first tap out on someone.... and it was from smothering them with my Gi...dont you judge me!haha
• Accidents happen.  Someone accidentally pulls to hard, you fall the wrong way, your opponent doesn't feel you tap.  You will if you spend a length of time in this sport get hurt at least once.  But I will say from experience that most injuries are from pride.  I now know that it is better to tap out and lose than to get hurt and lose.
• Depending on who is teaching you, you can be REALLY good at one thing and REALLY lacking at another.  For example I can from on school to another and I was great at guard work but horrible at leg locks/leg lock defense.  Until Jerry threw about 20 heel hooks in a row on me, then he helped me improve in that area.

Borrowed from Napoleon Dynamite

 Obviously after the time that I have put into learning this I would say it is a great martial art to try out.  But it all depends on who you are and what you are looking for.  If you read the pros and cons and liked what you saw then give it a shot.  If you didn't then try something else like maybe Rexquando (for those who have not seen Napoleon Dynamite I am kidding).  Either way thanks for reading and don't forget to check out the Organizations page on your way out.  God Bless