Walking through the door of a BJJ academy for the first time can be very intimidating, especially if there are people already on the mats, practising techniques and rolling with each other, before the class takes place. That said, every person on the mat at that time will have been in your place, walking in for the very first time and know how they were the first time they entered a club and will make it their aim to welcome you onto the mats.
BJJ classes are structured and many gyms offer beginner classes, ideal for first timers and after time served, you can move up to the intermediate and advanced classes; a typical warm up will consist of running round the mats, break falls, forward and backward rolls, a drill known the world over as ‘shrimping’, also known as a hip escape and many other BJJ specific movements.
After warm up, partner drills are practised and specific training takes place; taking out one part of the rolling jigsaw (guard pass for example) partners will practice one position/scenario as set by the instructor; after specifics, rolling (sparring) will take place and the instructor will put people together matched to their belt and skill level. After this, a cool down and stretching ends the session.
There are many health benefits associated with training BJJ; you will start to develop increased levels of stamina, strength, endurance, self-confidence, balance and much more. You will face battles on the mats every session and will get pushed to your limits and beyond and yet there you are the next night, back on the mats, steadily progressing, getting fitter and stronger…life will never be the same again and BJJ is one of the best stress busters around.
In addition to all the health benefits associated with BJJ, are the many friends you will make both at the gym and via competition, as well as the social side of being part of a team…we train hard and party harder!
So what are you waiting for?
Come on down to the club, have a word with the instructor and start a life changing journey today, you won’t regret it!
