Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art for all shapes, sizes and fitness levels.
At Brisbane BJJ we often hear from people who are keen to try BJJ, but feel they need to “get in to shape” first. That begs the question, exactly what shape do you need to be in to get into BJJ?
The answer is that there is no right shape, you should come as you are. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, BJJ works for multiple body types, whether you’re short and slim or tall and heavy. Second, you don’t get in shape to do BJJ, you get in shape by doing BJJ!
Does Size and Strength Matter in BJJ?
“Size and Strength Don’t Matter” is one of those sayings that has been associated with BJJ forever. The ability for a smaller and weaker person to defeat a heavier and more powerful opponent is what sets jiu-jitsu apart from many other martial arts.
What makes Jiu-Jitsu so effective is the emphasis it puts on utilising leverage and technique over strength and power to manipulate the biomechanics of the body into sweeps and submissions to win a fight.
Weight does matter in BJJ because it can help to hold down your opponent and make it harder for them to escape from under you. However, if you’re overweight and unfit, then it will most likely be a disadvantage in BJJ as you will become tired and off-balanced more easily.
BJJ is an excellent full-body workout!
So, if you’re a bigger guy or gal looking to live a healthier life, BJJ is an excellent way to achieve that. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an excellent full-body workout and activating all your muscles. Heavy sparring is as good a high-intensity-interval-training session as any Hiit or CrossFit class will give you.
There is also a misconception that you must be a great athlete to do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. To do it at an elite level, that’s fair. However not everyone who does BJJ is conventionally athletic. People of any shape and size can make BJJ work for their body type. If you’re flexible, thin, and quick, you’ll have many advantages, but also several disadvantages. Similarly, being big and bulky comes with disadvantages, but also some advantages.
So don’t let your cardio or body shape hold you back. If you live in Brisbane and are interested in martial arts, come into Brisbane BJJ, and give Jiu-Jitsu a try. The First class is free.
