Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

• WHAT IS BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU?
• WHAT MAKES BJJ DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ARTS?
• GRACIE JIU JITSU OR BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU?
• HOW MUCH SHOULD AN ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP COST?
• WHAT IS A GI?
• CAN I USE A KARATE UNIFORM TO TRAIN IN?
• WHAT ARE THE BELT RANKINGS IN JIU JITSU?
• HOW LONG UNTIL I GET MY BLACK BELT?
• IS JIU JITSU SAFE?
• WHO CAN LEARN JIU JITSU?
• IS BJJ GOOD EXERCISE?
• DO I NEED TO BE IN SHAPE TO JOIN?
• WHAT DO I WEAR TO MY FIRST INTRO CLASS?
• WHAT IS A TYPICAL CLASS LIKE?
• HOW DO I GET STARTED?
• TYPICAL BENEFITS OF BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

WHAT IS BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport and a self-defense system that focuses on grappling and specifically ground fighting.  It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend them-self against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique most notably by applying joint-locks and choke-holds to defeat the other person.  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be trained for sport grappling tournaments, mixed martial arts competition or self-defense.  Sparring and live drilling play a major role in practice, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition.

WHAT MAKES BJJ DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ARTS?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts in that it provides solutions for all possible stages of combat. Other disciplines like Tae Kwon Do or Karate focus on striking and rely on a person's strength and speed to deliver damage, but speed and strength doesn't matter when you are defending yourself off of your back.  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies on superior technique and leverage to defeat an opponent.

gRACIE JIU JITSU OR BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU?

The simplest way to explain the difference between the two is that the definition of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Carlos and Carlinhos) tends to lean more towards a competition/sport style of training while Gracie Jiu Jitsu (Rorion and Helio) leans more on the side of self defense Jiu Jitsu.  Both arts are essentially the same however the approach of the instruction is much different.  

HOW MUCH SHOULD AN ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP USUALLY COST?

Cost will vary from school to school ranging from $75 all the way up to $300 per month.  If you are truly interested and eager to practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you will find a way to put your money aside and train.  Focus on trying out various schools without focusing to much on price.  Then make an informed decision based on your experience at each school.  If you have to pay $25 more a month to be at a school that is worth it than you would be silly not to.  

WHAT IS A GI?

A Gi (sometimes referred to as Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training Jiu-Jitsu. It consists of 3 pieces: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. The material in which the three pieces are made is specially reinforced to withstand the rigors of daily practice. Many Jiu-Jitsu players regard their Gi in the same way a knight would their armor. Most practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu who advocate the usage of the Gi cite the more technical aspect of grappling with a Gi.

CAN I USE A KARATE UNIFORM TO TRAIN IN?

You can sure try to, but you might end up with half a uniform after your partner tears the arms and legs from their seams.  Jiu Jitsu Kimonos are built to withstand grabbing and pulling and are highly resistant to tearing or ripping.

WHAT ARE THE BELT RANKINGS IN JIU JITSU?

As with other martial arts, the progress of a student is marked with a series of colored belts. Unlike other martial arts where Black Belt marks a persons proficiency in a style, in Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the rank of Black Belt is conferred to individuals who have mastered the art.  The belts in order are: White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black. Often schools award four stripes for White through Brown belts. Black Belts are typically awarded one stripe every three years up to ten stripes. There are special classifications for Black Belts fighter and instructors. Instructors have Black Belts with Red bands and Black Belt fighters have White Bands. Typically, Black Belt instructors are not allowed to promote others up to Black Belt rank until they receive their first stripe. The ranks for children are different. Blue belt and higher ranks have age requirements so children have the following ranks beginning with White, Grey, Yellow, Orange and Green. Each Color Belt has 3 additional Belts for example Grey/White, Solid Grey, Grey/Black.  Each belt has 4 stripes. These belts are utilized until age 16.

HOW LONG UNTIL I GET MY BLACK BELT?

Typically, it takes anywhere from 8 to 15 years to attain the rank of Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Each belt (with the exception of Blue) takes about 2-5 years of dedicated practice; Blue Belt can often be attained in about a year of dedicated study.

IS JIU JITSU SAFE?

At almost all Jiu Jitsu Schools safety is PARAMOUNT.  Accidents may happen, however, lack of seriousness during training and the resultant careless application of technique or counters contribute greatly to injury.  Careless practice is disrespectful to the spirit of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

WHO CAN LEARN JIU JITSU

Practically anyone can utilize the techniques created by Carlos Gracie. Carlos Gracie, when he created his revolutionary system, weighed no more than 135 lbs. The core principle of Gracie Jiu-jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers.

IS BJJ GOOD EXERCISE?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can provide you with far more extensive results than typical aerobic exercise. The resistance encountered while rolling provides you with a good base to improve your core strength through intense abdominal workout, increase your muscle tone, and reduce you body fat while improving your balance, bodily coordination, cardiovascular capacity, and muscular endurance.

Do I need to be in shape to join?

This answer is simple...  No!  Many students walk through the door of their school in the worst shape of their lives.  Learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, like weight loss is a slow process - one that takes time and patience.  Many students who walk through those doors and stick with the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, lose dozens of pounds, improve their cardio, strength; and as a result make giant strides in improving their lives.  Take it easy, have fun and most of all learn a martial art while losing weight!  There is no work out like the work out you'll get from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

WHAT DO I WEAR TO MY FIRST INTRO CLASS?

The best thing to wear to a first class is a shirt and shorts. A mouthpiece is also recommended and although it's not required it is recommended that gentlemen wear an athletic support.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL CLASS LIKE?

Most classes begin with some light calisthenics and stretching.  Following a warm-up the class usually then begins drilling a technique. These drills when done over and over help form muscle memory and help  students retain technique. After drilling is completed then you may or may not begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Check out this PAGE along with its Submenu on where to get started and more!

Typical Benefits of training with BJJ

Great for Self Defense

Great Cardiovascular Conditioning

Increase Muscle Tone

Rapidly Reduce Body Fat

Increased Self Confidence

Supreme Stress and Anxiety Reducer

Develop flexibility

Improve your overall health

Increase your energy

Expand your awareness

Focus your concentration