Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is Great for Women

I believe that one of the best types of sports a woman can try is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, also known as BJJ. It is a trendy sport, loved by female celebrities like Demi Lovato, Kate Upton, Scarlett Johansson, Naomi Watts, Margo Robby, Halle Berry, and Rebel Willson. Among male Hollywood celebrities are Guy Ritchie, Vin Diesel, Chriss Pratt, Ashton Kutcher, Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill, and many many more.

Why do they love their BJJ classes so much, and will it suit you? Just check out some of the benefits you will see while practicing BJJ.

But first: What is BJJ?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that is focused on ground fighting. It was brought to the US by the Gracie family in the 1920s and started to gain popularity in the 1990s when Rorion Gracie co-founded the UFC.

It is a safe combat sport focused on position, submission, and control. One of its main pluses is that during training, you’re not punched on the face. Instead, your opponents hunt your limbs to make a submission lock or your neck to make a chokehold.

The benefits of practicing BJJ for women

Sport is one of the best hobbies you can have. Physical activity affects not only your body but also your health. Studies show that even moderate physical activity can make you smarter, improving your memory and helping you prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. Sports are also a way to control diabetes and improve your body shape. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has some fantastic benefits for your body, psychological health, and emotional state too!

Strong and flexible body

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is quite an active kind of sport that will suit anyone, even if you have some health issues. You just have to notify your instructor and sparring partner if you have some health limitations. BJJ is one of the most versatile types of martial arts as its training sessions include flexibility elements, aerobic, and strength exercises. Want to have strong shoulders, ripped 6-pack ABS, and toned thighs? Three training sessions of BJJ a week, and in several months, you’re there!

Body recomposition

If you haven’t been in a gym for a while, you might saw the effect of body recomposition when you start practicing BJJ. Basically, it’s the process when your body changes as the percentages of muscle mass increase and body fat drops. As a rule, if you’re not in your best shape and want to look ripped, first of all, you have to create a calorie deficit to lose weight and then be in a calorie surplus to build muscle. With BJJ, as well as with some other strength training, you can simplify this process by simultaneously lose body fat and build muscles. Overweight people who haven’t been in a gym for a while will most likely see body recomposition results.

Community and socializing

The majority of BJJ schools have a friendly atmosphere where you can easily find new pals. People of various backgrounds and careers decide to try jiu-jitsu, so you have more chances to get acquainted with interesting people you would never meet in regular life.

If your socializing muscle has atrophied a bit during the quarantine, starting a conversation would be much easier in BJJ classes as you have at least several topics you’re both interested in. Ask a person you like if he or she is a guard-passer or a guard-puller, and you’re guaranteed to listen to an emotional half-an-hour monologue!

Self-defense

Of course, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not krav-maga! No one will teach you how to tear out ears or beat people in the groins. BJJ gives more control over the situation as it’s an excellent self-defense tool if you don’t want to be accused of excessive force. BJJ classes will also make you more self-confident and show you the levers of influence on people with bad intentions.

Summing up

If you live in a big city, you surely have a BJJ school somewhere near you. Just google it right away and get ready to embrace all the multiple benefits of this fantastic martial art.