The Top 5 Misconceptions When Starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Thinking of starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but not quite sure what to expect? As a combat sport, it’s natural to be a little apprehensive, or even have some misconceptions on what to expect. Below, we cover off some of the top 5 myths that come with starting BJJ, and what it’s REALLY like to get started…

You need background strength or fitness

When most people think of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, they might think of high profile, professional athletes at the top of their game - which can make starting out in the sport seem daunting. The reality is that Jiu Jitsu really is a sport for everyone - any body type and people of any level of fitness can get immense enjoyment out of it.

When attending sessions regularly, you may find you want to supplement your training with strength and conditioning, but this is by no means necessary. We all start Jiu Jitsu for different reasons - for some people it may be a way to get fit and active, whilst for others, it may simply be a way to have fun and meet new people - both reasons are equally valid and embraced.

You’re going to get injured

It’s natural to feel some apprehension about injury when starting a contact sport. The reality is that much like any sport or fitness activity, injuries can and do happen. That being said, there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself from injury, whilst the coaching team takes all possible measures to reduce the risk to you in your training.

This includes ensuring there’s adequate mat space, a good coach to student ratio, and limiting live training until you’ve received 3 stripes on your white belt. We do this due to a large proportion of injuries occurring when one or both parties don’t have the experience or know how to stay safe when sparring. The team will always do everything I can to keep each member safe.

It’s An Aggressive Atmosphere

Chokes, joint locks and vying for dominating positions can give Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a reputation as being aggressive. Those who haven’t experienced it may envision schools as hostile or even unwelcoming, with members competing within their ranks to ‘win’ or be the best.

Thankfully, that’s far from the case. Yes, Jiu Jitsu is competitive and everyone wants to improve their own skill and ability, however, there’s a really strong sense of community. We train together to make each other better and support one another on and off the mats. This means ensuring we don’t hurt each other, and we communicate clearly on what we’re looking for from our training. As mentioned above, people start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for different reasons, and this is respected between members.

You’ll be expected to compete

Some people start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with a view to competing. This can be done at any level - at local events, national events, or even international events! Whilst this is exciting and a great way to test yourself, it’s absolutely not a requirement or expectation. As an academy, we’ll always support any competition ambition you have, and equally, we’ll support you if this isn’t for you, and you prefer to stick to classes and casual rolling. We’ll work with you to set achievable goals that work for you in your training, and support you in achieving them - be it becoming a Champion, or championing your development in other ways.

Promotion and gradings are a common occurrence

If you’ve got some level of experience in other martial arts, you may expect 6 or more belts over the course of your training, with regular grading ceremonies based on a ‘test’ format. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is very different here - there’s only 5 belts: white, blue, purple, brown and black. Within those belts, you’ll receive 4 ‘stripes’. These promotions aren’t received on a test format or even at set intervals - there is no demonstration of technique or katas - it’s simply based on your instructor's opinion. 

This can mean that there’s less gratification compared to other martial arts, and it’s really important not to base your progress in the sport on your stripes or your belts. Simply focusing on getting better, improving your technique and dedicating yourself to training, is a critical focus throughout your Jiu Jitsu journey.

The reality is, there are many misconceptions about starting BJJ - the only way to know for sure is to try for yourself! You can book a no obligation free trial. This allows you to dip a toe  in the water and see if it’s a sport for you. Get in touch with our friendly team to book your trial today.