Four Ways That BJJ Training Can Increase Your Fitness
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling as well as what is called ground fighting. In BJJ, you learn how to use leverage and body positioning to control an opponent.
You don't need to be big or strong to excel in BJJ. The best BJJ practitioners are usually smaller than their opponents and rely on technique rather than strength.
BJJ training can help you improve your fitness level by building core strength, improving flexibility and developing cardiovascular endurance. Here are four ways that BJJ training can improve your overall fitness:
1. BJJ Training Can Improve Your Flexibility
If you want to be able to successfully execute moves in BJJ, you'll need to be flexible enough to get into the right position. You'll also need to have the flexibility needed to escape from your opponent's holds when they're trying to choke you or lock in a submission hold. Being flexible will also help prevent injuries during training because injury often occurs when joints are not flexible enough to move through their full range of motion without strain or pain being felt by the person performing the movement.
2. BJJ Training Can Improve Your Cardiovascular Fitness
BJJ requires an intense cardio workout every time you train because each roll involves multiple transitions between positions where you have to go from standing up to being on the ground (or vice versa). Grappling requires a lot of movement, which improves cardiovascular endurance and strengthens the heart muscle. This makes it easier for you to perform high-intensity exercises like running or swimming for longer periods of time without getting tired.
3. BJJ Training Can Improve Your Balance
Balance, or proprioception as it's called in the medical community, is one of the most important aspects of fitness. A person with good balance will have better coordination, agility and strength. Jiu-jitsu training improves this aspect of fitness because it requires you to maintain your balance while fighting off an opponent. This type of training helps improve coordination and agility as well because both require good balance.
4. BJJ Training Can Improve Your Core Strength
To be a good BJJ fighter, you need to be able to use your core muscles effectively. You also need to be able to control your opponent using just your arms and legs without using any other parts of your body except those four limbs. That takes a lot of strength and control over your body's center of gravity. BJJ fighters also need strong abdominal muscles because they're constantly being used during competition.
For more information on the fitness benefits of BJJ, chat with a licensed instructor about BJJ classes today.
