Roleta Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Unity Is Our Strength

What are the benefits of fitness training and excercise that I can receive from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)?

• Self Defense
• Creative Expression
• Increased Muscle Tone
• Rapidly Reduce Bodyfat

• Intense Abdominal Workout
• Increased Self Confidence
• Excellent Cardiovascular Conditioning
• Supreme Stress Reducer

Fitness and exercise benefits from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Besides being fun, the benefits of martial arts for exercise and fitness training are tremendous; they include increased self-confidence, energy, strength, stamina and mental capacity. Many forms are no slouch in the calorie and fat-burning department, using as many as 600 calories per one-hour class. Martial arts fitness training also report reduced stress levels, fewer physical injuries and illness, and a strengthened immune system.

Just find a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club that is most suitable for you, as to location and class times; and no matter which aspect of the art you like most. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will not only bring you to a next level of fitness training; they will also provide you with a great sense of achievement!

It's not just for fighting: new research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that people in their 40's and 50's who regularly practice martial arts demonstrate astounding levels of physical fitness through their martial arts exercise and fitness training, in comparison to people the same age who don't exercise at all. The study subjects who practiced martial arts had 12% less body fat, were able to do twice as many sit-ups, had enhanced flexibility and leg strength, demonstrated a stronger immune system and showed greatly improved balance.

Any form of martial arts or physical discipline will produce similar results. More common forms of martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do are excellent for conditioning and fitness, although they are typically more focused on combat than is really necessary. (To be healthy, you don't have to train for combat. You just have to move your body.)

It's not surprising, of course: martial arts -- even mild forms like Tai Chi -- have long been known to confer tremendous anti-aging health benefits to their followers. Throughout Asia, it's not uncommon to see large groups of elderly (people in their 60's, 70's and 80's) practicing Tai Chi at sunrise in the community parks. Despite their age, these people have better aerobic conditioning, balance, strength, flexibility and coordination than many typical Adults in their 30's who are already suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity and cancer. People who practice Tai Chi simply don't experience those diseases with anywhere near the frequency. As a result, they live longer, healthier, happier lives.

Martial Arts – Exercise and Fitness Training for all!

Martial arts have never been as trendy as in the 21st century. Originally reserved to the military, Special Forces and bad boys, they have been popularized in the last fifty years – especially through the Olympics – and have become sports, leisure and a way to keep in top condition at any age through its fitness training aspects.

But first let’s take a look at motivations; why do people want to learn and practice martial arts? What’s the point of learning hand-to-hand fighting techniques in an era of peace and global nuclear power? Why not just join a salsa class or sweat on a stairmaster, or swim, or play football? Well. Ask ten people and you get ten different answers. They will nonetheless always contain a few common values such as search for personal challenge, self-confidence, safety, bravado, self-control and peace of mind, as well as fitness training, unwinding and relaxation.

What’s the difference in certain Martial Arts?

Martial arts can be split into few main categories: external arts -- that include striking, grappling, or both, and internal arts with or without weapons (see our table). While external arts are physically very demanding and are usually the better choice for exercise and  fitness training. Internal arts are aimed at those who need to improve their health and fitness while training exercising at a slower pace. There are hundreds of martial arts available and we cannot list them all here. Instead, we’ll review the main categories and the most popular.

Traditional VS Modern

While traditional martial arts are ancient arts that had warring purposes and have mostly remained unchanged, modern martial arts have been adapted to the necessities of sports and modern society, being less formal and having more rules to ensure safety in competition.

Grappling Arts

Grappling arts ( BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU - WRESTLING – SAMBO - SHUAI JIAO – JUDO – SUMO - AIKIDO) are those that involve catching and throwing an opponent, as well as locks and immobilization or submission on the ground. Some also incorporate basic punching and kicking. Some forms are very efficient (BJJ, Sambo and Wrestling) and require good physical fitness.All of the former training regimes increase your fitness and exercise levels.

MMA styles

MMA or “mixed martial arts” (MMA – SHOOTO - BUDO) are those that include a complete curriculum involving all of the above striking and grappling techniques. Hence the fitness training benefits of course, they take longer to absorb, since they have many more techniques, and can sometimes be brutal and physically demanding. However, they are obviously much more applicable in real self-defence situations.