You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I've thought abut giving it a go for a while, but tonight I've signed up for my first ever Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class!
Anyone else do it? I've got a free taster session. I guess I'll know pretty quickly if I like it or not.
I'm 43 now, part of me thinks this is quite old to start something like this. The other part of me thinks f....ck it.
Does it attract a certain 'type'? The only real life person I know who was heavily into it was a total conspiracy theory nutcase, and the recent public face of it (Musk, Zukerberg), doesn't exactely sell it to me.
I tried it at Uni 25 years ago, really enjoyed it, have no more recent experience I'm afraid.
Been tempted to try something new for awhile, had tasters at jujitsu, BJJ and Muay Thai places, but they were all a bit too full of meatheads learning to kill for my overweight 49 year old tastes. Currently learning karate with a bunch of kids in a beginner's class, and that suits my (lack of) fitness and abilities much better. 🙂
It's a really effective fighting system. The question is, is your aim to be a really effective fighter?
There are other things that middle age, middle class men seek from club activities. The particular BJJ club you're looking at may or may not offer those.
I used to study Aikido which comes in for a lot of stick about it's effectiveness. However, the reality was that I enjoyed the practice and the people, got a bit fitter, learned a skill and my daily life is highly unlikely to put me in a situation where I need as mastery of martial skills.
It’s a really effective fighting system.
in a fairly niche set of circumstances.
The question is, is your aim to be a really effective fighter?
That's not the main motivation, but it would be good to know something.
I guess I'm in pretty good shape for 43, regular cycling and started weight lifting Jan this year.
There are other things that middle age, middle class men seek from club activities. The particular BJJ club you’re looking at may or may not offer those.
That went over my head.
Really, just fancied trying it, for something new, that aligns with my desire to stay fit and strong.
Just give it the taster session, and see what the clubs like, that'll be the main bit, one club can be great, others not so due to cliques and so on.
Be prepared to be humbled. I doubt you'll do any rolling (sparring) in a taster session but I'd expect some shrimping and butt scooting drills (basically moving around the floor when you're sitting/ lying down) , then maybe drilling a basic move with a partner. Physically it'll absolutely drain you regardless of fitness and if they get you drilling maybe a triangle or kimura, your brain will be fried trying to work out where to put your limbs!
Regardless, it'll be a great experience.
Do you have to shave beforehand or is that part of the session?
Asked the brother this question (he trains in BJJ supplemental to his main Martian Arts)…..
It’s incredible for fitness, but he wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as the only martial arts. But as he said, his preference is Kicking and Striking. BJJ gives you the grappling and ground moves. But his recommendation was to think about a combat sport in addition to the BJJ (if you’re interested in developing your all round fighting skills). BJJ mixed with boxing training would be very effective.
He is a very advanced martial artist, having trained from the age of 12. Was in the army for 28 years so didn’t always achieve Black Belt in every technique, he is a blackbelt in Taekwondo and that’s always his first go to martial art when people ask what they should start with. Hapkido is the one he suggests but that’s not easy to find in the UK.
I watched the sparring on the Sky doc "The Good Fight Club"... that was enough to make every bone and joint in my body ache.
Sorry, I've perhaps not made my point very well. The art you study is pretty irrelevant as none of us really need to be better fighters.
It's a social club that mixes exercise and skill training, how useful that skill is really is unimportant.
What is important is that you find a likeable bunch of people where egos are not going to get in the way. Ego often leads to injury.
Point being, the vibe at the club is the most important part in my opinion.
Indoor bouldering for me, did BJJ as a teen, so any experience is long since useful.
I do feel like most people's Dad at the wall though!
I clicked this thinking blow job junkie...probably says more about me than the OP..... Not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved that it's about some martial arts.