Brazilian Jiu Jitsu(BJJ) was born when traditional Japanese Judo was modified by Carlos Gracie for use in Brazil. Through the hard work of Carlos and Helio Gracie, BJJ became the dominant martial art in Brazil and eventually the foundation of MMA globally. BJJ combines grappling, leverage, and body position to allow a smaller and weaker opponent to overtake a larger and stronger one.
BJJ is a perfect workout for travelers. Not only does it combine mental and physical fitness, it also provides practitioners with real world skills to protect themselves. Something every traveler should have. Below are my top 5 reasons that travelers should train BJJ.
- Community is amazing
Imagine having close personal friends in every country on the planet. That’s what being part of the BJJ community is. I’ve trained in the U.S., Japan, Chile, Brazil, Korea, Thailand, Romania, and Germany. At each I was welcomed with open arms. In Chile I was treated like a long lost relative.
When you train BJJ you become part of an International family. A community that prides itself of being diverse, supporting, healthy, and accommodating. Some of the best people I’ve met traveling were from BJJ classes. Hell i’ve been in classes where I couldn’t understand a word my teammates were saying but we made it work.
I reached out to my friend, and Black Belt, Fabiana Borges for her thoughts and she said that getting to know people is one of the main highlights to training BJJ. I walked in off the street, met Fabiana, and was training with her a week later. One of the best in the world. Last year I sent one email and was training with a great instructor in Santiago days later. Not only is BJJ the best workout for travelers but also the best social tool as well.
TIP: Probably not the best idea to post an article you wrote called “Top 5 things I hate about Santiago” before you go to train with one of the best martial artist in the city. He teased me about that from the moment I walked into his gym. Great sport about it though. Coach J.Jaime Carvajal Ferrer treated me like family from our first email.
- Health benefits
After four months of travel I walked into the bathroom of my lovely Bangkok hotel. In a few minutes I would be showered and ready to enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast. And then I saw myself in the mirror. 20 pounds heavier and low on energy every day. I knew it was time to hit the mats again.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that evolved over time to accommodate the physical needs of everyone. Not matter if you’re in the best shape of your life on recovering from an injury. There is a program for you. Imagine being able to train all over the world while still enjoying your travels.
One of the biggest problems travelers have is staying healthy. With all the rich food, alcohol, and lack of sleep, life can get sluggish very fast. Let’s be real. We won’t be 25 forever and things slow down eventually. By supplementing your travels with BJJ you maintain that high energy level and stay in shape while traveling. I’ve seen several “traveler” workouts but few with the overall health benefits of BJJ. Energy, stamina, and strength.
- Self defense
Travelers always have to be aware of safety issues. Especially solo female travelers. Even at it’s basic level, BJJ teaches you the foundation of practical self defense. Your opponents size doesn’t matter. With a solid foundation in BJJ you can defend yourself against an attacker. The confidence you get from BJJ is easily recognizable and attackers rarely go after a hard target. One of my main travel tips is DON’T BE AN EASY TARGET.
Unfortunately sexual assaults happen far too often. Self defense training would give women the tools to defend themselves from attackers . Not only can you take basic self defense classes but also rape safety classes. Watch this video of my former professor Fabiana Borges, one of the world’s best competitors, and Coach Caroline Gracie. Daughter of Gracie Barra founder Carlos Gracie Jr.
- Discipline
I’m not going to lie. BJJ is HARD. It takes a lot of effort to be good and even more to be great. But if you put in the effort you can not only improve your body but your mind as well. BJJ instills a level of discipline in you that translates well to travel. Punctuality, healthy eating habits, respect for others. The list goes on and on. It takes discipline to not only train with these virtues but carry them with you in everyday life.
Submit Your Ego – Martial Arts Values for the Every Day New Yorker. from Jeff Chu on Vimeo.
BJJ isn’t just about physical strength. But mental as well. Learning BJJ is one of the most humbling things you’ll ever do. If you have a huge ego you won’t for long. Some of us go through life never facing any kind of test. Physical or mental. BJJ will test you from the moment you walk into the gym. I’ve been training off and on for ten years. I STILL get sick half the time after warm ups. But YOU keep going. Get tapped out? Keep going. Tired? Keep going. Discipline and determination.
- Savings
BJJ is a great value. I can only speak to my school. Gracie Barra. Monthly membership depends on where you’re “home” school is. For example, my home school cost $80 a month (caught a deal). That’s unlimited training. Six days a week with up to 3 hours on mat time a day. Each school also offers private lessons and seminars for a small fee. But here’s the real value for travelers. Gracie Barra has over 300 schools worldwide. As long as you are a member of one, you’re a member of all. Free to train anywhere from Texas to Brazil to Hungary to England.
Now compare this to a regular gym membership. That will run you about $75+ a month in some cities. No personal training. No workout partner. You’re on your own. Not to mention most don’t have international gyms. Golds Gym (worlds largest chain) for example does but DON’T allow you to train for free Internationally even though some claim they do. Trust me. They don’t. I’ve tried.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the best way to meet new people, stay in shape, and protect yourself while traveling. You’ll have the confidence and ability to get the most out of your training. Regardless of what school you choose be sure to “roll” as often as possible. Happy training.
TIPS:
- Choose a school you feel comfortable with. This really won’t be an issue since 99% of BJJ gyms are great.
- Get a GI that fits. Saggy gi’s make it easier for opponents to control you.
- Wear a mouth guard. Errant elbows and knees happen.
- HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE
- Show up. The hardest part of BJJ is showing up.
- Exchange personal contact information. Like I said, BJJ is a HUGE community and you never know who knows who around the world.
- Be respectful. Trust me. This can go a long way.
- Offer to help. Sometimes mats need cleaning and storing. Or an extra body is needed for kids and advanced classes. I volunteered for a women’s self defense class once. Hurt but fun.
- Have fun. BJJ is just plain fun. Go with with an open mind and clear head and you’ll have a blast.
- Know your goal and pursue it. Self defense, weight loss, competition. BJJ is what you make it. And be sure to tell your instructor this ahead of time.
