Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: 8 Things You Need To Know Before Getting Started

Have you ever heard of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? With the martial arts hitting mainstream media, there has been a huge increase in interest in this one-of-a-kind fighting style. But what is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? What are some of the benefits? Who started it, and why do they start this type of martial art? 

Those are all questions you've probably asked yourself at some point since learning about this increasingly popular martial art. Well, we here at Ligum Fight Gear will break down all the information you need so that you can decide whether or not Brazilian Jiu Jitsu could be for you.

1. What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It was created in Brazil in the early 20th century by Brazilian fighter Carlos Gracie, who was influenced by Japanese Jujutsu. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is often used in self-defence situations, as it can help you take down an attacker even if you are not as strong as them. In addition, BJJ is a great workout and can be used as a form of competition.Whether you are looking to get into shape, learn self-defence, or compete in tournaments, jiu jitsu may be the right martial art for you.

2. When and where did it start?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that originated in Brazil in the early 1900s. It is based on Kodokan Judo, which was introduced to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka and former student of Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo. Maeda then taught these techniques to Carlos Gracie - and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was born.

BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique – most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat them.

BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, or self-defence. Sparring (commonly referred to as "rolling") and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system.

3. Who's Doing Jiu Jitsu?

When it comes to mixed martial arts, there are few fight scenes more intense than those featuring Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The grapples and submission holds give Jiu Jitsu a level of excitement that has made it one of the most popular forms of MMA today. 

Given the popularity of jiu jitsu around the world, practitioners of all ages and backgrounds are learning its techniques. It provides a solid foundation for beginners in mixed martial arts and many professional MMA fighters incorporate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu into their fighting style. This includes UFC champions like Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.

There are a number of different types of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and each has its own group of followers. Some of the most popular BJJ styles you'll likely to come across include:

Gracie Jiu Jitsu 

This style of jiu jitsu was founded by the Gracie family in and is very similar to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, with a subtle difference: the Gracie style tends to teach jiu jitsu as a philosophy of life and means of self-defence, compared to traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is more competition-orientated. This style of jiu jitsu emphasises taking your opponent to the ground and then submitting them with a choke or joint lock.

Gi Jiu Jitsu

Fighters wear a Gi  - a traditional belted uniform - that is allowed to be used and grabbed as a means of dominating an opponent.

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu

Fighters do not wear a traditional Gi, but tend to just wear shorts and a rash or training vest. In no-gi jiu jitsu, fighters are not allowed to grab onto clothing and have to use alternative techniques to dominate their opponent. 

Another popular style is Machado Jiu Jitsu, developed by the Machado brothers. This style emphasises using leverage and technique to defeat larger and stronger opponents. There are also other styles such as Sambo and Catch Wrestling, but these are less common.

4. How Does Jiu Jitsu Work With Self-Defence?

For many people, the Gracie family is synonymous with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. After all, they are the founders of the art. However, BJJ has grown far beyond the Gracie clan. Today, there are practitioners of all different backgrounds and styles who have made this martial art their own.

One of the things that makes BJJ so unique is its focus on ground fighting. This can be traced back to its Judo roots. In Judo, throws are used to take an opponent down to the ground where they can be pinned or submitted. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu builds on this foundation by adding a wide variety of chokeholds and joint locks that can be used to force an opponent to tap out.

This focus on grappling makes BJJ an ideal self-defence martial art. In a real-life situation, you are much more likely to end up on the ground than in a stand-up fight. BJJ gives you the skills you need to control an opponent and force them to submit even when they are larger and stronger than you.

Whether you want to learn self-defence or compete in grappling tournaments, jiu jitsu has something to offer everyone.

5. Is A Belt System Present In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Yes, there is a belt system in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The belts represent a lifeline of progress for practitioners. Each successive belt denotes an increased level of knowledge and skill. Starting from white, the belts progress to blue, purple, brown, and then black.

6. The Benefits Of Jiu Jitsu

Jiu jitsu is an excellent way to get in shape and stay in shape. The physicality of the sport will help you to tone your muscles and lose weight, if that is your goal. In addition, jiu jitsu is a great way to relieve stress and improve your mental health. The focus and discipline required for jiu jitsu can help to clear your mind and give you a sense of calm.

7. What Are The Risks Of Jiu Jitsu?

One of the potential problems with BJJ is injuries. Because this sport is very physically demanding, there is a risk of injuries such as strains, sprains, and even concussions. It is important to warm up properly before training and to listen to your body if you feel pain or discomfort. 

8. Why Do People Like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu So Much?

There are many reasons why people enjoy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. For one, it is an excellent workout. It is also a great way to relieve stress, as it requires focus and concentration. Additionally, BJJ provides a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Finally, it is a great way to learn self-defence.

If you're considering starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there's a lot to know and consider before taking the plunge. From the investment of time and money to the physicality of the sport, it's important to be as prepared as possible before starting BJJ. If you’re looking to get started, check out some of our Ligum Fight Gear jiu jitsu kit.