BJJ For Weight Loss

There are dozens of benefits that come from training BJJ. Each benefit will have a profound effect on the life of those that begin training.

One of the best benefits that comes with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training is the possibility of significant weight loss. You can find thousands of stories of new BJJ practitioners completely transforming their bodies months after taking it up.

If you’re overweight or on the fence about beginning your journey into Jiu-Jitsu, this article is specifically for you. Here are 8 reasons to train BJJ for weight loss.

BJJ burns lots of calories

It’s no secret that you can burn a lot of calories from training in Jiu-Jitsu. Especially during the hot summer months whilst you’re training in a GI.

Training BJJ is a high pace activity, where you are constantly moving. In a one hour class, you can burn anywhere from 300-1000 calories.

Of course, it is really hard to guess how much an individual burns during a BJJ class. But what is a known fact is those who are overweight generally burn more calories during physical activity.

This is because it requires more energy to get their body moving. So if you’re looking to burn a lot of calories, then BJJ would be a great choice.

BJJ is an all in one workout

One thing that makes BJJ for weight loss so effective is that it’s an all in one workout. Meaning that you are working on your strength, cardio, and flexibility all at the same time.

The cardio workout is the most obvious aspect of the workout you will feel. There is nothing comparable to the cardio of Jiu-Jitsu training. You are constantly moving and after class is done it can feel like you’ve been sprinting for an hour.

Next is the strength you build from the training. Moving around and attempting to control your opponents requires activating all of the muscles in your body. With time, you will start to feel significantly stronger than before you started practicing BJJ.

Then the last thing Jiu-Jitsu will improve is your flexibility. Normally, BJJ classes go through a stretching routine during the warm-up. By regularly stretching, you will improve your balance and prevent injuries to have a better quality of life.

BJJ culture promotes a healthy lifestyle

To succeed at any goal of improving your health, you need to be in a positive environment. If you’re practicing BJJ for weight loss, being around the BJJ culture will help you reach your goal.

The culture of BJJ is one that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Not just to improve your performance on the mat, but also your quality of life.

It is great that you want to lose weight and you probably will, but changing your lifestyle is important. By changing your lifestyle to a healthier one, the weight will stay off and you will live a happier life.

BJJ teaches self defence

There might come a day, where you’re confronted with violence on the street and you need to defend yourself. Self-defence may not seem like an important reason to learn BJJ for weight loss, but let me explain.

If you are put in a bad situation, where you need to defend yourself, you need to be prepared. Not only technically prepared, but also physically prepared.

Being physically prepared to face violence can mean the difference between life and death. You don’t know what your attacker is capable of, so you have to be physically ready to defend yourself.

By being in shape and prepared to defend yourself, the odds of you going home to your family increase drastically.

Competing within your weight class

Many that practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu never thought that they would ever participate in the competitions. They might have the fear that they’ll face a giant hulk that will submit them in seconds.

Their fears quickly go away once they realize competitions are separated by weight and experience. Knowing that you’re going against someone that’s the same size and skill level as you can give you some confidence.

Also if you’re training BJJ for weight loss, it gives you a goal that you can see and achieve. Seeing the lower weight classes gives you a goal to reach and can make you keep going. You can continue to develop your skills in competition, while gradually dropping weight to your desired weight class.

Make friends and be part of the BJJ community

When you have a health-related goal like losing weight, you need to be kept accountable. By training Jiu-Jitsu this makes you part of the BJJ community, which is full of great people.

You’re going to gain a large group of friends that are going to help you reach your weight loss goal. They’re not only going to help you on the mat, but also off of the mat.

These new friends will want to see you reach your weight loss goal and keep you accountable to reach it. Being part of the BJJ community is really special and your new friends will help you stay on track

More time on the mats = less time to eat and drink out

One reason people start gaining a lot of weight is they use all of their free time eating and drinking. Taking in thousands of empty calories at restaurants and bars. Doing this to excess always has negative consequences.

When you start BJJ and get really into the training it can really take up most of your free time. If you’re someone that spends your free time eating and drinking too much this is a good thing.

By spending most of your free time on the mat, you will spend less time going out to eat and drink. Focusing your extra time and energy on Jiu-Jitsu to improve your health and skills.

Jiu Jitsu is fun

The last reason to learn BJJ for weight loss is the most simple reason. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is just fun.

There is nothing funnier than getting on the mat with your friends and breaking a good sweat. Dropping a lot of calories, while learning a proven effective martial art.

One of the main reasons people quit trying to lose weight and get healthier is because they’re doing something boring. If you’re not having fun, then you will probably end up quitting whatever you’re doing.

Losing weight doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be fun and Jiu-Jitsu is some of the most fun you can have.