Brazilian Jiu Jitsu(BJJ) is very popular and this is why a lot of gyms across the United States offer it. Mixed martial arts competitions had something to do with it but people have realized that this is also a very effective self-defense technique. To learn all about it, you have to find a gym.
You should know that one Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym is different from the other. In Brazil for instance, there are 4 fighting schools of this martial art and this could be traced either from Carlos Gracie or Mitsuyo Maeda.
So visit a club and don't be afraid to ask questions. They should be able to answer everything like tell you how long they have been in operation and what organizations are they affiliated with. You should also ask who the instructor is and what the student to teacher ratio is.
If you want to give it a try, go ahead since your first session is usually free. Come on time and wear a T-shirt and pants first. If you want to continue training with them, you will have to buy the official uniform worn by the students known as the Gi.
The Gi usually costs less than $100. Make sure it is clean at all times and if there is a tear, you have to go out and buy a new one.
Enrolling in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not free so it will cost you. When you are there, don't forget to ask how much do classes cost. Some instructors will not beat around the bush and say it straight. Others will try to avoid that question by telling you to avail of the free trial so don't be fooled by it because it is very important to get the information now.
You should also ask if there is a membership agreement. If there is none, it will be easy for the instructor to take your money and split or close the school. Learning BJJ is a long term commitment.
Aside from talking to the instructor, find some time to talk to the students because their input is also important.
The gym you may be enrolling in has a lot of students and in different age groups. If you are an adult, see to it that you are not placed in a class that has kids but rather with those close to your age group.
After going around the neighborhood looking for your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu(BJJ) gym, finalize the list to at least three and then decide which one you want to go to. If you haven't made up your mind yet, try the introductory class then make up your mind.
Not everyone learns Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to compete. Some do it simply as a form of exercise, others learn it for self-defense and there are those who use this as their first step to participate in competition. Whatever you reason, beginners will start out as white belts and then move up alter on once they pass the requirements.
If you have martial arts experience in the past, the instructor will first examine your skills in your previous discipline before deciding whether you can skip the beginner's belt. The odds of this happening are higher if you know judo or aikido rather than karate or tae kwon do.
