Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has risen above from dominating mixed martial arts competitions to becoming a go-to discipline for self-defense and fitness, its effectiveness is undeniable. Yet, like anything that has sustained dominance and success over time, there are naysayers and narratives that are spun to diminish its value.
Many people hesitate to try Jiu-Jitsu due to misconceptions about age, strength, size, injuries, and who it’s meant for. These myths not only discourage potential students but also create a misleading image of what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu truly is.
With insight from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and SBG Atlanta founder/owner, Phillipe Gentry, we’re here to uncover 5 of the most common myths that circulate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, its effectiveness, its accessibility, and its longevity. Let’s dive into the truths behind each myth.
It’s a Young Man’s Game
Due to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s deep-rooted ties in world championship-level fighting and competition, it’s easy to fall into the belief that youth, raw athleticism, and brute toughness are prerequisites to starting your training. This could not be further from the truth.
The power of Jiu-Jitsu transcends age and physical attributes. To understand how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a “young man’s game”, look no further than the pioneer of the sport, Helio Gracie.
In his prime, Helio Gracie was never considered to be the most physically imposing man. Having to work with a rather smaller frame, Helio Gracie understood that although physical attributes vary by individual, we all possess the same skeletal structure and limitations within the human body. And he used that knowledge to his advantage.
“Jiu-Jitsu was designed for efficiency, not brute strength,” says Coach Phillipe. “I’ve seen students well into their 50s and 60s start training and make incredible progress. The beauty of Jiu-Jitsu is that it allows anyone, regardless of age, to develop technique and strategy that can overcome athleticism.”
Jiu-Jitsu teaches you how to use your entire body to isolate an opponent’s limb for an attack and how to distribute your weight effectively to feel heavier than you actually are. These are skills that are not exclusive to a 20-year-old stud athlete. Better yet, those are some of the foundational skills that make up the essence of Jiu-Jitsu.
Helio Gracie trained consistently until his passing in 2009. He was 95 years old. Mr. Gracie is just one of the many examples of people within the Jiu-Jitsu community who have managed to train the sport well into their later years. Further proving the point that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not a “young man’s game” and you are never too old to begin your training.
You Are Going To Get Hurt
This misconception goes a bit deeper than the literal meaning of the phrase. Whenever this myth comes up, it’s always suggested under the context that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is this brutal blood and guts fight sport. That with each practice, you’re walking into a battlefield and going to war. If this were the case, then certainly, you would sustain injuries and probably wouldn’t last very long in training.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s nickname alone dispels this myth. Jiu-Jitsu is widely regarded as “The Gentle Art”. In fact, Jiu-Jitsu is the only martial art that can simulate real-life resistance through training without having to sustain serious injury. This is the reason why you can train in Jiu-Jitsu every day and continue your training as you get older.
Here’s what Coach Phillipe had to say about injuries in Jiu-Jitsu…“With any physical activity, the chance of injury always exists. Soreness and tweaks can be experienced across all forms of training. With this knowledge, guidance and a structured Jiu-Jitsu curriculum within a gym are vital.”
This is especially true when it comes to ensuring your safety and ability to come back to training the next day.
All Jiu-Jitsu Gyms Are The Same
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more accessible now than at any time of its existence. You must know that with so many gyms popping up by the day, not all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms carry out the same values and approaches to training.
“Most gyms value their success in competition”, says Coach Phillipe. “Because of this, they cater to and prioritize younger, superior athletes who can carry their gym’s flag in competitive events. This breeds intense training sessions that are not conducive to optimizing learning and prioritizing physical health.”
The alternative to this is a gym that values community and a family-oriented environment that inspires learning, making sure their students remain safe and ready to return the next day.
Both types of gyms provide two separate curriculums that are in alignment with their values. So when searching for a home Jiu-Jitsu gym, remember to consider that not all gyms are the same.
Karate and Jiu-Jitsu Are The Same For Kids
Coach Phillipe makes it very clear where he stands when it comes to choosing any sort of physical activity for children, “When considering all the activities you can enlist your children in, Jiu-Jitsu for kids takes the cake as the one activity that best allows them to reach their full potential.”
Amongst those who are not as knowledgeable about martial arts, Karate is considered to be an activity that provides a similar effect for children as Jiu-Jitsu.
Where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shines as the superior martial art and overall activity for kids is: the discipline, respect, confidence building, and aliveness training involving actual resistance to build self defense skills.
With Karate, although the importance of discipline and respect are emphasized, the lack of aliveness training robs the children of gaining confidence and humility through dealing with wins and losses in real-time.
Because Jiu-Jitsu is unique in offering children a safe opportunity to healthily compete and respectfully interact with coaches and other students, it is safe to say that Jiu-Jitsu is the perfect vessel for growth when it comes to children.
I Don’t Have The Time to Train Jiu-Jitsu
This one comes up quite a bit. People look at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and are intimidated by the steep learning curve that lies ahead. “How much time will I have to devote to this?”, “I can’t sacrifice time with my family to deep dive into this skill”.
The good news is that you will not have to sacrifice family time and by devoting just 3 hours a week, you can become a competent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in a matter of months. As a family man himself, Coach Phillipe lays the blueprint for how much time you’ll truly need to develop a valuable skill like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu…
“With each Jiu-Jitsu class generally running from 60 to 90 minutes, all it takes is just 3 classes a week for your mind and body to retain the information through the repetitions and drills you work through.”
As far as sacrificing time away from family to train Jiu-Jitsu, this is where being in alignment with a gym’s values comes into play. A gym that prides itself in creating a family-oriented environment should offer a schedule that is convenient and considerate for those who work full-time jobs and raise families.
Conclusion
There are many misconceptions about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The truth is, Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that was designed for everyone regardless of age, size, and physical attributes to excel in all walks of life. Be it competition, fitness goals, or acquiring self-defense skills, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has always been for everyone.
SBG Atlanta owner/head coach, Phillipe Gentry, sought to build a gym that prioritizes community and a family-oriented atmosphere. His vision has turned over a program that is shattering the mold of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Atlanta.
From full-on families coming in and training Jiu-Jitsu together to students in their 60s learning and growing on the mats, SBG Atlanta is proving the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and debunking the myths surrounding it.
