One of the things that surprise people the most about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is how much work it takes in order to progress
A lot of people mistakenly assume that martial arts do not require a lot of movement because it involves a lot of sparring and combat but the truth is that a lot of working out and endurance training is included in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Between the sparring, drilling, and outside training that you are recommended to do, a lot of people find out that there is way more work included in learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu than they originally thought.
As a result, so many people drop out – so here is what you need to know to get through that first month of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so you can keep on going and progress!
No Pain, No Gain!
One of the main things that a lot of people are surprised about is all the injuries.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a contact sport that includes a lot of combat.
This means that sometimes, things can get a little rough and you will find that you will be suffering from a lot of bruises, joint pain and muscle fatigue.
All of this pain and tiredness is usually a huge cause for people leaving Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but as the saying goes – no pain, no gain!
To progress in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you need to not be afraid of getting a few bruises. You also need to be prepared for some tough work out sessions that will leave you tired later.
So, the best thing you need to do during your first month of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is to just hang in there.
As you progress, you will improve your endurance and strength so you can exercise for longer periods of time without exhaustion.
You also get used to the rough and tumble combat elements, but for the meantime it’s best to just rest up after each session and use ice packs on any joints or muscles that are sore after.
Over time, you become more aware of what kind of moves will result in injuries so you learn to tap out or fall correctly, avoiding worse injury.
So, if you keep at it, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will become less painful over time!
Gather Inspiration From Those Around You
If you are not happy with your progress after the first month of training, then a good way to gather motivation and confidence again is to simply take a look around.
Every other person in your class – even the instructor themselves – all started out where you are now.
Some of them probably had similar thoughts and feelings during their first month but now, you can see just how they have progressed after a month.
They are the living proof that dedication and patience works out in the end.!
If you are feeling pretty low when it comes to motivation, then why not try reaching out to your instructor and fellow sparring partners?
They are sure to boost you up and talk about your progress, and perhaps even share their own stories from when they first started out in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
So, don’t be afraid to reach out – because you will quickly find out that eventually hard work and persistence will eventually pay off and you will too start to get better in your technique and for!
Try Additional Training
If you are feeling worn out and exhausted by the end of your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class, then perhaps all you need to do is up your endurance through additional training.
Things like jogging and muscle training outside of your class can help improve your strength and stamina, making you more efficient during your classes.
This will allow you to focus more on things like technique, your stances, and attacks.
Also, you can continue your practice at home!
Try drilling and rolling at home (as safely as possible of course) as a type of ‘homework’ so you can improve at home before your next class.
This is a great way to get ahead and perfect your technique before your next class, boosting your progress during the first month and helping you achieve the goals you have set for yourself a lot more quickly.
However, it’s important to remember that BRazilian Jiu Jitsu takes just as much time and patience as hard work.
You should also enjoy your other hobbies outside of your classes and while practice and further training is not discouraged, it’s important not to wear yourself out.
Too much training and practice can lead to fatigued muscles and increase your chances of injuries.
So, you can try engaging in some additional training to speed up your progress but don’t burn yourself out!
Have Fun
One of the main reasons why someone might give up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after only a month is because they just don’t find it ‘fun’.
Of course, there’s no shame in walking away from something that just isn’t for you.
If you’ve given it a try and found that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu feels more like a chore than fun exercise, then it’s perfectly okay to drop it and find something else to do.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu should also be fun but sometimes, we set ourselves too high a goal or expect too much of ourselves.
It’s important to remain realistic, set yourself attainable goals, and remember that you should be enjoying yourself.
It’s natural to feel competitive and motivated to hit certain targets but if you obsess over them too much, you will start to feel disappointed and bored with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. So, take it easy!
Conclusion
The first month of taking up any kind of sport or training is always the hardest as your body adjusts the physical changes and you adjust to the change in lifestyle and routine.
However, the longer you stick with it, the easier it will be – you will become more skilled, more fit, and happier with your improvement.
So, hang in there and good luck!
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