Why Your Child Should Train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

If you’re a parent, you are always on the lookout for a positive and safe activity to help nurture your child. Ideally, the activity would appeal to them physically, socially, and, if possible, intellectually. With that in mind, we’d like to suggest that your children start training Brazilian jiu jitsu.

This article will cover:

• Benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• What is Brazilian Jiu JItsu?
• Give us a try!

Benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian jiu jitsu, or BJJ, is a comprehensive martial art because it engages the body, mind, and spirit. It has physical benefits, to be sure, but its effects on the psyche of the child are equally positive and important.

Here are some of the biggest reasons that you should consider allowing your child to begin training.

• Body development and control BJJ is a terrific workout. Each class period features sparring rounds - known as “rolls” - that improve both your child’s cardiovascular health and his or her muscle tone. In addition, classes usually offer drilling and instruction to teach new techniques to your child - techniques that require the development of both gross and fine motor skills.

• Body positivity Physical contact can be a touchy subject for many children - and many adults, for that matter. Practicing BJJ can help to overcome those kinds of issues, as it requires its students to get in extremely close contact with one another for extended periods of time. Doing this activity repeatedly will not only desensitize your child to these kinds of fears, but also breed confidence in them and instill the notion that other people aren’t nearly as scary as they seem.

• Discipline Brazilian jiu jitsu is hard. It can be challenging and frustrating at times, and mastery of it is extremely difficult. However, a child who begins training and works through these issues has a much better chance at developing discipline in his or her life off the mat. Suddenly, it won’t be so difficult to persevere through the tough spots.

• Self-esteem BJJ also develops self-esteem, as it teaches your child that they are far more powerful than they imagine themselves to be. As martial arts go, Brazilian jiu jitsu is one of the most legitimate because its students hone and refine their skills against others who are actively resisting. Success on a BJJ mat is quite empowering, and may lead your child to take healthy chances in other parts of his or her life.

• Community The fact that BJJ is a difficult journey bonds its practitioners together quite quickly. Since all of us go through the same struggles on the mat, we find that we are often kindred spirits off of it. Furthermore, Brazilian jiu jitsu gyms are often some of the friendliest and laid-back places you can go. The environment is one of support and camaraderie, which can be a rare thing in today’s disconnected world.

What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian jiu jitsu is a martial art that focuses almost exclusively on grappling. There is no punching, kicking, or any other type of striking.

Instead, Brazilian jiu jitsu teaches practitioners how to control opponents through positioning and weight distribution. BJJ also trains its players to perform joint locks and chokes in an effort to cause their opponent to submit.

Don’t worry, though - underaged practitioners are usually limited in the submissions they may use. In fact, our younger students aren't typically allowed to use them at all - even during competitions and tournaments.

Give us a try!

The Fight Lab offers multiple children’s classes throughout the week. All of them are conducted by trained and responsible adults, and parents are more than welcome to observe class periods from the gym’s seating area.

You don’t have to decide right away, either. Potential students can enjoy a full week of practices absolutely free. In order to get started, email us at contact@thefightlabtx.com, call us at 346-298-0965, or use the form at the top of the Fight Lab home page to send in your information.