How Challenging is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most rewarding and challenging things you can do for yourself. You probably have a nephew that received his karate black belt by the time he was 7 - that is not jiu jitsu. BJJ comes with a very steep learning curve, it takes the average black belt 10 years of consistent training to achieve. Heck, I've been at it for 13 years and I'm still a brown belt!

Everyone goes through a similar experience when they start training. Many of the challenges you will face in BJJ are specific to this grappling martial art.

I often think back to my white belt days, comparing them to where I am now. What helped me most was acknowledging those early challenges so I could better prepare myself. There will be times when you feel completely lost, especially when it seems like nothing goes right and all you are doing is getting tapped left and right.

But trust me, sticking with it will 100% be worth the effort.

The Learning Curve in BJJ

The first thing people notice when they step on the mats is how different BJJ is from other physical activities. There seems to be an unlimited number of BJJ techniques to learn. And this is true, every technique can be modified into a slight variation, making the number of techniques basically limitless.

This is why Jiu Jitsu is often referred to as "human chess."

The Complexities of Jiu Jitsu

Some techniques are very straight forward, but the majority of BJJ techniques are very intricate and require you to pay attention to tiny details to pull them off successfully. Just when you feel like you're making progress, you'll encounter more advanced students who seem to move like black belts, even though in reality you aren't very far behind.

Don't get discouraged by this, everyone goes through it. Think back to when you first started learning a new skill, like riding a bike or learning a new language. Learning techniques in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has its own learning curve.

I always like to imagine that even Carlos Gracie felt just as useless when he first started learning from Mitsuyo Maeda.

Challenges On and Off the Mat

There are some obvious BJJ beginner challenges that happen during training, but many happen outside of the gym.

Mental Fatigue and Information Overload

Many people underestimate how mentally demanding BJJ can be. Trying to learn so much new information while your body is exhausted can lead to mental fatigue and burnout. Your instructor will show you several techniques during every class, making it challenging to remember everything.

Don't beat yourself up for not remembering everything, it happens. Focus on getting the main idea of each technique down and take notes after each class if it helps. Watching BJJ videos related to techniques you learned in class can help as well.

Remember that muscle memory is a real thing, so even if you don't think you are remembering a technique, repetition will eventually lead to those techniques becoming second nature.

Time Commitment

Balancing your Jiu Jitsu training with the rest of your life can also be a challenge. I'm talking about work, family, friends, and hobbies. Finding the time to make it to training consistently, sometimes multiple times a day, can lead to conflicts. Most people going through this struggle to maintain a social life when they begin BJJ.

Remember that consistency is the secret ingredient for long-term growth in BJJ. This means sticking with it through the tough parts, even when you don't feel like training. Your future self will thank you.

Ego and Staying Humble

One thing many people experience when starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is checking their egos at the door. This is especially true in BJJ because you spend so much time with more advanced training partners who submit you with ease.

Maybe you wrestled in high school - or can out lift everyone you know, it doesn't matter . Sure, you'll have an advantage over some of the other newcomers but I guarantee you there will be someone half your size that is going to submit you with relative ease when you first start.

This is why having the right training partners and professor will make or break your BJJ journey, listen to them. Most people who begin training BJJ are used to some form of athletic success in the past and find themselves humbled. Embrace it because this is how you are going to improve.

Soreness, Injuries and Proper Recovery

It goes without saying that grappling and rolling around with other sweaty humans that are trying to kill you can take its toll on your body, but the training style in BJJ makes injuries quite frequent. This is another one of those challenges that everyone goes through when they begin training.

Getting proper sleep, stretching, and managing your diet helps reduce this. Also, you've probably noticed already those purple and brown belts that show up after warm ups... Have you also noticed they are the ones that are always limping around as well? Make sure you take the warm ups seriously, your body will thank you later. Staying hydrated is equally important as it's common for people to sweat quite a bit while on the mats.

If you're looking for additional ways to get your body back to normal quickly, cold therapy (like ice baths) and massages are always an option.

Be Patient & Keep Showing Up

Pushing yourself to your mental and physical limits will result in personal growth and confidence. And just remember, every high-level BJJ practitioner was once standing in your shoes. Be patient, embrace the grind, and stick with it - every black belt is just a white belt that didn't quit.