Posted by
joshua_squires on Feb 8, 2012 in
Exercise |
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Of all of the fitness programs out there, I’d be willing to bet that a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class probably has not ever crossed your mind. Why would it? Isn’t that stuff just for fighters? I’m going to let you in on a secret that the media hasn’t yet caught on to: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ, has a number of health benefits.
The Benefits
Here are some of the benefits you can expect to reap from the typical hour-long Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class.
- Burning Calories. Though a definitive study has not been completed, it is estimated that you burn between 450-1000 calories per one hour class. This could be even higher during “Open-Mat” sessions where there is less instruction and more practice.
- Exercise for Mind and Body. For a lot of people, exercise tends to be a thoughtless activity. BJJ requires focus, concentration, and attention to detail. You are learning as well as exercising, which means your brain gets a workout too.
- Work Your Core. Many popular routines and courses emphasize the need for building core strength. BJJ practitioners exhibited excellent upper body and abdominal strength and endurance and exceptional isometric back strength when tested.
- Dedication to Your Workout. It’s easy to shrug off going to the gym. Not so easy to shrug off a class where you could miss learning a new technique, or where a partner is depending on you to be there. It’s just a little extra motivation.
- Useful Skills. Of all the exercise/combat/self-defense combination classes out there, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is the most practical, especially for women and children. This martial art is designed to help level the playing field when there are differences in size and strength. It reduces the influence of a single person’s physical strength and gives advantage to the person with greater technical skill.
- Perfect for Cross-Training. The sort of endurance required for BJJ is different from the endurance required for swimming, biking, or running. When combined with these other activities as part of a cross-training program, practitioners can build a higher level of fitness. This is especially helpful to those who compete in marathons, triathlons, and the like.
What Are You Waiting For?
Richmond has plenty of places that offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu courses, so it isn’t hard to find one close to you. This could be just what your workout routine needs to help you get into shape or get you to the next level. Still not sure about it? Click here to contact someone who can provide professional answers to your all of your questions.