Being one of the most famous martial arts in the world today, Jiu-Jitsu has gained attention over its benefits in physical and mental health of its practitioners.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
A recent study made by the Journal of Physical Education and Sport showed that with as few as 2 hours of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training per week it is possible to improve all physical fitness parameters.
In this study, significant increases were observed in women and men practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu, such as in strength, flexibility, aerobic power, VO2max (the maximum capacity of an individual’s body to transport and metabolize oxygen during incremental physical exercise), Time to Exhaustion, Maximum Heart Rate, Maximum Anaerobic Power, Average anaerobic power and in 1RM (which is the maximum amount of weight that a person can possibly lift for one repetition).
MENTAL HEALTH
In terms of brain health, as a high intensity exercise, the dopamine, serotonin and endorphin released give you a sense of happiness, wellbeing and stress relief. It also helps you feel a more energized and disposed person, and improves the quality of your sleep.
Another study, made in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation University of Alberta, showed personal benefits reported by the involvement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mostly in self-confidence, analytical thinking, perseverance, stress-relief, and physical health.
Jiu-Jitsu is not only a physical sport but a mental one. The confidence you gain in yourself after each class when you push yourself to your best, improve with the help of good coaches and connect with people that have a sense of community and respect is crucial to a healthy state of mind.
COMMUNITY
The community you create is another key aspect that characterizes Jiu-Jitsu: this martial art has as one of its greatest values the partnership, the camaraderie and the sense of belonging. It’s a sport known as an environment of making great friendships and a community for life, and the most important, friends that carry great values as this sport teaches.
And this is already proven as one of the great aspects for human happiness, as we are social beings that need connection and valuable bonds.
The same study showed that training this activity had contributed to a number of participants losing weight within a few months of training. This applies for women, men, elders and kids: when it comes to Jiu-Jitsu, being fit and staying in shape become easier to achieve. Each class can burn around 1000 calories at the same time that you gain definition and detoxify your body with the transpiration that comes with it.
START TRAINING BJJ!
When you start practicing this martial art, you will be more motivated to start eating healthier and getting inspired by this lifestyle, at the same time that you will be able to have a more flexible and less restricted diet because the training speeds up your metabolism.
Continue following our blog: in the next post we will talk about what the diet of Jiu-Jitsu athletes is like for you to be inspired and go forward with your healthy journey with this amazing sport and lifestyle.