Don’t just drop your kid off at their next Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) class, join them! This amazing martial art is just as good for adults as little ones, offering a range of physical and mental health benefits for older fighters.
In fact, adults probably need it more. As we age, it’s more important than ever to maintain functional fitness, keep our brains active by learning new things, and find ways to manage our stress.
Adult life can be pretty overwhelming. Luckily there’s a class for that.
5 Reasons to Take BJJ Classes
#1 Get stronger
It doesn’t look like a typical strength session, but there’s a lot of weight-lifting going on in a Jiu Jitsu class. You’re moving your own weight and your opponent’s as you try to overpower them on the mat.
All that grappling and pulling builds endurance and strength, giving fighters the stamina to see a fight through to the end, no matter how long it takes (the longest fight in the history of BJJ lasted an grueling 3 hours and 43 minutes).
You don’t have to be a black belt to see the strength benefits that come with regularly training BJJ. According to one study, just four weeks of BJJ training is enough to see “a significant increase in muscle strength in beginners”.
#2 Improve your functional fitness
Martial arts like Jiu Jitsu are a great way to build what the pros call ‘functional fitness’. This type of fitness improves your quality of life, making it easier to do daily physical activities and protecting your health as you age.
Lifting groceries into the car, pulling a trout out of Lake Simcoe, pitching a tent – all these tasks get harder as you get older so if you’re not training with functional fitness in mind, you’re not training for the future.
A typical Jiu Jitsu class gets you moving in new ways to keep your body guessing, building better balance, agility, coordination, and flexibility.
In a 2016 study, researchers looked at the impact of BJJ training on men aged between 60 and 80, giving them two sessions of BJJ training a week for 12 weeks. Once the trial was up, they discovered that their upper and lower body flexibility had increased by around 50% while their agility and balance improved by around 15%.
#3 Stay heart healthy
We all know regular physical exercise keeps us healthy. But did you know that BJJ can significantly improve your heart health and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease?
The sport’s unique fighting style is an unconventional, but very effective, way to get in some High Intensity Interval Training – known to improve heart health in a number of ways from lowering blood pressure to improving oxygen uptake.
With heart failure on the rise in Canada, martial arts can help you get moving and keep your heart healthy.
#4 Relieve stress
Stress is another big killer in Canada, contributing to strokes, heart attacks, and chronic disease. From financial worries to family issues, daily life can get overwhelming and if you don’t have a healthy outlet for those feelings, they’ll fester.
It’s tough to worry about your bank balance, that guy at work who keeps undermining you, or your kid’s latest school report when you’re pinned beneath a 200lb stranger and trying to find the leverage to get back on top.
With its focus on technique, environmental awareness, and discipline, Jiu Jitsu helps clear the mind and relieve stress. Students leave our classes feeling both physically and mentally strong, confident that they can wrestle each other, and life’s challenges.
Studies show that martial arts training reduces anxiety and depression and promotes wellbeing. The physical activity helps keep your brain healthy, while the feeling of camaraderie and achievement in the gym encourages fighters to develop a more positive mindset in all aspects of their lives.
#5 Find BJJ buddies
There’s a very strong link between friendship and mental health. Building healthy relationships is key to living happier, healthier lives.
At Innisfil Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (IBJJ), we’re proud of our expertise and coaching skills but we’re just as proud of our team. Our students welcome beginners and support each other. We’re a close-knit family of fighters, forming strong bonds in and outside the gym.
Being a part of that is an amazing feeling, and a great motivator. When you’re tired, you’ve got a million things on your mind, and you’d much rather veg than hit the gym, the thought of seeing your BJJ buddies is often what gets you off the couch.
Everyone’s welcome at IBJJ, no matter your age or ability. Drop by the gym for a free introductory session to get started and experience the benefits of BJJ for yourself. Contact our coaches today to book your class!