I actually haven’t come across this question all too much in real life, but from what I understand and can see on the internet, the question is a very popular one. Is BJJ hard to learn? I get it. There are tons of people out there who might want to learn the sport or fighting style or self-defense framework – whatever you want to call it. And walking into a gym for the very first time to find answers can be fairly intimidating. I remember when I did that. I knew nothing about jiu-jitsu and I knew nothing about martial arts in general. I still made the call though and now, who knows how many years later, I’m still going strong. None of this helps you though. You still want to know if Brazilian jiu-jitsu is hard to learn. I’ll answer that question below.
I think the reason I don’t hear people asking this question in real life too much is because most folks I come across have already done their homework. They’ve listened to Joe Rogan or have read oodles of opinions on Reddit and other online forums. They’ve probably also asked students when they’ve entered the school at which I teach and perhaps those types of questions never make it to my ears. I’ll tell you this though – whatever new students think they learn about BJJ before they step on the mats goes straight out the window once they find themselves underneath someone who’s attempting to submit them. Straight out the window. The truth is, a person truly learns what they’re made of when they’re stressed, but that’s true of anything in life. That’s a personal thing – how much a person can handle. As far as jiu-jitsu goes, it’s not a very difficult thing to learn. And really, anyone can do it if they try.
That said, if a person is overweight, out of shape, eats Ring Dings for breakfast, and is lazy, yes, Brazilian jiu-jitsu can seem excruciatingly challenging to master – or even approach, for that matter. I can’t even count how many people I’ve watched walk through our doors and then walk straight back out an hour later, never to return. I always say that I suspect these foregone souls had no idea what they were in for. That they thought BJJ was similar to tai chi or another very gentle meditative endeavor. BJJ isn’t like that. When a person is sparring within the confines of a jiu-jitsu match, they’re trying to win and while doing that, things can get rough. Lots of folks take offense to that, but many don’t and it’s those who don’t are those who become what I like to refer to as lifers – those who become obsessively hooked and attend as many classes as possible through the remainder of their years.
We’ve got an 18 year-old in class now who’s been regularly attending for the past few months. He was a wrestler in high school and is again now in college. He’s an athlete and has played football, soccer, and whatever else it is these kids play in high school these days. He’s in excellent physical shape and is very motivated. Sure, he’s facing the same learning curve we all faced, but he’s killing it on the mats. Within just a few months, he’s tapping out blue and purple belts and I’m not even sure he’s got a stripe yet on his white belt. For these types, learning this thing isn’t tough at all.
For the person who has to talk him or herself into coming to class, it might not work out. For the type of person who has trouble motivating him or herself to do pretty much anything in life, I’d advise against spending money on BJJ. I’ve seen far too many people pay for memberships and buy gis, only to never return to another class. I have no idea what happens to the gis in question. I wish they’d donate them to me. In case you’re wondering, I’m a size A3.
As far as technique goes, I’ve never seen anyone who’s at least halfway committed to jiu-jitsu not get it. Even if you’re overweight and out of shape as I mentioned above, but are motivated, you’ll have no problem learning the armbar, mount escape, or anything else that’s required of you. And the best part is, if you stick with showing up to class, you’ll likely lose any excess weight and you’ll also get in shape to boot. It just happens.
My name is Jay Gaulard and I’m a BJJ black belt instructor at The Foundry in Farmington, Maine. I’d love to answer your questions about Brazilian jiu-jitsu, so if you’ve got them, ask them down below and I’ll get right back to you. Thanks!
