How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can help you get in shape

Over 100 years ago, the Gracie family adapted, here in Brazil, an ancient martial art, jiu-jitsu. Although its roots are actually oriental, BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) became more famous than the original and gained many fans around the world. Among other things, he works a lot with strength, helping to gain muscle mass.

O awesome.club brings you a bit of the history of this art, which gave rise to the famous UFC, and how it can help you get in shape.

Also called “gentle art”, jiu-jitsu was brought to Brazil by the Japanese Mitsuyo Maeda, in 1914, when he decided to live in Belém do Pará. In 1917, three years after Mitsuyo’s arrival, Carlos Gracie, then 15 years old, insisted that his father, Gastão Gracie, ask his Japanese friend to teach him the martial art. Carlos not only became a faithful student, but also encouraged the other seven brothers to practice jiu-jitsu. Who stood out the most was Hélio. Both however adapted the martial art and the Brazilian version around the world is known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The family’s first academy was founded in 1925.

The Gracie clan — Carlos had 21 children and 13 became black belts — held challenges with anyone to prove that the martial art they practiced was superior. One of Hélio’s sons, Rorion, created, in 1993, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), today the biggest mixed fight event on the planet, later sold.

One of the main promoters of jiu-jitsu among women is Kyra Gracie, the first of the legendary family to earn a black belt. She started early. At age 11, she was already on the mat and, at 15, she had already earned her blue belt. A year later, she obtained her purple belt after defeating an opponent at the Pan American Championship. Her career took a meteoric rise and she won the jiu-jitsu world championship five times. She is currently a commentator for martial arts programs. She is married to global actor Malvino Salvador and has two daughters with him, Kyara and Ayra. Everyone already practices the martial art.

Although there are no official calculations, the practice of jiu-jitsu among women has been widespread. Experts on the subject credit this increase to the various benefits brought by the martial art, especially in relation to self-defense. See below for some other reasons.

Because it is an anaerobic practice, jiu-jitsu contributes to muscle toning, especially in the core region (which includes the back and abdomen) and arms. Improved physical conditioning, especially the cardiorespiratory system. It is a great ally in weight loss. One hour of class can burn up to 700 calories. Just to give you an idea, running provides a loss of 900 calories in the same time frame. The movements help in improving flexibility and stretching. Jiu-jitsu is a sport of reasoning and strategy. It can be a strong ally for concentration on work and studies. Like every martial art, jiu-jitsu helps the self-esteem and psychological strengthening of the practitioner. Just like any other physical activity, practice releases serotonin, the pleasure hormone. In women, it helps to reduce stress and difficult stages of PMS.

In other countries many consider that jiu-jitsu was created in Brazil. Do you practice any martial arts? Does it bring benefits to you? Which?