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Why train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)? Here are 15 reasons why:

1. The lessons you learn on the mat can be applied to yur daily life.
The more you train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the more focused you become on the bigger picture; on important lesson you learn on the mats. Now, nothing can faze you. Whether it's stress from work or being dumped by a boyfriend or girlfriend, you realize that some things aren't worth beating yourself up over, giving you an edge over those who aren't used to experiencing duress on a daily basis.

2. Because it helps you get in shape.
BJJ will build up your cardio endurance, as it involves both your aerobic and anaerobic systems. What's more, it scuipts your body because you'll engage different muscle groups when you're grappling.

As you progress in your BJJ journey, you'll get into your greatest shape, inside and out!

3. Because it teaches you persistence.
With so many differeent techniques to learn and master, BJJ will develop true grit. Amidst the countless hours of drilling and perfecting those techniques, you'll sometimes fine yourself frustrated and maybe even on the verge of giving up. But that's okay, because how you react is what counts; and chances are, you'd be mentally strong enough to press on and work towards your goals.

4. Because it takes you out of your comfort zone.
Let's face it. No one enjoys being taken down and submitted, or having to spar with someone much bigger. But when you constantly face your fears and get forced out of your comfort zone, you'll learn to be brave, and grow.

When you become bolder, you'll learn to take risk on and off the mats – which might lead to great things.

At the start of your BJJ Journey you will feel helpless. You'll feel like a toy to some guys jumping around you. But very soon if you put enough dedication and focus on your Jiu-Jitsu you will notice how much more powerful you are every time you step on the mat.

5. Because it sharpens your ability to defend yourself.
It has been statisutically proven that most fights end up on the ground, which is why BJJ is extremely useful – because it focuses on grappling, and on-ground fighting.

As you master various techniques and progress as a martial artist, you'll understand why BJJ is one of the most revolutionary and potent martial arts in the world.

6. Because it builds your confidence.
When you learn to properly defend yourself, or even submit someone who's bigger and stronger, you'll be more confident in your ability to defend yourself.

What's more, you'll learn to believe in yourself once you realize that you're capable of turning your weaknesses into strengths. This unshakeable self-belief would then lead you to more positive outcomes in life.

7. Because it teaches you to stay humble.
It doesn't matter whether you're of a higher rank, stronger, fitter, or bigger than your opponent. If he or she has a better grasp of the technique, you'll probably get submitted. In such situations, you'll understand the importance of keeping your ego in check.

By remining humble, you'll understand and accept the fact that there's always someone out there better than you. And that's okay, because you'll make it a point to constantly improve and work towards being the best martial artist you can be.

No matter how good you are there is always someone better, faster, younger. There is always someone who knows more. You will learn that you will never know everything and you will accept that fact that you can always learn moer from anyone around you not matter what belt they are or how long they train.

8. Because it brings you an awesome circle of friends.
The bond that you share with your BJJ friends is a special, unbreakable one. Besides rolling with you in class, they'll also be there to spur you on during your toughest days and celebrate your victories with you.

9. It's about brain not just muscles.
There's enormous number of techniques in BJJ and there are counters, re-counters, re-re-counters, re-re-re-counters... ok you got it. Every day you will be faced with some kind of problem solving situations. Questions and answers all the way. If you use your brain more you will be resolving those problems much easier. Just like in real life situation. Everything else is to make sure your body listens to your brain and you'll do fine.

10. You can practice BJJ for the rest of your life.
One of the fathers of BJJ, Helio Gracie, trained BJJ until he died at age of 95. While training BJJ you can chose your training partners, you can set your own pace, you can chose techniques you want and you can enjoy it no matter what age you are. There's one good sentence about BJJ and your training style: “Train BJJ like an old person, so that you can train BJJ as a old person”.

11. It is one of the most potent, real-life fighting systems on the planet.
The techniques you learn in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, which focuses on taking your opponent down to the ground and keeping them there, enables you to attack or get into a more dominant position. This gies you the upper hand at all times in a real-life sel-defense situation.

12. It will be your second line of defense.
In the event that you find yourself in a precarious situation, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great second line of defense in case straiking doesn't work. As mentioned above, a street fight will most probably end on the ground, thus enabling you to incapacitate your opponent with submissions should the occasion arise.

13. Anyone can practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Anyone: women, men, and even children as young as four years old can practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Because it is an art that is designed for a smaller, weaker practitioner to subdue much larger and stronger opponents, virtually anyone of any size, age or sex can practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

14. It is a martial art that sharpens the mind.
Also known as the “game of human chess”, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners utilize a lot of strategy and technique in order to best their opponents. In fact, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu student will probably come across hundreds of techniques and concepts in just a few years of training.

15. It promotes continuous self-improvement.
Whether you are a black belt or a white belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to accept that you will never fully become a master of your martial art of choice. Not only are there hundreds of techniques out there but there are also new ones being discovered every day. You there realize that the only way to improve is to continuously work on it every day and remind yourself that you have a lot to learn. By taking it one step at a time and acknowledging your achievements, who knows how far you'll go?

One of the greatest benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is how your body changes without you realizing it. Constant drilling sessions and sparring will certainly have an effect on your body! Because you've become so focused on learning new techniques, you don't realize how much weight you've lost or how much flexibility you've gained in the process. Any workout that doesn't seem like one is definitely a plus.