Can You Lose Weight Doing Jiu-Jitsu?
Posted: October 25, 2021
Jiu-Jitsu is absolutely a great method to lose weight – we can confidently say that when you join our Surrey martial arts club you will see pounds melt away, an improvement in your overall fitness and much more.
Read on to discover how Jiu-Jitsu can help you lose weight - no matter what your starting point.
Weight Loss Via Jiu-Jitsu
You don’t have to look far to find amazing weight loss case studies from people who claim Jiu-Jitsu helped them lose weight. Not only lose weight but transform their bodies and completely revolutionise their life – there is a reason some people refer to BJJ or GJJ as a ‘lifestyle’ rather than just a sport or activity.
Although Jiu-Jitsu isn’t a complete solution when it comes to weight loss (diet will play a large part in your how your weight changes), it is an effective enough workout to get your body burning calories.
The most basic principle of weight loss is calories consumed vs. calories lost – burn more calories than you eat, and you will lose weight. When you first start Jiu-Jitsu or any type of exercise for that matter, so long as your diet remains the same, you will be burning more calories than you did previously. This will start you off losing the pounds, you can then start to modify your diet as you go along.
Once you find yourself invested in your training, you will also start to naturally modify the behaviour that caused you to gain weight. For example, if you were a couch potato, you might use the time you would have been slumped in front of Netflix to train instead. Instead of comfort eating or having an indulgent meal out, you might choose to train instead.
Replacing unhealthy habits with Jiu-Jitsu can never be a bad thing – once you get addicted to the sport (yes, that’s a thing!), you may even find yourself turning down activities you used to enjoy, such as going to the pub. You might frequently find yourself too tired from training to participate in these activities too – although Jiu-Jitsu can be taken as a gentle activity for people of all shapes and sizes, there is no denying you will feel tired from a good training session!
If you struggle with motivation to lose weight or usually find yourself bored with routine exercise, joining a martial arts academy or gym can be a great way to keep yourself feeling inspired and motivated. Here at Ellis Academy, we have a diverse mixture of students and being around people who take their health and fitness seriously is bound to keep your feeling inspired. Being around others you find inspiring is a great way to boost your self-esteem and work out some personal goals.
Naturally, as soon as you start to see weight loss it will spur you on to do better and work harder. Motivation soars when you see progress and progress is something we strive to help each of our students see as quickly as possible.
Do You Need To Be Fit To Do Jiu-Jitsu?
Starting any sort of exercise or joining a class can be nerve-wracking – you will automatically compare your body size and shape to other students, and despair that you don’t seem as fit as some people.
This is completely natural but don’t let it put you off – you can start Jiu-Jitsu lessons today, no matter your current weight or level of fitness. We would always suggest checking with your doctor in the first instance, especially if you are used to being very sedentary, have a lot of weight to lose, or have a health condition but there are very few barriers to getting started with your first lesson.
Our style out Ellis Academy is very much centred on personal development and if losing weight and improving your mobility is your initial goal, our qualified instructors have the experience to be able to help you adapt and acclimatise to moving more.
Ready For Your First Jiu-Jitsu Class In Surrey?
Based in Redhill, Surrey, Ellis Academy Of Self Defence have been around since 2001. Our spacious, clean gym is the ideal location to start your weight loss and jiu-jitsu journey.
Don’t let the current situation put you off getting started today – we’re currently offering online martial arts training for both children and adults.