Introduction
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is my favorite martial art. With so many practitioners around the world, clearly I’m not the only one. However, it is a rough contact sport, and injuries are an unfortunate but quite common occurrence. You have people bending each other’s joints and applying chokes until the opponent submits. So yeah, you might get hurt. Let’s talk about injuries in BJJ.
Benefits of BJJ
First, let’s talk about the benefits of BJJ. Personally, I train BJJ because I was bullied as a kid, so I feel that it is necessary to be able to defend myself. BJJ is one of the more efficient arts to train in. It is a great way to get in shape, a valuable self-defense skill, and helps build the self-confidence that can sometimes be lacking. Additionally, BJJ offers a great way to make friends since rolling (sparring) is an excellent way to bond with teammates and training partners. Finally, it’s a lot of fun, like wrestling when we were kids.
Risks of Injury
While the benefits of BJJ are clear, there are risks involved with training. Injuries are common, ranging from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious torn ligaments and even fractures. As I write this, I just took two Tylenol because my C3 neck herniation is causing a lot of pain. I also have a torn shoulder ligament from a bad armbar. Injuries happen, but taking proper precautions like stretching, yoga, corrective exercises, and resting when needed can help keep you healthy. Also, always tap!
Is it Worth It?
Despite the risks of injury, BJJ is worth it for many people. I’ve been training on and off since 2004 despite several injuries that have affected my life. The physical and mental benefits of training often outweigh the risks, and the sense of accomplishment from mastering techniques is unparalleled. Ultimately, whether to practice BJJ is an individual choice. At this point in my life, I’m being much more cautious and have mostly stopped sparring, even though I still love it. My neck and shoulder can’t handle it anymore.
Conclusion
Getting injured in BJJ is a risk that should be considered carefully. However, for many of us, the physical and mental benefits outweigh those risks. The best advice I can offer is to stretch, do yoga, keep your ego in check, and tap early when caught. Also, be mindful with your training partners. One of my worst injuries came from an overzealous training partner. Choose your partners wisely!
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