6 reasons why women should train jiu-jitsu

1. Jiu-jitsu is great for women's SELF-DEFENSE. 

Jiu-jitsu is designed for weaker or smaller opponents to defend themselves against larger ones using technique instead of strength. Being as a woman in the United States is assaulted or beaten every 9 seconds and has a 20% chance of being raped in her lifetime, it just makes sense that    jiu-jitsu is a recommended form of self-defense for any woman (who tend to be usually smaller and weaker than the person most likely to assault them).

WIth that said, jiu-jitsu has so much more to offer than just self-defense. You’ll get in great shape, develop lifelong friendships, and have tons of fun – and that’s only to start!  If you know a female or are one who’s been thinking about getting on the mats, there are plenty of reasons to begin that don't involve just doing it for self-defense.

2. You don’t need to be big and strong to be good at jiu-jitsu.  

Yes, there are many women who are stronger, heavier, or taller than some men, but most of us are not. Many of my non-BJJ friends think I’m lying when I tell them that I, a girl who is 5’2” on a tall day, can tap out (submit) people who are literally twice my size, but jiu-jitsu                is all about technique overcoming strength. You don’t need to be a body builder or a 200 pound male to dominate your opponent. That is the beauty of this sport, using proper technique can overcome brute strength.

3.  It teaches you to love your body for what it is able to do rather than for what it looks like.  

Both males and females deal with the frustration of not having the “perfect” body, but it is pretty clear that females are more likely to have eating disorders  than males are in their lifetime.  Blame it on our society, but it’s clear that lots of women live their lives focusing on their waist size or how their body doesn’t look like that body.  Jiu-jitsu shows all the awesome things your body can do, no matter your size.   As a great bonus, the additional exercise will get you closer to the hot body you want, but when you make it there, you’ll be just as, if not more excited in your abilities than your appearance.

4. The sisterhood is an unbreakable bond.  

The people you train with in jiu-jitsu will probably become your 2nd family. It’s hard not to become close with someone when jiu-jitsu is such a close contact sport and  you are placing your safety in each other’s hands.  Because there are not many women in jiu-jitsu, the closeness that forms between training partners is even stronger than most friendships that start in the gym. It’s rare to find women who are into what is a male dominated sport, and the struggle of being female in a male dominated jiu-jitsu world tends to bring women together. And not just at your own training facility, you will find an instant connection with female jiu-jitsu practitioners from other gyms and even competitors in tournaments.

5. It breaks ideas about what women “should” or “shouldn’t” do.  

It frustrates me every time I hear someone restrict something to a specific gender.  It is crazy that in the 21st century, women all across the world are still being told either by the law or by society that  they can’t or shouldn’t do certain activities that are traditionally “masculine.”  On the mats, everyone is equal; there is no gender.   Luckily, most of the men I’ve been lucky enough to meet in jiu-jitsu are fine with  women training. Some of the newer guys might be awkward about rolling with women, but those who have been around for a while will generally be fair about treating you just as they would treat a man your size.