COMMON QUESTIONS

Can anyone train Jiu Jitsu?

Yes. Jiu jitsu is a martial art based on using leverage which allows the weaker and lighter individual to beat the stronger and heavier opponent. For this reason jiu jitsu is recommended for everyone regardless of your physical condition, age or size.

I’m out of shape and want to lose weight, is this possible in Jiu Jitsu?

Training jiu jitsu will help improve your physical condition in a fun and dynamic way. While performing the techniques you use your entire body while gaining flexibility and strength as well as burning calories and losing weight.

What are the risks of injury in Jiu Jitsu?

Safety is imperative at our gym, however accidents can happen like in any other activity. In jiu jitsu injuries are usually self inflicted due to the individual performing a technique incorrectly, but our instructors pay close attention and with each repetition the risk declines making jiu jitsu an extremely safe sport.

How long does it take for me to receive belts in Jiu Jitsu?

Jiu jitsu has 2 grading methods depending on the age of the student. Up to 15 years old the student receives the belts yellow, orange and green. From 16 and onwards the belts are colored blue, purple, brown and black. At our academy we have a defined grading system where you prepare yourself for your belt exam with a determined amount of completed classes which varies from belt to belt. Find out more by clicking the “graduation” icon.

How does a typical Jiu Jitsu class work?

The class begins with a warm up which also serves as physical conditioning varying every day among stretching, strength training, explosion etc. After warming up comes the technical training with repetitions of self-defense, control positions, joint locks and choke movements to name a few of the many jiu jitsu techniques taught. And finally we have the free training more commonly known as “rolling”.

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Frequently asked questions about BJJ

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Question #1: What is the Difference Between Gi and No Gi?

Brazilian jiu jitsu is traditionally practiced in the gi. A gi is a uniform that enables students to practice choking and controlling each other with articles of clothing. It is much more sturdy than your average hoodie or t-shirt and is designed for performance.

In no gi training, students generally wear a rash guard and shorts or spats. The clothing is not used for choking or controlling, and baggy items should be avoided to protect fingers and toes from getting caught up and broken. When I’m training no gi, I try to cover as much skin as possible to prevent skin infections and wardrobe malfunctions. I would prefer to not have a hairy armpit or bare thighs touching my face or neck and I’m sure most people feel the same way, so that’s something to consider when you’re choosing what to wear to class. Generally, no one cares what anyone else actually looks like at BJJ.

 You can buy your Gi on our website or at the school.

Question #2: What is the Perfect Age to Start a Child in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

I’ve been teaching kids martial and especially BJJ for a long time now.  Let’s put it this way, I started martial arts in the very early to be more specific in November of 1999 Anyway.  So I guess I may know a thing or two about teaching kids BJJ. In particular I have mainly taught kids as young as 3 1/2 to 7 years.  In my experience, the closer you can get to four years old, the better chance your child will have a positive experience starting BJJ.  There are a few key areas parents should consider when starting a BJJ class.  First, does your child have enough verbal communication skills that they can communicate their needs and desires to the instructor?  For example:  they need to be able to ask and answer basic questions during class.  This will also include basic communication with others students and coaches as well. Bathroom Trained:  Most BJJ classes are 45 minutes to one hour long.  Most instructors will require your child be bathroom trained enough to successfully finish an hour class.  Classroom participation:  Being shy or outgoing is okay.  It only becomes a challenge if your child is so shy they refuse to participate or if they are so “high energy” that they cannot focus enough to participate in learning.  BJJ is a “contact sport”, so your child needs to be somewhat prepared to wrestle and have physical contact with other children.  A great instructor will introduce grappling and contact over time.  But nevertheless, there will be contact. Remember, there’s no real perfect way to figure out if your child is ready but to give it a try.  The best way to get started is to call a school and schedule an appointment for a trial class (our schools offer a free trial class).

 Question #3: Why Train with the Gi?

The gi game obviously has a lot more to it. Everything that can be done without the gi can be done with it, making it a more complex game. Additionally, taking away the gi allows physical attributes such as size, strength and slipperiness to come into play with greater effect due to the lack of levers and friction. Working with the gi is generally considered more of a “thinking man’s” game. Not that no-gi isn’t, it’s just that the gi removes many physical advantages and ads more techniques. For now, you should view your kimono(gi) as a set of training wheels. As you develop a higher level of proficiency, you will learn to perform Jiu-jitsu techniques both with and without a gi. For now, the gi will add a level of sophistication to your game that will result in you as a student becoming a more advanced and technical fighter.

 Question #4: Do people get injured a lot in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Not at all! You'll  be training in an extremely supportive, safe environment. No one wants to hurt anyone - and no one wants to get hurt. While injuries happen from time to time (just like with any sport), they're the exception - not the rule.

 Question #5: Should I get in shape before joining a BJJ school?

No, you should do BJJ to get in shape!

If you told me “I want to get in shape so I can ride a bike,” I’d tell you “You ride a bike to get in shape!” The same is true for BJJ. Doing an activity is the best way to get in shape for it.

“Getting in shape first” is a very common excuse for not starting BJJ sooner, and it is usually hiding the real fear: being afraid of embarrassing yourself and looking foolish in front of others. This fear is common, as is its sibling: wanting to be good without ever doing something before.

I’ll ruin the suspense right now and let you know that even people who are in shape have trouble starting BJJ. You also won’t be good at BJJ without ever doing it, no matter how many UFC Fight Nights you’ve watched.

BJJ is an activity unlike anything a person normally does. Even if you could run marathons and climb mountains, BJJ will challenge you in different ways. (It works both ways too–being good at BJJ doesn’t make you good at marathons or mountain climbing).

People who say they want to get in shape before starting BJJ rarely take steps to do it. If they weren’t motivated enough to start BJJ, it’s unlikely they will start working out or going to a fitness gym either.

To be honest, I’ve never seen someone who could legitimately say they needed to get in shape before starting BJJ. They would need to be so morbidly obese or frail that a doctor would tell them not to. They have bigger problems than “getting in shape” if that’s the state their life’s in.

Learning BJJ techniques and sparring against people is a very fun, interesting and exciting way to get in shape. It beats running on a treadmill while listening to your Pandora playlist, or being that creepy guy who lift weights in his garage with the door rolled up.

Pizol, Black Belt.

 

What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu jitsu is more than just a sport. It's more than martial art. It's a way to change your life. You hear a lot of people talking about the Jiu jitsu lifestyle or Bjj lifestyle, but what does that mean? Does it mean you train all day? Does it mean you work all day and then head to class?

Brazilian Jiu jitsu's benefits go beyond anything you can see. Often it's the things you can't see that have the biggest impact in your life.

Brazilian Jiu jitsu academies are collection of almost every type of person you can think of, like doctor, lawyers, students, law enforcement, businessman, women, and even more.

Every day they walk into the academy for the same reason - to get better at BJJ and improving their health, learning ability, and stress levels.

They may not be thinking about the many benefits of BJJ that cannot be seen, but it doesn't matter if they can see them or not - they are happening. To me, what you can't see is really what the Brazilian Jiu jitsu lifestyle is about. It's taking the lesson learned on the mat and applying them to your everyday life.

 

 

 

 " After an intense rolling or drilling session you will find yourself feeling great "

                   - Pizol / black belt of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Pizol BJJ academy brought home four silver medals and one bronze medal.

Some of the students from PIZOL BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU ACADEMY went to the New York Summer Open tournament, one of the most important tournament from IBJJF (Internacional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) in New York.

The tournament was on July 18th and 19th.

We had four white belt students fighting. Two of them, Jason and Alvaro, won silver medal and one student, Christopher got bronze.

Pizol, who is the Black Belt teacher from the school fought GI and NO GI winning second place.

All of them had several matches, including Sergio, although he lost on his second fight. We are very proud of all of the students and we are looking forward to creating more champions.

Our Journey Continues - Never Back Down

We are proud to announce the launch of our new website. It has been an incredible journey for us to this point and as our academy grows, so does our family.

But our growth has not been because of some outside investors or complex marketing strategy. Our growth has been rooted in the success of our students.

So we want to say thank you. To everyone in our family who enjoys our classes and spreads the word of our academy, You are the foundation stones of the institution and we look forward to continuing the journey with you.

We remain dedicated to providing the highest quality of education to all our members. Never Back Down.