Okay, so today I wanted to try out this whole “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” thing. I’ve heard a lot of chatter online, so I figured, why not get my hands dirty and see what the fuss is all about?
Getting Started
First, I found a local gym that offers both Gracie and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. I called them up, and they were super friendly, inviting me down for a trial class in each style. Sounded good to me!
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: First Impressions
My first class was Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The instructor emphasized self-defense a lot. We spent a good chunk of time practicing basic escapes and holds, things like getting out of headlocks and wrist grabs. It felt very practical, like stuff you could actually use if you ever got into a street fight. We also worked on some ground techniques, mostly focusing on maintaining a dominant position and controlling the opponent. I am very focus on self-defense so I really enjoyed this process.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Different Vibe
Next up was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This class had a completely different vibe. It felt way more…sporty? We did some warm-up drills that were more about agility and movement. Then, we jumped right into sparring, or “rolling” as they call it. It was intense! There was a lot more emphasis on submissions – chokes, arm bars, leg locks. It was a lot to take in, especially for a beginner like me, but i still learned a lot from this intense class!
My Takeaway
- Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: Feels more focused on self-defense, real-world scenarios.
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: More sport-oriented, lots of emphasis on competition and submissions.
Honestly, after trying both, I can see why people get into arguments about which is “better.” They’re both Jiu-Jitsu, but they feel pretty different. It probably just comes down to what you’re looking for. If you want to learn how to defend yourself, Gracie might be the way to go. If you’re into the sport aspect, Brazilian might be more your speed. For me, I am more interesting about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Personally, I think I’ll stick with the self-defense stuff for now, it felt more relevant to my daily life, I’m not planning on entering any tournaments anytime soon!