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Home » Starting BJJ » Can I start BJJ if I’m overweight?
3

Can I start BJJ if I’m overweight?

- John Q. Whitebelt

Posted by John Q. Whitebelt in Starting BJJ | 3 comments

Community Answers

  1. 76
    8-7-13
    Aesopian says:

    Yes, can start doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu even if you are overweight. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to get in shape first, as explained here: Should I get in shape before joining a BJJ school?

    In fact, BJJ is a very good workout, and you can expect to lose weight by training. Every BJJ school has their own success stories about student losing weight and getting fit. A good instructor will take into account your current fitness and ability and not make you do more than you can handle, but still push you. 

    If losing weight is important to you, then you should also look at improving your diet, starting with simple changes like cutting out soda and junk food, eating more fruits and vegetables, and finding healthy snacks like nuts and berries.

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  2. 3
    1-25-16
    redmeridian says:

    I agree with Aesopian. BJJ will help you lose weight but only if you also make your diet reasonable. If you eat badly, you will maintain weight (rather than gaining, as you would without the exercise). You don’t have to “go on a diet” — just don’t eat anything really bad (like lots of soda, more than one dessert a day, massive portions of carby foods). Rolling can be pretty intense and if you train 3-5x a week that’s a good amount of exercise. Actually, I would not recommend dieting and doing BJJ at the same time. You need energy (especially protein) to stay strong. Sleep and a solid diet will let your body heal between training sessions.

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  3. 4
    4-14-16
    steve_sux@bjj says:

    Yes. If you’re a heavy person (me), gravity can be a powerful ally. Put your weight on your opponent’s chest while in side control or mount. Stay heavy. It’s miserable being under a heavy person, but it’s a good thing to make your opponent miserable in bjj, right? If they don’t know what they’re doing, they might gas themselves out trying to get out from under you… OR they’ll start flailing and leave an easy arm out there for you to attack or give you their back.

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