The Hidden Benefits of BJJ

From when I started training jiu-jitsu to now, I’ve experienced many benefits, some of which I expected, and many of which I did not. Most people think training BJJ is just about increasing fitness and skills. However, there are so many hidden benefits to training BJJ.

Hidden Benefits of BJJ 

• Increased confidence
• Testosterone Boost
• Strength Increase
• Facial Improvement
• Improved Physique

Now let's get into the details.

#1 Increased Confidence

For me, this was the biggest one. I was moderately confident growing up and into adulthood, but it was never grounded in truth. Deep down, I always knew my confidence lacked a foundation, I had no ability to protect myself or back up the way I thought about myself.

When I started training BJJ, all that changed. Just kidding! In reality, my confidence actually got worse at first. For the first 3–6 months of training, I realized just how helpless I was to defend myself.

Yet, after training for an extended period and competing in tournaments, I found a source of true confidence I’d never had before. And this time, it was founded in (some) truth.

#2 Testosterone Boost

This was something I had no idea about until I started training and did some research. As it turns out, intense competition significantly boosts testosterone. This benefit has carried over into so many areas of my life: increased gains in the gym, more energy, and a general sense of vitality.

#3 Strength Increase

When I first started, I was focused on learning a new skill. I didn’t realize my gym gains would also improve from training BJJ. Now that I’ve been training for years, it makes sense, given the amount of isometric holds involved in grappling.

These strength gains have been most noticeable in my back, biceps, triceps, and forearms. I haven’t personally seen significant strength increases in other areas. But, the benefits in these muscle groups have been impressive.

#4 Facial Improvements

This one was a very unexpected hidden benefit of training BJJ. I’ve always struggled with facial bloating and how soft my features looked. I thought this was just the way I was built and moved on. But after training for a while, I noticed very significant changes in my face.

Likely due to the amount of sweating during BJJ, the testosterone boost, and fat loss, I saw improvements in facial bloating and structure. My cheekbones became more visible, my jawline sharpened, and I even developed the “hollow” cheek look. Definitely a nice bonus.

#5 Improved Physique

It’s no secret that training jiu-jitsu helps you lose fat. The workouts are intense and last for extended periods of time. But what I didn’t realize was how much BJJ would improve my physique.

I’d always focused on bodybuilding through my teens and 20s, but I struggled to build the physique I wanted. After training BJJ for a while, I started noticing significant improvements in areas I’d always struggled with. Like my shoulders, chest, and quads. This could be due to the testosterone increase from competing, but it was a game-changer for me.

Conclusion

There are countless hidden benefits to BJJ, and these are just a few of the most noticeable ones. If you haven’t started training yet and are considering it, we urge you to get on the mats! Find a local gym or gather some friends to train and create your own space. Don’t miss out on the huge benefits of training BJJ.

See you on the mats!