-Finding out how flexible you aren't anymore. -a steep learning curve to break a lot of ingrained habits from previous training or wrestling. -the desire to wear a TapOut or Affliction shirt and walk around trying to armbar random people walking down the street.
BJJ jokes are low hanging fruit. You guys are better than this To answer the actual question: The best idea would be to not expect anything at all. Try to go in with a completely empty slate and zero expectations. Having an athletic background, and just generally picking things up pretty quickly, I never expected the learning curve to be so long. It’s right there with surfing and motocross as the most humbling sports I’ve ever attempted. You’ll be really overwhelmed initially. There are a lot of things that you’ve probably observed when watching MMA, or BJJ that seem intuitive, but aren’t. My coach always says Jiu Jitsu is not a sport, it’s a language. It’s impossible to master because you can always increase your vocabulary, learn a new dialect, or even pick up slang. Similarly, even though you’ll only cover the basics in your first lesson, it will still seem like too much, and likely not make any sense. If you’re going to give it a shot, I’d recommend you commit to three months at least. It’s easy to get frustrated early, but once you start to connect the dots, there aren’t many things more rewarding.
I understand how effective BJJ is; but man, i have zero desired to spend my spare time rolling around with sweaty dudes.
I can tell you it is very humbling. Wrestling is a great background for BJJ. Only a few wrestling instincts to break.
Not looking forward to that either. I think the gi is the way to go, even if it does give your opponent something to grab.
I'd strongly recommend doing both. I waited too long to get a gi, so I was in big trouble when I first started training in it. The opposite can be true also. If you learn in the gi, you'll be lost when you don't have all those handles. The other advantage to doing both is that you double your training opportunities.
It's like UFC. They show all the good punches and kicks in the previews, but when you watch the actual fight it's just a bunch of guys hugging and rolling around in the ring. I got invited to watch a UFC "fight" at a friend's house and was all pumped up to see some serious fighting. After watching that bullshit I called it Utimate Man Love and wasn't invited back for the next party.
