I have been doing an intro kind of class for BJJ once a week for the last month or so (I have been doing fitness classes with these guys for about 5 months) and went to my first proper class on Wednesday evening. My new Gi arrives today and I have open mat tonight and a workshop tomorrow! Super excited!!!!

T-Rex All day! Haven't joined a gym since I moved. I will be joining a new gym soon. I'm split between a MMA gym and a more traditional BBJ gym. Just got a new gi in the mail!

I've been doing japanese jiu jitsu on and off since 2004 and hold a blue belt. Now doing BJJ since 4 months and love it so much more. The effectiveness aswell as the reality is much better and adjusted to current times. I understand japanese people value respect but the sport needs to make its entrance in 2015 ;-) BJJ rules!

Hi to all. Matt, 43 years old, a recently promoted blue belt that started jiu jitsu wanting to do an athletic activity with my teenage sons (14 & 12). Currently 263 - goal to get back to 200, to help my jiu jitsu and most importantly just live a healthy lifestyle. Looking for an "accountability buddy" to help me stay on the path!

CaptainBoing - got it. Looking forward to the discussion & journey!

I'm now comfortable saying I train BJJ. 4 months and counting I'm a tkd 1 dan, but needed something closer to home, that was fairly knee friendly. Absolutely loving it! Feel free to add me, I love hearing everybodies updates- makes me want to try harder (that's my competitive side coming out maybe?!)

Been training in Goshindo Jujitsu about 3/4 months, so a very newbie in this but loving it!!!
Been training in Shotokan Karate about 5/6years, grading for my 1st dan black belt very soon (shakes with nerves)!!!
I also box ( when I have time)!!.

Would like to have a go at fencing, but just don't have time!!

danaweiss580 wrote: »

Fencing is supposed to be fantastic for martial arts training.

That's funny, because I use martial arts as training for fencing!

I see now how it does fit as a martial art, but before I was exposed to other types I was convinced it wasn't one. It is very different but there are enough similarities to qualify. There is a vast number of complimentary aspects of training in fencing and a more traditional martial art, although I suppose bjj is not exactly the most traditional! I do occasional karate classes (I have no idea what kind of karate) as well.

danaweiss580 wrote: »

victal wrote: »

Would like to have a go at fencing, but just don't have time!!

Fencing is supposed to be fantastic for martial arts training.

I find the modern sport of western fencing (which is a small part of fencing IMO) is useful for its development of distance and footwork. Essentially, if you can control the distance in a match you can generally win the match. From what I've seen, fencing footwork and reflexes will help you gain an advantage over a similarly skilled opponent while standing up in striking mode. It will not help you overcome a great skill differential. For example, if you're doing Muay Thai Len Chen (aka technical) sparring with a Lumpenee Champion or western boxing with an NCBA champion, you're still screwed. It helps, but not that much.

If you're training in something like Eskrima sparring with weapons, fencing will help, but it's situational (and hard to explain briefly). It may also take you a while to get to where you understand where you can use it and where you cannot.

Glad to have you here, stang - personally I only dabble with BJJ, as my main focus is Taekwondo, though we do incorporate some BJJ basics into self defense.