By: Lorena Balli

Are you a woman who has ever considered trying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but hesitated about what it would be like to join a co-ed class? For women looking to build confidence, enhance their physical and mental well-being, and try a new hobby, jiu-jitsu offers many benefits—from gaining self-defense skills to simply connecting with other female practitioners in a welcoming environment. Women's-only BJJ classes can be a valuable and enriching opportunity to try something new without feeling like you're diving into a male-dominated world. The idea of training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can be daunting for women, but because of its focus on technique, leverage, and strategy rather than relying solely on strength and size, jiu-jitsu is actually ideal for the petite practitioner. Participating in a women’s-only class provides the opportunity to practice with similar body types, strength levels, and perspectives.

Here are eight specific benefits of training in a women’s only class:

Technique over Strength: BJJ emphasizes using technique and leverage to control and submit opponents, making it an ideal martial art for women who may be smaller or less physically strong than their training partners. This allows women to effectively defend themselves regardless of their size.

Ground Fighting Skills: BJJ is known for its ground fighting techniques, which can be advantageous for women in self-defense situations where they may end up on the ground. By learning how to maneuver and submit opponents in these scenarios, women can feel more prepared and confident in such situations.

Empowerment and Self-Defense: BJJ training can empower women by teaching them practical self-defense skills that are effective in real-life situations. Knowing how to control and submit an opponent can give women the confidence to defend themselves if needed.

Safety: Oftentimes, women are less likely to train BJJ due to fear of being in an intimate training space with men. This may be due to fear of safety, past traumas or the discomfort of simply being close to their counterpart. In a women’s only class, women often express a sense of freedom and comfort rolling only with other women. What also is likely to happen is that once women have grown to enjoy training with their female teammates, they build the confidence to join co-ed classes. Women’s only classes are a great way to build up slowly into training.

Increased Confidence: As women progress in their BJJ training and see themselves getting better at techniques and sparring, their self-confidence often grows. This increased confidence can extend beyond the mats and positively impact other areas of their lives.

Physical and Mental Fitness: BJJ training provides a rigorous workout that improves cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and endurance. The mental aspect of learning techniques, strategizing during sparring, and staying calm under pressure also contributes to improved mental fitness.

Sense of Community: Many BJJ academies have a strong sense of community, where women can find support, encouragement, and camaraderie among their training partners and instructors. This community can be particularly valuable for women in a male-dominated sport.

Skill Development and Progression: BJJ offers a clear path of progression through belts, stripes, and competitions, allowing women to set goals, track their progress, and see tangible results from their training efforts.

Overall, training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be highly rewarding for women, offering a unique combination of physical fitness, self-defense skills, empowerment, community, and personal growth. By focusing on technique, leverage, and strategy, women can excel in BJJ regardless of their size or strength, making it a valuable martial art for women of all ages and fitness levels.