Blog
Jiu Jitsu Journal
Strength Training for BJJ: A Practical Complement
Use strength work to support BJJ without letting lifting crowd out mat practice or recovery. General guidance, limits, and a simple framework.
August 24, 2026
Is BJJ Dangerous? Risk, Tapping, and Training Intensity
BJJ has unavoidable injury risk. See what current studies report and how partner choice, tapping, training intensity, and room culture shape practice.
August 4, 2026
BJJ vs Muay Thai: Grappling or Striking?
Compare BJJ and Muay Thai by range, contact, class format, self-defense limits, and whether you want ground grappling or stand-up striking today.
August 1, 2026
BJJ vs Judo: Rules, Takedowns, and Ground Fighting
Compare BJJ and judo by current rules, throws, takedowns, ground continuity, submissions, and the goals that make each sport a better fit for you.
July 30, 2026
BJJ Belt Ranks in Order: White to Black Belt Explained
Learn the adult BJJ belts in order, how youth ranks differ, what IBJJF minimums mean, and why no coach can promise a blue- or black-belt date.
July 28, 2026
Is BJJ a Good Workout? What It Trains and How to Start
BJJ combines repeated movement, resistance and skill practice. Learn what it can train, what it does not guarantee, and how to begin at a sustainable pace.
July 14, 2026
How to Choose a BJJ Gym: 9 Things to Check
Compare BJJ gyms by the classes you can attend, beginner treatment, coaching, cleanliness, trial process, prices, terms and training culture.
July 14, 2026
Women's BJJ: What to Know Before Your First Class
How Black Cat's women's BJJ program works, what to ask about partners and intensity, what to wear, and how to request a first class.
July 11, 2026
BJJ for Kids Ages 8 to 13: A Parent's First-Class Guide
Black Cat's kids BJJ program serves ages 8 to 13. See what parents should ask, what a child should wear, how youth belts work, and how to request a trial.
July 11, 2026
BJJ for Beginners: What Your First Month Looks Like
What to wear, how to prepare, what to ask before your first BJJ class, and how to approach the first month without rushing progress.
July 9, 2026
Gi vs No-Gi BJJ: Which Should a Beginner Start With?
Compare gi and no-gi BJJ by clothing, grips, schedule, goals and equipment. See why a beginner can start with either and train both at Black Cat.
July 9, 2026
BJJ vs Wrestling: Which Should You Train?
Compare BJJ and wrestling by rules, takedowns, top control, submissions, pace, and the goals each sport serves best, including cross-training.
July 9, 2026
Is BJJ Good for Self-Defense? Strengths and Limits
BJJ can build live grappling skill for close-range control and escapes, but it does not cover strikes, weapons, multiple attackers, or every real-world risk.
July 5, 2026
What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Brazilian jiu jitsu is a grappling art built around control and submissions. See how BJJ works, what class looks like, and how beginners start.
August 24, 2026
BJJ After 40: How to Start
You can start BJJ after 40 without pretending age makes training risk-free. Learn how to pace the first months, choose partners, recover, and tap early.
August 24, 2026
First BJJ Class Etiquette
Know what to wear and bring to your first BJJ class, how to tap, what to do with shoes and jewelry, and how to be a useful training partner.
August 24, 2026
Wrestling for BJJ
Wrestling can sharpen BJJ stance, hand fighting, takedowns, scrambles, and top control. Learn what transfers, what changes, and where beginners start.
August 24, 2026
BJJ vs Boxing: Which Fits You?
BJJ teaches clinch and ground control; boxing teaches striking at distance. Compare contact, training style, goals, and limits before choosing a class.
August 24, 2026
BJJ Questions From Reddit, Answered
Six public Reddit threads reveal recurring BJJ beginner questions about age, gear, tapping, gi vs no-gi, partners, prices, and choosing a gym.
August 24, 2026