This is a commonly asked question that you may see people talk about both online and offline. Sometimes, new (and even experienced people) will moan that they don’t enjoy training and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a drag. This may be a short term phase, or it may be something more serious such as leading you to quit BJJ. Whatever the issue, here’s some of the common ways around getting out of a rut as well as some good advice for training.
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Anxiety before class can be normal
If you’re very new, then anxiety can be normal and a lot of people go through this. Even if you’re experienced yet go to a different gym, these feelings can return based on unfamiliarity. Ultimately, you should try and find a way to get to class whatever it takes.
The reason for this is because usually, once you’re settled and training everything will feel fine and you’ll feel better. This doesn’t just apply for BJJ either, it adds mental strength and courage that can be applied to other situations in life.
However…if you still dislike it, you may want to quit
Statistically, way more people quit BJJ than stick it out. In fact, only around 10% of people even make it to blue belt. This means that if you’re thinking of quitting and genuinely dislike training, then do it. Seriously, no one will judge you for it and it’s actually very common.
The point is that BJJ should be fun and shouldn’t be forced, even by yourself. Some people argue you need self discipline in this case…but life is too short and a hobby shouldn’t be something that you don’t enjoy, it doesn’t make sense.
However, it could be a rut…
Sometimes, people go through phases that last either days or even a couple of months when training gets stale. You may be getting smashed in sparring, your favorite training partner may quit, or you may get injured and question whether it’s worth it. Ultimately, you’ll know the answer in a few months time.
In response to the previous point, whilst quitting is fine, you should also take a bit of time before leaving. That is, sometimes you may regret leaving and you may grow out of your mental plateau. That means that until then, you should keep training just to see if you change your mind.
Even higher belts go through rough patches which is fine. However, if it’s your first one then you may not know if you actually want to quit or you’re just a bit bored. This is why it’s advised to stick it out.
Before that, try new things in the gym
Perhaps the biggest reason why people get bored and quit is that things get stale and they don’t experiment. You may be a white belt that has a good Americana but now your training partners have adapted to your attack. Now, it’s time to look at other ways to improvise and overcome their improvements. This way, everyone gets better.
This means it’s on you to improve and look for new techniques and styles. Whatever it is, just have fun and make sure you’re open minded to learning new techniques. Another idea could be to enter a competition to see if you get a buzz that isn’t obtainable in the gym.
Similarly, if you’re still not enjoying it, then it may be time to move gyms. Some people are better suited to more serious gyms, whilst others prefer a casual vibe. It’s up to you and it’s best to find the right match before quitting altogether.
Slow down
One of the biggest issues with white belts is that they go crazy and need to slow down. This can either be in terms of rolling or in terms of training schedule. You may be over training and not even notice it. For instance, you may have a busy schedule and therefore training 5 times is simply too much on your mind and body.
There’s no shame in cutting the odd lesson off here and there if it gives you greater piece of mind. On a similar note, if you’re not remembering anything and are getting frustrated, then slow down in sparring as then you’re literally more likely to remember the events and that’s how you learn.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s important to differentiate between being in a rut in training and genuinely wanting to quit. If it’s the latter then go ahead and quit. There’s no point in life doing something that you don’t enjoy doing. At the same time, if it’s just a temporary issue then trying some of the above tips will helpful get you into a different head space.
In conclusion, it can be normal to fear training beforehand or feel that you suck, or get a bit bored every now and then. However, if this is a regular occurrence and you really don’t like training BJJ – then the truth is that it’s probably not for you and there’s nothing wrong with that either.
