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**Pandinha** · 10/31/2006 2:11pm,

1. What is the difference between Gracie Ju Jitsu and Brazilian Ju Jitsu?

None really. GJJ deals with self defense a bit more, in my experience. I have studied at the Gracie Academy in Torrance.

2. Is it truly an enjoyable art?

It is like crack. I took a layoff for a year and a half, but always wanted to get back when my back healed. I've now been back 3 weeks, and already when I fall asleep, I"m thinking of ways to work my armbar better in the guard, how do a sweep right step by step while waiting for a red light.

You are always thinking in BJJ. ALWAYS.

3. How many belts are there? Does GJJ have a set color/rank system?

Historically it has been:

White
Blue
Purple
Brown
Black

Some schools like American Top Team, where I train at it is:

White
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown
Black

Why the Green at ATT? Most probable due it time it takes to white to blue.

4. How many types of GJJ/BJJ are there? (if there are any)

While we all share the same techniques, strategy, etc...

EVERYONE'S ZZHHOOO ZZZZHHHIITTSSUUU is different.

**Samfoo** · 10/31/2006 2:12pm,

Before I answer any of your questions, pretty much all of them can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Jiu-Jitsu. Congrats, the internets works.

Originally posted by oldman34

1. What is the difference between Gracie Ju Jitsu and Brazilian Ju Jitsu?

The name.

2. Is it truly an enjoyable art?

Some people think so, some people don't. I personally think BJJ is the _most_ enjoyable martial art I've ever studied.

3. How many belts are there? Does GJJ have a set color/rank system?

Five and yes respectively. The belt rank system progresses--white, blue, purple, brown, black.

4. How many types of GJJ/BJJ are there? (if there are any)

What do you mean "types"? Everyone has a different style of playing and teaching, so if you're talking about "styles" of play then there are a lot. If you're saying how many disparate arts are there: there's really only one. If you're talking how many separate organizations, there are a ton.

Now, go read Wikipedia before you ask anymore questions.

**MacWombat** · 10/31/2006 2:16pm,

I've been doing BJJ (GJJ) for 4 months. There was another thread about the differences between GJJ and BJJ, it's mostly a trademarking thing. Each BJJ school in itself is slightly different, and everybody's BJJ is different from anothers (not sure if thats like TKD or not).

If it's truly enjoyable is up to you. Rolling is truly ejoyable because if you do it right you learn a lot and don't get seriously hurt. Drilling isn't exactly fun, but it does make rolling more fun.

There are 5 belts in the adult program. 1.White 2. Blue 3. Purple 4. Brown 5. Black. Some schools give out stripes on their belts as well. My school in NY gives out 4 stripes per belt including white, while my school in philly does the same excluding white.

I don't know of any specifically different TYPES of BJJ (I am a n00b though). There are different instructors and each instructor has his own way I guess. The types of GJJ could be broken down by brother/family member. For instance, I train in Relson Gracie jiu-jitsu. There is Royce, Rickson, Rorion, Renzo, and others. It's all slightly different, but even teachers in Relson GJJ are different.

Don't know anything about that school. Ask on Jiu Jitsu gear forums like I did two months ago.

**HonkyTonkMan** · 10/31/2006 2:19pm,

So far so good..thanks for the help...

**HonkyTonkMan** · 10/31/2006 2:20pm,

Originally posted by MacWombat

I've been doing BJJ (GJJ) for 4 months. There was another thread about the differences between GJJ and BJJ, it's mostly a trademarking thing. Each BJJ school in itself is slightly different, and everybody's BJJ is different from anothers (not sure if thats like TKD or not).

If it's truly enjoyable is up to you. Rolling is truly ejoyable because if you do it right you learn a lot and don't get seriously hurt. Drilling isn't exactly fun, but it does make rolling more fun.

There are 5 belts in the adult program. 1.White 2. Blue 3. Purple 4. Brown 5. Black. Some schools give out stripes on their belts as well. My school in NY gives out 4 stripes per belt including white, while my school in philly does the same excluding white.

I don't know of any specifically different TYPES of BJJ (I am a n00b though). There are different instructors and each instructor has his own way I guess. The types of GJJ could be broken down by brother/family member. For instance, I train in Relson Gracie jiu-jitsu. There is Royce, Rickson, Rorion, Renzo, and others. It's all slightly different, but even teachers in Relson GJJ are different.

Don't know anything about that school. Ask on Jiu Jitsu gear forums like I did two months ago.

So it really doesnt make a great deal of difference which Gracie JuJitsu they teach, BJJ is basically BJJ right?

**Goju - Joe** · 10/31/2006 2:24pm,

Is it enjoyable?

interesting question

I think when you get good it probably is. Personally I find it frustrating and a lot of hard work. i spend a lot of free time thinking about my sweeps and why i got tapped.

I am obsessed with not sucking at it.

**MacWombat** · 10/31/2006 2:47pm,

Originally posted by oldman34

So it really doesnt make a great deal of difference which Gracie JuJitsu they teach, BJJ is basically BJJ right?

Yeah, GJJ is basically just insurance of finding a good school. Like all insurance, you pay more. Some BJJ schools are better than others, so shop around and ask here and at jiujitsu gear forums about each specific school.

Here's what I did a couple of weeks ago: http://www.jiujitsugear.com/forum/in...c,65380.0.html

**Fearless Ukemi** · 10/31/2006 2:51pm,

It's very enjoyable once you manage to get through the humbling and painful first few months. There is definitely a light at the end of that tunnel. If you have a background in wrestling, the first few months are probably easier.

**HonkyTonkMan** · 10/31/2006 3:03pm,

Originally posted by Fearless Ukemi

It's very enjoyable once you manage to get through the humbling and painful first few months. There is definitely a light at the end of that tunnel. If you have a background in wrestling, the first few months are probably easier.

When you say humbling and painful what does that mean?

**UpaLumpa** · 10/31/2006 3:09pm,

Having your ego wrecked.
Having your body punished in ways that are very different that what you experience in standup.

When I started I weighed about 200#'s, mostly muscle and was ridiculously strong. I got assmastered by a 150# blue belt. You'll be at the bottom of the totem poll for a long time, pretty much until there are people who started 4+ months after you.

**pauli** · 10/31/2006 3:35pm,

oldman, how much judo do you have?

**HonkyTonkMan** · 10/31/2006 3:59pm,

Originally posted by UpaLumpa

Having your ego wrecked.
Having your body punished in ways that are very different that what you experience in standup.

When I started I weighed about 200#'s, mostly muscle and was ridiculously strong. I got assmastered by a 150# blue belt. You'll be at the bottom of the totem poll for a long time, pretty much until there are people who started 4+ months after you.

Thats cool. I dont mind being low man.
I just got off of the phone with the head instructor. He was very upfront about everything. I have to clear the new money expenditure with my wife...as well as alott the time for it, but in the long run it seems like it will be worth it.

One more thing....I tell people I have a BB in TKD...its obvious that I have very little ego.

**HonkyTonkMan** · 10/31/2006 4:00pm,

Originally posted by pauli

oldman, how much judo do you have?

I received my BB in Judo in 1993.(After 4 1/2 years) I havent been back. (Mostly because the teacher died.)

**Torakaka** · 10/31/2006 4:01pm,

When I was doing BJJ I enjoyed the sparring tremendously, but the drilling was kinda meh. I liked it, but not as much as kickboxing.

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