I only did Ju-Jitsu for about 18 months and three belts. I did have periods of injury where I took breaks from training. One time I pulled all my intercostal muscles. Then not realising it I then messed up on a sacrificial throw and ended up with a nearly black belt brick outhouse of a guy landing full weight on my ribcage!! I was still in plain from coughing or laughing many weeks later. A few sprains and strains too. Almost eternal stubbed toes throughout that period. I really enjoyed it too!!!
Incidentally I read a martial arts magazine in Smith's that had a guide to the different styles about the time of one of my inquiries. It described Ju-Jitsu as "do this if you like to get injured all the time!!" It then went on to be really positive about the style. It certainly got my base fitness up and even though I was already very flexible it got my flexibility even higher to contortionist levels!! Martial arts really are a total body workout. Strength, CV fitness, flexibility and balance are all improved. That's before your spatial awareness and I would even say mental health benefits are considered. Plus our dojo did themed nights focused on self defence. A lot of that wasn't actually fighting techniques but risk or hazard awareness. Like with advanced driving lessons, you might n have the basics but actually being taught it you realise you had always missed a lot of hazards.
Joe is good. He's come in with free, daily classes that everyone can put in their own effort level according to their fitness. All done in a charismatic way. It's a kind of new approach to fitness in a way. The first to come out with such a programme.
