Arklow Fitness #1 - Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy

Arklow Fitness #1 - Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy

Staying in shape is something a lot of people worry about, and yet we all find it difficult to find the time and commitment to find a form of exercise that we can really stick with long term. Luckily Arklow now has more and more gyms and fitness centres, and there are more opportunities to not just build fitness levels, but also get to meet people around the town as opposed to more solitary fitness pursuits like jogging.

Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy opened it's doors late last year, and I've been training there since the start of the new year in a desperate attempt at a new years resolution to stay in shape. I'd previously tried boxing, kickboxing and rugby but dropped out around the one or two month mark as my commitment levels and real life took more and more of my desire to train away. And yet I'm still training at the academy because I fell in love with Brazillian Jiu Jitsu about ten minutes into my first training session.

It's always a little bit intimidating stepping into a new place for the first time. You assure yourself it's going to be fine but you still have no idea what to expect, especially when you aren't even sure what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu even is. For those wondering, it's a grappling based martial art that focuses more on chokes, joint manipulation and submission in order to make your opponent tap out. It sounds rougher than it is but in reality everyone that trains in Arklow is always supportive and wants to help you improve at jiu jitsu, not to repeatedly make you tap out.

When I first set foot in the academy I met the instructors Dean Barry and Brian Kelly, whose friendliness and good humour immediately made me feel very at home and comfortable right away. As I trained more and more I saw just how much passion both Brian and Dean have for the martial art, and to help everyone improve. If you are stuck on a particular technique or have any questions they'll be happy to explain it to you so you don't feel left behind. Everyone that trains there is also very friendly and helpful, so if you're confused about a technique don't worry, everyone is more than happy to help. I found this out during my first few sessions where I was confused at just about everything, but I picked it up eventually and now find myself helping others if they ask because I remember how helpful everyone was with me.

Instructors Brian Kelly (left) and Dean Barry (right) with young star Lexi. 

If you're worried that you might not be fit enough or maybe a bit too past your prime to start your BJJ journey you need not worry. No matter your age or level of fitness, everyone is completely wrecked after their first session. You use muscles that you didn't realize you had, and full disclosure, you will feel more than a bit stiff the day after. But this doesn't last for ever and you soon find yourself counting down the hours till you get to go again. Injury is always a possibility, but it's not as common as in a striking martial art or even a sport like rugby because the focus is more on technique and submissions. You won't have to explain any black eyes to anyone unless you just happen to be very unlucky, I myself caught a knee in the side of the head which was a complete accident, but it does happen. If you do happen to get injured you will be taken care of, and again I think I've only seen this once since the start of the year.

 A typical beginners session will consist of a dynamic warm up that will fire up the muscles you will be using. Then you get into pairs and go through three or four techniques that are shown to you beforehand just so you get used to actually doing the technique on another person. I found it easier to bring someone with me in the early days of training because I wanted to train with someone at a similar skill level to me (No skill at all) but to be honest I was just as comfortable training with the other students because we all just wanted to learn. The final ten minutes of the session will then be sparring, or "rolling" as its known in BJJ, which is used to test out your new technique on someone who is now resisting you doing it to them and actively trying to escape or put you in a hold of their own.

If you have prior experience in BJJ or have been taking beginners classes for a while and have a good understanding of the basic concepts you then move up to the mixed class where you learn more advanced techniques and do some more rolling to try out what you've been learning. There is a competition team at the academy but there is no obligation to train for tournaments or anything. If you want to learn the basics and get fit then you are more than welcome to. There are also CombatFit classes that let you train like a fighter without the risk of getting hurt (which will be covered in a future blog post). There are kids classes too which cover the ages of 4 to 12 which focus more on co-ordination, discipline and techniques in a fun atmosphere.

Overall what keeps me going to the Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy is the friendly atmosphere and sense of achievement and progression. Classes are laid out like a proper curriculum, you build up a good knowledge of the basics and then move on from there. You get out of it what you put in to it. And in the environment that the instructors have created you feel like a part of the family, everyone wants to help you improve and reach your goals no matter what they are. So if you want to get fit, try out a new martial art and make a lot of new friends then I highly recommend you come down and meet everyone and see if Brazillian Jiu Jitsu is for you. I'll see you on the mats.

Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy has classes running seven days a week, and your first week of training is absolutely free. If you want to get in touch you can find them on Facebook by clicking here or contacting them by phone at 087 180 2058.