Brazil 021 Chicago BJJ Blog
Tips, news & events.
Beginner guides, kids BJJ advice, self-defense, mindset and what is happening at the academy.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Blue Belt in BJJ?
Most consistent students earn a BJJ blue belt in 12 to 24 months. Here is how training frequency, sparring and promotions shape your timeline.
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Best Martial Arts for Weight Loss (And Why BJJ Wins)
Boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling or BJJ? An honest look at the best martial arts for weight loss, and why consistency makes jiu-jitsu the long-term winner.
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Is It Too Late to Start BJJ? Adult Jiu-Jitsu in Chicago
Wondering if you are too old to start Brazilian jiu-jitsu? Why BJJ suits adult beginners, honest answers to common worries, and how to start.
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Witness History: Prof Andre Terencio Earns His 6th Degree Black Belt at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights
Something extraordinary is happening at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights. On April 26 at 10:45 AM, the academy will host a landmark ceremony as Prof Andre Terencio…
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Free Parents BJJ Class in Chicago: Families Train Together
Parents stepped on the mat and trained jiu-jitsu with their kids during our Saturday kids classes. No experience or uniform needed.
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Free Women’s Self-Defense Seminar in Chicago for Women’s Day
Brazil 021 Chicago marked International Women's Day with a free two-hour women's self-defense seminar. Here is what it covered and what comes next.
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Jiu-Jitsu for Police Officers: How BJJ Builds Resilience
How Brazilian jiu-jitsu helps police officers and first responders stay calm, control situations with leverage, and build resilience that lasts.
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Gi vs No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu: Which Style Fits Your Personality?
The real differences between gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu, which style suits your personality and goals, and why many students train both.
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What to Expect at Your First BJJ Class and How to Prepare
How your first gi jiu-jitsu class at Brazil 021 Chicago usually runs, the etiquette worth knowing, and white belt tips to make day one easier.
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How Jiu-Jitsu Builds Confidence in Kids: A Guide for Chicago Parents
Confidence comes from proof, not praise. Here is how jiu-jitsu builds confidence in kids, class by class, and how parents can help it grow at…
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BJJ Belt System Explained: Belts, Stripes and Promotions
What each adult and kids BJJ belt means, how stripes work, and how promotions are decided at Brazil 021 Chicago, with no belt tests.
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The Mental Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu: How BJJ Changes Your Mindset
Resilience, focus, emotional control and humility: how jiu-jitsu trains your mind as much as your body, and how it carries into daily life.
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When to Start Competing in Jiu-Jitsu: Signs You’re Ready
There is no required belt to compete in jiu-jitsu. Here are the signs you are ready for your first tournament and how Brazil 021 coaches…
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What to Bring to BJJ Class: A Beginner Gear Checklist
A short beginner checklist of what to bring to BJJ class, from your first day in athletic clothes to your own gi, rash guard and…
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Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu for Child Development: A Parent’s Guide
Jiu-jitsu helps kids grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially at the same time. Here is what each area looks like on the mat, from ages…
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5 Essential BJJ Guard Positions for Beginners
Closed guard, half guard, spider, De La Riva and X guard: the five BJJ guard positions every beginner should know, and the order most students…
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Is Jiu-Jitsu Good for Self-Defense? A Guide for Chicago Adults
Why Brazilian jiu-jitsu works for self-defense, the real skills you build on the mat, where its limits are, and how to start training in Chicago.
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Jiu-Jitsu for 4 Year Olds: What Chicago Parents Should Know
Four is a great age to start jiu-jitsu when classes are built around play. Here is what your child gains and what a Kids Class…
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