Short answer: most adult beginners should start with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and add wrestling once they are comfortable. BJJ teaches you to control and submit someone from any position, including from your back, while wrestling teaches you to take someone down and stay on top. The two fit together, and many grapplers train both.
The main differences
- Goal: BJJ aims for a submission, a joint lock or choke that makes the opponent tap. Wrestling aims for takedowns, control and pins, with no submissions.
- Bottom position: in BJJ you can attack from your back using the guard. In wrestling, being on your back is losing.
- Pace: wrestling is explosive and demanding on your conditioning. BJJ can be trained at a slower, more technical pace, which makes it easier to keep up for years.
- Uniform: Gi BJJ uses a uniform with grips on the collar and sleeves. Wrestling and No-Gi are trained in athletic clothes.
Which should you start with?
Start with BJJ if you want a gentle entry, to train for years around a busy life, or to learn self-defense from any position. Start with wrestling if you have a wrestling background, want the most intense workout, or plan to compete in No-Gi or MMA and need strong takedowns.
You do not have to choose forever. Our MMA fighters train both, because wrestling decides where the fight goes and BJJ decides what happens once it gets there.
BJJ and wrestling at One Way Martial Arts
At One Way Martial Arts in Alexandria, VA, BJJ runs from Fundamentals through Advanced, led by 4x IBJJF World Champion Mahamed Aly and black belt Patrick Almeida. Wrestling with Coach Joshua Wong is for ages 14 and up and welcomes beginners. See when each class meets on the schedule.
How to start
Free first class. Come in athletic clothes, and we lend you the gear you need.
Get my free first class. No experience needed. One Way Martial Arts, 5416 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA, next to the Van Dorn Street Metro.
Frequently asked questions
Is wrestling or BJJ harder to learn?
Both take years to master. Beginners often find BJJ easier to start because Fundamentals classes are paced for new students, while wrestling asks more of your conditioning from day one.
Does wrestling help with BJJ?
Yes. Wrestling builds takedowns, scrambles and top control, which carry straight into BJJ and especially No-Gi grappling.
Can I train BJJ and wrestling at the same time?
Yes. Many grapplers train BJJ most of the week and add one or two wrestling sessions. At One Way Martial Arts, wrestling is for ages 14 and up.
What is the difference between No-Gi BJJ and wrestling?
No-Gi BJJ is jiu-jitsu without the uniform and still aims for submissions. Wrestling focuses on takedowns, control and pins, with no submissions.