u/CzarnyDeszcz

I’m in my thirties and have been lifting weights for years, so I really appreciate having control over training intensity and injury risk.

I tried getting into BJJ twice, and both experiences made me uneasy because we were practicing takedowns without anyone really teaching proper breakfalls first.

The first attempt ended with a back injury after a few months.

The second ended after one class when I hit my head on the mat twice during takedown drills and had headaches for a week afterward.

I genuinely admire people who train BJJ long term, but I honestly wonder how people safely get through the beginner phase without accumulating injuries.

Is this just bad gym culture, bad luck, or is this kind of thing considered normal in grappling?