Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), as with any martial art, is not just a sport. It is a way of life. It is a practice that can be applied to all aspects of your life. It is for this reason that your practice does not just end at the mat. There are plenty of ways to extend your practice into other aspects of your life.
We all know how important it is that we take care of our bodies whilst practicing jiu-jitsu, which involves keeping your diet as healthy as possible, ensuring you take care to wear the protective gear you need, and understanding the importance of rest.
However, our minds are often the part of us that gets forgotten about when it comes to our BJJ practice… and what better way to help our minds than a book, right? Yes, you read that right - a book about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
We bet you didn’t even realize that there are books about jiu-jitsu, let alone the sheer amount of them available.
There are books about the techniques of BJJ, books about ideal BJJ diets, books for beginners of BJJ, books written by BJJ fighters and competitors, and even a number of books by the Gracie family themselves - they are the creators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in case you didn’t know!
With so many books to choose from though, it can get quite overwhelming knowing what book to choose for yourself. Luckily for you lovely readers, that is where we come in.
We have decided to review five of the best BJJ books around, giving you a rundown of each of them with a pro and cons list. We have even compiled a handy and informative Buyers’ Guide for you to help you decide what you want out of a BJJ book, especially since the choice is so varied.
If you are a bookworm like us then we are sure you’ll just go ahead and add all of them to your basket anyway, but it’s always good to consider what you want out of a book first and read reviews on it.
So if you are looking for a way to bring your BJJ practice off the mat with an interesting read, look no further because this is the article for you. Without further ado, we will get right into it!
Here’s our Top Pick - Jiu-Jitsu University
Our top pick just had to be Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro and Kevin Howell.
Here's why we loved it so much:
- There is a dedicated section for each of the belts of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making it the ideal choice for those looking to progress a little faster in their practice
- The photos are clear and vibrant showing you exactly how to do each of the moves
- Explanations are detailed and easy to understand
- It is available in four different formats, making it the most accessible book we found. Even if you are someone that prefers digital or audio copies of books,you can still enjoy this title
OUR TOP PICK
This best selling book has made waves in the category of martial arts novels on the internet.
It’s the number one bestseller in that category on Amazon with many amazing reviews. It’s easy to see why, especially when you consider the fact a six-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion is the brains behind it.
Writing with Kevin Howell, a fellow BJJ fighter, Saulo Ribeiro shares with his fans his techniques for grappling.
In fact, there are over 200 techniques discussed in this book to guide you with ease right from white belt to black belt.
He highlights some common errors made when practicing BJJ and tells you how to remedy them. It is a life-changing jiu-jitsu manual that will suit practitioners old and new.
Pros
- Each chapter is dedicated to a different grade/color belt
- It features vibrant photos to demonstrate moves and techniques
- It is available in paperback, spiral bound, audiobooks and e-book version so you have plenty of options
- It goes into detail about grappling which many people will find helpful
- It teaches you the foundations needed for competitive BJJ
Cons
- There is only a small section of the book that is suitable for complete beginners. However, as you progress in your training you will find the other sections endlessly helpful, and in the meantime, it provides excellent information.
EDITORS CHOICE
This handbook is written by someone with 26 years of practice under his belt.
Paulo Guillobel has put his years of experience, study, and understanding of the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu together in this book to comprehensively explain the principles of the sport.
This is suitable for students and masters alike, whether you are a beginner or have been practicing for as long as the author.
Guillobel discusses the details behind all of the techniques in the book and explains why each technique is used. It goes into the most fundamental principles and treats it as an art.
Pros
- A great book for beginners looking for a wider understanding of technique from a theoretical point of view
- When you purchase the book you get free access to videos by the author to help you even further. These are usually valued at over $50 so you get a great bargain
- It is available in both physical paperback version and e-book version on the Kindle device
- It expands on Rickson Gracie’s theory of Invisible Jiu-Jitsu in an informative way to further your knowledge and improve your practice
Cons
- Some people have found that the writing in the book is a little too personal at times. This might be fine for some readers but others may dislike it
BEST VALUE
This excellent newcomer on the scene of BJJ books goes into detail about the origins of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, looking at its relation to Judo and the impact the Gracie’s had on its formation.
The author Robert Drysdale looks at the origins of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil and explores the film-documentary of the same name.
The book is made up of manuscripts from when the author was filming his documentary, and also takes accounts from his childhood and his own experience of BJJ, detailing how he rediscovered his love for it.
As a BJJ champion and keen practitioner himself with links to Brazil this makes for a very interesting read.
Pros
- A comprehensive look into the origins if BJJ in Brazil and the influences of Judo on it
- Very well written
- It contains manuscripts of the film, meaning it is a great choice for those who have watched and enjoyed the film
- A great choice of book for someone just starting their practice
Cons
- It does not give pointers about practice but rather a history of BJJ which may not be suitable for everyone.
RUNNER UP
This is a memoir by Christian Graugart, a BJJ fighter and his life following the tragic death of his training partner.
This inspiring story is more than just an insight into the life of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter, it is also a real life motivational example of grabbing life with both hands and making the most of it.
Graugart tells the story of how he travelled the world and dedicated himself to the art of brazilian jiu-jitsu after vowing to do something with his life following the death of his friend.
Pros
- A great motivational read from the perspective of a fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter
- It can inspire you to want to do better, not just in your practice but in your everyday life
- The book explores important life lessons as well as BJJ knowledge
- It is available to buy in print and in an e-book version
Cons
- It is not a purely informational guidebook but a memoir. This may not be suitable for everyone, especially those that want a BJJ book for the purpose of improving their technique
RUNNER UP
This book is an all-encompassing guidebook on all things Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu related.
From gameplans to the fundamental movements, from detailed step-by-steps for techniques to full color photos, it really has everything.
It was written by two world renowned black belt holders of BJJ that have around 40 years of experience, putting you in the best hands possible.
This is the ultimate guidebook if you are looking for something that has everything in one place.
It is jam packed with tips and strategies for you to improve your performance and to help you in competitions.
Pros
- An excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their grappling skills
- The photographs used are clear and presented very clearly so you know exactly how to do each move
- Great for beginners and those who have been practicing for a long time
Cons
- Sadly it is only available in paperback physical copy which will not suit those who prefer digital books or audiobooks
Best BJJ Books Buying Guide
Hardback book or paperback book (or any other form)
As with any book, the first consideration that needs to be made is what type of book you want. By this, we mean that you should weigh up whether you want a hardback or paperback book.
Hardback books are long-lasting and durable, and they also look great on a bookshelf or your coffee table. They tend to have that premium and professional look about them. However, they are a little on the heavier side, and so they are more difficult to transport with you in your bag or on your daily commute.
Paperbacks on the other hand are far more versatile. This is because they are nice and lightweight and also tend to be smaller in size, meaning they can slip easily into your bag and not add too much excess weight.
That being said, they do have a tendency to tear more easily and can get damaged more quickly than their hardback counterparts. The price difference between each should be considered too.
Hardbacks can often be slightly more expensive than paperbacks, so this may be something to consider, especially if you are relatively new to reading.
As well as physical books, there are also some other formats that you may want to consider. Many books now have the option of purchasing an online ‘Kindle’ or E-Book version that you can read on your smartphone, tablet, or designated e-book reader.
You may even be able to get an audiobook version of your chosen book so you can listen along as you workout, during your commute, or even when you are doing household cleaning and other chores.
Audiobooks and ebooks are often that little bit cheaper than physical copies and do not take up any space as they can just be downloaded onto existing devices.
That being said, it does mean you have to rely on technology when you want to read them - and we all know how unpredictable that can be!
Fiction or nonfiction
Believe it or not, when it comes to BJJ books, they are not all non-fictional. There are increasing amounts of books being written about characters that are BJJ fighters. If this is something that you are interested in then you should certainly consider buying a BJJ fiction book.
That being said, the most common type of BJJ book is nonfiction and gives information to their reader, whether that be about the history of BJJ, information about fighters, the best diets for BJJ fighters, and even the techniques of BJJ and how to be good at it.
Our guess is that you will probably want the latter, but if you are a fan of fiction novels too then we suggest hunting out some with BJJ themes, or more broadly, martial arts themes.
There is no right or wrong type of BJJ book to buy. Anything that gets you thinking about your BJJ practice in daily life is a good thing.
Focussed or broad
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is part of the wider category of martial arts. Therefore, you should consider whether the book you want to buy focuses solely on BJJ or whether you want a book that explores martial arts as a whole, especially the martial arts that align closely with BJJ.
For example, because of the overlap between BJJ and MMA, you can often get books that talk about both of them.
As well as this, if you want a book that looks at the history of BJJ, it may well be worth getting one that looks at the history of martial arts in general, ensuring that it does have a section on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu too.
What do you want out of the book?
It’s all well and good us recommending the books that we know are great, but you need to decide what you deem as important in a book.
What we mean is, when someone chooses a book, they typically choose it with something in mind. They have something that they want to gain or get out of a book.
For example, someone will buy a particular recipe book because they want to make the dishes in there. Another person may buy a self-help book to learn how to become more confident.
Think of the reason you want to buy a BJJ book or a number of different BJJ books. Perhaps you want to find out about the history of your most loved sport and how it has evolved.
Maybe your goal is to become a famous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter and you want to read autobiographies and biographies of your favorite BJJ idols.
Or perhaps you simply want to work on your BJJ techniques by reading about the theory behind them and what it takes to become good at what you do. Whatever the reason, try and pinpoint exactly what you need out of a book to help you choose one more easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by yourself?
You can learn some aspects of jiu-jitsu alone and can certainly improve your fitness levels at home without being in a class with a practitioner.
However, because Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sport and self-defense martial art form, it is important that you practice with a partner. You should practice with a partner regularly, preferably one at the same level as you so that you can improve and progress together.
When you have got the basics of Brazilian jiu-jitsu under your metaphorical belt, you can start to supplement your training with some online classes alone at home if you wish.
The emphasis here is on supplements as it should not replace one on one training with a partner. Of course, this will not be as beneficial as the real thing but it can help you to improve techniques that can be built on in practice.
Can you train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu every day?
It is not recommended that you train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu every day as this can be very hard on your body. This is especially important if you are a beginner to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Beginners should be training twice a week, and even if you are more advanced you should not train more than 5 days a week. This is because your body needs time to rest and repair itself following any strains you may get on training days.
As well as this, resting adequately between training sessions will mean that you are less likely to get injured as your muscles will always be able to repair themselves.
The Final Verdict
OK, own up….how many of these have you added to your basket? We are so impressed with the wide variety of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu books available right now. We actually found it so hard to narrow it down to just five of them to review - we could have easily doubled that number!
However, the five on our list truly are five of the best quality BJJ books around and we are so excited for you to start reading them too.
We hope that you have managed to find at least one book of your dreams here on our list, but if our list did not behold the book you need, we are sure that you will find our Buyers’ Guide beyond helpful in ensuring you choose the perfect book for your needs.
Remember, it is important to consider what you want out of a book above all else when choosing your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu book. As soon as you know that, the rest will be easy.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article! We hope you enjoy your new additions to your bookshelf. Happy reading, and even happier BJJ-ing.
