MasterTiny

The BJJ place also teaches Muay Thai and wrestling, so I suppose the BJJ teacher isn't against cross training.

Question: Should I decide to cross train (BJJ and Judo, though I'm probably thinking too far ahead), am I obligated to the get the teacher/sensei's permission to cross train? I was under the impression that joining a martial arts club is like joining a gym. You can come and go as you please, you can choose to pay by visit or pay up front.

Hi everyone. For a while I have been thinking of choosing a martial art to lose weight and toughen myself up. Generally, I was looking for a martial art that involves restraining an opponent as opposed to attacking them with kicks and punches. I've made up my mind to try a martial art before I get to old (I'm 23 and feel like I would be training with much younger and fitter MA students). The martial arts I have become interested in are BJJ and Judo. Particularly BJJ. From watching videos and visiting youtube, most BJJ practitioners I've seen would be quite large compared to me (I'm only 5'4", short and stocky, i.e. slightly chubby but I'm counting on MA to lose weight). Because I am short and lack the reach of a taller person, BJJ or judo would require me to get close to my opponent, another reason for my two choices. From watching instructional videos online, BJJ seems extremely interesting but watching some UFC and Pride however, the fights seems unnecessarily brutal, putting me off a bit. My concern with BJJ is that it doesn't seem effective against multiple attackers (maybe cross training in judo can help a bit?). I've done much research online but have been quite complacent in actually visiting a dojo and made up my mind to visit a dojo when my uni semester is over. How viable is BJJ for someone thats very new to MA? Judo seems to be the more beginner-friendly MA but I am leaning towards BJJ.