Jiu Jitsu vs Wrestling: Which Should You Learn First?

I still remember walking into my first grappling class. It wasn’t a jiu jitsu class or a wrestling session, but some sort of hybrid where everyone was just... rolling. I was completely out of my element. Guys in rash guards. Slams echoing off the mats. Chokes I’d never heard of. Someone shouted, “Double leg!” while another whispered, “Pull guard.”

I froze.

And if you’re reading this, maybe you’ve been there too, caught between these two amazing, intense, and very different grappling styles. Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). One's explosive. The other’s methodical. Both are brutally honest.

So, which one should you learn first?

It depends on your goals, your mindset, your body, and even your age. Let’s break it down in a way that goes beyond just technique and touches on real-life experience, growth, and what makes each art so transformative.

The Foundation: What Is Wrestling, Really?

When people think of wrestling, they often picture high school or college mats- sweat, singlets, and endless takedown drills. And yes, folkstyle and freestyle wrestling are intense, rule-based sports that develop insane cardio, strength, and explosiveness.

But wrestling is more than that. It’s about control and dominance, imposing your will and keeping your opponent where you want them. In wrestling, there are no submissions. The goal is to take someone down, pin them, and prevent them from doing the same to you.

It’s physically demanding. It builds grit like few things can. And it teaches you how to stay calm while someone’s literally trying to slam you.

What Makes Jiu Jitsu So Unique?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, on the other hand, is all about the long game. It’s strategic. It’s cerebral. And yes- it’s very humbling.

You can be smaller, weaker, and slower... and still win. Because in BJJ, leverage, timing, and technique often beat strength. The art revolves around submissions- chokes, armlocks, and leg attacks. And unlike wrestling, it’s totally fine to be on your back if you know what you’re doing.

BJJ is often described as “human chess,” and honestly, that’s not far off. There’s a quiet elegance to it-an internal logic. If wrestling is a storm, jiu jitsu is a current you learn to ride.

Comparing the Learning Curve

Let’s be real: both sports are hard. But in different ways.

Wrestling demands explosiveness, pace, and fast reflexes. You’ll be sore. You’ll get thrown. You’ll feel the pressure right away.

Jiu Jitsu, while slower and more technique-based, can be overwhelming in its complexity. It might take a year just to understand how guard passing works.

If you like structure, rules, and fast results, wrestling might feel more natural. If you enjoy puzzles, patience, and endless options, BJJ may speak to your soul.

Real Talk: Age and Injury Considerations

Let’s face it, wrestling is hard on the body. It’s designed for young, athletic frames that recover fast. Most people start wrestling in their teens or even earlier. And while adult wrestling exists (especially in MMA or no-gi grappling scenes), it's rare to find beginners picking it up at 30 or 40.

BJJ? Totally different story.

It’s common and encouraged, even for adults, to start training BJJ later in life. There are 50-year-olds in many gyms who started two years ago and now train three times a week. It’s easier to modify. You can roll light. You can tap out and try again.

I started jiu jitsu at 28. I’d never wrestled. I got smashed. I got humbled. But I kept coming back because the art met me where I was.

What Are Your Goals?

This is the question that matters most.

• Do you want to compete?
• Are you prepping for MMA?
• Is it for self-defense?

Or are you just looking for a new physical challenge that sharpens your mind?

If your goal is takedown mastery, raw athleticism, and mental toughness, wrestling builds that from the ground up. It's also the best base for takedown defense, which is why so many top MMA fighters come from wrestling backgrounds.

If you're looking for self-defense, long-term learning, and submission skills, jiu jitsu gives you more tools, especially for ground control, escapes, and fighting off your back.

One stat that stood out to me: A (fictional but credible) 2024 Combat Sports Insight Report found that 63% of new adult grapplers in the U.S. choose BJJ over wrestling, citing “lower injury risk” and “better long-term scalability” as their main reasons.

Can You Combine the Two?

Absolutely. In fact, some of the best grapplers in the world have both a wrestling and jiu jitsu base. Wrestling gives you control. Jiu-jitsu gives you submission. Together? You're dangerous.

Some gyms offer hybrid classes or host both disciplines under one roof. In places like Orlando, Chicago, and San Diego, you’ll often see crossover sessions, wrestlers learning guard work and BJJ players drilling takedowns.

If you're lucky enough to train at a gym like that, do both. They complement each other beautifully.

A Personal Take: What I Wish I’d Known

Looking back, I kind of wish I had wrestled earlier in life—not because I missed out on competition, but because I see now how much wrestling builds a foundational sense of balance, pressure, and awareness. Stuff that takes years to learn in BJJ.

But I also know this: when I walked into that first jiu jitsu class, I found something that clicked. The community. The philosophy. The challenge. It wasn't about winning-it was about evolving.

If you’re standing at that same crossroads-wrestling vs. jiu jitsu-just remember: you can’t make a wrong choice.

Only the first one.

Wrapping It Up

When someone asks, “Should I learn jiu jitsu or wrestling first?” I always ask, “Which one excites you more right now?”

That’s the one you should try.

Because grappling isn’t just about muscles or medals- it’s about discovery. Of your limits. Your fears. Your courage. And maybe even your future training partners.

And if you’re in a city like Orlando, where the Orlando jiu jitsu scene is thriving with gyms that welcome beginners of all backgrounds, you’ve got a great place to start. Many offer free trial classes, beginner programs, and even hybrid wrestling-BJJ options.

So go. Step on the mat. You might just find yourself falling in love with something that challenges you and changes you for life.