Getting ready for BJJ?

Question

I'm planning on taking BJJ under one of my friends (a purple belt) and two other guys (blue belts) at my college in the fall. I took it some last semester, but I couldn't continue b/c of time constrains with work. I've worked out a schedule where I can take it 2-3 times a week, but from my experience with it so far, I need to be in better shape. Every guy in the class (with the exception of me and one of the instructors) was huge and cut. They could use sheer strength to get out of whatever submission I was trying, or to get me into one. I'm looking to increase whatever I can; speed, stamina, muscle mass, etc. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Don't "waste" your time with traditional weight lifting. The reason I say "waste" is because your body needs fuel to sustain muscle contraction, right? The more mass you have the more fuel you need. Being that you're not a big guy right now, you (and more importantly your body) don't know how to maximize your bodies fuel usage.

Instead do isometric training. You need to train your muscles for faster reaction and stamina. Keep them lean and efficient. Combine that with great cardio and you'll have the tools for a great start in BJJ.

Traditional weight training can be added on gradually, giving your body time to adjust to the added mass and energy requirements for endurance. For now focus on what will benefit you most in the sport.

Good luck!

Answer 2

weightlifting and cardio is all good for any martial art. But the key to BJJ is not needing to rely on strength to submit an opponent, if your instructor is solely using strength to overpower you, it is possible you need to look into a new studio.

I would just hit the gym get some kind of a routine, probably low weight high rep weightlifting routing (to build muscle tone) and a lot of cardio.

Answer 3

Let me say what was all ready said.

When I first joined my school I would muscle around people and take there backs and then choke them out. Then at the end of the first week I got my rib and the muscle surrounding it all bruised up. I was so pissed of cause I was going every day and now I had to stop but i didn't stop. You know what? It was the best thing that could of happened to me besides starting jujitsu in the first place. With out strength I was forced to focus on technique. The next week I learned about 10 times more from trying to move right rather then push people around. Instead of exploding out from under people I had to figure out how to use my witts to get out. Let them use sheer strenth on you cause loosing is a great way to learn and strenth just distracts you from technique. Every thing you need you will get from just doing it.

Answer 4

You don't need to increase whatever you can (as you say). The class alone will do that (at least it should). BJJ promotes "the principle that a smaller, weaker person using leverage and proper technique can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant." (direct quote from wikipedia)

My advice, is don't learn from friends. You need a certified instructor to teach you, so you can get the best out of you. Maybe train where your friend

goes.

Good Luck!

EDIT- Ahh. Thats fine. I can't judge him, because I don't know him. Who knows? He may be better than I think.