How many of you train in something outside of Jiu Jitsu? Wrestling and Judo are big ones that a lot of people do for obvious reasons. I want to hear from everyone, diversity drives evolution.
-W.Richison
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How many of you train in something outside of Jiu Jitsu? Wrestling and Judo are big ones that a lot of people do for obvious reasons. I want to hear from everyone, diversity drives evolution.
-W.Richison
I train math, i train computer programming and software engineering, I train yoga.
If I had more time and my body would tolerate it, I wouldn't train any other martial art, just more Jiu Jitsu, at least right now and probably for a long time to come. But that's just me, I'm not worried about how shitty my judo is.
Like you mentioned, wrestling and judo will yield the biggest compliments to BJJ by making you comfortable on your feet as well as on the ground. I wish I had more time for yoga but my current schedule doesn't allow for it, I did yoga twice a week for about 6 months a couple years ago and I noticed huge improvements in my balance and dexterity. Gymnastics seems to produce some of the most bad ass athletes out there (I'm sure you know about what GSP has to say). And Boogie and Geo are a testament to break dancing. Basically any solo sport/practice that helps you become more familiar with your own movements and balance points. This all of course is given that you're only training in these extra cirriculurs when you can't actually be on the mat as training as much BJJ as you can is ultimately what is going to make your BJJ better.
I do trail running, yoga and more recently I am back to kettlebells too. I do the trail running and yoga because I enjoy them, but I think the cross training helps my jiu jitsu also
yoga is great for recovery and controlling your breathing. I stopped going to the gym and lifting weights so i've noticed im a fair bit weaker the last few months. Ive noticed i'm not muscling shit as much because i don't have the physical strength to do so. nt sure if that's good or bad.
I play in an adult soccer league but I played in high school and in college as well and only made the switch to BJJ a year and a half ago, so I'm not really certain if that qualifies. I feel my cardio is a lot better, but the BJJ didn't translate to soccer where it was involving more muscle strength as opposed to nimble feet, touch on the ball, and the proper soccer IQ to be effective on the field.
I train muay thai which has good clinch techniques great for trapping. British ju jitsu which is a mix of judo, ju jutsu, aikido, catch wrestling, boxing, karate and kung fu. The ju jutsu and judo element came over in he 1900's see bartitsu http://www.bartitsu.org/. I worked door security for 6 years whilst going through university so the standing element of ju jutsu, muay thai and wrestling came in handy, and gave me good grounding for other worldly jiu jitsu styles. I enjoy Martial Arts keeps me fit and mobile just reading a book on Ashtanga Yoga looks pretty interesting something else to add to the pot.
Outside of Jiu-Jitsu I also use Swimming and Gymnastic Strength & Stretching Programs to enhance my physical capabilities. Occasionally, I will work the heavy bag and do some rounds of sparring boxing/kickboxing. Seasonally, on the farm stacking Hay Bales, moving Potato Sacks and splitting fire wood is not for fun but seems to have great side-effects.
Must be a lot of techniques in that... all that's missing is Lion Taming and Interpretive Dance!Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBIN MUIRHEAD
It's one martial art for each day of the week. So if you are a serious beast and can train 7 days a week you get to do 4 Jiu Jitsu classes a month. But at least you can use a monkey-paw when in someone's guard.
Yep sounds a lot but it was due to different people very early on coming into it bringing their own previous martial skills. Eventually long before I a syllabus was formed with mostly ju jitsu movements. It's helped me many times, no monkey paw as yet though ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Murray
I already do kettle bell workouts. Im starting to incorporate swimming and Im going to look into Yoga as well. Thanks everyone for sharing.
If its Martial arts, I've been doing Muay Thai and Boxing before I started JJ, and I've only got about 1.5 months experience in JJ so far. Not sure that it helps but my cardio, reaction time and focus / "ability to see" moves coming is much better than most of the fellow white belts who's not done anything else.
If its outside of martial arts, I do cross training, run alot, as well as stretching for flexibility?
If you have time enough to do all that, you probably aren't spending enough time/energy on the mat for a white belt.Quote:
Originally Posted by Will Richison
Trust me brother if I could roll more I would. I already own a few kettle bells so no extra money needed there, plus I live near the beach (which is where I swim) and yoga I do at home. Im rolling 4 times a week now which is much as I can with my schedule.
Train jiu jitsu as much as physically possible. The best and most efficient way to get good at jiu jitsu is to attend class, learn techniques, drill, then roll to solidify concepts and expose new holes in your game. Yoga's helpful. Kettle bells I've found recently are useful in developing core and leg strength as well as certain moves, particularly my leg drags. Keep in mind that adding bulk to your frame does not necessarily equate to better jiu jitsu, which is why I'm generally not a fan of power lifting, on top of the considerable risk of injury. Bottom line tho, if you're not already training 5-6 days a week in exchange for other workouts, I'd argue that the time spent in the other workout is better spent on the mats. If you already have a full schedule of training, I'd confidently recommend yoga/kettlebells/maybe some swimming (which I don't do due to ear infections I get from swimming underwater, though it is helpful too) tho I do frequent the sauna and hot tub which both help tremendously with recovery, particularly when I do two or sometimes three-a-days of training
Never replace your jiu jitsu time with anything else if you are trying really hard to progress. I add in yoga and crossfit where I can. I didn't pick up bulk doing crossfit I actually lost weight even with the Olympic lifts. I just suggest not getting wrapped up in the idea that you have to put as much weight as possible on the bar... Yoga is amazing. I try to go twice a week when I can. The studio I go to, times don't always match up good with my schedule. Honestly I do that for relaxation, but while still getting a full body workout.
I have been playing guitar for a little over 20 years. I know that seems like it doesn't apply, but I think it does.
I think "mastery" (not that I believe I've mastered guitar, I just can't think of a better word in this context) in one area speeds you towards mastery in any other discipline. Josh Waitzkin wrote an entire book on this concept. It's called "The Art of Learning" and it's fabulous. I consider it essential reading, right up there with The Book of 5 Rings.
I've also been studying a bit of Tai Chi lately. That sounds crazy, I know. But I'm kinda into it.
If you are lucky enough to have gym where you can train 5-7 days a week and its fits your schedule, then of course more mat time will make you better at jiu-jitsu. The reality for a lot of people is that they are lucky if there is a gym available that can offer 3-4 training sessions per week and they most likely can only make it to 2 of those sessions given their schedules. This leaves a lot of other opportunities to train and if you are going to train at least have it have some benefits for your jiu-jitsu.
I also agree with Brandon on the concept that learning multiple skills or crafts benefits the overall learning curve.
I gotta agree with this. I train all aspects of MMA but not to get better at Jiu Jitsu specifically.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tori Applegate
I do have to say though I think starting MMA with Capoeira gave me a nice base for Jiu Jitsu. Its not as strenuous as breakdancing but I'm sure builds your body up in a similar way. Shout out to Capoeira its a lot of fun especially with music out in the sunshine.
As for mental studies I am convinced the best thing you can do to maintain brain health is to learn multiple languages. That shit activates sections deep in your brain, you can almost feel it working like a muscle when processing a foreign language.