Originally Posted by
Scott Elliott
High Intensity Interval Training is one of the very best supplemental training methods you can do to simulate the energy expenditure and recovery process of jiu jitsu.
The method Eddie prescribes is a very good example of this. If you have access to an olympic size pool, you are going to swim from side to side of that pool. Watch the clock or use a timer or whatever. You have one minute to swim across the pool, which shouldn't take the entire minute, and then rest until the next minute interval starts. Swim back across and then rest for the rest of that minute. Continue for at least 30 minutes, which means you will have swam across the pool 30 times. Increase the time as you improve.
Swimming is good because of the low impact nature on your body (jiu jitsu beats your body up enough as it is) and uses such a vast area of muscle recruitment, like jiu jitsu.
If you don't have access to a pool, there are many similar methods you can use to accomplish the same thing. Airdyne bikes are great for this, elipticals, versa-climbers etc. but you will do this slightly different. A common example is to "sprint" for 20 or 30 seconds, then slow to medium for 10 seconds. Do this for rounds that are the same or greater than the round time you roll. In other words, if your gym commonly rolls for 7 minute rounds, then set your training for 8 minutes.
You can also just sprint from telephone pole to telephone pole, then jog to the next, sprint, jog. However, you are not getting the full body effect, so I have my guys throw in some push ups, burpees etc. as well.
Lots of methods on this principle. Look into it! ;-)