Starting BJJ. What to do?

marnold · 06-09-2006, 03:51 PM

I have been wanting to try BJJ and a school has just opened in my town. What should I do to prepare? I've increased my workouts:weights, yoga, stretching, cardio. Anything else?

sitnspin · 06-09-2006, 04:33 PM

Don't even worry about weights. Muscles are not what it's about with BJJ, as you see when people are rolling at the end of class and skinny little guys are schooling the big hulks. Yoga, stretching and cardio for sure, because your flexibility and your conditioning are key.

If I was going to recommend any kind of strengthening exercise, I'd say just standard bodyweight squats, and lots of them. I found starting BJJ really killed my quads, so the squats will get them prepared for that.

gmack · 06-09-2006, 08:15 PM

If its open and classes are starting I would just start if I were you. In my gym we have people all the time come in out and shape and it isn't that big of a deal. The classes will get you in shape for it, and at the same time you will be learning the technique.