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Obsession/ how much training is too much?
4 year(s) ago • 2725 views • 16 replies
SBPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
I have been training just over 2 years now. I struggled right when I got to Blue belt but after the adjustment period to blue belt I am now in full obsession mode. I think about Jiu Jitsu at work, watch technique videos and youtube stuff like Daisy Fresh. I have found inspiration in things like Daisy Fresh because they live the lifestyle and train 2-3 hours hard everyday. I wanted to step up my training, and recently gave up muay thai/ kickboxing as I am 31 and thought I would be better to just focus on one martial art. I have been training 10-12 (1 hour) sessions a week at Roufusport. I am constantly sore and tired but I love it so much that it seems worth it. Also I have no GF or family right now so I have the free time after work to train everyday (I know that will change once I am dating or have kids).
So how much training is too much, what are some of your experiences dealing with the obsession of Jiu Jitsu? Anyone have thoughts or stories of their own related to this?
Thank you,
So how much training is too much, what are some of your experiences dealing with the obsession of Jiu Jitsu? Anyone have thoughts or stories of their own related to this?
Thank you,
JPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
Now that you don't have kids or family it might be fine to have an addiction to BJJ because once you have other responsibilities you won't have that luxury. This being said, you can get sick of anything if you do it too much.
JABlack beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
I have been training just over 2 years now. I struggled right when I got to Blue belt but after the adjustment period to blue belt I am now in full obsession mode. I think about Jiu Jitsu at work, watch technique videos and youtube stuff like Daisy Fresh. I have found inspiration in things like Daisy Fresh because they live the lifestyle and train 2-3 hours hard everyday. I wanted to step up my training, and recently gave up muay thai/ kickboxing as I am 31 and thought I would be better to just focus on one martial art. I have been training 10-12 (1 hour) sessions a week at Roufusport. I am constantly sore and tired but I love it so much that it seems worth it. Also I have no GF or family right now so I have the free time after work to train everyday (I know that will change once I am dating or have kids). So how much training is too much, what are some of your experiences dealing with the obsession of Jiu Jitsu? Anyone have thoughts or stories of their own related to this? Thank you,
Also, I'd recommend making sure to rest and rehab yourself before you blow a knee/shoulder/ wrist out etc.
Best to do this for the long haul in my opinion.
Also, drilling and exploration is a fine thing - especially at blue - gotta start making your game and see what you like and what you don't now.
Best to do this for the long haul in my opinion.
Also, drilling and exploration is a fine thing - especially at blue - gotta start making your game and see what you like and what you don't now.
CBBrown beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
On Friday and Saturday I have my rest days, which means I'm only doing one 2 to 2.5 hour sessions. The rest of the week I'm doing between 2 and 3 90 Minuten BJJ Sessions as well as an hour long lifting session 3 to 4 times a week. Generally speaking,my body is in good condition and my doctor says I don't have any major issues. Also been able to stay pretty injury free. At 46 that's not the easiest thing to do.
The main points that help me out the best here are:
- SLEEP ENOUGH!!!! I tell this to everyone all the time, but sleep is always the thing we think we can skip. It's not just about rest an recovery. When you're tired and having problems paying attention, that's when accidents and injuries happen.
- Be picky about your training partners. I have a group of people who are definitely on my no list. They're nice guys, but their control is terrible. There is no shame in avoiding rolling with the guy who's already sent 4 people to the hospital.
- Listen to your body. There are going to be days when you're just not feeling it. That's when you check your ego at the door and just go light. On those days, I'll often do half weight on my lifting sessions, or just roll with the white belts and habe an active recovery.
- and finally, always remember, no training session will ever be so good it's worth taking a 6 week Break because you hurt yourself.
The main points that help me out the best here are:
- SLEEP ENOUGH!!!! I tell this to everyone all the time, but sleep is always the thing we think we can skip. It's not just about rest an recovery. When you're tired and having problems paying attention, that's when accidents and injuries happen.
- Be picky about your training partners. I have a group of people who are definitely on my no list. They're nice guys, but their control is terrible. There is no shame in avoiding rolling with the guy who's already sent 4 people to the hospital.
- Listen to your body. There are going to be days when you're just not feeling it. That's when you check your ego at the door and just go light. On those days, I'll often do half weight on my lifting sessions, or just roll with the white belts and habe an active recovery.
- and finally, always remember, no training session will ever be so good it's worth taking a 6 week Break because you hurt yourself.
Edited 4 year(s) ago
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Well, a good rule of thumb is that more practice is better until it comes at future cost of limiting amount and quality of future practice.
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
I got burned out in my late purple belt days. Too much training and also coaching. Rarely had a day off. Been burned out once or twice as brown belt too. Too much coaching, trying to grow a base and then have it yanked away and seeing the practitioners suffer because of that was the last straw. Had to take some time off.
I agree that it's easy to get obsessed about jiu-jitsu and keep enjoying it until the body gives. Especially in your early years, even as a purple belt. Best advice I can give is PROGRAM YOUR TRAINING. Take rest days and light weeks regularly. Rest and recovery is so underrated in our sport.
I agree that it's easy to get obsessed about jiu-jitsu and keep enjoying it until the body gives. Especially in your early years, even as a purple belt. Best advice I can give is PROGRAM YOUR TRAINING. Take rest days and light weeks regularly. Rest and recovery is so underrated in our sport.
SBPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
I got burned out in my late purple belt days. Too much training and also coaching. Rarely had a day off. Been burned out once or twice as brown belt too. Too much coaching, trying to grow a base and then have it yanked away and seeing the practitioners suffer because of that was the last straw. Had to take some time off. I agree that it's easy to get obsessed about jiu-jitsu and keep enjoying it until the body gives. Especially in your early years, even as a purple belt. Best advice I can give is PROGRAM YOUR TRAINING. Take rest days and light weeks regularly. Rest and recovery is so underrated in our sport.
Do you have a rule of thumb for taking light weeks? Would you do one light week a month, every other month?
Thanks for everyone replying, seems like this is a cool community so far.
Thanks for everyone replying, seems like this is a cool community so far.
SBPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
Actually it's more like 5-6 hours a day on the mats. I know because I slept on them & did it. haha. Most will nap from 12-3 or go to a coffee shop to get away from the gym, but outside of that it's 100% bjj all day. I wasn't able to log anywhere near all of it on here because we were training so much. Maybe not rolling or instruction but you're always doing something BJJ related. I had about 3 hours a day to myself outside that 12-3 window, where I'd nap. I referred to it as being a BJJ Monk and I think it was pretty spot on
Were you training at daisy fresh or something? What made you do the full time thing?
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
One thing I've consistently seen over the years (decades) is people starting out being obsessed with doing as much training as possible, don't last in the long run. At some point, life is going to change and then they have this idea that if they can only do 2-3 days a week, it's not "real" training and they stop. Careful you don't set too high a standard for yourself in the beginning. I've seen this over and over again, especially for highly intense competition athletes in the colored belts.
Jiu Jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to enjoy it along the way and you must, must, must prioritize recovery and sleep. It's not about who is good, it's about who is left, as Chris Haueter famously said.
Jiu Jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to enjoy it along the way and you must, must, must prioritize recovery and sleep. It's not about who is good, it's about who is left, as Chris Haueter famously said.
SBPurple beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
One thing I've consistently seen over the years (decades) is people starting out being obsessed with doing as much training as possible, don't last in the long run. At some point, life is going to change and then they have this idea that if they can only do 2-3 days a week, it's not 'real' training and they stop. Careful you don't set too high a standard for yourself in the beginning. I've seen this over and over again, especially for highly intense competition athletes in the colored belts. Jiu Jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to enjoy it along the way and you must, must, must prioritize recovery and sleep. It's not about who is good, it's about who is left, as Chris Haueter famously said.
That makes sense. Thank you.
I plan to be in it for the long run, its such a cool community and group of people. I would like to teach one day, I started right before turning 30 so I don't have crazy expectations that I am going to win anything major in my jiu jitsu career.
I plan to be in it for the long run, its such a cool community and group of people. I would like to teach one day, I started right before turning 30 so I don't have crazy expectations that I am going to win anything major in my jiu jitsu career.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Not to mention that you’re significantly more prone to injuries when training tired/fatigued. Some injuries can set you back half a year, a full year or even more. Or they can cause you pain and discomfort in training for the rest of your career (I have a few of those from training too hard when I was younger). So in the big picture you make it further by lower intensity/volume and less injuries.
Take it easy. Enjoy it. Don’t push too hard. Then you’ll get there. That’s my advise :)
Take it easy. Enjoy it. Don’t push too hard. Then you’ll get there. That’s my advise :)
VBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Not to mention that you’re significantly more prone to injuries when training tired/fatigued. Some injuries can set you back half a year, a full year or even more. Or they can cause you pain and discomfort in training for the rest of your career (I have a few of those from training too hard when I was younger). So in the big picture you make it further by lower intensity/volume and less injuries. Take it easy. Enjoy it. Don’t push too hard. Then you’ll get there. That’s my advise :)
I agree with Christian on this, train to enjoy the journey. Train to learn and have fun. I have found in my journey more isn't always better. As I got older I learned what my sweet spot was for optimal learning. It's different for everyone. For me it's 5 days a week, and that includes teaching, and actual training time. I have specific recovery days, recovery is critical for longevity in jiu-jitsu. And I don't waver on those days of rest because I know it's for my benefit.
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Do you have a rule of thumb for taking light weeks? Would you do one light week a month, every other month? Thanks for everyone replying, seems like this is a cool community so far.
I do one lighter week between two normal ones then followed by an actual deload week. For lifting I do 3 weeks of progressive overloading followed by deload. As you progress in the sport and get older you'll want to start doing some lifting to keep the body in check. Might as well start it ASAP.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
One thing I've consistently seen over the years (decades) is people starting out being obsessed with doing as much training as possible, don't last in the long run. At some point, life is going to change and then they have this idea that if they can only do 2-3 days a week, it's not 'real' training and they stop. Careful you don't set too high a standard for yourself in the beginning. I've seen this over and over again, especially for highly intense competition athletes in the colored belts. Jiu Jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to enjoy it along the way and you must, must, must prioritize recovery and sleep. It's not about who is good, it's about who is left, as Chris Haueter famously said.
Yup! I was almost one of those statistics. But much later in my years. Doing too much regardless of your journey will burn someone out quick. Everything in moderation for sure. I always tell me students this, "Too much of a good thing is a bad thing!" Vitamin C is good for you, but if you take too much of it, it could be bad!
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
4 year(s) ago
Not to mention that you’re significantly more prone to injuries when training tired/fatigued. Some injuries can set you back half a year, a full year or even more. Or they can cause you pain and discomfort in training for the rest of your career (I have a few of those from training too hard when I was younger). So in the big picture you make it further by lower intensity/volume and less injuries. Take it easy. Enjoy it. Don’t push too hard. Then you’ll get there. That’s my advise :)
I wish I had this advice in my younger years. Now I have irreversible injuries that definitely hinder what I can and can't do.
RBlack beltVerified
4 year(s) ago
I’d argue that unlikely to be overtraining, but rather under recovery.
