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Any 'normal' jiu jitsu practitioners here?
6 year(s) ago • 1472 views • 60 replies
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
By 'normal' I mean everyday working stiff schmoe's like myself who don't compete but train regularly for fun/health/friends/self defence/etc?
Where my Normies at? :D
Where my Normies at? :D
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'll compete whenever I have the opportunity (really not very often) but apart from that, I just train 3 times a week for fun, health and social aspects :)
Did long hours, 5-6 days a week for over a decade but life happens at some point.
Did long hours, 5-6 days a week for over a decade but life happens at some point.
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Very cool, Christian. And I'm certainly not opposed to competing locally, but traveling is just a pain in my ass.
If I can do well against successful competitors at the gyms I train at, then that is good enough of a 'litmus test' for me.
P.S.: Your 'Super Fundamental Principles' video is absolute gold and should be required viewing for every practitioner. Much respect. :)
If I can do well against successful competitors at the gyms I train at, then that is good enough of a 'litmus test' for me.
P.S.: Your 'Super Fundamental Principles' video is absolute gold and should be required viewing for every practitioner. Much respect. :)
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Yup, i train 3 times a week and no i'm not training more. Ever.
I have a job, this is a hobby. It's a great hobby but i don't confuse the two.
I get annoyed when people essentially describe the answer to every BJJ problem as some variant of "more training / more drilling".
- My guard passing suck - train more
- I can't hit a D'Arce choke - drill more
- People escape my armbar - do it 10 times a day
No that isn't the answer. The challenge for a hobbyist is how to maximise the value of the 3 days they do train, not to simply add more days and train like a pro whilst the mortgage goes unpaid. I also love things like the Super Fundamental Principles because that's exactly how a hobbyist can squeeze more out of our three sessions a week, by applying broad principles to everything.
I have a job, this is a hobby. It's a great hobby but i don't confuse the two.
I get annoyed when people essentially describe the answer to every BJJ problem as some variant of "more training / more drilling".
- My guard passing suck - train more
- I can't hit a D'Arce choke - drill more
- People escape my armbar - do it 10 times a day
No that isn't the answer. The challenge for a hobbyist is how to maximise the value of the 3 days they do train, not to simply add more days and train like a pro whilst the mortgage goes unpaid. I also love things like the Super Fundamental Principles because that's exactly how a hobbyist can squeeze more out of our three sessions a week, by applying broad principles to everything.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
By 'normal' I mean everyday working stiff schmoe's like myself who don't compete but train regularly for fun/health/friends/self defence/etc? Where my Normies at? :D
Me
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Absolutely, Alex.
I'm always trying to train smarter, not harder. One of the reasons why I think the typical class 'warmup' seems like a waste of mat time - I get sufficiently warmed up during class drilling.
Lately I'm more execute-the-concept-not-the-technique oriented. I seem to get better/faster results that way than trying to know 1000 different techniques. Knowing one underlying concept that can be applied to a bunch of techniques is what I'm after.
I'm always trying to train smarter, not harder. One of the reasons why I think the typical class 'warmup' seems like a waste of mat time - I get sufficiently warmed up during class drilling.
Lately I'm more execute-the-concept-not-the-technique oriented. I seem to get better/faster results that way than trying to know 1000 different techniques. Knowing one underlying concept that can be applied to a bunch of techniques is what I'm after.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
MCBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Yeah I just train for self-defense as well I use the cage fight but at 36 I gave that up now I just go to know that when I’m in the bar I got the best shot at going home if a fight breaks out. Although the guys I train with say I’m pretty good. I mean I guess at 140 pounds of being a brown belt the fact that I can hang with 220 pound 240 pound black belts. Is enough for me . I don’t compete anymore I’m not out to win any medals. At this point I show up two to three times a week just to make sure I can still hang with the big dogs
TJBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I suppose everybody's perception of normal is different. I train 5 to 6 days a week, whilst running my own business, and have 5 kids btween 10 and 16 years of age whom all train in bjj. I competed as much as possible over the last 5 years.. but have been out of tbe comp circuit for 7 months due to injury. Comps are not for everyone but I like to push myself and thats fine for me. I know as I get way older that will decline but I will keep chuggging along till then.. Normal is all subjective perspective opinion guys. One guys meat is another's poison.. Roll on till ye canny anymore.. show up..tog out..bump fists.. and keep moving..Oss te fook.
HSBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I train 2 days a week. I would train more, but it is tough with work and the family. My kids train 3 days a week.
My 7 year old is doing his first competition tomorrow, and I told him I would do it with him, so it will be my first comp too. I wrestled in HS so it isn't my first tournament, but it is my first BJJ tournament.
My 7 year old is doing his first competition tomorrow, and I told him I would do it with him, so it will be my first comp too. I wrestled in HS so it isn't my first tournament, but it is my first BJJ tournament.
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'm a primary school teacher, plus a dad so 2 days training, teaching 1 class a week plus open mat on Saturday morning basically accounts for all my spare time that isn't allocated to family or work
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Absolutely, Alex. I'm always trying to train smarter, not harder. One of the reasons why I think the typical class 'warmup' seems like a waste of mat time - I get sufficiently warmed up during class drilling. Lately I'm more execute-the-concept-not-the-technique oriented. I seem to get better/faster results that way than trying to know 1000 different techniques. Knowing one underlying concept that can be applied to a bunch of techniques is what I'm after.
Priit mihkelson says that losing is fun, when you know why you lost - I totally agree. If you get the concepts but lose to someone with slicker technique, it's still enjoyable.
In contrast, I know people who had fantastic technique and timing in certain areas, but their opponent just funnelled them out of their comfort zone. There's nothing fun about losing because you didn't know what the flip was going on and suddenly you're on your ass with a sharp pain coming from your ankle.
In contrast, I know people who had fantastic technique and timing in certain areas, but their opponent just funnelled them out of their comfort zone. There's nothing fun about losing because you didn't know what the flip was going on and suddenly you're on your ass with a sharp pain coming from your ankle.
GJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I have a job and a family. I train when I can. I think most of the people in the jiu-Jitsu community are regular folks. Not everyone is meant to be a world champion or an academy owner. You can still have a great impact by helping the hobbyists, future champions, and possible legends.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
TSBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Not me. I'm abnormal, but I'm okay with that.
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Not me. I'm abnormal, but I'm okay with that.
I think anyone that's stuck with Bjj for a while is going to be a bit 'abnormal'
DBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Me.
A lot of things are more important than jiu-jitsu.
A lot of things are more important than jiu-jitsu.
![Slideyfoot [jun]](userimg/5e25cf311adfd.jpg){kind=small}
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I don't compete (tried it once, hated it, but haven't completely ruled out giving it another go) and I primarily train for fun. However, as BJJ is also my job, not sure I quite fit the 'normal' criteria. ;)
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
By 'normal' I mean everyday working stiff schmoe's like myself who don't compete but train regularly for fun/health/friends/self defence/etc?
Substitute self defence with competition and the description fits me. Even the "stiff" is an adequate adjective. :D
(I just think competition is a good way to focus & improve, and doesn't require crazy training hours either when entering amateur events.)
(I just think competition is a good way to focus & improve, and doesn't require crazy training hours either when entering amateur events.)
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
me
Jiu Jitsu Tues, Wed, Thu, Sat = mostly coaching and some rolling is plenty enough for me.
I try to squeeze in 2 days of conditioning if I have no injuries and have energy
or no major drama at the gym or life
or no dinner or travel plans to prep for
did all my (traditional karate) competitions for 15-20 years when I was younger so I don't have the competition bug in me anymore
Jiu Jitsu Tues, Wed, Thu, Sat = mostly coaching and some rolling is plenty enough for me.
I try to squeeze in 2 days of conditioning if I have no injuries and have energy
or no major drama at the gym or life
or no dinner or travel plans to prep for
did all my (traditional karate) competitions for 15-20 years when I was younger so I don't have the competition bug in me anymore
Edited 6 year(s) ago
FABlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Me,
3 classes per week and some seminars at the weekends.
3 classes per week and some seminars at the weekends.
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Great replies from everyone. As I was spot checking profiles out of curiosity, I was getting mainly ones with pics from high profile tournaments, victory hand raises, podium pics, etc. I started wondering if this site was mainly geared for competitors. lol
Glad to see it's a mix.
Glad to see it's a mix.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
FABlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Most BJJ practitioners do it for fun, I guess that the regular dudew simply do not care enough to open an account here.
MMBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
i work 50+ hours a week 6 days a week. im lucky i can train at all at the morning class. doing 2 days a week now but just threw my back out so i have to take a few weeks off.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
i work 50+ hours a week 6 days a week. im lucky i can train at all at the morning class. doing 2 days a week now but just threw my back out so i have to take a few weeks off.
Been there a thousand times till I had the surgery and even then I am always in some form of pain. Nerve damage too.
Good news, it will pass, bad news it will be back. Heal up warrior
Good news, it will pass, bad news it will be back. Heal up warrior
CBBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I guess I'm normal? I train every day, but I'm a grown-ass man with a couple businesses to run, a wife, and five kids to feed. Nothing wrong with being a regular joe...the vast, vast majority never compete, and honestly in this day and age of open mats and widespread access to different games, the utility of competition tends to decrease as we get older (in my opinion. I competed bi-monthly as a judoka for a decade before even starting bjj, and now get more from an open mat as far as learning and growth than I get from competing).
ABlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Average guy here. I work about 47 hours a week, have 2 kids. I train 5x a week, 4 of those days being open mat, nonstop rolling for about 45-60 minutes. 1 day is class. I also teach 3 kids classes and 1 adult during the week, so I train right after teaching kids class. It really does help that my kids also train. During the summer I do more classes because kids are able to stay with me at the school, and I don't have to rush home to get them to bed.
SYBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I guess I'm normal? I train every day, but I'm a grown-ass man with a couple businesses to run, a wife, and five kids to feed. Nothing wrong with being a regular joe...the vast, vast majority never compete, and honestly in this day and age of open mats and widespread access to different games, the utility of competition tends to decrease as we get older (in my opinion. I competed bi-monthly as a judoka for a decade before even starting bjj, and now get more from an open mat as far as learning and growth than I get from competing).
You're not normal brother (lol). The time you put in on the mats while attending to all those responsibilities is definitely beyond a normal schedule of someone training a few times a week. With the fresh black belt, all that hard work is likely an investment toward merging more professional endeavors with your BJJ lifestyle. Coaches are no longer 'normies' once they are teaching and training day-in an day-out while raising kids and not competing.
This is a transitional year for me no longer being just a normie too. I was a regular guy plugged into the corporate+startup world providing for my family before starting jiu-jitsu on a very hobbyist schedule. Now I work together with my professor to grow our team and have cutting edge offerings to complement the level of jiu-jitsu instruction he's been providing the area for over a decade. So long normie life! :)
This is a transitional year for me no longer being just a normie too. I was a regular guy plugged into the corporate+startup world providing for my family before starting jiu-jitsu on a very hobbyist schedule. Now I work together with my professor to grow our team and have cutting edge offerings to complement the level of jiu-jitsu instruction he's been providing the area for over a decade. So long normie life! :)
CBBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
My full time job prevents competition, for now, due to risk of injury.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I personally don't think BJJ competition holds much greater risk of injury than sparring if YOU yourself are sensible, can tap early at competition etc. So I like to take part in 1-2 competitions every year even when my prep/current level is very low.
CBBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I agree but full speed competition has a greater risk of random freak injuries that have nothing to do with submissions.
