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Your weekly training hours?
6 year(s) ago • 7110 views • 56 replies
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I run a school, so I get a semi-ridiculous amount of mat time. 6-8 sessions a week, consistent for years.
Christopher, according to your profile you got your BJJ black belt in 3 years 8 months, at 40 years old.
I think that is seriously impressive, especially with 6-8 sessions a week.
I’m curious: did you have other grappling/martial arts background before starting jiu-jitsu to progress this fast?
(It took me almost as long to earn my blue belt... but granted I had no sports background of any kind & I sucked really horribly for the first few years.)
I think that is seriously impressive, especially with 6-8 sessions a week.
I’m curious: did you have other grappling/martial arts background before starting jiu-jitsu to progress this fast?
(It took me almost as long to earn my blue belt... but granted I had no sports background of any kind & I sucked really horribly for the first few years.)
Edited 6 year(s) ago
SMBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
@Tatu & @Christopher: It's an interesting distinction. 'Hobbyist' is clearly not a good descriptor for people who train seriously but need other jobs to pay the bills (like most top athletes in every sport). But what else would you call people like me? I don't make ANY money doing jiu-jitsu, nor do I want to. That would make it too much like work. Jiu-jitsu is actually pretty far down on my list of priorities, and I approach it with a definite lack of seriousness. Like, you know, a hobbyist.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Yeah, you kinda have a point there with the seriousness aspect. ...Yet, out of the active people here, many are academy owners or get paid teaching, so I figured to make the distinction. (Guess it’s obvious by my belt color though that I don’t. :D) For me, jiu-jitsu is a hobby among other hobbies, although I do put a fair amount of time into it. Also if one has a (typically non-fulltime) job basically just to support their BJJ training/competing, that’s not a ”hobbyist”, even if they get almost no money from the art/sport...
I don't where I fit in. I consider myself a hobbyist but I spend alot of time in it. If that makes sense. My family and work have alwats come first but I always make time for Jiu Jitsu.
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I don't where I fit in. I consider myself a hobbyist but I spend alot of time in it. If that makes sense. My family and work have alwats come first but I always make time for Jiu Jitsu.
You are a dedicated martial artist & coach, and a veteran athlete!
But yup, I’m generally against putting people into boxes. (Despite ”hobbyist” describing my own journey well.)
But yup, I’m generally against putting people into boxes. (Despite ”hobbyist” describing my own journey well.)
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
You are a dedicated martial artist & coach, and a veteran athlete! But yup, I’m generally against putting people into boxes. (Despite ”hobbyist” describing my own journey well.)
Thank you Tatu!
SBBlue beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'm 45, with two kids ages 9 & 11. They play BJJ as well. I do 2-3 classes per week for 2 hours each; so 4-6 hours of training. I help teach the kids class which is twice per week for 1 hours each; so 2 hours of having fun and being goofy with the kids.
I work out 3 times per week weightlifting and cardio (powerlifter once upon a time) from 5:30-7:30am.
Would I like to do more? Sure, but the kids have other activities and interests, and I enjoy the recovery time between BJJ classes. Being 45 and having a bad back and knees from powerlifting, I need the recovery time.
I work out 3 times per week weightlifting and cardio (powerlifter once upon a time) from 5:30-7:30am.
Would I like to do more? Sure, but the kids have other activities and interests, and I enjoy the recovery time between BJJ classes. Being 45 and having a bad back and knees from powerlifting, I need the recovery time.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'm 45, with two kids ages 9 & 11. They play BJJ as well. I do 2-3 classes per week for 2 hours each; so 4-6 hours of training. I help teach the kids class which is twice per week for 1 hours each; so 2 hours of having fun and being goofy with the kids. I work out 3 times per week weightlifting and cardio (powerlifter once upon a time) from 5:30-7:30am. Would I like to do more? Sure, but the kids have other activities and interests, and I enjoy the recovery time between BJJ classes. Being 45 and having a bad back and knees from powerlifting, I need the recovery time.
Very nice...what you are doing is better than most of the sofa surfers. Amazing
SBBlue beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Very nice...what you are doing is better than most of the sofa surfers. Amazing
Thanks David, I try.
I see you're connected to Dan Moroney. I don't know him, but I judged (as a white belt, lol) a BJJ match he was in in the early 2000's in the Montreal area. I did roll a few times with his brother Sylvain around the same time period, great guy.
I see you're connected to Dan Moroney. I don't know him, but I judged (as a white belt, lol) a BJJ match he was in in the early 2000's in the Montreal area. I did roll a few times with his brother Sylvain around the same time period, great guy.
TNBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I am 54 and train 6 days a week, which is roughly 14 hours on the mat each week. I have three grown kids and two young grand children so far.
I have been training this much, since about the third month after I started, right about the time I got the first stripe on my white belt. (Inspired I guess) I am fortunate to have the time and resources to train this much. Training six days a week and working the same moves, really does enable me to work a technique well and put it into my tool box efficiently enough to decide if it is something that works for me and most importantly, how to recognize and defend against it.
I often hit open mats on Sunday's, to test my knowledge. I compete at about 3-4 tornements per year and have never gotten an opponent within 10 years of my age.
All of the wear and tear on the body can be rough if not properly managed. Thanks to the help of my amazing wife, we have developed an efficient system to allow proper recovery time, without drugs or hormones, using proper sleep, diet, yoga and Epsom salt baths.
I aspire to become good enough at the art, to properly and effectively teach others what a joy and privilege Jiu-Jitsu can be in their lives.
It takes great instructors to inspire others to stick with Jiu-Jitsu and I am blessed to have three such individuals where I train.
Jiu-Jitsu has not only saved my life, it has revived it.
I have been training this much, since about the third month after I started, right about the time I got the first stripe on my white belt. (Inspired I guess) I am fortunate to have the time and resources to train this much. Training six days a week and working the same moves, really does enable me to work a technique well and put it into my tool box efficiently enough to decide if it is something that works for me and most importantly, how to recognize and defend against it.
I often hit open mats on Sunday's, to test my knowledge. I compete at about 3-4 tornements per year and have never gotten an opponent within 10 years of my age.
All of the wear and tear on the body can be rough if not properly managed. Thanks to the help of my amazing wife, we have developed an efficient system to allow proper recovery time, without drugs or hormones, using proper sleep, diet, yoga and Epsom salt baths.
I aspire to become good enough at the art, to properly and effectively teach others what a joy and privilege Jiu-Jitsu can be in their lives.
It takes great instructors to inspire others to stick with Jiu-Jitsu and I am blessed to have three such individuals where I train.
Jiu-Jitsu has not only saved my life, it has revived it.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
BLBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'm 40 and have 4 small children. I drive an hour to and from work every day. I work 50+ hours a week. I live in the sticks now...aka on acreage so no schools are anywhere near me.
I train at work 4x a week for my lunch. Twice at work with a few purple belts and a black belt buddy twice a week. The other two days I go to a gym close to work that has day classes.
It works. It allows me to keep my days off, to be off with the family. It also allows me the limited time home to be home.
Back when I was a blue and purple...no kids...I trained like an animal and hard. These days my body cusses at me after 4 days in a row of hard training.
I'm still listed as an instructor at my home gym, hower I only go there for ranking days to say hi and grab rounds with old friends. I live 1.5 hours away from there now.
I train at work 4x a week for my lunch. Twice at work with a few purple belts and a black belt buddy twice a week. The other two days I go to a gym close to work that has day classes.
It works. It allows me to keep my days off, to be off with the family. It also allows me the limited time home to be home.
Back when I was a blue and purple...no kids...I trained like an animal and hard. These days my body cusses at me after 4 days in a row of hard training.
I'm still listed as an instructor at my home gym, hower I only go there for ranking days to say hi and grab rounds with old friends. I live 1.5 hours away from there now.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
CBBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Christopher, according to your profile you got your BJJ black belt in 3 years 8 months, at 40 years old. I think that is seriously impressive, especially with 6-8 sessions a week. I’m curious: did you have other grappling/martial arts background before starting jiu-jitsu to progress this fast? (It took me almost as long to earn my blue belt... but granted I had no sports background of any kind & I sucked really horribly for the first few years.)
Hi Tatu!
Thank you-- I began BJJ with ten years of Judo behind me, in a newaza-heavy gym.
Thank you-- I began BJJ with ten years of Judo behind me, in a newaza-heavy gym.
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Thank you-- I began BJJ with ten years of Judo behind me, in a newaza-heavy gym.
Makes sense. Congrats on the black belt! :)
LZBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I´m 28 years old sport fanatic actually competing in MMA and all kind of grappling styles like bjj, luta livre, freestyle & greco wrestling and judo. I´m blessed with two kids, having a full time job and running my own gym.
In avarage if I teach a 1,5h class I´m able to actively take part in 1h of it (warm up, drills and sparring) only at the technique part I´m not able to be "active".
This is my regular weekly schedule:
Monday teaching 1h bjj personal training + 1,5h bjj class
Tuesday teaching 1h luta livre class + 1h mma class
Wednesday teaching 1,5-2h luta livre class with a big part of rolling
Thursday teaching 1,5h mma class
Friday teaching 1,5h bjj class
Saturday 1,5-2h open mat
Sunday teaching 1,5h mma private class
If I´m preparing for any kind of competition all of the BJJ classes are done by one of my trainingpartners so I can concentrate on myself and I´m adding 2-3 classes where I train the areas on which I want to improve the most for the upcoming event. In avarage I´m spending 12,5h weekly on the mats and if it´s competiton time it´s comes up to somewhere between 15-20h.
In avarage if I teach a 1,5h class I´m able to actively take part in 1h of it (warm up, drills and sparring) only at the technique part I´m not able to be "active".
This is my regular weekly schedule:
Monday teaching 1h bjj personal training + 1,5h bjj class
Tuesday teaching 1h luta livre class + 1h mma class
Wednesday teaching 1,5-2h luta livre class with a big part of rolling
Thursday teaching 1,5h mma class
Friday teaching 1,5h bjj class
Saturday 1,5-2h open mat
Sunday teaching 1,5h mma private class
If I´m preparing for any kind of competition all of the BJJ classes are done by one of my trainingpartners so I can concentrate on myself and I´m adding 2-3 classes where I train the areas on which I want to improve the most for the upcoming event. In avarage I´m spending 12,5h weekly on the mats and if it´s competiton time it´s comes up to somewhere between 15-20h.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'm 40 and have 4 small children. I drive an hour to and from work every day. I work 50+ hours a week. I live in the sticks now...aka on acreage so no schools are anywhere near me. I train at work 4x a week for my lunch. Twice at work with a few purple belts and a black belt buddy twice a week. The other two days I go to a gym close to work that has day classes. It works. It allows me to keep my days off, to be off with the family. It also allows me the limited time home to be home. Back when I was a blue and purple...no kids...I trained like an animal and hard. These days my body cusses at me after 4 days in a row of hard training. I'm still listed as an instructor at my home gym, hower I only go there for ranking days to say hi and grab rounds with old friends. I live 1.5 hours away from there now.
As long as it works for you that's great.. you are still active and are enjoying what you are doing. Your priority is your family and that is to be commended. Too many guys neglect their families for this martial art and I have no respect for that. You are doing the right thing.
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I compete at about 3-4 tornements per year and have never gotten an opponent within 10 years of my age.
Great post overall, Nelson!
Really cool to see that somebody who is a grandfather can still get so much out of jiu-jitsu. (And who also trains a lot more than me, hah! :D)
Even though everybody here (except William Murphy) shits on IBJJF, you can find opponents close to your age from their bigger championships. Master Worlds in Vegas you can for sure get a decent bracket in your age group at blue belt, or if it looks to be too small, you can always move 1-2 Master age divisions lower (it's only 5 years younger) to get a bigger bracket. You will also meet many like-minded individuals in these events. I hope to make it back out there some year (not a cheap trip from Europe).
Really cool to see that somebody who is a grandfather can still get so much out of jiu-jitsu. (And who also trains a lot more than me, hah! :D)
Even though everybody here (except William Murphy) shits on IBJJF, you can find opponents close to your age from their bigger championships. Master Worlds in Vegas you can for sure get a decent bracket in your age group at blue belt, or if it looks to be too small, you can always move 1-2 Master age divisions lower (it's only 5 years younger) to get a bigger bracket. You will also meet many like-minded individuals in these events. I hope to make it back out there some year (not a cheap trip from Europe).
Edited 6 year(s) ago
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I am 54 and train 6 days a week, which is roughly 14 hours on the mat each week. Jiu-Jitsu has not only saved my life, it has revived it.
Amazing! Never too old!
DBBlue beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I have a blackboard in my hallway. I always mark when I go train, skate or surf.
Last year I ve been 72 times on the mat. I was injured for 10weeks so im kinda stoked for the 72 times. This year I ll beat that. But I ve to say if I go to often I don’t get to skate so much. I don’t want to get my skateboard jealous but I think it is since I started Jiu Jitsu.
Last year I ve been 72 times on the mat. I was injured for 10weeks so im kinda stoked for the 72 times. This year I ll beat that. But I ve to say if I go to often I don’t get to skate so much. I don’t want to get my skateboard jealous but I think it is since I started Jiu Jitsu.
DABrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I am a 42yr brown belt and along with my day job and family time, Jiu Jitsu is a staple of life for me. I try to be on the mats 6 days a week:
- I help with the kids class Mon-Fri 5-6pm most weeks.
- I then train Mon-Fri 6-7:15 regularly.
- I teach a Basics/Fundamentals class 7:30-8:30pm every Tuesday nights.
- I try to get to open mat Saturday mornings at least 2-3 weekends a month.
- I help with the kids class Mon-Fri 5-6pm most weeks.
- I then train Mon-Fri 6-7:15 regularly.
- I teach a Basics/Fundamentals class 7:30-8:30pm every Tuesday nights.
- I try to get to open mat Saturday mornings at least 2-3 weekends a month.
SMBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi I'm a 43 year old black belt and run my own club.
I try to take at least one day off.
I'm also lucky enough to be a member of a great judo so while I teach BJJ 2x a week I also train as a judo student 2x a week. Then I visit a club run by a friend on Saturday and do a fitness circuit on Sunday.
I try to take at least one day off.
I'm also lucky enough to be a member of a great judo so while I teach BJJ 2x a week I also train as a judo student 2x a week. Then I visit a club run by a friend on Saturday and do a fitness circuit on Sunday.
ILBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
39 (next month), black belt, runs my own academy.
I teach 3 morning classes (Sunday, Monday, Thursday)
2 noon classes (Friday)
and 7 evening classes.
about 2-3 privets a week
so i'm on the mat 14-17 hours per week.
I'm two months removed from surgery to a problem that sidelined me for 3 years.
So now i'm slowly returning to form... try to roll every class.
I teach 3 morning classes (Sunday, Monday, Thursday)
2 noon classes (Friday)
and 7 evening classes.
about 2-3 privets a week
so i'm on the mat 14-17 hours per week.
I'm two months removed from surgery to a problem that sidelined me for 3 years.
So now i'm slowly returning to form... try to roll every class.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
39 (next month), black belt, runs my own academy. I teach 3 morning classes (Sunday, Monday, Thursday) 2 noon classes (Friday) and 7 evening classes. about 2-3 privets a week so i'm on the mat 14-17 hours per week. I'm two months removed from surgery to a problem that sidelined me for 3 years. So now i'm slowly returning to form... try to roll every class.
Injuries suck..
GJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I have a job and a family. I train when I can. I usually get 2 or 3 days a week. One of those days I’m teaching the class. I probably average 6 hours a week. In the beginning when I was a single guy with no kids, I trained at least four days a week. I love the mat but the family comes first!
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I have a job and a family. I train when I can. I usually get 2 or 3 days a week. One of those days I’m teaching the class. I probably average 6 hours a week. In the beginning when I was a single guy with no kids, I trained at least four days a week. I love the mat but the family comes first!
Family first! Absolutely
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I go to anywhere from 5-8 sessions per week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Sessions range from about 45 mins to several hours so it's difficult to calculate the weekly average.
TJBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
At 49..soon to be 50 in June.. schedule would be 6 days a week most weeks... I train on Monday 2.5hrs (30mins rolling) Tuesday 2.0hrs MMA technique & sparring. Wednesday : 2.5hrs(30 mins rolling) Thursday: 1hr MMA. 1 hr NO GI. Friday 1hr technique.. 1 hr rolling Saturday: 1 hr .. so in all I would average 12 hours per week.. most weeks.. unless work , wife, or kids disrupt tbe pattern..which is rare.. or its a sunny day and I go flying or riding my motorbike... oh yeah!! I put in at least 2 x1hr strength & condition sessions in tbe gym to keep the muscle mass retained.. Oss
Edited 6 year(s) ago
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
At 49..soon to be 50 in June.. schedule would be 6 days a week most weeks... I train on Monday 2.5hrs (30mins rolling) Tuesday 2.0hrs MMA technique & sparring. Wednesday : 2.5hrs(30 mins rolling) Thursday: 1hr MMA. 1 hr NO GI. Friday 1hr technique.. 1 hr rolling Saturday: 1 hr .. so in all I would average 12 hours per week.. most weeks.. unless work , wife, or kids disrupt tbe pattern..which is rare.. or its a sunny day and I go flying or riding my motorbike... oh yeah!! I put in at least 2 x1hr strength & condition sessions in tbe gym to keep the muscle mass retained.. Oss
Machine!
