To Be Your Best in BJJ, It's Not Always About Techniques

[@buddyalbert5808]

55 years old and started 3 weeks ago. I’ve had 7 classes. I came in knowing absolutely nothing about Ju Jitsu. Cardio is terrible. Strength is terrible. Grip is terrible. Flexibility is terrible. I’m scared every time I go. But I Go! Because, every time I have a class I’m just a little less terrible than I was the time before. Love your insight. Keep up the good work.

[@josemachado7830]

Keep going, sir. That's the only thing you need to do. It seems to be hard at first, but trust me, in due time some things will just "click", and you will begin understanding what's going on. Don't bother if you feel lost at first, that's normal. Just keep going. Even if you don't roll, go to the gym just to do the drills. Just show up. As a white belt, repeat that in your mind daily, "just show up". I guarantee people at your gym will be thrilled and happy to see you every day.

[@buddyalbert5808]

@@josemachado7830 Thank you for the encouragement! Peace

[@BarChordA]

Let’s go!

[@clarkthesharkbjj]

Completely agree with Chewy. I'm 6'0 and 165 lbs which is pretty skinny for my height. Despite my coaches telling me to do strength training, I ignored it and fucked up my back as a result. I then ended up doing strength training to rehab my back and now i can do all my movements that i was able to do prior to my back injury. Technique is just an application of power and speed. Remember that

[@calebschaaf1555]

I’m one of those little guys who started weight training for injury prevention. Absolutely 100% it’s the truth. I’ve been doing it for about 4 weeks now, nothing crazy, and I’ve not been the most consistent. But my jiu jitsu has taken a huge leap foreword and I’m not afraid of getting hurt as much anymore.

[@heroscapewarrior4217]

That's interesting, I'm a big guy and I so powerlifter, I also started training jiu jitsu. I'm concerned about getting injured but I'm hoping my lifting will help prevent getting hurt

[@tehbieber]

I've been having nagging neck and shoulder injuries for the last like six months or so. I finally got frustrated and picked up some dumbbells and just started in on basic shoulder presses maybe a month and a half ago, haven't had a single muscle pull or strain since. That's finally brought me around to the fact that I need to start seriously lifting, I've had so many little injuries over the years that I probably could have avoided if I'd just been stronger

[@calebschaaf1555]

@@tehbieber 100% man. That's me.

[@tehbieber]

@@heroscapewarrior4217 getting hurt is always a possibility, but I've made it almost eight years without any major injuries and I'm hoping to keep it that way. The main thing is just don't let your ego get the better of you, always tap even if you think maybe you can get out of something--the maybes are where the bad injuries happen

[@heroscapewarrior4217]

@@tehbieber appreciate the response and I agree. Im new so I tap early and often. Even when I have significant weight and strength advantage I tap because it's not worth hulking my way out of stuff I shouldn't have been in the first place. And like u said, ego, I don't let pride put me in bad positions

[@passionforstorytelling]

I love this!! I was not training BJJ back when I was heavier but I was active in other ways and I can tell you that there are certain stretches that I just couldn’t get the most out of because my stomach was in the way! Honestly watching this video is the first time I’m realizing that I can’t recall the last time I felt my midsection uncomfortably fold over when trying to do a deep stretch🎉🎉🎉

[@petemarus7799]

So true. I was before the summer 235. I was then diagnosed with Diabetes type 2. After meds and diet changes (cut a ton of carbs/sugars but some still there) and I am down to 200-205ish, and my movement has changed exponentially. Also losing weight I think has helped me mentally where I seem to “move” better mentally as much as I can physically. Also months later I finally was promoted to brown belt after years of being at purple, and I feel the weight/life/health changes contributed greatly.

[@Broc971]

What I’ve noticed too is to work on your mobility, imagine your feet like hands , use the insteps of your feet to grip, learn the leverage advantage points in your legs ! That’s just me idk if that resonates with y’all. Love you Chewy man I been watching your videos since the first day I started Bjj I came home and I looked up some stuff saw you and been watching your content ever since!! I hope to meet you one day you’re an awesome teacher .

[@allgood6754]

When you talked about strength training I was relating on all levels as you kept talking! I’ve lost 61lbs since I started training and lifting weights has helped me avoid injuries 🔥

[@apabapab0898]

Dude thank you so much for doing this Q and A stuff about stuff that's not always on the matt like with motivation etiquette and improvement pretty sure its done a lot for a lot of people God bless man

[@millerman8821]

So good to hear this, from someone two months into trying to lose weight for this reason 👍

[@captainkiwi77]

I was a pretty small kid back as a freshman, but then I started weight training and it just felt so much easier. I packed on 10 pounds of muscle and wrestled the weight class up and did immensly better from there out

[@manuelarellano6184]

They always say "don't use strenght in jiu jitsu" but as soon as I started lifting weights (I tend to be skinny) my jiu jitsu game went to the roof. It was like duplicating my skills without any new technique or mat time. It was mind blowing for me.

[@chrome1018]

Strength MATTERS in bjj. Keep doing what your doing.

[@Fr1gd3]

started bjj about a year ago, went from 115kg to 94kg. it wasn't always the "healthiest" it could be, and i had other stuff to deal with at times, but overall, jiu jitsu was the motivation i needed to "treat my body right", because i wanted and still want to get better at jiu jitsu. and because more often than not, "treating my body better" for my own personal sake isn't motivation enough

[@lamassu8479]

Super relatable. I was 255 at 5'10. Obviously super strong but my cardio was bad AND I would not throw up triangle chokes if they gave it to me lol. Now I lost the weight (185-190lbs) not only are triangle chokes my best subs but I also catch myself inverting for guard recovery. I always smile thinking back on how I wasn't able to do it before.

[@merkins87]

We have a couple of purple belts at our gym that have been playing competitive sports since before their teenage years, & they give everybody the fits, regardless of belt colours. The most important black belt you'll ever carry is the black belt in personal development.

[@OysterD9]

Yep. Sitting at 149 when I started jiu jitsu. Realized I needed a bit more muscle to go with the style of grappling. So far, up to 153 in 3 weeks. And already feel more comfortable. My goal is atleast 170. Gaining weight isn't my number 1 goal. But, it is a goal.

[@OysterD9]

@GregLurik Official the gains are fun though! Can't blame you!

[@christopherburns6403]

Make sure you find high quality resources for lifting like you have here for bjj. Look up Mike israetel bjj and lifting

[@microwave4928]

“Don’t fear the man who’s trained a thousand kicks, fear the man with the biiiiiiig belly” - sun tzu or something idk

[@rohitchaoji]

This is so timely because I recently started getting coached for strength and conditioning at my mma gym. I gained a lot of weight in recent years and my conditioning had always been a bottleneck for combat sports. In a mo th I've seen more improvement with jiu jitsu and boxing just from improving my strength and conditioning because I'm not already exhausted during sparring/rolls.

[@mordorprc1]

I used to have really bad mobility. Like almost handicapped level mobility, not being able to do regular day to day moves that most people can. My bottom game sucked, couldn’t play any sort of guard outside of half guard. I’ve spent the last year stretching and doing mobility training. My guard game has just exploded without trying anything special and can now play a really good open guard

[@jonmarkforesierravistahs439]

I started taking BJJ around 4 months ago. I'm 45 and w/ my kids and work schedule I can usually go 2 days a week. When I started I weighed 196 & my doctor said my cholesterol was really bad. I just did my bloodwork w/ my doctor. My weight now is 180, and my doctor said my cholesterol while not perfect, has improved tremendously. BJJ has not only helped keep me more calm in life, but has tremendously improved my physical health. I'd highly recommend it for anyone who wants to improve both their physical health and mental calmness. :)

[@ChristopherCarpenter]

Is my aspiration to be big enough to one day have to deal with this issue in my Jiu-Jitsu game!

[@zyncarla]

39 starting BJJ soon wrestled in high school and some D3 at heavyweight 20 years ago. Have since been powerlifting and competing in strongman. Wanting to start so when my son’s old enough I’ll already be at least a blue belt for at least some base knowledge. He’s 2 yeah I had my first kid a lot later in life. Currently weighing 285 with a tiny belly but only sitting around 32% bf mostly need to work on cardio leading up to it hoping I can find people roll with my size. I’m sure after a few months I’ll cut down to the 250-260 range I had to for strongman so it shouldn’t be an issue. Going in with 0 ego will probably get tapped by 120lb girls lol I just don’t want my size to injury anyone by accident.

[@DallasFenderMMA]

I've dropped 65+ lbs my first year of training, on the same diet I started that year on more or less, doing some cardio and exercising has vastly improved my game. As mentioned, I'm suddenly able to transition twice as fast, I'm not blowing my knees and lower back out, being folded in half isn't nearly as uncomfortable lmao

[@cake8211]

The same could be said for people who are too skinny. I seemed to have a much easier time when I was heavier.

[@whitebeltexplainsjujitsu]

Losing a lot of mass will change things. I worked in a flooring department when I got in shape from weightlifting and went from 180 to 155. There were a few things that I could no longer pull across the floor even though I was stronger. I would try and just drag myself towards the handle.

[@mraBJJ33]

Size definitely matters in grappling, there are points of diminishing returns if you get too big to be as agile or flexible as well as your stamina taking a hit. But people being fooled into thinking jiu-jitsu is for smaller practicioners to dominate the larger ones clearly haven't been put in a smashing position by a 250 lb blue belt with decent enough controlling technique to be able to shut down the wiley and flexible 165 lb dude with basic stuff.

[@Silentwatcher23]

Chew can I ask something? I am 75 kilos 40 years old White belt...i often get injuries with biggers opponents and they're white belts too...is it bad to say no if they want to roll with me?i want to roll only with same kilos like me or lighter...i am to carefull with others but some people who roll's eith me isn't..i dont speak Very good English sorry

[@trentasaurus]

Don't roll with people if you don't want to! It's your body.

[@whitebeltexplainsjujitsu]

Choose your partners wisely.

[@andywestrick]

NEVER BE AFRAID TO SAY NO! Your body is a temple and is nothing to be careless with just to please others... its ok to say no

[@caseyriley1014]

I have the opposite problem, I'm skinny but reasonable for my height, but I'm 5'2 and 120, it is not easy for me to add or keep weight, even when I was at my heaviest and most unsustainable weight, constantly in the weight room, I was 145, eating and putting butter in my coffee for just a few more calories... Easily 4-5,000 a day, and barely barely keeping it

[@Evolve1976]

How do I ask chewy a question?

[@85Funkadelic]

Us fat bodies carry around a lot of muscle too. At least the ones that are at least somewhat active. You lose that weight and you're a beast!!! It's taken me a decade though not sure how people could get it done in 6 months.

[@TapsNapsSnaps]

He should loosen the grip on the candybar.

[@thefamousgabe]

Tmm my 3rd day in, just wondering if my braces are going to be an issue 😂

[@whitebeltexplainsjujitsu]

It sounds like there's a shape issue

[@ehukai2003]

Nice mouse there, Chewy! Hope it heals well 🤙

[@Chewjitsu]

Been there since I was born.

[@ehukai2003]

@@Chewjitsu oh damn, I never noticed until now, and I been subscribed for years! 😱 I thought you were hit, my mistake. Sorry if it’s a sore subject.

[@Damin-Danger-Ledford]

I am the King, of self taught. I love saying that, because it's true. I do research, I practice, all that. And I usually do ok. But when it comes to the things that, we don't know that we don't know, well, you need outside advice. Someone who will hurt your feelings by being competely honest. I had to ask for professional help with a few things in my life. Exercise was one of them. I have seen results I've never had in my life. Changed my whole game.

[@SlaveknightGale]

Getting better without technique? I am big and strong, I’m in

[@thechaddad1609]

Apparently Chris had the same problem.

[@ckatech]

He does, wait, is this the third person they always talk about?

[@TheSpartan1031]

You look like Bryce Harper from the Phillies lol

[@DoggosAndJiuJitsu]

I gotta agree. The guy who’s always out practicing something new is the guy who doesn’t have his main game honed tightly.

[@DaltonGang10p]

I’ll get some Gordon Ryan secret juice and then we’ll talk about this

[@Chewjitsu]

Still won't make you Gordon.

[@DaltonGang10p]

@@Chewjitsu that’s only because I suck at Jiu jitsu. But imagine if I was good at Jiu jitsu, then what

[@s.beccari4678]

Nutritionist might be insurance cover

[@dicegamenetwork]

Thank god for that second “J” in the thumbnail or else I’d be disowned for clicking on this video 😂

[@TakeFlow1]

first

[@KazzArie]

Y’all hear the shoyoroll tape by fat_lightning? Might be their best one yet. 🥔 hella funny