How To Train BJJ More Often

[@robertarcher4308]

Not only do you need to train consistently on a regular basis, including stretching before class; you also need to take care of yourself off the mats. For me that means trying to eat decently, getting a good night's rest and hydrating (I supplement my hydration with coconut water). I train 3 to 4 times a week at a good competitive level with my training partners. Managing my energy during the rolls helps. Knowing when to give that extra bit of effort is key. At 54 I know I can't go maximum effort all the time, but I can give an extra burst of energy for an escape or guard pass, etc.

[@briantanzer5599]

I'm 54 as well and agree with everything u wrote. Having injuries from years of sports and working out what I do off the mats is becoming even more important as I age. 3 days a week seems to be sweet spot. This amount of time seems to keep the pain low to moderate and gives me time to recover between training days. I've been doing yoga even before I started training jiujitsu and I think it helps a lot. Keep doing what you're doing..let's try and stay on the mats for years to come 🙏

[@SKRATCH1988]

I'm 34 and if I don't put a heavy emphasis on energy management I gas out quick. I think of it in terms of % nervous system to muscle activation. .. when you're only engaging at 50% or so you can go almost indefinitely. But as soon as you hit 75% you are down to like 15-20min the. If you hit 80-90% you have like 5-10 minutes. And finally if you are even capable of pushing yourself up towards 95-100% that's like 30 seconds, a minute or two max

[@TheArtofSkill]

I always visualize an RPM gauge. Each one of us has a cruising RPM, but we occasionally have to floor the accelerator to pass the other vehicles. My rule of thumb is to keep my redline bursts to no more than about 5 seconds in duration, and not too frequently during the roll..

[@ShaneHarveyMusic]

Im in the exact same boat. At 64 new white belt..just finishing up 1st May month and trained hard for 3 weeks. Loved every second of it. Going 5 days a week. Rolling with 20 year olds…then during a sparring session I heard a big pop/crack in my left shoulder. Havent been back in 5 days.. acupuncture, massage, physiotherapy. Who knows. I’m super fit for my age, competitive with 35 years plus Muay Thai. And clearly in denial about this process of aging. Tough to hear but just what my ears needed. Thanks!!

[@Rip_Ripple]

I'm 51, and I've been training for 7 years, and I just now have gotten to the point where, especially if I'm rolling with a much younger person, I really pace myself during sparring sessions. As Rick mentioned, I routinely take a break between rounds. Stretching is key as well.

[@vincechanhealthy6373]

I'm super glad to hear this. I started doing this in the last year and found I am no longer as injured and actually progressing. BUT, there are instructors who are all about "GO HARDER"

[@drjimjam1112]

Some of our better young guys do 3 classes a day. :( Your message was really important for me to hear as a 73yo white belt.

[@retro6652]

Great respect to you sir. Focus your expectations on working hard and learning from each experience and you will accomplish great things.

[@TheArtofSkill]

73 is impressive! Congrats.

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

i hope you are doing TRT sir ...

[@markchavarria5187]

Damn I needed this! 41 year old white belt here getting back into it after 4 years. Just did my second class and this right here is gonna help my longevity in this sport. Really need to remember this when I roll. Just chill and work on technique.

[@topcat1235]

So glad you're back making videos !

[@TheArtofSkill]

Thanks, me too!

[@professorlatif]

9:45 I am a 72 year old male, I joined a bjj academy 7 weeks ago with no prior experience in the art. Your information is very relevant to me and i enjoy the info you present. I hope to do this long term but i generally attend 2 classes per week and working up to 3.

[@LuckyRob007]

I'm 46 years old and I do 9 classes a week (or about 13 hours). I do x3 foundation classes with my son and x6 advanced classes with sparring. My strategy: 1. It's most important to show up every day. Even if you're injured, reduce intensity but do not reduce your time on the mat. 2. Active recovery. What you do off the mat is as important as it will determine what you can do when you're on that. 3. Eat clean. Sleep properly. And exercise your body outside of sparring. 4. Find good training partners that can give you hard rounds, flow rounds, or simply just technique walk throughs. 5. Listen to your body most of all. Good luck! Oss!

[@blertaer4692]

Train with injuries ? Hmmm... not sure. Maybe small ones if You go easy but any major injury need total rest to heal properly. Beiing impatient and willing to train regardless of injuries will only bring more injuries... Peace.

[@LuckyRob007]

​@@blertaer4692 training does not mean just rolling ... but it does mean keeping your mind engaged ... be on the mat even if its just listening and working with lower belts

[@TheArtofSkill]

Well said! Totally agree.

[@gee3002]

@@LuckyRob007I would better suggest staying away from lower belts if you have an injury. I’d rather a higher belt with more experience and a better ability to take care of his training partner would be much better

[@LuckyRob007]

@@gee3002 completely agree, but I meant if you're properly injured then you coach them vs. roll

[@auraprogram]

Thanks! I’m 51 and this discussion confirmed what I suspected. I was constantly pull muscles and separating ribs. Lowering the other two variables to improve mat time makes so much sense. Just requires an ego check and a focus on technique improvement and flow. Thanks!!

[@neilm6412]

Great advice. I'm a 63 year old blue belt. I try to limit myself to 3 rolls. I try to train 2 times a week, sometimes 3 but If I overdo it, my recovery time goes way down and I find I need to skip a class or two from soreness.

[@jamesbrewer1130]

Was going 2 times a week in the beginning. Felt good so i bumped it up to 3 times a week. Also do heavy kettlebell training seems to help a lot and yoga. This at the age of 59. White belt 1 stripe, 7 months in. Thanks..

[@sicawakan]

Great video. It validated my approach. I’m 48 and do 5 hours CrossFit, 2-3 hours of Olympic lifting, 1-2 hours yoga and 4 hours of Jiujitsu a week. I have to eat clean real food, drink 11/2 gallons of water, stretch and work on mobility and at least 1 hour a day and sleep 8 hours or I break down. It took 4 years to get to this volume.

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

i just take TRT and eat and drink like shit ... i never break down and never felt better and i am 50 years old....i have flat stomach with abs showing up ...but yeah grind your body to dust and be my guest.

[@johnthree1611]

​@@gamesthatmatter9374, I'm sure that your insides are grinding down, you'll eventually destroy your body.

[@terrynichol577]

I hear this all to well..40.years old now brown belt. Popped and crunched a rib. And that was the final round. I pushed myself when I knew I shouldn't have been rolling anymore

[@Rip_Ripple]

I'm 51, and just last week, I rolled 2 more rounds than I should've. I paid for it later that night.

[@terrynichol577]

@@Rip_Ripple yes..51. great your still training .lotta good rolls left in the tank brother

[@Rip_Ripple]

@T-smooth I'm going to do it as long as I can. 🤙🏿

[@truejjc]

My favorite all-time KZbin channel.

[@TheArtofSkill]

Wow, I'm honored!

[@christophertaylor3150]

I am 48 now. 28 years on this journey. I identify with what you are saying. I am at a new school with several competitive black belts. I am finding I can’t give the intensity with them I did a few years ago. My goal is to stay on the mats the rest of my life. So I need to dial some things back like intensity.

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

or take testosterone replacement theraphy like a sane logical person . why do you do this to yourself ?

[@factualreflection8952]

Sir, I just want to acknowledge how wise and articulate the knowledge you impart is. Your videos are well composed without any gimmicks. Your content is solid. Keep up the good work and thank you.

[@TheArtofSkill]

Thank you, brother. I appreciate the kind words.

[@robclark1833]

Man, I needed this reminder at this moment. I am 53 yo blue belt, somewhat athletic and competitive mindset which works against me more often than not. I do feel obligated to jump into rolling every round and have learned this is simply not possible at the intensity I had been bringing.

[@TheArtofSkill]

Blue is the belt where there is more pressure to go hard. You've developed a decent amount of skill, enough that the white belts (and other blues) are using you as a measuring stick and coming at you hard. But the blue doesn't have enough skill yet to dial the intensity way down and still be effective. By purple you can start doing that, so it's a dilemma for the blue.

[@matthewcrawford4216]

I really appreciate this observation from an older perspective. It’s a big change training @ 47 with limitations from the endless energy I had in my 20-30’s

[@TheArtofSkill]

It's OK to turn down rolls, especially if you have an injury. If you don't advocate for your body no one else will.

[@davidcronenwett2381]

Great stuff as usual. I would add: the cultural environment of an academy has a great deal to do with the ability of students to “tinker” around with different training styles. There are a lot of “old school” schools/instructors out there who push a “roll at 150%” mentality. Find an academy and training partners that are open to working with you, your goals and your physical limitations. 🥋

[@TheArtofSkill]

Well said, David. And if anyone reading this lives in Helena Montana, no better place to train than Helena BJJ.

[@DRHODES1979]

Thank you! Just what I needed to hear. I love leaving the gym feeling like I've got nothing left, but at 44 years old, I know I can't sustain that for long. I usually only train 2x a week, but would like to do 3 or 4x a week. I know the only way I can do that is by taking your advice.

[@FlyingBJJSHlT]

You can absolutely train like that for the long haul. You just have to train smarter and also implement good diet and weight training along with cardio so you’re less likely to be injured and stay in shape.

[@DRHODES1979]

@@FlyingBJJSHlT At 44, I'm in pretty good shape, eat well and weight train a couple times a week also. But, after 5 rounds of rolling, I'm usually pretty sore and beat up the next day. Pretty sure I can't maintain that 4x a week, no matter what my diet is. I appreciate the confidence, but my body already has injuries from past hobbies/work and it just doesn't recover as fast as it did 10-15 years ago.

[@FlyingBJJSHlT]

@@DRHODES1979 - I’m 40 and I do that plus the gym and pool. I’m also on TRT. That is a major difference maker.

[@DRHODES1979]

@@FlyingBJJSHlT Glad you feel that good at 40! I think my job takes its toll as well. I'm a firefighter and sleep like shit 3 days out of the week. That probably has something to do with my recovery.

[@FlyingBJJSHlT]

@@DRHODES1979 - I’m an Process Operator on shift work, and work 12 hour shifts. I’m also an Industrial Firefighter on top of that. You should really look into HRT. It’s a life changer.

[@johndaileytraditionalarcher]

Thanks for the video very informative. I started bjj 3 weeks ago and I'm 52 years old. I really enjoy it and starting to get some mobility back. I rolled 2 straight rounds of 3 minutes against higher belts than me. After the second round I felt tired and also gave up 30 to 40 pounds. I'm gonna change the way I train and thanks for the video.

[@TheArtofSkill]

You're welcome. Good luck on your journey.

[@OscarHerrera-xc4to]

thank you so much Sir, watching all your videos, I see what path I have to do.

[@chriskelly9476]

I finally finished shift work after 10 years and back to Monday to Friday. I have more energy already so can train 3 times a week instead of twice 🙂

[@ricochete5875]

Really enjoy your insight as an older player. Thats for helping the mature guys out.😅

[@TheArtofSkill]

Glad to hear it.

[@AJB_313]

I wish all schools thought like this. Where I last went, head coach was way too intense. Heat was always on at 90 degrees even in the summer. He would make comments about people who would leave class early or sit out due to injuries. He would tell us that if we are still sweating, then we are OK and if we aren't ok, then our body will shut down to save us from ourselves. After unnecessary injuries, xrays, ultrasounds, & CT scans, I decided the sport wasn't for me. But it's been calling me back, so I recently checked out a new school and they seem a lot more chill. I told the head instructor that I'm not looking to compete and I'm just an old guy who wants to train. He said that's 90% of the guys there. I watched a Class and it seems to be at a pace thats right for me. Looking forward to getting back on the mat soon.

[@NextScamdemic]

This is encouraging. I was going in this direction anyway, but now I don't have to feel guilty. I'd rather do "live" drilling where I work one specific situation/ technique with resistance as opposed to full-intensity free rolling where I just wind up being smashed on the bottom most of the round. (50's, been training a year 3-4 times a week) Thanks!

[@KazzArie]

40 yo 18mo white belt. My gym membership allows for unlimited class attendance so I get my money's worth by going 6 days a week. As I round the corner to 41, I've noticed it helps me a great deal to take rest rounds between rolls. Especially in the summer!

[@charlitosmaquero]

man, great video as always and great advice, specially for people like me in their 40's, thanks so much 🙏

[@TheArtofSkill]

Thank you.

[@yanguerif7131]

Trt is helping me a lot for recovery, volume and intensity. I went from once a week to three a week for competition and saw the difference in gaining energy.

[@TheArtofSkill]

It's not magic, but it can certainly help with recovery.

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

@@TheArtofSkill it can help ... wtf u talking about ? it HELPS 100 %. before TRT i had a lot of injuries , torn shoulder , torn ankle , torn MCL in my left knee ... after TRT all these injuries healed and i train 6 times per week instead 2 like before and i am 50 years old. before TRT i was in gym 5 times per week lifting weights and having a terrible fat area in middle section . after trt i didnt trained at all and in 1 year i got flat somach and abs showing ... this is real magic my friend.

[@Pankomentator]

Hello coach! A few days ago, I started training in BJJ, and I'm a total beginner. Our group is small and still forming, with only a few people attending. What I don't like in the training is the intense sparring at the end of each session. I weigh 80kg and have to fight against other beginners who weigh 95kg. Our sparring sessions are basically focused on strength because none of us have a wide range of techniques or experience yet. Does it make sense? Due to this approach, I have to limit the number of BJJ sessions per week because I end up exhausted. I've come across opinions from well-known trainers on KZbin that sparring is not necessary at the beginning, and the focus should be on technique. I completely agree with that, but some trainers seem not to understand it.

[@carlosmaldonado9510]

I was asking this questions Great answers Thanks

[@Tyronetrinity]

I love your videos!

[@TheArtofSkill]

@@Tyronetrinity thank you!

[@scottwalburn6193]

I've been training steady but anytime I try to add in weightlifting I end up just feeling dead. I'm trying to be smart but if I go 4 times a week I'm just toast. I'm worried if I give up the weightlifting I'm going to end up injured. I was curious how much weightlifting others are doing. I'm closer to 50 than 40.

[@TheArtofSkill]

Finding that balance can definitely be a challenge. It gets easier with skill because you can be effective without as much output.

[@justinsmith3981]

I took up BJJ so I could have something to do because I was doing too much in other sports and need to let some muscles and tendons rest that keep getting overused because of specificity and receptive movements. Since backing off of my old hobby bouldering/rock climbing I've actually been able to climb higher grades even though I am spending much less time on the wall. Rest is an underrated training tool.

[@BJJourney]

Awesome. Im 42 my biggest problem is ribs injury doing half guard against bigger younger guys. Same weight is ok. Maybe that weight difference is a intensity question?

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

TRT ?

[@TraciC23]

Consistency is key, for sure; I got my blue belt last week! And I'm also fairly reserved about my energy output and pick my battles; it's not worth it to go hard against the newer wrestling dudes who only know how to smash people. It's more fun to play defense and annoy them anyway. But my training buddy who's been there since the beginning? Or my coach? Then yeah, A-game. And I can still outlast lots of the dudes in my gym.

[@blertaer4692]

Great vid as usual. Although there is one VERY VERY IMPORTANT thing You haven't mention : STRETCHING. The best advice I can give to ANYONE, not only BJJ players, is to find a good full body stretching routine (upper body, middle and lower body stretches, that means shoulders, arms, wrists, neck, spine, hips, legs, ankles,...) , and go through it AT LEAST 3 times a week, or once after every workout/BJJ class. I know this sounds like a lot, and many people will be like "oh no, not for me, I can't stretch it's too painful" etc... The reason why it is painful is BECAUSE YOU DO NOT STRETCH ENOUGH !!! (most people not at all...) Your body is simply RUSTED. But YOU CAN FIX THAT !!! Stretching properly and often enough will change Your life, I guarantee ! It will be painful at first but after a week or 2 the pain will diminish and leave place to PLEASURE. The pleasure of making progress and realising that YOU CAN BECOME MORE FLEXIBLE ! EVERYONE CAN ! Trust me, You'll thank Yourself very soon. It's a anti-aging practice and a great recovery tool. I managed to get 2 of my friends to starts stretching, and their lifes has changed since then. No more back pain (one of them had chronic back blockages), less everyday stress, better mobility, etc, etc... Their words. Strength Side on KZbin have some nice vids about it. I believe there is plenty of other channels on YT but also articles online. Also the first book of OLIVIER LAFAY has in it a great full body routine. I believe that book has been translated in more than 20 languages... This is where I started 9 years ago, then got into Yoga 5 years ago. Today at 29 I am the most flexible guy at my BJJ school and amongst my friend circle, by far. You can do it too !! Good luck !! Peace out. Tee.

[@TheArtofSkill]

This video wasn't about recovery or about improving your health/fitness to train more effectively. But I agree that stretching and mobility work should be part of every athlete's training program, especially when you're. older.

[@blertaer4692]

Right. Well stretching does help You to train more by improving recovery and reducing risks of injury 💪😉.

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

or just do TRT if u are 40+ like every sane person lmao

[@RicoMnc]

Yes, the struggle is real, trying to balance consistency, volume, and intensity. I tend to go through cycles of balanced, too intense, wrecked for a while, less consistent as a result, then the cycle starts again.

[@TheArtofSkill]

Been there many times.

[@Slamminbassplayer]

Hehe I’m 46 and you nailed it. Other comments about the amount of time I spend outside of the gym just to be able to do days a week is crazy. And I still feel like I got hit by a car most days.

[@808BJJ_Black_Belt]

Great tips 👍

[@jeffdj1975]

Excellent advice for my 47 year old body. I’m a 3 month in white belt and sometimes my mind tells me that I can spar all day, my bodies screaming at me.

[@skywalker844]

I'm not finding my technique and is mostly 4 strip white belt with a skill gap then me in my class and individuals who weight 100 lb more than me with mixers of cage fighters. Do to my cardio I can hold my own till they run out of breath. Any advice should I find a different gym with more beginners

[@TheArtofSkill]

If your current school isn't what's best for you it's OK to shop around.

[@johanjofo]

Im a 48yo, totally untrained male. Done 2 training sessions with a week inbetween. After 2nd session my left groin started to hurt alot. I dont want it to be an injury and thats why i rather rest it for another week, than get on the mat the day after, and maby tear the groin and be out for 6 month or something. I slowly get used to the training, so my body, muscles and ligaments have time to adapt. Btw, im 5,9” and 179lbs. From Sweden, so excuse bad english 🤭

[@Silentwatcher23]

I am White belt three stripes 1.5 year...i am training three days a week...i am hobist..is it enough? Sorry for my English

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

3 is enough to keep advancing.

[@cotydudley183]

Thank you

[@caiofernando]

As a lighter weight, the lighter in my class, I struggle to control the intensity. There's not much I can do to resist a stronger and heavier opponent other than being explosive and fast.

[@TheArtofSkill]

With training you'll develop efficiency, so you can keep moving but without as high a physical load.

[@KarmaFlight]

At 55, it's the recovery time that I am struggling with. I guess these are good problems to have. I bought a couple of t-shirts. I had to have the old man one! 🤣

[@TheArtofSkill]

Thanks! Yeah... recovery is hard. I tend to be sore most days.

[@KarmaFlight]

@@TheArtofSkill I got your video. You are a class act. I wish you and Roy Dean would come up to Coeur d'Alene to see Jason Lambert's new gym. Manny Rodriguez was up here last week for promotions. It was awesome!

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

@@TheArtofSkill 50 year old here on TRT . i am never sore ... and i train 6 times per week against all kind of persons . even 20 year old wrestlers.

[@TheMartinBishop]

"Consistency trumps intensity, every time." - StrongFirst Master Instructor (emeritus) Mark Reifkind

[@stevesanders5348]

Yes on everything. You want to wake up hungry to train again.

[@Paladin1776a]

Very insightful and intelligent thoughts. Thank You.

[@newenglandguitarman3345]

I’m a 56 year old black belt & my jiu jitsu got WAY better doing long flow rolls w another older black belt … non competitive, nice workout, no injuries

[@brandonszeto7579]

First! Thanks for sharing, Rick!

[@halfman58]

21st like, I wasn't quick enough this time, I was watching one of the old ones :(

[@blertaer4692]

What does it matter ?

[@halfman58]

@@blertaer4692 It doesn't :)

[@kravmagaCDK]

I’m 54. The easy answer is simple. Just do Jujitsu. Minimum energy maximum efficiency. Once I learned that I was good go. I don’t care what that 20 year old is doing. I do me.

[@NextScamdemic]

I'd be too self-conscious to wear "art of skill" gear, I'd wear "art of suck" gear though haha

[@TheArtofSkill]

lol.

[@naakaalastudio6655]

I simply avoid rolling every class.

[@alexcardoso4487]

Humm trt 🤫🤫

[@thewarriorsgarden6316]

BJJ is a great endeavor, unless you're interested in actual self defense, or want to know how to fight

[@dariusrana8487]

Totally agree. A triangle of energy can be applied to weight training too. Quick question. Just broke my big toe in sparring. I'm 53. Drs are saying 4-6 weeks out. What do you think?

[@blertaer4692]

For most injuries, the human body needs arround 6 weeks to heal, according of course that You get enough proper rest and medical attention. Obviously You shouldn't train BJJ or any other intense physical activity for that matter, before at least 4-5 weeks into healing. Hope I'm making sense. Peace.

[@hty6884]

True. Listen the doctors

[@ThePimpedOutPlatypus]

I'm a Primary Care Provider and a BJJ athlete. It's true, you do need 4-6 weeks to fully heal. By Week 2 your bones will be fusing back together and becoming stable. By Week 4 there is likely no pain but you're not fully healed, more like 80%. By Week 6 you should be good to go. This assumes there are no complications. When I broke my toe I didn't train for two weeks, then I 'buddy taped' my toe to the one next to it for stability and just drilled with no resistance until Week 4, then I 'buddy taped' and flow-rolled until Week 6. I had no symptoms or complications and returned to full activity after 6 weeks

[@dariusrana8487]

@@ThePimpedOutPlatypus 🙏