Intro to Grappling

[Matt Shields]

I say start working on flexibility, your much more likely to get injured if your inflexible.

[Andrew Kesterson]

Absolutely. Getting in shape is easy, too (well, unless you ask my wife, in which case it's impossible). You'd be amazed at how much better you'll feel by spending 15 or 20 minutes every day stretching, knocking out some pushups, situps, and [if you have time] another 20 or 30 minutes of running.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Why are you avoiding weights? Done correctly you can get in shape very quickly if you use them correctly, use lighter weight and higher reps progressing through each set quicker will give you an amazing workout, but like everyone else said flexability is essential to getting in shape if you are not going to stretch then do not bother- good luck, Aaron

[Mike Cartier]

Its a good idea to stay away from weights if you are preparing for BJJ. strength is not something you will be cultivating in the beginning although it will feel like it. The goal will be in fact the opposite , using as little strength as possible.

There is no way i know of to prepare your cardio for ground fighting other than ground fighting, running is good, any stand up stuff is fine but will never really work your cardio the same as when you actually wrestle. Look to cardio training from wrestling they have many excellent drills and tricks.

Each phase of combat has its own unique cardio, each is slightly different in its effect so that good cardio in kickboxing will not always translate to good cardio on the ground or in the clinch. Likewise good ground cardio will not translate to standup or clinch. You use a different muscle set in each phase.

Do lots of situps, pushups is great, squats, jumping jacks, running in place.
A great body weight conditioning site is Scrappers Body Weight Training its great stuff.

[Jake_Norwood]

I know that Royce Gracie (of BJJ fame) has a book out on his excercise method. Putting your hands into barrels of rice, etc.

Jake

[Andrew Kesterson]

Pumping iron is alright, but it generally leaves you with a feeling of mistaken confidence; you may or may not be working out the muscles that are going to be working when you're swinging the sword or putting someone to the ground. Your body makes a fantastic weight, if you know how to use it.

"If you base your technique solely on strength, one day a young bull will come and beat you with fresh muscles." --Masaaki Hatsumi

[Casper Bradak]

I think lifting weights is invaluable for martial arts, but it should be considered supplemental. If it's your focus, that's when it'll give you problems. Combative fitness is a whole different kind of being in shape, but supplementally, weights can really be a help. It's been used by martial artists for thousands of years.

[Rey Garcia]

Please read my post in RMA vs MMa
Peace out> <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Ben Christy]

i had my first bjj class tonight, just wanted to share.

[Jaron Bernstein]

Hope you enjoyed it. I would say that a great strength of BJJ is its "5 days a week, 2 hours a day" training regimen. That time and intensity are the key to any MA training. If we applied our training like that in RMA then we would have some fearsome fighters in short order. Maybe even good enough to fight with ringen in an MMA event.... <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Ben Christy]

i wish i had that sort of time im going to be lucky to get 2 days a week but i guess a little training is beter than non at all.