This is actually a very common trope so to speak in psychology and spirituality: it’s basically ego not in the showoff sense of the word but as in the part of our mind that protects us from bad feelings, a survival mechanism that protects the mind or the sense of identity/self Procrastination, idealization rationalization, all these concepts are linked to this. Basically your mind is saying “why should I invest energy in x thing when it’s not guaranteed that I will achieve it in its maximum capacity? I rather invest my energy in a different direction to guarantee my survival” but obviously when we live in a world with cars and concrete buildings we don’t need to maximize our chances of survival in everything we do. It’s the trap of thinking “what’s the point of doing any amount of work if I’m never gonna be the best there is in the entire world and transcend humanity, I rather eat Cheetos and watch UA-cam”. Your mind is finding logical ways to justify resisting change, growth and progress because you evolved to want to avoid it, because it’s uncomfortable. The good news is if you try to remember this is a thing that exists and observe your thoughts (you might call it mindfulness but not necessarily) you start to strengthen your awareness and eventually it becomes muscle memory and you immediately realize you’re doing the thing and Can very easily avoid acting up. This is why I think martial arts should always be combined with meditation or is maybe conducive to being more meditative/mindful, because it’s such a long term and slow process that it forces you to learn a few ego shattering things, starting with the common use of the word ego in day to day speak and into the more nuanced ways our ego controls us without us even realizing
Reminds me of the quote "Given the opportunity, Players will optimize the fun out of a game" It applies to video games, fitness, sports, work, hobbies. Its okay to take longer and have fun. Matter of fact, if being 100% "optimal" causes you to burn out and quit or take a break, you are probably progressing no faster than the person who is taking things as fast as they feel like but being consistent.
I hate it when people say “I’m only training three days a week is that enough?” or “is five times a week best for me?”. I started about a year ago and I train twice a week, this is the most I am capable of doing due to family commitments work etc but I feel I’m developing all the time and getting better. It also works out well because I can do gym work to support the muscles and movements I do in jujitsu and it also gives me a rest mentally - I often find when I’ve had a period of time off from something I always come back sharper. I also find it really beneficial to watch other people doing jujitsu on UA-cam etc, watching their techniques, and trying to assimilate them-visualisation is a powerful tool.
Same. I'm a newer blue belt training 2x per week, with family, work, that also lifts, MTB, boulders, hikes, etc. At 47, for me it's about balance. And I also take a month off every 5 months or so and I feel it helps me improve and clear bad habits.
Very well said. Bjj is a journey with no end, so what’s the rush? I train 3 a week and throw in strength training in between, also watch UA-cam, very helpful. Regardless of what belt I wear(3 stripe wb), I leave class exhausted and fulfilled.
@@joncooke9515 So true. I've trained for donkey years. Injured, pause for a while, train train, work gets in the way, pause for Years, then back to it. It's a lifelong trip. Kind of lime the gym. Although, the social aspect of jits is more of a factor fun in the weight room, in my opinion.
Honestly, if you’re spending atleast 30 mins rolling hard as long as you’re watching videos and learning, even 2/week is a good amount. But I agree. I think it’s a pretty steady pace. I know when I started out 2-3 a week was the goal, not the rule.
When I started, I wasn't able to do 3 times and roll every time, it was just too much, now I have 3 times as a goal but in truth I always get small injuries that force me to skip half or entire weeks. I currently have a jacked finger.
@@garywoodgrw yes, depending on how bad or not it is, although personally I do need time for some other things going on with life so most of the time I skip the training to do something else and BJJ ends up second for me.
46 yrs old 5 months in and have been training 3 days a week, and lift weights on off days. It's tough recovery is harder and getting banged up while rolling. 5 months in and can see physical fitness and skills improving from day 1. I just show up! As you get older I've learned to embrace the suck - soreness of the body always sore. But you can age or fight the aging process! Showing my kids and family never stop living and bettering yourself! Be well!
I sometimes dream about Jiu Jitsu. It's highly engrossing because it is so stimulating. I train sporadicly due to work so it has taken 5 years to make blue belt. I am 55 now, and I am very grateful to have BJJ in my life. Three days a week is about all my body can stand these days...
Quite often I can’t get to sleep because I’m thinking about it lol, just lie awake visualising over and over. Congrats on your blue belt, age is just a number and wisdom is more important anyway.
I get that, work sometimes makes it very difficult to get to the gym even if you want to be, I totally get that. I find myself attempting to move work around to see if I can get to the gym on time lol.
Everything you said is absolutely true. It's really funny but our egos change BJJ internally if we aren't careful. A lot of us fall into this and fall in love with it, but because of its competitive nature, it morphs into something else... a race of sorts and we unwittingly forget the ride and just try to finish first. It kills the joy if we don't pay attention.
I just turned 40 and started 10 months ago. I feel his sentiment for sure. I have no plans to compete and I have one stripe because I kept missing moving-up ceremonies and I am ok with my one stripe. However, I want to get better for my own personal growth. I feel every time I roll is a personal challenge and when rolling against the same people I want to be able to attack or defend in different ways. I don't know if that's what he means by maximizing but that's the reason I'm here, just looking for new ideas. Happy rolling!
“It’s about the journey not the destination”. Wise words from Chewy. Thanks. I was stuck in that mental trap of trying to squeeze every tiny bit I can out of it. It’s all about the ride.
where I train, we like to stay; At least take 1 thing out of each session. That helps me feel accomplished a great deal, if I learn 2 or 3 things great, but if I take 1 out of a session, I feel great about that as well.
Bro I was training for 4 years and I was obsessed, training 5+ times a week, got my blue belt and then quit for 5 years. Getting back into it now in a new club in a new town. It's all about enjoyment for me. I love rolling and learning. I lose a lot but it's still pure joy.
I'm doing it as a hobby. After a 6 year hiatus (Having kids etc) I've made a 'comeback' and now I'm training twice a week and watching 30 minutes of videos every day. I'm enjoying this realistic routine and I do it outside of my regular 4 days a week HIIT / Tabata training. Jiu-jitsu to me is a ride which keeps me active and gives me a mental workout. Community is also awesome.
Thank you for this mate. I’ve been struggling with family and work commitments and was starting to see it this way; putting too much pressure on myself to enjoy training and advance. From now on, I’ll just look to enjoy it :0)
I want to say thank you. I just got my purple belt and I have loved all of your philosophy and ideas different topics that have helped so many of us throughout our journey. Have a great day Sir.
You know, this is exactly what I needed to hear today. I just passed the 1-year anniversary of starting my training and I'm starting to get annoyed with myself when I mess up, or feel down when I have a bad training day. I only joined for fun!
Great reminder sir! I'm on the ten-year-to-blue-belt bus (family, health issues, school, work) and I sometimes forget that while achievement may be great and all, it's nothing compared to getting in the gym to do a little wrasslin' with my friends. Keep up the good (great!) work!
This is so what I needed to hear. I have been training for four months and have lost some weight, and have certainly improved, but put unnecessary pressure on myself to perform some kind of way. I appreciate this message so much.
Jeez, Chewy. This seemed to talk directly to me today. I've been feeling a bit like a 'shooting star' this week. I'm obsessed with this hobby but I've been hitting some walls as of late. Older guy training 5-6 days a week and just kind of getting eaten up mental and physically. I put a lot of pressure on myself and this past week, I've been letting that pressure take away from the fun of this hobby. It's good idea to refocus and get back to what I love about this sport. 6 months deep and I'm going to be with it for life. Cheers brother.
It's the guys like me, that are in their 50s with old injuries and decades of experience that have the biggest problems. Hard to find a gym you can just have a good workout without others trying to take advantage. Wisdom takes over and it frustrates the partner to a point of them being overly aggressive and it turns into a daily battle, a kind of out to get you thing, when you just want a good workout and go home. It really sucks Chewy.
Loved your take to this question. I started BJJ a year before Covid, would go twice a day..3 times a week, 2 years off do to Covid, and am back with a vengeance of at least 3days a week.for the last few weeks, 5 times a week but now work schedule changes has me maybe twice a week if I am lucky. I feel 3 times a week is bare minimum and feel cheated. I am only a hobbyist BUT try to be the best of me. Constant videos and following you plus every other BJJ practitioners the I can mind meld to. Keep it up..loved the content and videos!!! Osss!!!
I been doing jiu jitsu and judo for 2 years, I started with 3 sessions per week but over time its grown to 6 or 7 times per week. Like Chewy said I got addicted to that feeling I get at the gym, being around the guys and learning something. I have a post training high which is amazing and nothing like any other sport I've done. And I never really care about my performance on the day, how I did in rolls, my coach usually tells me things to focus on and i try my best to
Thank you for this! As a 46yo hobbyist, it’s hard to watch white and blue belt competitors and not compare my journey and feel like I’m not doing enough. I will have a more enjoyable journey with this advice!
So true. Spending time doing something brings expectations. Both external and internal. Once you've done it long enough and you start to get pretty good, competition starts to come up more and more
I needed to hear this today. Thank you! This is pretty much me - a 40 y/o Mom of 2, I do BJJ for stress and anxiety relief. But sometimes I get caught up in not being good enough.
Good on you! There aren't many 40 year old moms that do BJJ. Don't worry about being good enough, just keep training in a fun way and you'll see over months (not days) that you're progressing. Remember why you're doing it and enjoy it!
My old sambo instructor had a good saying. I sure miss the guy. "Even if your not beating anyone yet, your still beating yourself from a month ago." Ofcourse everyone let new comers get the feel of a completed technique once in a while. Doesn't mean it was a smooth technique. I seen a teenage boy bound by crutches and a wheel chair, train for a year, or close to it, become capable of combat. He obviously had his own way of doing things, but our instructor worked with him the best he could. Realistically, he would obviously never been able to beat any of us on two feet, yet a day came when someone that routinely bullied him a summer before ended up testing him, and it did not go well for that boy. I'm completely against juvenile violence, and young people need to learn the proper way, but if you knew what his bully did prior, you would honestly not feel so bad about the outcome of their last encounter. The young guy got more than he needed. How do you go on in high-school with everyone knowing the boy in the wheel chair gave you a bad licken. Training is always worth it.
thank you for the video. 37 year old white belt here. i definitely love my training. getting better little by little but i appreciate the journey and love my gym mates. i train as much as i can fit in and am working to squeeze in as much more as possible😁
This was beautiful. Great perspective Chewy, thanks :) 1 year in myself, and definitely falling into the mentality of being the best, keeping up, maximizing every class, etc. It creates faster skill progress, but sucks the love out of the activity.
Thanks for this perspective sir. I'm 43 and in the gym two days a week....that's the only time I can allot between family and other responsibilities. I always just look forward to enjoying the training and just learning new things. I haven't thought about a belt or anything to that nature....I started training after I signed up my boys in December. Now we have something we all bond over. It's been a ton of fun so far!
Dang, I started back after a 17 yr break at 39. I was dying at (2) 1 hr private lessons per week. 3.5 year later I train 5 days and 10-12 hour per week, exclusively no-gi. It took me a good 2.5 years to get to that kind of training level at 43. It paid off too. I received my purple belt 3 days ago. I’m pretty happy about that.
Yup I’ve seen many students come in 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥after a few months they are gone 👎🏻 just train for fun and be consistent don’t put pressure on yourself and progress will happen ✅✅✅✅
Falling in love with the sport is definitely the best thing to progress. When I started wrestling in my twenties my first session was really rough, but the second time it was better and third time I really fell in love with it. Enjoying it ever since
I find myself in 1 of 2 places on the mat. 1. Enjoyment 2. Mellowed out in a middle ground just trying to learn things. To this point, I do not recall every being in a negative mindset on the mat, so that speaks to it being a wise use of time for me I believe.
I started at 38 and now almost 6 years later(3 days a week consistently) I’m a purple belt. I listened to a lot of Chewy over the years and he always has the right advice and attitude. Would love one of them tshirts btw but would they cost me crazy money to get them shipped to Europe?
I go 1-3x a week hobbyist. I’m 47 yo blue belt who was out of the game for like 8 years . Might be all in my head but I feel like I get treated differently than the more “serious” younger guys. They seem to get more attention to their technique or rolls 🤷🏼♂️. Kind of annoying. No one wants to roll with me just with their buddies 😐
Yeah, I get all that. I hear you. But still, I want to learn. Getting better, not compared to the training partners, but compared to where I was last week - well, that's still an important goal to me. (Btw, 52 yrs, fresh whitebelt, total hobbyist myself. I just enjoy wrestling and learning. Zero competition ambitions. Also no illusions that I'll ever catch up to that alternative reality me who started bjj in his early 20s.) So here are a few things I'm experimenting with in the hope of faster progress.: I try to roll light. Because if I use all my strength and weight and work really hard, I gas out. In time my wrestling cardio will no doubt improve and I'll be able to sustain hard work for an hour or two. But if I push myself to my physical limits in order to get there faster, I find that my brain can't absorb knowledge. I try to think of the specific things I did last class. I'm a big nerd but I try to resist the urge to go on youtube and watch every bjj technique breakdown in existance. Instead, if we did flower sweep I try to watch a video about that. I try to remember exactly how it felt when I trained it and close my eyes and do it again inside my head. Third, I work out a bit. One of the few things I've ever disagreed with chewie on is steady state cardio. In my experience long distance running or biking does comparably little for your fight cardio. And they take a _lot_ of time. I think intervals are much more helpful, and time efficient. Running up a steep hill or a bunch of stairs. Burpees. Breakfall-standup cycles. And I try to focus on strength exersize that I hope is more helpful to wrestling, stuff like deadlifts, core and grip strength. Finally I worry about injuries. At my age I both heal slower and have less time than when I was 22. A broken bone or torn cartilege will set me back more severely at this point in life. Another reason to not go all out when rolling with people who will be able to scrunch me up like a napkin anyway. That's how I think about this question.
Even with this video I clicked on it like "oh I'll watch this and maybe it will give me tips to get better faster"... You're absolutely right, I don't need to get the fastest improvement, I need to focus on enjoying it instead of making it a job.
I noticed something. A lot of people start jiu jitsu and they’re there for personal reasons, and that’s awesome. They expect to get beaten and subbed up and down the mat. But…6 months goes by, 9 months goes by, a year goes by and getting smashed starts getting pretty old. One of 2 things happens. Either people quit or they double down and ask how do I get more out of my training so I can stop getting beaten up 3x a week? I know I went through that and the answer for me was looking closely at my own jiu jitsu game and understanding where the most important weaknesses were in the fundamentals and I took private lessons to improve. For me as a beginner that was pin escapes. I took 10 private lessons just on mastering the most basic pin escapes. There’s another type of person that comes in and their ego gets fired up from jiu jitsu. They HATE losing. This is super common and they come and like everyone else they get manhandled. Months goes by and they’re still getting manhandled but it just eats them alive because they hate losing so badly. These guys don’t tend to do as well. They get passed over for promotions because they’re not focused on improving technical aspects of their jiu jitsu and instead are just focused on “winning” in sparring. So they’ll learn one submission reasonably well and just keep doing that one thing to everyone. Then they wonder why they’re not improving. Well it’s because you won’t try new stuff because you hate losing so badly. For me, learning those pin escapes was enough for me to fall in love with BJJ and begin to improve. That was about a year into my training and I had just had enough of being always stuck and feeling helpless with no clue how to get out.
I rarely 👍🏻 YT vids that aren’t music but this shit hits home. Started a year ago and initially I put way too much pressure on myself and wasn’t able to feel out the basic techniques. Just kinda nodded my head and nervously copied shit when drilling and was too tense while rolling. Now that I view it as a journey and something to be enjoyed, I’ve learned more in the last 2 months than the first 10. About to do my first gi competition tmrw and very much looking forward to it 🤙🏻
Wonderful assessment . Enjoy the ride is paramount for me as well..at 64 I have the time to train four days a week most weeks...some double classes. Just in this for fitness and social interaction. Where it ends up who knows, and I don't care to be honest.
3 days a week is more than most people do if it's consistently. You can win competitions on 3 days a week, easily, like many people do. So, if you're not competing then that's more than enough time. Remember, there's only so much you can mentally process to learn well, let alone physical roadblocks. In your late 30s you're most likely going to have constant minor injuries, soar limbs and neck etc. 3 days a week is already a great balance of training time vs resting time, and what a lot of people don't do but should... reflection time and study time. Also, "3 days a week" could mean 3 hours a week, 6 hours a week, 24 hours a week etc. But let's say it's 3 hours a week... if that's 2 hours of technique and 1 of sparring, that's more than enough for a hobby. As the goal of a hobbyist, at this rate, you will have great fundamentals in about 2 years, give or take. And that's not just for sport BJJ ,that's for self-defense as well. From there, everything you learn is "the cherry on top." Learn smart, keep ego out and don't be competitive with peers that train to compete, you will not keep up, plain and simple. Accept that, because they're not training to be hobbyists, they're often young fresh lads that train everyday because they don't know how to take a break. It shouldn't make you feel like you're missing out, they have different goals.
To be clear a "Hobbyist" in Jiu-Jitsu is someone who does not get paid or sponsored to compete. IE 99.9% of people in Jiu-jitsu. Hobbyist blue belt = someone capable of kicking 95% of peoples asses easily. Training 3-4 days per week is normal and really good for someone who has an actual life (real job, family, responsibilities etc.) At 40 years old the way to maximize progress is to not get injured and be consistent. Eat lots of protein and listen to your body.
I've tried training anywhere from 1-7 times's a week, and i feel like 3 times a week was the sweet sport for progress. You feel sharp every time, you get good recovery and you have energy to study jiu jitsu and Even hit the gym to keep your body injury free.
I think that a common misconception about maximizing benefit is that the person means quickest way to get to the end or something of that nature. I can't presume to know what the original emailer meant exactly, but I know that when I started I trained 2-3 days a week because it was, and is, all the time that I have available at the moment. That being said, Jiu jitsu is extremely frustrating and it's easy to feel like you're not making progress. I am 46 years old and a blue belt, and I have been a blue belt for 2 and a half years and I am in no hurry to get my purple belt, however, I would like to have that level of performance. I think that a lot of people are overwhelmed with, what appears to be, lack of progress, when in reality they're making progress, they just don't see it. I say all the time that if what I see when I watch others roll, are things that I saw when I rolled, I would feel more like a four stripe blue belt/ almost purple belt. Physical limitations will always always be there, and only grow as you get older, but I think that most people wrestle with the state of mind in jiu jitsu and want to feel like they're making progress in their game. Just my two cents.
36 quite fit and a 2 stripe 6mo in. Dont plan to compete and do it with my two kids. I love it though, so 4-6 days a week Im in there and 4 days a week in the gym. I feel sore alot, but its a labor of love. I dont have alot of hobbies
I started 3 weeks ago just so I can learn technique but then this week a 3 striped white belt drilled and rolled with me. She's a dirty fighter which made me rethink my jiujitsu hobby. I can't imagine ever kneeling on someone's face yet here I am with a sore jaw..sigh. So to answer your question, I'm trying to get better to hold my own..survive.
I'm 39yrs old and I train 3 days/week. I just got my blue belt after about 10 months and I am actually very good. I constantly study with free youtube and Instagram videos when I'm not in the gym and that makes my mentality better. However, my wife hates that k do bjj, and that is always a constant battle, buy I absolutely love the sport.
I went back to do BJJ here in Costa Rica, I remember doing it back in the day in 2012, did it for a year, then i came back, I was 26, now I'm 37, been doing it for almost 8 months and loving it, now I have the time, and most importantly the money, but man, times has no mercy when it comes to age, now it aches avery part of me after rolling, therefore I take it easy, enjoy the ride but I try to train 3 times a week the least but no presure at all.
I think training BJJ twice a week helped me from getting worn down prematurely, especially being 135 and one of the older guys. I was able to balance my work and other chores easier. I don't think so much about how often to go, but more of how far.
Wise. I'm actually struggling with this, I started off obsessed and competed. But, life happened and can no longer be there 6 times a week. And, I now suck. People who didn't beat me, now do.
I train 2 days a week mainly for the past 5 of 6 years doing BJJ. I'm 45 now and my body can only handle that. I'm a 4 stripe purple and have even been given a class to teach. I'm very very technical. I do not compete because I can't afford to get injured,severely. If I can achieve this rank and trust in my coach just training 2 days a week... you're good to go with 3. Wish I could do 3-4... getting old sucks 🤪
I love the journey but i also happen to be 20 and classes are out and my work schedule is perfect for training twice a day on MWF and the sunday open mat so i get 7 sessions a week. Its so fun
I don't train that much BBJ, i compete very regularly in Judo. However I only train two times a week and i'm doing perfectly fine, dw about it, you'll get there.
How to maximize progress? Stay healthy! 3 days per week is a good amount of training especially in the beginning. Your body needs time to adapt to the new type of stress. Your muscles and ligaments get stronger as you train, so give them the time and don't over work yourself. Injuries are terrible for progression and motivation.
Would I regret quitting as a Brown belt? Many say I would- but given I can't stop comparing myself to others- not accepting that my BJJ journey started at an older age- etc.
Consistency. For anyone thinking the question ”What is the optimal…”, ”What is the best…?” etc. The answer is always going to be consistency. Change my mind. 😅
It’s easy to get caught up in the trap of wanting to train as hard as a competitor while maintaining the simple enjoyment of being a hobbyist. Letting go of self imposed expectations can be difficult.
I think some of it is the frustration that as a beginner, there's very little option to "play" as you say. Someone's bigger than me? I struggle to move them. Someone's stronger than me? They don't struggle to move me. A lot of folks are better than me, and some of them get frustrated when I'm not doing things properly. I think they forget I'm a white belt.
Been there. Just give the sparring partner a quick tap and get their ego out of the way. In a 5 minute roll you'll get 4 minutes of learning once you have extinguished their ego. Once you get better remember to check your ego when the new person comes in. This advice works great when you get better and have a injury as well. You may be at the wrong place training as well if everyone is smashing the new person but typically it is ego. You probably don't have perfect techniques or a bag of tricks yet so when they feel you struggling or using power they up the intensity because they read it wrong. Defeating both theirs and your ego is the secret. Like I said, not a criticism only advice from someone who has been there. Good luck
I guess it's the expecting to get something from it part. If you really expect something then it's all in. The rest of us just learn the joy of not telling your own sweat from your team mate's...
Like anything we do in our free time it's for fun. I think too many people forget this. If you aren't having fun then what's the point? I like getting a good competitive roll in, and learning some cool shit I can practice on my girlfriend at home. We only have so much time here so just enjoy it.
This is actually a very common trope so to speak in psychology and spirituality: it’s basically ego not in the showoff sense of the word but as in the part of our mind that protects us from bad feelings, a survival mechanism that protects the mind or the sense of identity/self
Procrastination, idealization rationalization, all these concepts are linked to this. Basically your mind is saying “why should I invest energy in x thing when it’s not guaranteed that I will achieve it in its maximum capacity? I rather invest my energy in a different direction to guarantee my survival” but obviously when we live in a world with cars and concrete buildings we don’t need to maximize our chances of survival in everything we do.
It’s the trap of thinking “what’s the point of doing any amount of work if I’m never gonna be the best there is in the entire world and transcend humanity, I rather eat Cheetos and watch UA-cam”. Your mind is finding logical ways to justify resisting change, growth and progress because you evolved to want to avoid it, because it’s uncomfortable.
The good news is if you try to remember this is a thing that exists and observe your thoughts (you might call it mindfulness but not necessarily) you start to strengthen your awareness and eventually it becomes muscle memory and you immediately realize you’re doing the thing and Can very easily avoid acting up.
This is why I think martial arts should always be combined with meditation or is maybe conducive to being more meditative/mindful, because it’s such a long term and slow process that it forces you to learn a few ego shattering things, starting with the common use of the word ego in day to day speak and into the more nuanced ways our ego controls us without us even realizing
Reminds me of the quote "Given the opportunity, Players will optimize the fun out of a game" It applies to video games, fitness, sports, work, hobbies. Its okay to take longer and have fun. Matter of fact, if being 100% "optimal" causes you to burn out and quit or take a break, you are probably progressing no faster than the person who is taking things as fast as they feel like but being consistent.
for some people, being optimal is the fun
My coll jo dan
I hate it when people say “I’m only training three days a week is that enough?” or “is five times a week best for me?”. I started about a year ago and I train twice a week, this is the most I am capable of doing due to family commitments work etc but I feel I’m developing all the time and getting better. It also works out well because I can do gym work to support the muscles and movements I do in jujitsu and it also gives me a rest mentally - I often find when I’ve had a period of time off from something I always come back sharper. I also find it really beneficial to watch other people doing jujitsu on UA-cam etc, watching their techniques, and trying to assimilate them-visualisation is a powerful tool.
I was wondering with workout in gym is that something like stretching and mobility stuff? I’m starting to do a flex and stretch class tonight
Same. I'm a newer blue belt training 2x per week, with family, work, that also lifts, MTB, boulders, hikes, etc. At 47, for me it's about balance. And I also take a month off every 5 months or so and I feel it helps me improve and clear bad habits.
Very well said. Bjj is a journey with no end, so what’s the rush? I train 3 a week and throw in strength training in between, also watch UA-cam, very helpful. Regardless of what belt I wear(3 stripe wb), I leave class exhausted and fulfilled.
@@joncooke9515 So true. I've trained for donkey years. Injured, pause for a while, train train, work gets in the way, pause for Years, then back to it. It's a lifelong trip. Kind of lime the gym. Although, the social aspect of jits is more of a factor fun in the weight room, in my opinion.
My coach always says that 2 or 3 times consistently is perfect for people that wanna do it as a hobby and for the long haul
3 days a week is actually a good amount of time a week
Especially for a guy that's nearly 40.
Honestly, if you’re spending atleast 30 mins rolling hard as long as you’re watching videos and learning, even 2/week is a good amount.
But I agree. I think it’s a pretty steady pace. I know when I started out 2-3 a week was the goal, not the rule.
When I started, I wasn't able to do 3 times and roll every time, it was just too much, now I have 3 times as a goal but in truth I always get small injuries that force me to skip half or entire weeks.
I currently have a jacked finger.
@@kirito3082 When injured do you ever just skip sparring instead?
@@garywoodgrw yes, depending on how bad or not it is, although personally I do need time for some other things going on with life so most of the time I skip the training to do something else and BJJ ends up second for me.
46 yrs old 5 months in and have been training 3 days a week, and lift weights on off days. It's tough recovery is harder and getting banged up while rolling. 5 months in and can see physical fitness and skills improving from day 1. I just show up! As you get older I've learned to embrace the suck - soreness of the body always sore. But you can age or fight the aging process! Showing my kids and family never stop living and bettering yourself! Be well!
So this is what it's like, when doves cry... 😢❤🤜🤛
I sometimes dream about Jiu Jitsu. It's highly engrossing because it is so stimulating. I train sporadicly due to work so it has taken 5 years to make blue belt. I am 55 now, and I am very grateful to have BJJ in my life. Three days a week is about all my body can stand these days...
Agreed. 53 year-old 3-stripe white belt and 3 a week is all my body can handle.
Quite often I can’t get to sleep because I’m thinking about it lol, just lie awake visualising over and over. Congrats on your blue belt, age is just a number and wisdom is more important anyway.
I get that, work sometimes makes it very difficult to get to the gym even if you want to be, I totally get that. I find myself attempting to move work around to see if I can get to the gym on time lol.
Everything you said is absolutely true. It's really funny but our egos change BJJ internally if we aren't careful. A lot of us fall into this and fall in love with it, but because of its competitive nature, it morphs into something else... a race of sorts and we unwittingly forget the ride and just try to finish first. It kills the joy if we don't pay attention.
I just turned 40 and started 10 months ago. I feel his sentiment for sure. I have no plans to compete and I have one stripe because I kept missing moving-up ceremonies and I am ok with my one stripe. However, I want to get better for my own personal growth. I feel every time I roll is a personal challenge and when rolling against the same people I want to be able to attack or defend in different ways. I don't know if that's what he means by maximizing but that's the reason I'm here, just looking for new ideas. Happy rolling!
Hi. I have been doing BJJ about three months now. Really enjoying it. Training twice a week. Enough for me as a 38 year old manual labourer.
“It’s about the journey not the destination”. Wise words from Chewy. Thanks. I was stuck in that mental trap of trying to squeeze every tiny bit I can out of it. It’s all about the ride.
where I train, we like to stay; At least take 1 thing out of each session. That helps me feel accomplished a great deal, if I learn 2 or 3 things great, but if I take 1 out of a session, I feel great about that as well.
Bro I was training for 4 years and I was obsessed, training 5+ times a week, got my blue belt and then quit for 5 years. Getting back into it now in a new club in a new town. It's all about enjoyment for me. I love rolling and learning. I lose a lot but it's still pure joy.
I'm doing it as a hobby. After a 6 year hiatus (Having kids etc) I've made a 'comeback' and now I'm training twice a week and watching 30 minutes of videos every day. I'm enjoying this realistic routine and I do it outside of my regular 4 days a week HIIT / Tabata training. Jiu-jitsu to me is a ride which keeps me active and gives me a mental workout. Community is also awesome.
Thank you for this mate. I’ve been struggling with family and work commitments and was starting to see it this way; putting too much pressure on myself to enjoy training and advance. From now on, I’ll just look to enjoy it :0)
I want to say thank you. I just got my purple belt and I have loved all of your philosophy and ideas different topics that have helped so many of us throughout our journey. Have a great day Sir.
You know, this is exactly what I needed to hear today. I just passed the 1-year anniversary of starting my training and I'm starting to get annoyed with myself when I mess up, or feel down when I have a bad training day. I only joined for fun!
Great reminder sir! I'm on the ten-year-to-blue-belt bus (family, health issues, school, work) and I sometimes forget that while achievement may be great and all, it's nothing compared to getting in the gym to do a little wrasslin' with my friends. Keep up the good (great!) work!
This is so what I needed to hear. I have been training for four months and have lost some weight, and have certainly improved, but put unnecessary pressure on myself to perform some kind of way. I appreciate this message so much.
Jeez, Chewy. This seemed to talk directly to me today. I've been feeling a bit like a 'shooting star' this week. I'm obsessed with this hobby but I've been hitting some walls as of late. Older guy training 5-6 days a week and just kind of getting eaten up mental and physically. I put a lot of pressure on myself and this past week, I've been letting that pressure take away from the fun of this hobby. It's good idea to refocus and get back to what I love about this sport. 6 months deep and I'm going to be with it for life.
Cheers brother.
It's the guys like me, that are in their 50s with old injuries and decades of experience that have the biggest problems. Hard to find a gym you can just have a good workout without others trying to take advantage. Wisdom takes over and it frustrates the partner to a point of them being overly aggressive and it turns into a daily battle, a kind of out to get you thing, when you just want a good workout and go home. It really sucks Chewy.
Thanks, I really needed to hear this from someone. I stopped BJJ due to self-doubts a couple months ago but I might start it again after hearing this.
Loved your take to this question. I started BJJ a year before Covid, would go twice a day..3 times a week, 2 years off do to Covid, and am back with a vengeance of at least 3days a week.for the last few weeks, 5 times a week but now work schedule changes has me maybe twice a week if I am lucky. I feel 3 times a week is bare minimum and feel cheated. I am only a hobbyist BUT try to be the best of me. Constant videos and following you plus every other BJJ practitioners the I can mind meld to. Keep it up..loved the content and videos!!! Osss!!!
I been doing jiu jitsu and judo for 2 years, I started with 3 sessions per week but over time its grown to 6 or 7 times per week. Like Chewy said I got addicted to that feeling I get at the gym, being around the guys and learning something. I have a post training high which is amazing and nothing like any other sport I've done. And I never really care about my performance on the day, how I did in rolls, my coach usually tells me things to focus on and i try my best to
Thank you for this! As a 46yo hobbyist, it’s hard to watch white and blue belt competitors and not compare my journey and feel like I’m not doing enough. I will have a more enjoyable journey with this advice!
So true. Spending time doing something brings expectations. Both external and internal. Once you've done it long enough and you start to get pretty good, competition starts to come up more and more
I needed to hear this today. Thank you! This is pretty much me - a 40 y/o Mom of 2, I do BJJ for stress and anxiety relief. But sometimes I get caught up in not being good enough.
Good on you! There aren't many 40 year old moms that do BJJ. Don't worry about being good enough, just keep training in a fun way and you'll see over months (not days) that you're progressing. Remember why you're doing it and enjoy it!
My old sambo instructor had a good saying. I sure miss the guy. "Even if your not beating anyone yet, your still beating yourself from a month ago." Ofcourse everyone let new comers get the feel of a completed technique once in a while. Doesn't mean it was a smooth technique. I seen a teenage boy bound by crutches and a wheel chair, train for a year, or close to it, become capable of combat. He obviously had his own way of doing things, but our instructor worked with him the best he could. Realistically, he would obviously never been able to beat any of us on two feet, yet a day came when someone that routinely bullied him a summer before ended up testing him, and it did not go well for that boy. I'm completely against juvenile violence, and young people need to learn the proper way, but if you knew what his bully did prior, you would honestly not feel so bad about the outcome of their last encounter. The young guy got more than he needed. How do you go on in high-school with everyone knowing the boy in the wheel chair gave you a bad licken. Training is always worth it.
thank you for the video. 37 year old white belt here. i definitely love my training. getting better little by little but i appreciate the journey and love my gym mates. i train as much as i can fit in and am working to squeeze in as much more as possible😁
This was beautiful. Great perspective Chewy, thanks :) 1 year in myself, and definitely falling into the mentality of being the best, keeping up, maximizing every class, etc. It creates faster skill progress, but sucks the love out of the activity.
Thanks for this perspective sir. I'm 43 and in the gym two days a week....that's the only time I can allot between family and other responsibilities. I always just look forward to enjoying the training and just learning new things. I haven't thought about a belt or anything to that nature....I started training after I signed up my boys in December. Now we have something we all bond over. It's been a ton of fun so far!
Dang, I started back after a 17 yr break at 39. I was dying at (2) 1 hr private lessons per week. 3.5 year later I train 5 days and 10-12 hour per week, exclusively no-gi. It took me a good 2.5 years to get to that kind of training level at 43. It paid off too. I received my purple belt 3 days ago. I’m pretty happy about that.
Yup I’ve seen many students come in 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥after a few months they are gone 👎🏻 just train for fun and be consistent don’t put pressure on yourself and progress will happen ✅✅✅✅
Falling in love with the sport is definitely the best thing to progress. When I started wrestling in my twenties my first session was really rough, but the second time it was better and third time I really fell in love with it. Enjoying it ever since
I find myself in 1 of 2 places on the mat. 1. Enjoyment 2. Mellowed out in a middle ground just trying to learn things. To this point, I do not recall every being in a negative mindset on the mat, so that speaks to it being a wise use of time for me I believe.
I started at 38 and now almost 6 years later(3 days a week consistently) I’m a purple belt. I listened to a lot of Chewy over the years and he always has the right advice and attitude.
Would love one of them tshirts btw but would they cost me crazy money to get them shipped to Europe?
Enjoy the journey, not the destination!
BEST ADVICE! Chewy is the place to go to get advice on how to look at this crazy community of BJJ we all love.
You're a blessing Sir Chewie
Been training for 18 months, and for me twice a week balances recovery, life, and development.
I go 1-3x a week hobbyist. I’m 47 yo blue belt who was out of the game for like 8 years . Might be all in my head but I feel like I get treated differently than the more “serious” younger guys. They seem to get more attention to their technique or rolls 🤷🏼♂️. Kind of annoying. No one wants to roll with me just with their buddies 😐
Yeah, I get all that. I hear you. But still, I want to learn. Getting better, not compared to the training partners, but compared to where I was last week - well, that's still an important goal to me.
(Btw, 52 yrs, fresh whitebelt, total hobbyist myself. I just enjoy wrestling and learning. Zero competition ambitions. Also no illusions that I'll ever catch up to that alternative reality me who started bjj in his early 20s.)
So here are a few things I'm experimenting with in the hope of faster progress.:
I try to roll light. Because if I use all my strength and weight and work really hard, I gas out. In time my wrestling cardio will no doubt improve and I'll be able to sustain hard work for an hour or two. But if I push myself to my physical limits in order to get there faster, I find that my brain can't absorb knowledge.
I try to think of the specific things I did last class. I'm a big nerd but I try to resist the urge to go on youtube and watch every bjj technique breakdown in existance. Instead, if we did flower sweep I try to watch a video about that. I try to remember exactly how it felt when I trained it and close my eyes and do it again inside my head.
Third, I work out a bit. One of the few things I've ever disagreed with chewie on is steady state cardio. In my experience long distance running or biking does comparably little for your fight cardio. And they take a _lot_ of time. I think intervals are much more helpful, and time efficient. Running up a steep hill or a bunch of stairs. Burpees. Breakfall-standup cycles. And I try to focus on strength exersize that I hope is more helpful to wrestling, stuff like deadlifts, core and grip strength.
Finally I worry about injuries. At my age I both heal slower and have less time than when I was 22. A broken bone or torn cartilege will set me back more severely at this point in life. Another reason to not go all out when rolling with people who will be able to scrunch me up like a napkin anyway.
That's how I think about this question.
Great video Chewy. I'm 6 months into being a blue belt, and the "blue belt blues" have been hitting pretty hard lately - needed to hear this reminder!
Even with this video I clicked on it like "oh I'll watch this and maybe it will give me tips to get better faster"... You're absolutely right, I don't need to get the fastest improvement, I need to focus on enjoying it instead of making it a job.
I noticed something. A lot of people start jiu jitsu and they’re there for personal reasons, and that’s awesome. They expect to get beaten and subbed up and down the mat. But…6 months goes by, 9 months goes by, a year goes by and getting smashed starts getting pretty old. One of 2 things happens. Either people quit or they double down and ask how do I get more out of my training so I can stop getting beaten up 3x a week? I know I went through that and the answer for me was looking closely at my own jiu jitsu game and understanding where the most important weaknesses were in the fundamentals and I took private lessons to improve. For me as a beginner that was pin escapes. I took 10 private lessons just on mastering the most basic pin escapes.
There’s another type of person that comes in and their ego gets fired up from jiu jitsu. They HATE losing. This is super common and they come and like everyone else they get manhandled. Months goes by and they’re still getting manhandled but it just eats them alive because they hate losing so badly. These guys don’t tend to do as well. They get passed over for promotions because they’re not focused on improving technical aspects of their jiu jitsu and instead are just focused on “winning” in sparring. So they’ll learn one submission reasonably well and just keep doing that one thing to everyone. Then they wonder why they’re not improving. Well it’s because you won’t try new stuff because you hate losing so badly.
For me, learning those pin escapes was enough for me to fall in love with BJJ and begin to improve. That was about a year into my training and I had just had enough of being always stuck and feeling helpless with no clue how to get out.
He sounds like he is doing well to me keep it up brother! Love coming home from training feeling the ache to watch a video from chewy
i am trying to adjust the expectations, because i take too hard on myself. being playful is my new approach. and resting when im sore muscles lol
im 39 and i started 2 month ago never done nothing similar so far i realy enjoy the training
"Those guys just fall in love with training... and women too." - It took me a second to realize what you meant here. 😂
I rarely 👍🏻 YT vids that aren’t music but this shit hits home. Started a year ago and initially I put way too much pressure on myself and wasn’t able to feel out the basic techniques. Just kinda nodded my head and nervously copied shit when drilling and was too tense while rolling. Now that I view it as a journey and something to be enjoyed, I’ve learned more in the last 2 months than the first 10. About to do my first gi competition tmrw and very much looking forward to it 🤙🏻
Thanks for the thumbs up and glad you enjoyed the video Clark.
Thanks Chewy! Great advice and recommended outlook on this "ride"
Wonderful assessment . Enjoy the ride is paramount for me as well..at 64 I have the time to train four days a week most weeks...some double classes. Just in this for fitness and social interaction. Where it ends up who knows, and I don't care to be honest.
3 days a week is more than most people do if it's consistently. You can win competitions on 3 days a week, easily, like many people do. So, if you're not competing then that's more than enough time. Remember, there's only so much you can mentally process to learn well, let alone physical roadblocks. In your late 30s you're most likely going to have constant minor injuries, soar limbs and neck etc. 3 days a week is already a great balance of training time vs resting time, and what a lot of people don't do but should... reflection time and study time.
Also, "3 days a week" could mean 3 hours a week, 6 hours a week, 24 hours a week etc. But let's say it's 3 hours a week... if that's 2 hours of technique and 1 of sparring, that's more than enough for a hobby. As the goal of a hobbyist, at this rate, you will have great fundamentals in about 2 years, give or take. And that's not just for sport BJJ ,that's for self-defense as well. From there, everything you learn is "the cherry on top." Learn smart, keep ego out and don't be competitive with peers that train to compete, you will not keep up, plain and simple. Accept that, because they're not training to be hobbyists, they're often young fresh lads that train everyday because they don't know how to take a break. It shouldn't make you feel like you're missing out, they have different goals.
This is the best video to explain the lifestyle. Thank you 🙏🏽
The journey is what's enjoyable!
Chewy, not topic related.
I thought this was a veeeery old Video. Man you look young. You be takin them Elixir of youth recently :)
To be clear a "Hobbyist" in Jiu-Jitsu is someone who does not get paid or sponsored to compete. IE 99.9% of people in Jiu-jitsu. Hobbyist blue belt = someone capable of kicking 95% of peoples asses easily. Training 3-4 days per week is normal and really good for someone who has an actual life (real job, family, responsibilities etc.)
At 40 years old the way to maximize progress is to not get injured and be consistent. Eat lots of protein and listen to your body.
I've tried training anywhere from 1-7 times's a week, and i feel like 3 times a week was the sweet sport for progress. You feel sharp every time, you get good recovery and you have energy to study jiu jitsu and Even hit the gym to keep your body injury free.
Wow it is exactly my question too. I m 38 and Second month in . I am afraid I m the “ shooting star” type. It is a great reminder and warning
I think that a common misconception about maximizing benefit is that the person means quickest way to get to the end or something of that nature. I can't presume to know what the original emailer meant exactly, but I know that when I started I trained 2-3 days a week because it was, and is, all the time that I have available at the moment. That being said, Jiu jitsu is extremely frustrating and it's easy to feel like you're not making progress. I am 46 years old and a blue belt, and I have been a blue belt for 2 and a half years and I am in no hurry to get my purple belt, however, I would like to have that level of performance. I think that a lot of people are overwhelmed with, what appears to be, lack of progress, when in reality they're making progress, they just don't see it. I say all the time that if what I see when I watch others roll, are things that I saw when I rolled, I would feel more like a four stripe blue belt/ almost purple belt. Physical limitations will always always be there, and only grow as you get older, but I think that most people wrestle with the state of mind in jiu jitsu and want to feel like they're making progress in their game. Just my two cents.
36 quite fit and a 2 stripe 6mo in. Dont plan to compete and do it with my two kids. I love it though, so 4-6 days a week Im in there and 4 days a week in the gym. I feel sore alot, but its a labor of love. I dont have alot of hobbies
Chewy, you're a philosopher!
Love your content. I started training at 39 as well.
I started 3 weeks ago just so I can learn technique but then this week a 3 striped white belt drilled and rolled with me. She's a dirty fighter which made me rethink my jiujitsu hobby. I can't imagine ever kneeling on someone's face yet here I am with a sore jaw..sigh. So to answer your question, I'm trying to get better to hold my own..survive.
I'm 39yrs old and I train 3 days/week. I just got my blue belt after about 10 months and I am actually very good. I constantly study with free youtube and Instagram videos when I'm not in the gym and that makes my mentality better. However, my wife hates that k do bjj, and that is always a constant battle, buy I absolutely love the sport.
I went back to do BJJ here in Costa Rica, I remember doing it back in the day in 2012, did it for a year, then i came back, I was 26, now I'm 37, been doing it for almost 8 months and loving it, now I have the time, and most importantly the money, but man, times has no mercy when it comes to age, now it aches avery part of me after rolling, therefore I take it easy, enjoy the ride but I try to train 3 times a week the least but no presure at all.
I was just talking to my training partners about all of the shooting stars we’ve seen over the years, but now I’ve got a good term to describe it.
1:34 exactly! I have asked myself the same thing.
Awesome content! You're saying things I need to hear. Thanks!
I think training BJJ twice a week helped me from getting worn down prematurely, especially being 135 and one of the older guys. I was able to balance my work and other chores easier. I don't think so much about how often to go, but more of how far.
Rule #1 Have fun and enjoy yourself. That’s all it needs to be.
Wise. I'm actually struggling with this, I started off obsessed and competed. But, life happened and can no longer be there 6 times a week.
And, I now suck. People who didn't beat me, now do.
I train 2 days a week mainly for the past 5 of 6 years doing BJJ. I'm 45 now and my body can only handle that. I'm a 4 stripe purple and have even been given a class to teach. I'm very very technical. I do not compete because I can't afford to get injured,severely.
If I can achieve this rank and trust in my coach just training 2 days a week... you're good to go with 3. Wish I could do 3-4... getting old sucks 🤪
This hit home. Thanks bub 🤘🏼
Shooting star is exactly what happened to me. I put way too much pressure on myself to be what I considered "not bad".
I love the journey but i also happen to be 20 and classes are out and my work schedule is perfect for training twice a day on MWF and the sunday open mat so i get 7 sessions a week. Its so fun
I don't train that much BBJ, i compete very regularly in Judo. However I only train two times a week and i'm doing perfectly fine, dw about it, you'll get there.
How to maximize progress?
Stay healthy! 3 days per week is a good amount of training especially in the beginning. Your body needs time to adapt to the new type of stress. Your muscles and ligaments get stronger as you train, so give them the time and don't over work yourself. Injuries are terrible for progression and motivation.
Also train external rotation for your shoulders
Great advice and perspective! Thank you
You're welcome.
That advice was on point
Would I regret quitting as a Brown belt? Many say I would- but given I can't stop comparing myself to others- not accepting that my BJJ journey started at an older age- etc.
Consistency. For anyone thinking the question ”What is the optimal…”, ”What is the best…?” etc. The answer is always going to be consistency. Change my mind. 😅
This is wisdom for life, not just BJJ
Great advice!
Stick to it, have fun, enjoy your teammates
Good advice for all hobbyists. I am new to sparring and have to remember I’m there to learn and progress. Also a chew toy for everyone in the gym.
Thank you for this video, helped me a lot.
I've been training jiu-jitsu 4 times a week and 1 day of kickboxing
Thank you needed that!
This was really helpful.
It’s easy to get caught up in the trap of wanting to train as hard as a competitor while maintaining the simple enjoyment of being a hobbyist. Letting go of self imposed expectations can be difficult.
Love the new video! Thanks!
Best advice ever🙏
I’m a 61 year old black belt and this is exactly my take on training.
TIL I put way too much pressure on myself. Damn..
I think some of it is the frustration that as a beginner, there's very little option to "play" as you say. Someone's bigger than me? I struggle to move them. Someone's stronger than me? They don't struggle to move me. A lot of folks are better than me, and some of them get frustrated when I'm not doing things properly. I think they forget I'm a white belt.
Been there. Just give the sparring partner a quick tap and get their ego out of the way. In a 5 minute roll you'll get 4 minutes of learning once you have extinguished their ego. Once you get better remember to check your ego when the new person comes in. This advice works great when you get better and have a injury as well. You may be at the wrong place training as well if everyone is smashing the new person but typically it is ego. You probably don't have perfect techniques or a bag of tricks yet so when they feel you struggling or using power they up the intensity because they read it wrong. Defeating both theirs and your ego is the secret. Like I said, not a criticism only advice from someone who has been there. Good luck
I guess it's the expecting to get something from it part. If you really expect something then it's all in. The rest of us just learn the joy of not telling your own sweat from your team mate's...
I dig the music at the beginning and end. Shazam doesn't pull up anything though.
awesome video thank you
This was great!
Great video !
Thank you
Like anything we do in our free time it's for fun. I think too many people forget this. If you aren't having fun then what's the point? I like getting a good competitive roll in, and learning some cool shit I can practice on my girlfriend at home. We only have so much time here so just enjoy it.