fitness level for a newbie?

[spunchbag]

Hi all,

I've read countless times that you can start BJJ (and indeed most other sports) with a very basic fitness level, as you'll gain strength and stamina quickly once you start training regularly.
However I just don't believe you can get the best out of your training, and progress at a good pace, if you have to build up your fitness at the same time as learning new techniques.
So, just how fit do you have to be, in terms of strength and stamina, for your fitness not to be slowing down your progress?

I am reasonably fit I think, not overweight other than a slight beer belly, ok strength for my size (5'8 and 73k), and my weak point is definitely stamina and keeping physical pace for any amount of time. I'm wondering if I should aim to improve my fitness level before I start BJJ, rather than after...

Any thoughts or advice welcome!

[TheFreak]

it doesnt matter what level your fitness is at if you havnt done any form of grappling before hand you will be knackered theres nothing else that compares to it. After awhile your fitness will increase and you will roll for longer.

[Leigh]

^Correct

Also, if it takes you 8 weeks to get outside of class, that's 8 weeks of stuff you'll be missing out on. In that same time, you could go to class and learn some good stuff plus get fit for BJJ (which is different to other training, as stated above)

[green_hornet]

I had the same concerns when I started recently. I'm in fairly bad shape but have found week on week I can roll for a bit longer without totally gassing. Grappling is definitely a different kind of fitness so any normal fitness work you did beforehand wouldn't necessarily translate on the mats anyway. Also, as you're building fitness when training BJJ you are also learning technique so its a win win imo.

My advice would be to just dive in mate.

[pauljono1120]

I took 2 months off mma as i was away working with uncle, and now my fitness is so poor lol.

First mma class back i was dieing, but you get used to it :D

[wagon]

There was a guy who trained with me for a while. He ran the London, Boston and New york marathons, This dude was a running machine. Super fit.

He couldn't roll for a 5 min round in his first training session.

Don't worry about your fitness going, just go to as many classes per week as you can. The warm ups and drilling and rolling will get you "Grappling" fit quick.

If you can make a class, run and do some weights - but there is no substitute at all for mat time.

[F4LL3N W4RR10R]

Only way to get fit for BJJ is to do BJJ and plenty of it. After; Running and all the other shit will just compliment your already obtained fitness level.

It's all about the mat time...

[ReD_mIst]

Stop fannying around and get training!

[Josh Palmer]

You really don't have to be fit to start grappling (I was definately a prime example) and as others have mentioned, pretty much everyone regardless of athletic ability tires very very quickly when they first start.

Just get on the mat and start hitting it hard!

[Scott]

Red mist is spot on, hit the mats asap, no exscuses!

[spunchbag]

Well, well, looks like I was mistaken, what an unanimous response!

I probably won't ditch the regular gym just yet, but I'll get on with BJJ right away. I commute into London Paddington so both Carlson Gracie or Roger Gracie places are not too far on the H&C line...

Cheers for the advice and will see you (or some of you!) in the mat soon!

[Leigh]

I probably won't ditch the regular gym just yet

No reason you should, its very valuable to your athletic performance

[wagon]

No reason you should, its very valuable to your athletic performance

yes man, do both just do more BJJ :D