In Search of Higher Performance
By the time you reach black belt in BJJ, it’s an eight to ten year journey. In addition to representing a skill level in grappling, the black belt also indicates, to me, how many training modalities you’ve sampled to reach this point in your career. You’ve done everything, tried everything. Been there, done that, and moved on. Here’s a brief overview of lands you’ll visit in search of higher performance.
Running: You find yourself getting tired on the mat, and need to “work on your cardio.” You begin by jogging, then eventually realize that it’s not helping as much as you thought it would. Why didn’t anyone tell you grappling is anaerobic? You begin sprinting instead. Do interval training. Running stairs. Plyometrics. Then bag it all once your knees start to ache.
Weightlifting: You explore the world of high intensity lifting. This includes plenty of curls and lots of bench. A couple sets of squats are also thrown in. You may spend hours on your calves. Now that you’re working out, you know it’s going to help your game, because all the higher belts feel so strong. They say it’s leverage, but it can’t just be that. You long for class to end so you can take off your gi top at full pump.
Crossfit: You buy a Concept 2 rower and purchase a set of rings. You resolve to become a muscle up King. You show Fran what’s up, and engage in a fight gone bad. You puke. You feel alive, and better yet, you’re part of something larger than yourself. A fitness revolution. A higher calling, accomplished through the body. You are so proud of your Certification that you ignored the out of shape people at the seminar. No egos. Just like minded individuals distributing fishes and loaves.
Kettlebells: So much better than lifting weights. How could anyone disagree that’s tasted the truth? Yes, they’re weights, and yes, you’re lifting them, but that’s where the similarities end. You could never get these kind of results by simply lifting “weights”, because “weights” are shaped differently. Just look sometime. Then you see that even though you’re on the right side of the revolution, you still have to choose the right camp within the kettlebell community. Hard style? Russian or American kettlebells? Choose wisely, comrade!
Bodyweight: Eventually, you drop weightlifting altogether. Why lift weights when body weight exercises are all you need? The weightless workout is the only way to go. It’s pure. It’s portable. All you need is desire, and the know how. You wonder why no one told you that changing the angles can make things more difficult or easy. Science should study that. Why don’t more people know this stuff?
Stand Up: You recognize your deficiency with stand up grappling and look into Judo. Then wrestling. Maybe even some Sambo if it’s around. Whatever gives you the edge. You re-evaluate your need for standup after the first throw where your partner lands on you.
DVDs: You invest in a vast media library, knowing these resources will definitely help your game. You receive “aha” moments watching them and learn the basics of rubber guard and flying attacks. Later, you also realize that no matter how insightful these new training tools are, they don’t do any repetitions on the mat for you. Perhaps you need to digest what’s already on your plate before a second round at the buffet? It’s a big swing from technical accumulation to total abstinence, but you made the journey. Whew!
(Note: This cycle will continue for the rest of your life.)
Flexibility: You see the flexibility of others, and realize the benefits of it in attack, defense, and longevity in the art. “How did I get this way? Could it have something to do with the fact that I sit in a chair 8 hours a day, year after year?” Perhaps. The investigation begins into when to stretch and how to stretch. You note the difference between passive, dynamic, and PNF stretching. Eventually you explore yoga, and realized that the ratio of men to women is exactly the opposite of BJJ. One more reason to join. And what is this Gynastica Natural? Yoga and BJJ movements combined? Genius! I hope no one else knows about this, because I could really use an edge in my game…
Diet: You realize that your diet was woefully inadequate. You cut out the fast food, upped the veggies, and learned about fast and slow carbs. No high fructose corn syrup. No sugar blues for you. You are an athlete. Then you take it to that next level, embracing the Zone or reverting a few thousand years to a Paleolithic diet. You learn to like brown rice and start taking fish oil. You join the green smoothie revolution. You feel amazing and energized. Your healthy glow on the mat isn’t tapping anyone out, but you’re looking and feeling better, which might have some side benefits in that yoga class…
In short: Do it all. Try it all. Take what’s useful, what fits with you and your lifestyle, then move on with the best of the past, and an openness towards the future. This is an essential part of the journey.
