You can be “in shape” before starting BJJ. You can do cardio and lift weights every day but still not be in BJJ shape. Strength and Conditioning is very sport specific.
When you start in BJJ, you’ll find you’re lacking what upper belts take for granted. Upper belts will have cardio and grip that lasts for days – but you – if your cardio doesn’t give out first, your grip surely will. Today, we are going to look at just a couple ways to increase your grip strength if you’re a newbie to jiu-jitsu.
Many people will throw their kimono (gi) over a pullup bar to do pullups – which is a great practice. Here is another practice to work your gi grips.
Loop a belt (I borrowed one of Carlos’) through a KB or DB.
Grab the belt either with the weight hanging out the top or bottom of your hand (Try both!).
You now have a new and challenging way to workout. Instead of grabbing the handle when you’re working out, do your same workout…but with your belt as a handle instead.
This is a quick and easy way to increase grip strength and endurance for those just starting BJJ. In no time, it won’t be your grip that gives out on you…and if you’re using the last article, it won’t be your cardio, either. Might be time to check out the technique portion of THE SOURCE. Get to work!
RCJ Machado Jiu-Jitsu Presents: 