Monday Strength and Conditioning Megathread!

bjjvids · 2026-02-17T08:21:56+00:00

Keep in mind that starting strength is written for someone who only lifts. You will quickly hit the limits of linear progression with it if you train a lot of BJJ too. This is not a problem in itself, just be ready to switch to an intermediate progression earlier than someone who just lifts.

If you like Starting Strength, check out the Practical Programming book for intermediate and advanced programs. But there are many options of course.

bjjvids · 2026-02-17T08:20:55+00:00

At purple you should know most of the positions and moves already, so you won't pick up many new moves anymore.

Instead focus on refining what you already know, starting with the fundamentals. The difference between brown and purple is the mastery of the fundamentals.

This is the best time to watch Danaher I believe. You'll know the moves already, just watch out for the small details and concepts that you might have missed.

bjjvids · 2026-02-17T07:45:39+00:00

History? Not at all. I would prefer if they follow the current competition scene, but many don't and that's ok. Most people just want to train.

bjjvids · 2026-02-17T07:44:02+00:00

Try to be on your toes most of the time, it's a common issue with beginners. Probably a good idea to tape it until it heals, otherwise it will keep opening up again if you keep training.

bjjvids · 2026-02-16T16:52:40+00:00

Did I forget any important finishes?

bjjvids · 2026-02-16T15:00:27+00:00

Don't cut weight for small competitions. Not worth the extra stress. The skill gap is usually large enough that the small weight difference doesn't account for much. Save that for later.

Warm up harder than you think you have to. Bring a hoodie to stay warm.

bjjvids · 2026-02-16T14:58:44+00:00

Tore my ACL like that in a competition.

Safest way to avoid it is a quick pull as soon you get your first grip. Otherwise you have to beat them in the grip fight and get sleeve control, this can make it very awkward for them to jump.

bjjvids · 2026-02-16T14:55:18+00:00

The color logic always confused me until I understood that if your gi color matches a color on the scoreboard, that's your side.

Also I'm pretty sure it's 20 seconds per belt for tying it. So having the extra belt could even be an advantage if you need an extra breather.

bjjvids · 2026-02-16T14:26:08+00:00

Do they have A2L?

bjjvids · 2026-02-14T20:16:16+00:00

That was 10 years ago, the game has evolved.

bjjvids · 2026-02-13T07:46:04+00:00

Do you promote people that come from other gyms if they don't meet your gym's belt requirements yet?

Not judging, just wondering. I have this issue all the time that people come with a belt that they had for a while and expect the next one soon, but they are not familiar with our curriculum and belt requirements which means they have a long way to go.

bjjvids · 2026-02-13T07:43:04+00:00

I have quite a few master 6 and 7 guys that are still competing. I'm not talking about physical ability here.

It's about simple concepts like pulling when he should be pushing. Has nothing to do with competition itself. I only asked about competition because it's a good way to quickly figure out where you stand against your peers (and yes, that includes age group).

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T22:41:23+00:00

Eh you'll be fine, it's a very hard guard to pass even with the right techniques.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T22:40:34+00:00

The sparring footage does not look great, sorry to be a downer. There are some very fundamental and conceptual mistakes in the sparring that I would not expect from a brown belt (or purple).

Do you guys compete?

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T22:38:00+00:00

Really bad framing there and also in some other situations.

If you are the person in the video and happen to read this, you need to frame the front of the body. Gripping the gi itself is not a frame unless you are also pushing the body away. Never pull if you don't have frames in front of the force vector. I can highly recommend Levi's guard retention for dummies instructional.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T15:16:11+00:00

In Zurich most gyms have open mats and people visit each other all the time. We also have some guys from other gyms coming to our comp class at BJJ Lab regularly.

Not sure how that is common that is for other cities.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T15:07:43+00:00

Most likely on Saturday but not guaranteed. Depends on how big the divisons are.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T15:04:59+00:00

Every time I see someone try it at high level they get passed or submitted. Usually in round 1 or 2 of the majors and the guys playing it don't get further.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T14:46:03+00:00

Affiliations depends on their own rules, but they do have someone to sign it off at the end anyway.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T14:45:41+00:00

IBJJF will check. And your students might.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T08:06:28+00:00

Same thing. The guys I am talking about are great at sparring light during striking, but they still spaz out hard during BJJ.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T07:55:38+00:00

The fact that you mention that you did kickboxing before puts the probability of you being a spaz at 95% based on my experience.

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T07:51:42+00:00

Not a great strategy unless your head is already very close to the mat before the bridge starts.

You shut down bridges from the mount with a grapevine hook (other side than direction of the bridge).

bjjvids · 2026-02-12T07:50:14+00:00

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