Frequency of Training

[MaliMisho]

This poll is: How often do you train?

I am planning to join a BJJ school in August, and I was talking to a friend of mine who goes to the school I'm most likely joining. I told him what days I plan on going, and I'm currently planning to go 5 days a week. He said I won't do it, so I asked him why. He said that's what he did when he started and its just too much for the body to take and said your not going to get better any faster if you go 5 days a week or 3 days a week.

So I'm curious how often everyone here trains and specifically to the BJJ guys, do you think 5 days a week is too much, or does it depend heavily on the individual? Also, do you think it will make a difference if you go 3 days or 5?

[Joemoplata]

5 days a week is a lot of training. If your body can handle it, then of course it's better to get as much as you can. Another thing to consider, most BJJ schools charge you based on the frequency of training. The pricing structure is usually something like

2 x week = $x
3 x week = $xx
Unlimited X week = $xxx

That rance can be very large, like $100/month for 2x/week and $185/month for unlimited. So if you sign up paying for unlimited training and find you can only do 3 times/week you're throwing away money.

I usually recommend to new people do the 2 or 3 times a week, if you want to start coming more it can always be adjusted up. But adjusting DOWN is usually not going to fly.

[tkdKaren]

Originally Posted by Joemoplata

5 days a week is a lot of training. If your body can handle it, then of course it's better to get as much as you can. Another thing to consider, most BJJ schools charge you based on the frequency of training. The pricing structure is usually something like

2 x week = $x
3 x week = $xx
Unlimited X week = $xxx

That rance can be very large, like $100/month for 2x/week and $185/month for unlimited. So if you sign up paying for unlimited training and find you can only do 3 times/week you're throwing away money.

I usually recommend to new people do the 2 or 3 times a week, if you want to start coming more it can always be adjusted up. But adjusting DOWN is usually not going to fly.

Good info Joe, thanks! If I ever were to try BJJ I will keep this in mind!

[Phonervia]

For me it really depends. Back when I used to do karate I did 6 days a week (dojo was closed on sundays). When I did BJJ I was training 4-5 times a week because the specific school I trained at was only open 3x a week and I would travel to other schools in the area, but the gas money and time were the limiting factors. The more I can train the better I usually feel, although I think 7x would be too much, your body does need time to recuperate.

[bloodstrike75]

Originally Posted by Joemoplata

I usually recommend to new people do the 2 or 3 times a week, if you want to start coming more it can always be adjusted up. But adjusting DOWN is usually not going to fly.

I like hearing this...my instructor starts people out the same way.

As for me, I train 4/5 days a week and it breaks down like this:

Monday - 1hr TKD, 1hr Warrior X-Fit
Tuesday - 1hr TKD, 1hr Fight Class
Wednesday - 1hr TKD, 1hr Warrior X-Fit
Thursday - 1hr TKD, 1hr Fight Class
Friday - rest
Saturday - 1hr gym (circuit training), sometimes 1hr TKD
Sunday - rest

This is typical for me. If I have an off week, I usually take Wednesday off. I basically listen to my body...if I start wearing down, I'll back off. But I've gotten used to this schedule and have been doing this for almost 2 years now.

But as discussed in other threads when it comes to any kind of training...everyone is different.

[Joemoplata]

Another thing to consider here is that the reason most people recommend starting a little lighter with BJJ is because every class you are going to be sparring. When you first start training, you are going to be VERY tense during sparring and you are going to find it extremely exhausting to spar like that for 1/2 hour or so straight. It takes some time to learn to relax and not become exhausted.

[TKD&JKD]

I usually train 4x a week TKD. Then 2x we have and open mat with submission grappling and boxing.

[Galaktia]

I train by myself practising Technique, movement patterns, Tai-sabaki, Ashi-sabaki, Kata, and force production every day of the week varying it between 20 minutes and 4 hours. depending on my free time.

I train under a sensei only once a week unfortunately because my own sensei lives a good 40 miles away, and the travel time isn't practical for me every day, neither is the fuel bill.

[Chapel]

My school is two days a week, three hour long classes each day.

[Joemoplata]

Originally Posted by Chapel

My school is two days a week, three hour long classes each day.

3 hour classes? Wow! That's long!

[MaliMisho]

Originally Posted by Joemoplata

5 days a week is a lot of training. If your body can handle it, then of course it's better to get as much as you can. Another thing to consider, most BJJ schools charge you based on the frequency of training. The pricing structure is usually something like

2 x week = $x
3 x week = $xx
Unlimited X week = $xxx

That rance can be very large, like $100/month for 2x/week and $185/month for unlimited. So if you sign up paying for unlimited training and find you can only do 3 times/week you're throwing away money.

I usually recommend to new people do the 2 or 3 times a week, if you want to start coming more it can always be adjusted up. But adjusting DOWN is usually not going to fly.

Good info Joe. I believe they charge 180/month for unlimited. All of the people I know there do the unlimited deal so I don't know what anything else would cost. Knowing myself though, I'm going to want to go as much as I can. I know its going to be hell on my body but my body is used to taking a lot of abuse. I can't argue anything though until I actually start.

[Joemoplata]

Originally Posted by MaliMisho

Good info Joe. I believe they charge 180/month for unlimited. All of the people I know there do the unlimited deal so I don't know what anything else would cost. Knowing myself though, I'm going to want to go as much as I can. I know its going to be hell on my body but my body is used to taking a lot of abuse. I can't argue anything though until I actually start.

I understand bro, I know you're going to love it and want to train all the time once you start. I haven't met too many people who started and then quit because they didn't enjoy it. Just take it easy in the beginning, it's different than wrestling class dude!

LOL!!

[Jason]

I train twice a week, three lessons. Looking to start training more in the holidays, maybe a bit of cross training into BJJ or maybe even some stand up stuff.

[Galaktia]

Originally Posted by Jason

Snip..... maybe even some stand up stuff.

I know I am heavily biased but if you are after some stand up that (((In my personal opinion))) will compliment your grappling and ground work, I really recommend looking into Shukokai, Kyokushin, Nahate or Goju-ryu style karate.

[Shinobi_Kokujin]

my new schedule is 6 days a week. its supposed to be 7 but it depends on if me an my buddy has free time on saturday mornings


monday through friday - tkd team training/ practice.

if i transition over to the main headquarters team that will switch from tkd training being from 9am to 4pm Mon- Fri

saturday- if our schedules are free, Escrima/ Kuntao Silat lessons from buddy. 1-2 hours

sunday- ninjutsu 4 hours.


if its convinient for someone to do 5 days and thats what they really want. id say go for it. but depending on what your practicing you may have to work yourself up for training more than a couple days a week