Is Jiu Jitsu the best workout?

People often ask me how to supplement their Jiu Jitsu training with the right kind of cross training.  I usually reply by asking them to get to know themselves and find out what their ultimate goals are.  For example, most people on the martial arts journey want better health, to be more calm, to learn about themselves, to be able to defend themselves, and to be able to live a long healthy life, doing the wonderful things that they love to do.  Some professors will say that Jiu Jitsu is all you need, and if you want to keep improving, just do more Jiu Jitsu.  I disagree to a large extent!  I believe, rest, time away, nature, other activities, all make your Jiu Jitsu, and your life better.

I’m a big proponent of balance.  Is Jiu Jitsu an amazing workout?-  Yes, often it is.  As we improve though, our technique is much better, and our attacks and defences become more fluid, calm and approaches effortlessness.  So the game that was once chaos, confusion and exhaustion eventually becomes a practice of body chess and dynamic yet fluid actions and responses that are as natural as taking one step after another along the beach.

If someone wants Jiu Jitsu to be a devastating workout forever- something like CrossFit with chokes, they have to learn to behave somewhat in a way that is not Jiu Jitsu!  And that is something I do not recommend.  Behaving in a way that is not Jiu Jitsu would mean to behave as a beginner, attacking relentlessly even when the opportunity is not present.  It’s trying to get out no matter what, even if it’s a futile attempt.  It is movement above timing.  It is action over accuracy.  In general, if improvement and mastery is sought, this is like choosing the long way there.

The best thing that Jiu Jitsu brings is the examination of these questions.  How do I bring more health and balance into my life?  How can I truly improve at and master the art?  And many more.

I recommend that anyone that wants to compliment their Jiu Jitsu training, and improves their lifestyle will look at any number of the following pursuits:

  • Breathing techniques
  • Yoga
  • Mobility exercises
  • Weight Training
  • Nutrition, finding a specific diet that works for you
  • Meditation practice
  • Time in nature
  • Running, swimming, biking etc
  • Sleep improvement

These are just a few of the areas that I suggest that we look at, in order to bring more peace, happiness and fulfillment to our lives, which is what I believe the Jiu Jitsu and martial arts journey is about, I hope you agree.  Looking at Jiu Jitsu as the end all for fitness and life balance may be tempting, but with perspective and maturity, we see that it facilitates all of these other questions which lead to hopefully amazing answers, balance and improvement.

In closing

Here is how we make Jiu Jitsu an amazing workout:  The KeepitPlayful mindset.  Once we develop enough skill, calmness and build up the physical constitution, we can move and keep it playful.  What does this mean?  Well there a few different ways of looking at it.  The easiest way to look at it is playfully attacking and defending with the intent of movement and learning.  This can be done, when we are learning and the “fight” doesn’t matter, which allows us to relax, and allows us to play.  Amazing!  Enjoy.