Any tips for a beginner...

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Hello, i am a beginner to this forum and to BJJ in general. I have read several Jiu Jitsu books and actually begin schooling next week. I am 6'0, 304 pounds but have lost over 25 pounds in the month of april and continue on a strict diet and workout regimen. I am fairly strong but i know that strength isnt the most important thing with jiu jitsu. Next week i start at a local Jiu Jitsu academy (Rickson Gracie is the affiliate) and wanted to see if someone could perhaps could give me some suggestions on training, stretching, and just anything that a beginner (or heavy-set beginner in specific) would need to know.

Many thanks...

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[Mr. Miyagi]

You'll probably be the biggest guy by far. How much more weight are you going to lose? Conditioning is the most important thing for most beginners.

[buhbuhbuhbuh]

Well initially i was shooting for 245 - which would put me at a total of 80 pounds lost since i started. Is 245 a respectable weight? Due to my genetics, i fear that i will never be skinny, im 23 and have been very overweight most of my life. Due to being so heavy, my cardio (elliptical trainer for 45 minutes at a time / 6 days a week) and supporting my weight has made my legs really strong and i dont have much fat there. Also i have worked my upper body for many years so i have strengh, but a BIG FAT GUT is what is holding me (dragging me) down. Do you forsee this preventing me from accomplishing anything in Jiu Jitsu UNTIL i lose it all? The Sensei that i have been in contact with (Dave Terry, Rickson Gracie affiliate in Sacramento, CA) has assured me that the weight will begin to come off naturally as i begin to train, and that willingness and desire to learn will overshadow my weight problems. Whatcha think?

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[Mik_36]

The weight will come off if you train hard and keep to your diet, just stick to it and you'll be alright.

BJJ or not I would work on some cardio in addition aswell, that will help with everthing.

[buhbuhbuhbuh]

Okay, thanks for the tips. Currently i do cardio six days a week on the Elliptical runner for 30 minutes - then a 15 minute walk on the treadmill at 3.5 mph and 3% grade. Is this a little inadequate? SHould i be doing more or different cardio? Again, ANY help is greatly appreciated...

[Ryan The Bad]

Training is all about attitude. Try to go to each class wanting to learn and push yourself harder, because you'll only get better from it. Also, I don't know how hard Rickson's academy trains, but you, as with almost every beginner, will most likely have days where you feel like you're inadequate or a rag-doll; don't let training overwhelm you, just take your bad days with a grain of salt and learn from them.

Also, when practicing a technique, go at a pace that you feel comfortable with and try not to rush it. Practice the move a little faster when you get more familiar with it, so you can pull it off when it counts. When a move is done in Jiu-Jitsu, it's done with explosiveness and energy, but it's also done with accuracy.

Lastly, beware of taking breaks. So many people have the intension of taking off a few days and they never get back into it. Jiu-Jitsu is something that will enrich your life, but as with anything, you need to stick with it to make it work.

Have fun training!

[hounddog]

my tip would be to not give up. you may have days where some 135 lb kid mounts you like a pony and taps you repeatedly. You may also have days where you are fatigued during warm ups. Don't give up and I'm sure you will see progress in your jiu jitsu and your physique.
-hounddog, the Real HDog

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

We have an overweight guy in my class and he stopped sucking wind after 5 weeks I would say. Its hard, but if you love Jiu Jitsu it'll be much easier than you think. As far as weight getting in the way of your training, I doubt it. Trust me, once you start getting the hang of it, you'll realize that there was no reason to worry in the beggining.

[TracyKarate]

I think you are getting some really great advice here. The only snippit I would add would be this. Being a beginner there is going to be people in your school who are going to try and break you in so to speak. When this happens don't lose your temper as this is very easy. I would advise you to keep a warrior's spirit and consider those obstacles just another hurdle for you to triumph over! Good luck!

[buhbuhbuhbuh]

First off THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR ADVICE!!! Means alot to come to a forum and instead of getting flamed for being a newbie, i actually GET SOME ADVICE! AMAZING.

As far as people breaking me in, i figured that there was gonna be some little lightweight guy trying to bust me up pretty well for a while, my question is this - should i just sit back and take it? Is it unacceptable to try to muscle the guy off or should i just sit back, take the beating and graciously ask for pointers from the guy?

thanks again...

[TracyKarate]

NO! Do not take a beating. Treat every situation as if it were for real(without hurting your partner of course). Do not let anyone think they have an advantage over you or you risk being pushed around. Always be strong and if that means muscleing your opponent than so be it. The more you train the quicker you will surpass the "tough guys".
Hope this was a help to you and good luck!

[Shrimp]

My advice is, during sparring, to relax as much as possible and breathe regularly. This alone will do wonders for your endurance.

Since you are a big guy my second piece of advice is this: try to avoid muscling into and out of situations. It's really true that the more you muscle, the less you'll learn.

[Americana]

What's most important for me is long term training and keeping injuries down. So my advice, get into it slowly but deliberately. Don't go crazy and muscle people. Take days off if you need them. Let your body adjust to training, get toughened up so to speak.

If I had a dime for every shooting star in the bjj schools, i.e. guys that come in try to muscle through every training session and then get injured, discouraged or both and quit, I'd be a rich man.

[John Bennett]

Hey Buhbuh, congratulations on losing all that weight. That's something to be proud of.

With that kind of self-dicipline you will do well in jiu-jitsu.

Good luck on your jiu-jitsu path.

[buhbuhbuhbuh]

Can i expect to actually spar with a partner when i first start, or will the first couple months be just practicing falls, stretches, etc.? Perhaps someone who is currently taking BJJ could enlighten me as to what a typical session is like? Thanks!

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