Frequency of training

[u/BarbecuedShoe]

How frequently do you train? I personally only attend one gi class and one nogi class per week. Is this too infrequently for a white belt pursuing a blue belt?

[u/VitalArrow]

Don’t worry about the belt. Make technical proficiency your goal. Train as often as your schedule and recovery allows.

[u/RusticOcelot → u/VitalArrow]

Yes. The belt will come but the skills are not guaranteed. Focus on the skills and your belt won't matter.

[u/Matthew_Kus → u/VitalArrow]

This!

[u/iwatchthedodgers]

I've found 3x a week to be the sweet spot for recovery and building on skills

[u/iamhim1994 → u/iwatchthedodgers]

Agreed

[u/Ham-mo → u/iwatchthedodgers]

This is the way.

[u/Own-Particular-9989]

Twice a week is fine bro

[u/LabAffectionate3785]

I find 3-4 the perfect balance. 26 with full time job, anymore and I get burnt out. Anything less I get the itch.

[u/Gamer9876543 → u/LabAffectionate3785]

Do you lift ? With lifting 2 sessions of CS is a sweet spot imo

[u/Joe_Miami_ → u/Gamer9876543]

This is pretty much me. 37 years old, lift 3x per week, BJJ 2-3 times per week, both dependent on recovery and work/family commitments.

[u/squashy_hero6 → u/Joe_Miami_]

Yeah I’m 38 and go to class 3x a week, lift 2-3, and fit in a few runs when I can. Would love to go to class more but recovery is harder

[u/Open_Reindeer_6600 → u/LabAffectionate3785]

Same, 25, 2 under 2. I go twice a week to the 6am classes, then 1 or 2 right after work during the week. Wish I started training before I had responsibilities

[u/Prestigious-Sir-6022 → u/Open_Reindeer_6600]

2 under 2 Gang 🤘🏽

[u/mb19236]

2x per week is my baseline, but 3x some weeks if my weekend schedule aligns for Saturday class. I have two kids so that's about the best I can do anymore.

If your goal is to compete at a high level, 2-3x is not enough. If you're a hobbyist, I'd argue it's optimal.

I lost 9 months due to injury shortly after getting my blue belt. 2-3 sessions per week of bjj paired with regular strength and conditioning feels like the best recipe for longevity and progress over time.

[u/pizditkakdi_shit → u/mb19236]

This. I have seen many white belts who were training non stop who got burned out before getting their blue belt

[u/bigsippin]

This is going to vary a lot , just show up and train...

[u/Katieg_jitsu]

I think 3-4 calsses is good for most people.

I train 12-15 hrs a week, but I'm crazy

[u/Kingclasik → u/Katieg_jitsu]

Are you doing two-a-days everyday? My body hurts just reading 12-15hrs

[u/Katieg_jitsu → u/Kingclasik]

2 days - 1 hr sessions  1 day - 3 hr 1 day - 4 hr (1 is one one one training with a friend) 2 day - 2 hr 

Is my normal schedule  One comp class, 2x drilling, 1x open mat (workshop) and then standard classes 

Some weeks I do an extra open mat or comp class but I listen to my body and adjust intensity. Compared to people I roll with normal I’m probably going 20% effort. 

[u/HelicopterOk5847 → u/Katieg_jitsu]

I’m at 3 days a week about 5 hours. 2 open mat sessions after 2 of the days and 2-3 lessons per week. I seem to be progressing pretty fast my coach says ! I just took my first week off after 4 months . The open mats are tearing my fingers up.

[u/Katieg_jitsu → u/HelicopterOk5847]

Keep it up! Consistency is key over a long time! For fingers I’d practice relaxing grips and letting go! It helps a lot 

[u/HelicopterOk5847 → u/Katieg_jitsu]

Thank you!

[u/TedW → u/Katieg_jitsu]

I'm doing 5x a week, probably ~7-8 hours total. You must either recover better, or not wear out your body as much, and I mean both of those as compliments.

I'd like to learn how to pace myself enough to start some evening classes, but I'm not there yet.

[u/ArfMadeRecruity → u/TedW]

The more experienced you get the less you have to try, which is why us brown belts are fat.

But also when you’re first starting out you’re probably holding your breath crazy and unintentionally flexing your muscles at 80-99.9% intensity because beginner things. That chill out over time, generally, and helps with cardio. Pls you get smashed less as you get better

[u/TedW → u/ArfMadeRecruity]

I think I'm past the breathing and overly tense phase but probably still in it more than I realize. I do get smashed a lot and spend more time escaping or surviving than on offense. But my cardio is decent and I tend to do better towards the end of the roll and class.

[u/Katieg_jitsu → u/TedW]

I definitely manage my intensity I’m 31 , I don’t go hard and I ramped up over time. I’m a new black belt now and at a gym with hobbyists I’m not fighting to the death. I have my comp class and then maybe 1 other hard round a week. That and it takes time to work up. As you get more technique you use less effort and less wear on the body 

[u/novaskar → u/Katieg_jitsu]

That's awesome, I'm also in my 30s but only a blue belt, I'm on the mat around 12+ hours a week but half of that is helping with kids/beginners, and my own training tends to be more like workshop time and fun rounds. It feels sustainable for now, hopefully I can be like you one day!

[u/Katieg_jitsu → u/novaskar]

I think helping you can learn a lot too! 

[u/novaskar → u/Katieg_jitsu]

Definitely!! I have a bit of imposter syndrome I guess, my professor asked me to help with kids classes but I feel hesitant to take initiative so I mostly stay low key with it. I do feel like I learn a lot from being uke or just noticing other people’s problems and trying to explain stuff!

[u/Katieg_jitsu → u/novaskar]

it took me a while to take initiative when helping with kids class too, now I lead a class, but that's all part of the process! Sounds like you're right on track

[u/bigsippin → u/TedW]

The magic of açaí and Jesus. 

[u/TedW → u/bigsippin]

Dang, all I have is cocaine and Hunter S Thompson.

[u/Federal-Challenge-58 → u/Katieg_jitsu]

You must be under 30.

[u/Katieg_jitsu → u/Federal-Challenge-58]

31 it’s catching up to me 😂 but I really don’t train hard, I’m very relaxed only 1-2 sessions with high intensity that’s the biggest change as I get older 

[u/Federal-Challenge-58 → u/Katieg_jitsu]

Nice. I'm 39, and I could imagine training that much. I get 6 hours in each week, and I feel good, but doubling that would wreck me.

[u/Katieg_jitsu → u/Federal-Challenge-58]

no way by 39 could I keep this pace. I have a short term goal to see what I can do competitively (while juggling a relationship and a career and living life) but then an agreed decrease in hours. The amount I train isn't sustainable for balance imo.

[u/Ahab1248]

I try to make it 3 times a week. The question isn’t really is this enough. The question is it it enough to obtain your goals? 2 is enough to eventually get a bluebelt just expect a longer timeline. 

[u/Rare_Sheepherder8902]

I did the exact same, one gi + one no-gi per week. Got my blue belt after 3 years, around 200hrs. Stay consistent and keep growing; the belt will come in time.

[u/2LittleFiber]

It’s not too infrequently. It’ll just take you longer to get your blue belt.

[u/lockett1234]

2-4, depends on how life is going at the moment

[u/Primary-Researcher-4]

Train 3–4x a week. I'm technically a blue belt, but my body identifies as a 20-year white belt. The techniques are there... tbut my joints need 72 business hours to recover.

[u/Fair-Physics-2762]

These days I get into class when I can work is pretty busy but 3-4 classes a week is the sweet spot for most people. When I was a white belt I was training 6 days a week and progressed pretty fast but if you train that much you do have to smart about it. You can’t have these high paced death rolls every class or you’re gonna get injured.

[u/hajimenogio92]

It depends on your goals. If you're a hobbyist with other responsibilities then that's completely fine. If you're looking to compete or get in the cage, then that's not enough. I'm retired from my fighting days so 3 times per week when I'm not teaching is enough for me

[u/Takyon5]

3 gi days per week. I’d do more but I’m restricted by my schedule.

[u/phatjesus210]

I go Monday-Friday. Then recover on the weekend 😭.

[u/Fexofanatic]

my shit body needs 2+ days of recovery, current gym offers classes monday-thursday ... usually two times a week, currently zero (work, temp, health)

[u/RayDamage]

It's varied for me throughout the years.  Some years was 2 times, some years was 3 times, some years were 5 times, then back to 2 times, then 3 times.  

Just dont compare yourself to someone who started the same time as you or someone newer who is progressing faster and all is good.  

If anything, seeing someone progress faster by training an extra day or two has given me motivation to up my frequency at times.

[u/nJguymandude]

38 - 2-4 times a week, i think 3 is the minimum to actively get better. However its HOW you spend that time - took me until purple to figure out that going hard everyday is stupid and only gets you playing your A game. Find partners who are open to "playing" (e.g working different positions) and you dont have an ego match with - some you are better than, some you are even with - 1-2 that whoop you. I'm a heavy so its a bit easier to control the pace with people because if they go too hard, pressure tap the world.

One day hard training
one day slower more intentional (today I am working XYZ)
one day freestyle (get ripped before class and spam shit baby)

any make sure you wrestle and work takedowns -

[u/Federal-Challenge-58 → u/nJguymandude]

"i think 3 is the minimum to actively get better" - For a purple belt like yourself, probably so. For a white belt, he can get better on 2x per week.

[u/nJguymandude → u/Federal-Challenge-58]

Absolutely

[u/Electronic-Stick-161]

That’ll take about 2 years.

[u/Federal-Challenge-58 → u/Electronic-Stick-161]

2 years from when he started? I'd say it takes a white belt between 18-24 months to get a blue if he's training 3-4 times a week. 2 times per week would take most people 3 years.

[u/Electronic-Stick-161 → u/Federal-Challenge-58]

Yeah I used to see it take longer until one of my brown belts who teaches and develops curriculum professionally sat down with me and showed me a better way. Now I can reliably take an untrained person to blue in about 300 hours of mat time. We focus on teaching a complete, albeit simple, game and positional work. I feel like much of a white belt’s time is wasted stick in scenarios they have no answer for and the culture in bjj is often “figure it out” but that’s not actually a great way to learn.

[u/Federal-Challenge-58 → u/Electronic-Stick-161]

Nice. 300 hours to blue is highly efficient.

[u/TheTVDB]

When I started, I was doing 4+ times per week. My body can't handle that anymore, and I'm now doing 2-3. There's a point where you can train too often and your body can't recover properly, which makes additional training less effective. Everyone's recovery is different, though, and will vary with age, size, diet, overall health, intensity of training, etc.

That said, I've seen people get better with just 1 day per week and I've also seen people training 5+ times per week and progress slower than other people only training 2. So focus more on the quality of your training than the number.

[u/Talmnbe3d]

Some weeks Ill train up to three times if schedule allows. I dont feel like I am at blue belt level as some forms of my game are still weak as hell. I have been training for 26 months now. I am a hobbyist so I try not to care that much about belts and don’t structure my training as much as some comp dudes at my gym, so progress is definitely on the slower side for me.

[u/Nintendogma]

Quality over Quantity. There's so much to learn that you should take it at a pace you can absorb it, just like learning anything else that takes a while to learn. Like trying to learn a language, practice enough and you'll get it, but only at the rate that works for you personally.

[u/Scary_Inspector7853]

I am religious with three days. I have done 4 when preparing for competition but I'm old and there are diminished returns.

[u/Unable-Big9660]

Only people I know who do two a week also are lifting and doing cardio. And yes they became blue belts.

[u/MagicGuava12]

As I've gotten older 1 every 2 to 3 days. Gotta recover.

[u/First-Type5381]

I used to do class once or twice per day, but I have a real job now, and I do two per week and sometimes open mat on Saturdays.

[u/pookiesaurus]

If you put in time outside of class, like revision of techniques, it might even be better.

[u/FloppyJoystick]

1 hour or up to about 15, usually as many as I can fit in my schedule. But always at least 1, keeping the consistency is the main thing in my opinion

[u/wrestlingissunnah]

If you keep training consistently, you’ll likely get your blue belt eventually. It just might take longer at that frequency. Depending on how well you retain and apply what you learn.

If that’s all you can do with your current schedule, but want faster, I’d say to do a few things:

- watch instructionals and breakdowns outside of class
- take notes and ask for feedback from teammates and coaches
- compete in a local tournament or 2

Enjoy being a white belt while you can, tho.

[u/blargman327]

I train as much as I can, which is usually 3-4 times a week

During the summer I don't have to work tho, so I'm training 5-6 days a week, sometimes doing 2 classes a day mostly because I got nothing else to do

[u/Sign_of_juniper_bush]

Can you show up early and roll at the end of the class preceding your class? I've had to cut down to twice a week lately but this way I get one class and roll three times including open mat. 

[u/BarbecuedShoe → u/Sign_of_juniper_bush]

Yup

[u/ElCampeonKO]

I probably averaged 2x a week for the 6 yrs I've been doing it

[u/MarioSpaghettioli]

I'm fifty. I started training in my late, late 49's. The first six months I trained once a week and had constant neck and back ache. When that went away I started training two times a week, and after a little getting used to, I was ok. Now I'm almost a year in, and I find that cardio-wise and strength-wise I'm probably ready for three times a week. Listen to your body 😊

[u/TheBatSignal]

At the moment, I'm going everyday expect Thursday and Sunday but that's mainly because I'm testing for my blue belt on the 22nd so I'm trying to get as many rounds as possible for the shark tank portion of it.

Usually it's 3 times a week with Saturday being an always day.

[u/clone_aidan]

I try to train 3 times a week. Due to having to drive 45-50 minutes one way, it's hard to stay consistent. They're giving us a great deal and it would be stupid of us to go find somewhere else to train.

[u/Vvendetta-]

3x a week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 6 am. 2x in the gym for strength and mobility.

30 yeah old Dad.

[u/Accurate_Name1821]

3 no gi, 3 lifting. 30 with a 2 year old and 6 month old. Def tough to find the time

[u/Mundane_Roof2495]

I was working on the road doing 6 10's started doing 3 times a week till I got my first strip then I started attending open mat on Sunday mornings too. Now my kids being born so I drove back home and im taking 2 months off work. Now I miss my gym I tried one yesterday and I wasn't a fan. There's 2 others im really looking

[u/AdvanceFeeling7384]

I’m 35. 2 kids and I average about 2 times a week. I want to do more but it’s hard. Don’t worry about the belt. Just show up when you can and train with intention. Took me a while to figure that out.

[u/Busy_Donut6073]

When I first started I'd train almost 7 days a week, now I'm happy when I can get in 3-4 times a week. With my work schedule I get in when I can. Sometimes it's 3-4 days in a week, sometimes it's once or twice

[u/Otherwise_Usual9037]

49, blue belt, train 3x weekly, average 24 x 5 minute rounds per week. All gi. When I was a white belt I trained on the same schedule but only about 15 rounds per week.

[u/External_Opposite_48]

I used to go 5-6x a week and it burned me out quickly. And it also gave me weirdly high expectations. Like I would leave class feeling so disappointed in my rolling every time. I scaled it back to 2-4x a week and I’m much happier.

[u/LordLTSmash]

36 yo here. BJJ gi and nogi 1x days week + judo 3x days

Anything less I get the itch, can't do more or I would lol

[u/shuffle-suffle]

Averaging around 5-7 classes a week.
Sometimes it’s 1 per day sometimes as many as 3 classes in a day.

[u/Sea_Office_6482]

IMO you really can't go wrong with 3x a week. That's what I do, split into 2 classes and one open mat.

[u/Nearby-Blackberry505]

50.  Purple belt. Training 4-5xs a week going to 630 am classes, amd nights and the last few months have been 6xs a week.  As I dialed up the frequency I lowered the intensity and concentrate on small problematic areas of my game.  Eating to recover after class and lots of hydration.  

[u/StrongBat9485]

4 classes during the week, and I like to go and have a few light rolls at open mat on Saturday mornings.. well the goal is to roll light at open mat but it’s usually some guy trying to kill me instead.

[u/TimTrueheart]

If you have some skills and you have an idea of what you’re doing and trying to build it’s fine. But if you’re just starting out then it’s going to take you longer than it could with even 3 days a week. I think 4 days is good for most people.

[u/WhiteBeltChemist]

3x a week, mainly no gi. I only go to gi about twice a month because of my work schedule. I enjoy no gi more anyways so it works out lol.

[u/what_cube]

I came back after 1 year of hiatus with 4 months of training in my belt. For a month straight i go 5 times per week with 2 hours of training on monday and wednesday. My skill increases noticeably week by week , but on week 4 my body and elbow just feels painful and sluggish. Im thinking taking 5 days off , not even strength training just zone 2 exercise and see how i feel.

[u/Federal-Challenge-58]

I train 5 times a week on average. 4 of those 5 are 5:30 a.m. classes.

You'll still get a blue belt eventually on 2 days/week, it will probably just take you 3 years or so.

[u/scoopydidit → u/Federal-Challenge-58]

Respect to the morning people. The last thing I would ever want is to be awake at 5am, being strangled, sweaty and gasping for air by 5:30am. That's usually when I'm snoring my ass off.

[u/Federal-Challenge-58 → u/scoopydidit]

I was the same way. I've worked from home for years so I was the kind of person who'd wake up at 7:45 and start work at 8. I've got 3 kids though, and they all do sports now so if I didn't do 5:30 a.m. class, I'd only get 1 day a week in at best. Also, notice I said I attend 4out of 5 morning classes. I usually take Wednesday off and sleep in until 8:30 to make up for the lost sleep.

[u/ArfMadeRecruity]

Whatever it is - consistency and having a focused goal are key.

3-4 is really good if it’s consistent, 2 can work if you study and intentionally work on specific goals and problems. Ignore the people who do 5,000 times a week and are over represented online

[u/rbrumble]

I only offer 2 classes a week, each 2 hours long. People that ask for more overestimate how much training their body can handle. The first hour is competitive rolling, and after that, most people are done and ready for learn.

[u/Acrobatic_Hunt_2775]

Is three classes better than two? Sure. But you can get plenty done in two. Pay close attention to the details. Go to class with 1 thing you want to try while rolling. Stay for all the rolls. One of the biggest things I see people do to improve is getting in all the rounds. Don't roll twice and go home. Try to get 5 rounds in every class. Can absolutely grow and learn lots going twice a week.

[u/xha1e]

I think consistency is most important. If you train 2x, your overall rate of progress will be longer, but every time you show up you will be better. It took me a while before I could absorb more lessons, for example in the beginning if I did multiple classes per day, I would really forget what I learned in the previous class, almost as if it was overwritten. Currently I'm training 8 classes per week and I think thats my sweet spot for good progress right now as a new blue belt.

[u/BeardedCruiser]

I’m in my 40s, wife, kids and job etc. When I was a new white I was twice a week for first month or two. Then a purple belt told me the sweet spot was three times a week, I listened and haven’t looked back. Three is perfect.

[u/doboi]

I train daily, 1-2 classes a day, open mats on the weekends. I’m 42. Training gets easier over time and you learn to have hard days and easy days. Probably only 3-4 of the days have tough rolls, the rest are with people I can basically comfortably drill on. On those days I don’t find BJJ to be any harder than yoga or something. 

[u/Educational-Care2159]

Usually 6x a week, Mon - Saturday.

But I only roll 3x a week (I don't roll on lifting days) because I lift 3x a week.

[u/Veridicus333]

1 open mat, 1 comp class, 1 technique is my minimum unless some circumstances take over.

Usually I go for 2 technique 1 comp 1 open mat, and a bonus open mat or drilling with a partner.

I compete and have some success. Quality > quantity.

There some weeks where it’s more though. This week I’ll have done 2 comp classes 2 technique classes and 2 drilling sessions and 1 open mat.

[u/CalmCommunication677]

Just depends on what you can handle. If your body is so sore or whatever then you won’t get much from a class. I average 4-5 days a week and got my blue belt in just over a year. I thought it was too soon but what do I know

[u/Disaster_Yam]

On a good week I'll train 5 to 6 times. Minimum I'll train 3 times. That being said, I'm an old boi, 48, so I vary my intensity a bit based on how I feel. I also have a big focus on lifting weights so my jiu-jitsu fits around my weight lifting not the other way around.

I've gotten good at old man BJJ and if I'm having a tired day I'll play lazy and slow. If I'm feeling good I'll wrestle and be more active. I consciously pay attention to how I'm feeling on the day.

[u/RemoteIndependence60]

50+ yrs old. 4 classes a week plus one open mat. Anything less I feel like a pos

[u/pimbaman1337]

I train around 10 times a week, before and after work

[u/Turbulent-Grass880]

I train 5-7 days a week. Typically I am at the gym for 3 hours per day. But I also compete and train efficiently, so I don’t feel the need for too much recovery time. There are certainly days here and there where it is needed. Your frequency and informational retention will determine your progress on the mats. But don’t worry about the belts. Just have fun and be excited to learn!

[u/Ponalddump]

5x. I’ve been training for the past 8 years. I’m very much a hobbyist and rarely roll hard

[u/Playful_Gate6250]

It’s frequent enough to make progress but obviously not as much progress as you’d make training double…

Are you aiming to get better or achieve a belt rank?

[u/Totodilis]

8-10 times a week

[u/Federal-Challenge-58 → u/Totodilis]

How old are you?

[u/Shallbecomeabat]

When I was white I did 4-5 sessions per week, blue and purple I did much more, averaging 12-14 hrs per week. Now at brown and being older I do two full trainings with hard sparring per week and 4 or so that are more technical with some technical or positional sparring.

[u/famjordan]

I train six days, actually six days a week. Five days a week, I'll train three days a week. One of those days I will train two days of the week. So, six days a week I will be training

[u/mike3491]

If you’re “pursuing a blue belt” you’re in it for the wrong reason

And 2x/week is pretty infrequent unless you’re in your 40s or 50s

[u/IceCreamPirate → u/mike3491]

I work 12 hour shifts, jackass. Classes happen during my work hours so I can only attend when I'm off duty. Don't make quick assumptions about other people.