Great video. Man that black belt is thick dude and extremely flexible
How did you develop that much flexibility and maintain it? Going to guess you have some sort of routine you follow? I'd be happy if I have 1/2 of what you do. I need to implement something.Juji was a really good sport about the whole thing! Joey Szat is one of my training partners, he’s the one who brought Juji in.
I’m still maintaining 90% of the size. The whole set point theory seems to be true because it never mattered how much grappling I did, the mass never really went away. Lowest weight I reach is about 250lbs, but usually hover between 253-260.
Right now I’m happy maintaining a balance between bodybuilding and BJJ. Not sure what the future holds, but I’m thankful to have both.
How many days per week do you train in the gym and how many days do you train in bjj?Juji was a really good sport about the whole thing! Joey Szat is one of my training partners, he’s the one who brought Juji in.
I’m still maintaining 90% of the size. The whole set point theory seems to be true because it never mattered how much grappling I did, the mass never really went away. Lowest weight I reach is about 250lbs, but usually hover between 253-260.
Right now I’m happy maintaining a balance between bodybuilding and BJJ. Not sure what the future holds, but I’m thankful to have both.
How many days per week do you train in the gym and how many days do you train in bjj?
It’s partially genetic, but a lot of work.How did you develop that much flexibility and maintain it? Going to guess you have some sort of routine you follow? I'd be happy if I have 1/2 of what you do. I need to implement something.
3-4 days liftingHow many days per week do you train in the gym and how many days do you train in bjj?
So it sounds like since you have attained a great level of flexibility and train in BJJ, you dont have to do so many dedicated stretching sessions like you did in the beginning because now you are in effect stretching out while you train BJJ? We should have a sticky thread on this site about how to stretch correctly. What kind of routine is best etc. Seeing you move like that in the video surprised me. Im glad that I now know that it can be done when you have some size. Youre right, you have to train in stretching if you are going to be flexible. I just stretch my groin and hamstrings before lifting, along with low back too Id say. Sounds like I need to add in some more aggressive stretching after I exercise and am all warmed up. These days I am very tight all of the time and I think it causes me pain. Low back and SI joint.It’s partially genetic, but a lot of work.
The concept is exactly like bodybuilding. People who don’t train can’t imagine being so massive and strong... until they train hard for a few years, eat, and grow. People who train a little, and always remain at a beginner level, always think they have some disadvantage (drugs, genetics, etc).
Most people who attended those hardcore Bikram yoga sessions wound up being able to do the moves. BJJ is much the same.
I started stretching aggressively for about 15-20 min after lifting (while warm). Some dynamic, some static. Dynamic stretching has given me the most success. Also, your body temperature is really high when rolling and training, so you’re sort of doing “involuntary yoga” every time you train.
In 2012, I attended a “berimbolo” seminar for $150. At the time, it was the biggest waste of money EVER... When the fuck was I going to ever spin on my back to attack someone with my legs in the air?
Fast forward to 2021, and I can “bolo” better than most little guys. 1/3 to 1/2 of BJJ people wind up more flexible than people who do yoga and stretch. If both are done, it gets pretty crazy how bendy you can get.
I would like to know this also. How do you manage both?
Between life and gym 5-6 days a week, I can’t even think of being able to take on a second sport.
@Big Dave Smith
So it sounds like since you have attained a great level of flexibility and train in BJJ, you dont have to do so many dedicated stretching sessions like you did in the beginning because now you are in effect stretching out while you train BJJ? We should have a sticky thread on this site about how to stretch correctly. What kind of routine is best etc. Seeing you move like that in the video surprised me. Im glad that I now know that it can be done when you have some size. Youre right, you have to train in stretching if you are going to be flexible. I just stretch my groin and hamstrings before lifting, along with low back too Id say. Sounds like I need to add in some more aggressive stretching after I exercise and am all warmed up. These days I am very tight all of the time and I think it causes me pain. Low back and SI joint.
Good points. Im aware of the stretch reflex and how they say that it will decrease your strength during lifts. I have never tested that before, but I believe it to be true. I always figured sacrificing some of the strength isnt going to ruin things. I know I feel better and less stiff after stretching before a lift. I try to trust how my body feels, so havent felt like stretching before it bad. A good long series of warm up sets is important like you say. I think I will try not stretching before and do an extra set of warm ups lifting, and then stretch after. Good advice. I should definitely be able to stretch much better afterwards and then perhaps be able to increase my flexibility faster.One thing people don’t realize is that stretching prior to exercise is misguided. It serves no purpose as a warm up. Stretching to get warm is like trying to bust a nut before getting a boner. LOL. Stretching also kills your stretch reflex, killing off a portion of your strength.
Ideally, “priming” the muscles your about to train is the best... movement, warmth, and activating the ROM you’ll be using to train. After you train is best to stretch because the tissue is more pliable.
Think about why you wouldn’t try to perform hard muscle contractions before a warm up. You’d come up with a few very obvious answers. Those same reasons are why you wouldn’t want to static stretch before the lifts you’re about to do.
Leg training takes me about 20+ min before I do any working sets. Push and Pull days are about the same, maybe only 15 min.
Good points. Im aware of the stretch reflex and how they say that it will decrease your strength during lifts. I have never tested that before, but I believe it to be true. I always figured sacrificing some of the strength isnt going to ruin things. I know I feel better and less stiff after stretching before a lift. I try to trust how my body feels, so havent felt like stretching before it bad. A good long series of warm up sets is important like you say. I think I will try not stretching before and do an extra set of warm ups lifting, and then stretch after. Good advice. I should definitely be able to stretch much better afterwards and then perhaps be able to increase my flexibility faster.