Flexibility in BJJ

[remylebeau]

I'm considering taking some MMA classes starting January. Theres a school about 45mins from where I like, that Carlos Newton teachers at. I was just curious though, I've been weight training since I was 16, I'm now 22, and I have a pretty decent physique. But I know I don't have a lot of flexibility because of the muscle mass, will this hold me back in grappling and BBJ? Would I need to start doing some sort of full body stretching excercises?

[TripleAAA]

It would.
YOu will not even attemp some techniques cause intuitevly you will know that you will not pull them. Grapplers need different flexibility than TKD guys, but they still need it.

[hado3]

u might not have good flexibility but i u have been lifting for a long time like u said then u will have strengh which is an advantage

[Chickenjorge]

u might not have good flexibility but i u have been lifting for a long time like u said then u will have strengh which is an advantage

well not really. since brazilian jiu jitsu is not about strength it's about leverage and using the disadvantages of human anatomy. so strength isnt necessary. and flexibility is farrrrr more important.

he prob. wont even be able to do half of the moves in bjj if he's not flexible enough.

[LabRat]

If you start a decent stretching routine, after a few months (providing you're sticking to it), your flexibility will have improved greatly. Get ahold of "Stretching Scientifically" by Thomas Kurz, or "Relax Into Stretch" by Pavel Tsatsouline (the Kurz book is better as it's more in depth, but Pavel's much less boring to read) and follow everything that's applicable
ALWAYS warm up properly before and stretch after a weights workout. If you'd done that, your flexibility probably wouldn't have suffered. Lots of pro bodybuilders who are absolutely huge can do the full splits, for example

[xhale]

I'm considering taking some MMA classes starting January. Theres a school about 45mins from where I like, that Carlos Newton teachers at. I was just curious though, I've been weight training since I was 16, I'm now 22, and I have a pretty decent physique. But I know I don't have a lot of flexibility because of the muscle mass, will this hold me back in grappling and BBJ? Would I need to start doing some sort of full body stretching excercises?

if you are TOO big, i would consider more cardio (which will help in mma andway) and less weight.

you spent the great part of 6 years getting bigger, now its time to tune your body.

you will notice you will be burning much more fat during the ages of 20-25 anyway. so it will be much easier. at 16 you are still burning baby fat.

and just work on the stretching. if you do push ups and sit ups ever night.... start it off with some stretches for 2-3 min. you should be good in no time.

[xhale]

u might not have good flexibility but i u have been lifting for a long time like u said then u will have strengh which is an advantage

strength only helps with your posture, to fight off submissions, but you will find that someone that can bench half as much, will still be able to sub his opponent.

dexterity is key.

[CreatureCore]

I first started stretching when i started muay thai. I couldnt kick very high, but after one month i was able to kick people 3 inches taller then me in the head with decent power behind it. And once i started bjj class i became even more flexable cause of all the new stretches i learned.

Truthfully just stretch every morning and night and youll see a huge difference in 1 months time. Look a jeff monson. While not one of the top tier heavys, hes still a black belt in bjj and is very flexable.

[The Fire]

I'm considering taking some MMA classes starting January. Theres a school about 45mins from where I like, that Carlos Newton teachers at. I was just curious though, I've been weight training since I was 16, I'm now 22, and I have a pretty decent physique. But I know I don't have a lot of flexibility because of the muscle mass, will this hold me back in grappling and BBJ? Would I need to start doing some sort of full body stretching excercises?

Stick with the routine that they train you with and you will be fine. Our gym has turned fat guys like me with NO muscle who grunted to bend over to tie their shoes into decent fighters. The key again is sticking with it and being patient and diligent.

[bird]

yoga helps with bjj