BJJ Made My Lifts Weaker (Balancing BJJ and Powerlifting)

It can be hard to balance weight training and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. I know that for me, I struggled with it at a point in my life where I was getting bigger and stronger and was chasing numbers in the weight room.

But then struggled with my BJJ training because I was too big and beat up for sufficient rolling and work on the mats.

And in this video I talk about this in the hopes to assist our friend Peter who is a Powerlifter getting into Brazilian Jiujitsu.

He says that since training Jiujitsu he's noticed that his lifts have dropped in their overall poundage.

And his question is two fold. . .

1. How to Balance BJJ training with his Powerlifting?

2. Should he readjust his expectations for training?

I also touch on the current program I follow for lifting in order to support my BJJ training.

If you're someone who's really big into lifting who's also pursuing BJJ. I hope this video is useful for you and your training on the mat and in the weight room.

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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

[jasonrios]

This is really useful for me because I've been struggling between lifting every day and going to jiu jitsu

[lhhvtxb]

Thank you. I've accepted that my lifts are going to go down. I focus on compound lifts, stretching and corrective bodybuilding while doing jiu jitsu three days a week. It's been working well for me so far.

[raywade]

Thanks for speaking to this topic. I’m 53 and two months into BJJ. I’m also a powerlifter with 465 SQ; 340 BP; 535 DL @ 198. I too have noticed my training lifts have suffered since starting BJJ and was unreasonably hoping to be able to do both without either suffering. Thanks again for the insights.

[LSmith-]

Would LOVE to see some weight training videos to support BJJ! THanks!

[gracietabor]

Omg thank you for covering this and glad I wasn’t the only one wondering about this ! I used to love powerlifting then got into bjj and felt this way. Now focus on jits and the “dabble” with weights. It is hard to let go of those heavy weights and numbers, but in the end can still enjoy what I consider now functional training to help my game vs obliterate my joints with big girl weights and then go get them destroyed in class 🤣 thanks Chewy🤙🏻

[GeorgeMariosofficial]

Started in BJJ this week and your videos have been immensely helpful in addressing many concerns I had as both a touring guitarist and someone who likes going to the gym. Thanks so much!

[samsulam]

Thanks for making this. I've been getting really down on myself lately, not being able to maintain my mass since starting BJJ. I love what you say about just asking yourself what you want most, and going after that. I've always been more of a bodybuilding weight lifter, and I'd love to hear about bjj/mma specific training. Thanks Chewy!

[jkthelastsamurai]

I’m currently facing this dilemma, I’ve done Muay Thai for years, I took a break and started lifting consistently for three years, now I’m back doing Muay Thai and my technique and footwork is off so now I need to relinquish my attachment to lifting because I been getting lit up at my gym, thanks for the perspective bro, sometimes you feel alone in your journey, 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙

[lenrutecki]

Ego is the enemy. Im an old man and I still haven't learned that I can't do it all, well at least I cant do it all and expect to be any good.

[mrr]

Pat McNamara's (Former Delta Force) Combat Strength Training methodology is fight-centric and imho the best program for combatives strength, power, and quickness.

[JP-pyoi]

So glad to hear you bringing out weightlifting videos. Look forward to it Chewy, keep up the great work!

[moneytimesfifteen]

What's holding back your progress in jiu jitsu is more likely mental anyway. Improving that doesn't really conflict with improving your physical strengths in the gym. Do a simple twice a week lifting program. Go to jiu jitsu 3 or 4 times a week. ??? Profit

[Charlieene]

Super excited for you jiu jitsu supporting weight room routines chew. Keep up the great work.

[freedivided]

I started bjj 7 weeks ago and my
Lifts are hurting, bad.

My goal is to keep the powerlifting for some continued strength + explosiveness but go deep in bjj.

Great topic. Thanks for answering this guys question

[jasoniorio]

Great video. Seems from comments a lot of us started heavy in powerlifting then found BJJ. When I started competing in BJJ I definitely toned down my weight training to lighter speed work with plyometrics close to tournament time.

[neodemon]

Been wondering that question for two years at least. Thank you for this info

[badoocee]

Chewy, this was most insightful and informative. Thank you Sir for your refreshing honesty. OSS.🤙

[dvltang]

I havent lifted in 6 months and my training has shot up. I've been trying to think how I can get back lifting and bjj again without getting slow. Thanks for the vid

[LeoGang]

I rolled with a wrestler today. It was hard to sweep the guy, held him in my guard the whole time lol. This guy was strong man

[damaniskateboarding]

Thank you so much for this insight. I was really into lifting weights prior and I too got up to a good weight. I'm comfortable at. But now says I'm doing jujitsu. It's you and I am feeling sore from that. Well, I'm gonna do which is go to the gym like once a week. Just double into the weight lifting and then do martial arts. The other times I am free.