Recent History

As of late, my workouts have changed quite a bit. My workouts in the past consisted of mostly lifting, one body part per day, 4-5x a week with some cardio thrown in when I could make time. My latest workout scheme included a one week straight lifting routine followed by a one week "cardio lifting" routine, where exercises are done at high heart rates with short rest periods. I did this to try to get more of a cardio aspect into my workouts without having to be bored out of mind running on a treadmill.

Recently, I have gotten into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and I must say, I really enjoy it. It is because of BJJ that my workouts have changed. First, I have BJJ training usually 3x a week, each session is a little over two hours long. We start with warm-ups which include running, high-knees, butt-kickers, front and back rolls, and usually other exercises like fireman's carry, sprints, the escaping movement, pushups, situps, and box jumps. After this, we pair off into partners and our instructor, Kenta, goes over BJJ techniques which we practice one by one. The technique portion of the training isn't very strenuous so afterword, we have another short warmup before we start into our guard pass/free sparring. This is quite intense and usually leaves me feeling like I'm going to throw up as I walk/jog for the bus home. If you do not know what passing the guard is, then do a search on youtube. There are many ways to pass the guard which lead to many different positions, of which have many different ways to control and force a tapout from your opponent. This is fairly easily done when your opponent is letting you, as in technique practice; however in pass guard/free sparring, your opponent is not only resisting, but trying to subdue you and force you to tapout. This goes on usually for 40 mins with no rest. As soon as one person taps or is passed, we do it again. Every few mins or so, we change opponents, but that is the only rest we get, in between opponent changes, whichs takes seconds. The norm is to end with spars, however every so often, we end in conditioning which is even harder than straight sparring for 40+ mins. and usually afterword, we can do nothing but sit on the mats for some time. The conditioning exercises vary but are all body weight exercises, with a lot of emphasis on the core.

So, I have BJJ 3x a week. Usually at least 1x, sometimes 2x a week I go for a nice run. I actually have started to enjoy running, well not necessarily the running, but the place I'm running. Right across the street from where we live is a big wooded area with bike and running trails all through it with different main trails of different lengths and different hill/flat makeups. I don't know the distance, but it usually takes me around 35-45 mins at a decent pace. I then try to get into the gym and lift 2x a week. Because I'm only lifting 2x a week, my routine is usually a full body workout. I try to hit the major muscles and hit them hard.

I'm definitely slimming down and I'm happy that my strength isn't taking a hit, as far as I can tell. I'm definitely getting into better shape, though my body is constantly sore. My top knuckles are always sore from grabbing onto my opponents, my toes are sore from pushing off the mat and hooking my opponents. And I always come home with bruises somewhere, usually on my arms, shoulders, and legs. The bruises don't really hurt, more of a visual reminder of the fun I have resisting and forcing a tap. :)

I have BJJ tonight and will try to post again before bed, hopefully with some pics of where I train.
-Chris