When you think about BJJ training essential, it is normal that you think about Gi or Rashguards first. However, let’s try and take a look at the broader picture. You obviously need a place to train at. Next up, you need instructors and training partners, duh. Oh and mats, of course, you need mats if you have any hope of returning to train ever again. That’s about it, right? A gym, training partners, mats, and training gear. Well, not quite. If there’s one thing that can drastically help with classes, rolling, and even competition preparation, it’s interval timers. And I’m not talking about a free app on your phone. I’m talking about the best BJJ Interval Timers that you can have to transform your academy into a real lion’s den.
BJJ Interval timers make training easy. It is as easy as that. When you have a gym timer, life is easy. You just set it up and go rolling. The benefits over free apps are more than obvious, but we’ll still mention them. First, everyone can hear what’s going on. Next, everyone can see how much time is left of the round. Moreover, you can use it to program drills, conditioning, and keep track of technique training time. What’s really useful, is the fact that you can program a bunch of timers with different rest and work periods so that you can alternate them at will. For example, you have one for the warm-up, another for training, a drilling/position sparring timer, and a rolling one. You might even throw in specific competition training rounds in there as well, or even longer rolling times.
On top of it all, there’s no chance of a battery running out or a call disrupting the countdown, like is often the case with phone apps.
Best BJJ Interval Timers
As far as Jiu-Jitsu interval training timers go, you won’t find plenty of options that are grappling specific. Yet, what is exactly grappling specific? After all, you need as many programming options as you can. Then, you need to have a timer that’s easy to use and easy to set up. There’s also the need for a solid speaker on your timer so that everyone can hear when intervals begin or end. That’s about it, really. And, while you can get all of this free, you’re never going to be as comfortable with it, as with any of the best BJJ interval timers available.
Before we get into the options, let us sum them up quickly. Our list of the best BJJ interval timers out there has options for everyone’s’ taste and, more importantly, needs. Some of them are bigger, and full option professional options. They mount on walls and can do pretty much everything you’d expect from an interval timer. Others are smaller, can be propped on a wall, and are still going to do the trick for a fraction of the price. There are also handheld ones that also fit the needs of grapplers, apart from them is clearly visible to everyone. However, since the price is often a factor, we made sure we cover every possible option that is going to do the job, and then some!
TITLE Boxing Pro
Title Boxing is old school as you can go with an interval timer. These were the very first-timers, that actually come in an analog version as well. Don’t worry, you won’t have to deal with one of these. What we have on offer here is a fully digital, high-tech version of the Title Boxing Timer for gym use.
This one is one of the top picks for most combat gyms around the world. It features a simplistic design, yet more than makes up for it in function. Rounds can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 9 minutes, while rest ranges from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. this allows for a lot of variety while using this interval timer. The display is clear and visible, with minutes and seconds in the focus. A cool option is volume adjustment that allows you to adjust it to your academy’s needs. This timer remembers your settings even when unplugged. One of the best BJJ interval timers of all times, without a doubt!
Inventio Interval Workout Timer
The Inventio Interval timer is a more “portable” option that offers everything that the much larger Title Boxing timer does. Its dimensions are 3.3 x 1.3 x 3.3 inches and weigh only a few ounces. It is a perfect fit for any kind of academy.
The round settings are very versatile, with the possibility of 59 consecutive rounds. There are no limitations to rest and work periods, giving you complete control. You’ll need to learn how to set it up at first, but afterward, you’ll be 1 click away from everything. This timer comes in a wireless version because it runs on batteries, that you can recharge when needed. Great quality is an unexpectedly loud sound for round time for such a portable and neat looking timer.
Everlast Interval Training
Another legendary boxing brand, Everlast also has an interval timer to offer, and it is a great one! This one is more of a personalized timer, though you can also use it in a gym environment. it is certainly an affordable option for any BJJ or MMA academy.
This is a smaller timer, coming at a size of 4.3 x 3.7 x 1.2 inches. It features both an interval timer and a stopwatch setting. Since it is a smaller timer, it comes with a belt/arm strap and magnets, making attaching it anywhere in a gym a real breeze. The Everlast timer offers limitless adjustments to round times, both for work and rest. There’s also the option to set up a sound alert at a specific period to remind you that time is almost up. It is extremely easy to set up and use, making it one of the Best BJJ Interval timers you can go for in 2021.
EU Programmable GYM Timer
This BJJ Interval timer is one of the most used in grappling gyms across the world. As a particular favorite of wrestling gyms, its use is widespread among BJJ academies a well. Coming in at 26 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches, this is one of the larger options on our list of the best BJJ Interval Timers.
First of all, this timer is really cheap for the services it offers! It is the most affordable full-sized gym interval timer you can get. This timer comes with wall mount attachments as well as a remote control for setting it up and using it. It has a large 1.5” display that’s clearly visible even in large gyms. As a bonus, this timer comes with a few presets memorized, like MMA rounds, boxing rounds, and Tabata rounds, for example. There are no options for sound except for a buzzer, which is more than enough. The buzzer is loud and unmistakable even with all the usual noise in a Jiu-Jitsu Academy. It’s got several options for setting up the timer (either counting down or up) It also offers a clock, with 12 and 24-hour formats.
Gymboss Interval Timer and Stopwatch
Gymboss is a mainstay name among interval training timers. The most well-known one is the handheld version, which was actually one of the very first interval timers for individual use. To this day, the Gymboss holds its ground and is a great option for both an individual and a gym timer. Plus it comes at a more than reasonable price, you won’t believe it!
The Gymboss comes as both an interval timer and a stopwatch, along with a built-in clock. Its measures are measures 2.25 x 1.75 x 0.5 inches, making it one of the smallest on our best BJJ interval timers list. Apart from its size, it has absolutely no limitations in terms of use for large gyms. There’s an automatic mode which means you can shuffle through all your settings, and never lose any of them. It is loud and comes with a warning sound from the end/beginning of rounds that are extremely adjustable. It works on batteries and is hard to see during rolling, but the sound is unmistakable.
BTBSIGN LED Interval Timer
The BTBSIGN LED Timer is very similar to the EU Programmable one. The only difference is that it comes at a slightly smaller size and a significantly cheaper price. However, in terms of options, it is right on top of the list of best BJJ interval timers to have. Plus, its size and price make it really affordable for a home/garage gym as well as a large academy.
This timer offers a huge amount of training settings, including groups of intervals that do not have to be uniform. This makes it perfect for competition training, or just training in general. It includes a stopwatch, a countdown timer, and a clock, all with an option for a 10-second warning before work/rest begins or ends. It features a LED screen that has a decade-long lifespan. The sound it emits is loud, based on a buzzing pattern, and easily audible. Perfect to double as a clock when you do not need a timer. It is not too big, yet is clearly visible, and comes with a remote offering numerous options.
Hiitgo Interval Timer and Stopwatch
The Hiitgo Timer is one similar to the GymBoss interval timer. It is another product featuring a stopwatch option in addition to numerous interval timer settings. It is a lightweight, portable timer, that works great individually and in academy settings.
The Hiitgo timer works on batteries, meaning you’ll need to change them regularly. They do last really long, though, so you won’t’ have to do it very often. In terms of drawbacks, you can’t really see the rounds or time, because the display is small and packed. This means it has a lot of information on the display, but only if you’re close up. The sound, on the other hand, is clearly audible and surprisingly strong. The timer offers the ability to repeat round settings up to 99 times. There’s a lot of programming variety making it a really affordable option for smaller gyms on the rise.
Go Timer Interval Training Timer
Go Timer is an interval timer that is small, portable, and extremely diverse. On top of everything, it comes at an incredible price too! While it’s originally meant for individual use, it can do just fine in large Jiu-Jitsu gyms as well, due to a very loud sound. This timer is really easy to program and use. The design is nominalistic as all you have to deal with are a couple of buttons that are easy to use. It has preset intervals that are available at a click so that you do not have to press buttons constantly in order to set up the desired interval. It is an awesome option for drilling or position sparring, as well as specific competition training.
Interval Timers
Interval timers are today an essential part of every athlete’s gear. We all have an interval timer variation on our phones. Some use them to work conditioning at the academy or home. others like to sue them to stretch, or even for specific drills. Some even set up their whole classes on their apps. It takes away the guesswork and makes sure everyone has the same amount of time to work a technique or drill.
However, going forward, academies need to turn to professional interval timers that offer a lot more compared to a free app. As such, the best BJJ interval timers out there provide numerous options, from adjustable work, rest, and prep time to programming several different interval patterns at once. All of these are essential to keep a class run smoothly and without interruptions. Plus, they make rolling easy, as you can actually program them to ring at 5, 6, 7, and 10 minutes, for example, allowing each belt level to go hard for the same amount of time as in a tournament. Plus you can set them for longer rounds, like 15 or 20 minutes for those preparing for super fights.
Interval timers are simply a must for any self-respecting gym out there. However, they do not always come cheap, and you need to understand what it is that you’re looking for in one. Our guide has only the absolute best BJJ interval timers you can get to make your academy better in 2021.
BJJ Rolling And Competition Training
Even if you’re not really a big fan of using interval timers during class, they’re undisputed when it comes to rolling. especially those that offer variable programming options. Take, for example, a regular roll. Usually, people set 5 or 6 minutes on the clock and use a minute to rest. However, not everyone likes or needs to roll for the same amount of time. Variable programming means different belts can roll for different times, while also allowing for more rest for beginners. Plus, once you set the rounds, everyone can see how much time is left, how many rounds they’ve rolled, and when rounds start or end. This makes rolling a lot easier, as everyone who’s gotten a timer has discovered.
ON the subject of competition training, having an interval timer is a must. A good timer is going to provide you with options to set up drills, conditioning exercises, or specific rolls very precisely. For example, you can set up different times so that people that compete get a fresh partner in each round. Or you could intermingle conditioning bursts of a certain time with a regular rolling round of 5 minutes. There are actually no limits to what you can do with a good BJJ interval timer, and it’s not much of an investment, given the benefits.
