Best BJJ Rash Guards In 2023 – Reviews And Guide

Best BJJ Rashguards 2019

Is No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu more interesting than Gi BJJ? Opinions are heavily spat on this subject, but we have the ultimate argument to turn the thing in No-gi’s favor! If there’s one thing that really makes No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stand out, it has to be rash guards. Yeah both top rash guards and bottom spats, wearing them can make Jiu-jitsu look and be way more fun! So far, very few gis have actually managed to even come close to some of the unique rash guard designs out there.

However, it is not all about looks. Rash guards are a highly functional and necessary piece of equipment for grappling, regardless of Gi or No-Gi affiliation. It is time to see which ones are the best BJJ rash guards that you should be wearing in 2023!

Rash guards for BJJ actually have many roles to play in grappling. They’re far from limited to being an interesting piece of gear you wear to No-gi class. The best rash guards for BJJ are first and foremost, a piece of gear that keeps you clean and safe during training.

It even improves performance, based on the type you’re wearing. It can also help extend the life of your Gi if you’re wearing one underneath on a regular basis. Plus, it provides you with a great gripping surface to use when things get sweaty during rolls.

All in all, you want the best BJJ rash guard you can get, in order to maximize your chances on the mats.

Best BJJ Rash guards

When it comes to choosing a typical rash guard for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we recommend pairing it with spats as well. They don’t have to be part of the same series but are going to make a real difference.

Also, when you’re looking for the best and high-quality rash guards for you, have goals in mind during your selection. The IBJJF, for example, is notorious in that it only allows certain brands of rash guards in official competition.

Plus, they have to be ranked according to the belt level. While this might take some of the fun out of it, you’re still free to choose the latest wacky design to train in or use in other competition formats.

Furthermore, have a rash guard that’s simple and effective to wear under your Gi. This will add at least a couple of years to you Gi, guaranteed!


Hayabusa Metaru Charged

To start things off, we’re going to over one o the best regards in existence, period. Whether you want to wear it for No-Gi, under the Gi, surfing, for strength and conditioning or simply outside like Danaher does, Hayabusa has the rash guard for you! On top of everything, the Metaru is ranked and fully recognized by the IBJJF.

Hayabusa Metaru Charged Long Sleeve Rash Guard
Hayabusa Metaru Charged Long Sleeves

You might consider this one to be the Holy grail of rash guards for grapplers. It is a very cool-looking, very affordable, and high-quality rash guard! The Metaru is made of a polyester and elastane end, featuring special titanium-coated fibers, which guarantees compression and durability.

It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties as well as state-of-the-art moisture-wicking technology.

This rash guard helps regulate and optimize body temperature during rolling as well as provide maximal breathability.

All in all, one of the best rash guards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of all time and a piece you simply have to own!


Fuji IBJJF Freestyle Rash guard

Fuji is a brand that has been manufacturing high-grade Brazilian Jiu-jitsu equipment for decades now. It is one of the top companies for Gis in the world, so naturally, they also offer great options for rash guards.

One such example is the FUJI Freestyle rash guard, AKA the Fuji IBJJF rash guard. As the name suggests, it is a ranked rash guard that is legal for use in IBJJF tournaments, Gi and No-Gi.

Fuji IBJJF Freestyle Rash guard
Fuji IBJJF Freestyle Long Sleeve

This rash guard features a Japanese-looking design on a very high-quality piece of grappling wear. The colors are in accordance with belt colors since it is a ranked rash guard. A key quality of this rash guard, apart from its price, is it;’s durability.

Тhis is one of those rash guards that seem to last forever, without showing signs of decline. A lot of this is due to the double-reinforced stitching and base materials.

The Fuji Freestyle has anti-microbial properties and comes in a very large variety of sizes.

There’s also a short and long-sleeved version of it.


Tesla Men’s Long Sleeve Rash guard

Here’s one for those that are not really into funky designs, or simply want a rash guard to wear under their Gi. The Tesla Long sleeve rash guard makes to our list of the best rash guards for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu thanks to several key features.

Tesla Men's Long Sleeve Rash guard
Tesla Men’s Long Sleeve

To begin with, this rash guard offers the best value for your money. Coming in at a very cheap price, it offers quality to rival any of the much more expensive options. It is very durable, thanks to the special blend of 87% polyester and 13% Spandex. This makes it very flexible, yet breathable.

Despite its flexibility, Tesla provides great compression to aid in the exertions of grappling. On the subject of comfort, this one is probably the most comfortable to wear on this list. Apart from moisture-wicking, this rash guard also features quick-dry technology. Comes in a huge variety of colors, and all the regular sizes.


 

Tatami Samurai Panda Rash Guard

Here we go! My own personal favorite! I’ll be honest, I love this rash guard, but that’s not the only reason it made it to the best BJJ rash guard list. This one is actually one of the best overall rash guards and arguably, Tatami’s very best! Plus, who doesn’t love pandas?

Tatami Samurai Panda Rash Guard
Tatami Samurai Panda

Tatami made a lot of heads turn with their gorilla and panda series rash guards. the collection features both long-sleeved rash guards and spats of various animal-inspired designs. Still, the Samurai Panda Rash guard is by far the most impressive of the bunch.

It comes in a yellow red and brown color and a graphic that covers the entire rash guard. Just like with all Tatami products, the material is 80% polyester and 20% spandex. The rash guard provides enormous mat burn protection and is perfectly ventilated.

It also has flatlock flexible seems which makes this rash guard very durable even during very tough rolls. Shoutout to Chris Evans, the man behind this fantastic design (and all other animal-themed tatami rash guards).


 

Venum Men’s Werewolf Long Sleeve Rash Guard

Venum is a brand that falls in a similar category as Fuji, apart from being a few years younger. They have everything related to BJJ that you might think of.

Actually, they make a lot of combat sports gear in general, but they do pay a lot of attention to grappling. And rash guards feature quite high on their list with multiple of their products known as some of the most popular No-Gi uniforms ever. The Werewolf Long SLeeved Venum Rash guard is a clear example of why this is the case.

Venum Men's Werewolf Long Sleeve Rash Guard
Venum Men’s Werewolf Long Sleeves

Key qualities of the Venum Werewolf Rash guard include ground-breaking compression technology that adds a huge safety feature to this rash guard.

The design is one made for comfort, with an elastic waistband keeping it in place during rolls. The design has predominantly grey and black colors, with red scatters along the sleeves. The design alone makes it one of the best BJJ rash guards out there, let alone its properties.

There’s also modern quick-dry technology that allows sweat to pass easily through the material and helps keep it off.


 

Anthem Athletics Helo-X BJJ Rash guard

Anthem Athletics Helo-X BJJ Rash guard
Anthem Athletics Helo-X

Although Anthem might be a brand that you haven’t heard about so far, it still makes one of the best BJJ rash guards ever made! For starters, it comes in such a big variety of colors, that you can stock up only on versions of this rash guard and be set for a very long time. Plus, the price makes it a real steal!To begin with, the Anthem Athletics Rash guard is a BJJ-specific product. Namely, it is IBJJF approved and comes in all ranks, on top of other colors and styles. Furthermore, there are both short and long sleeve options available.

This rash guard also has the ever-present moisture-wicking technology.

The material is lightweight, extremely strong, and offers great compression. Sublimated graphics mean there’s no chance of the color peeling or fading, even when washing often.

The Anthem Athletics rash guard also has a great fit, thanks to multi-panel construction and flatlock reinforced stitching. Multiple sizes are available.


 

Elite Sports Full Long Sleeves Rash guard

Elite sports are among the top MMA and BJJ brands out there. That means, as far as No-Gi is concerned, they’re a real authority. No wonder why their Elite Sports Full Rash guard is one of the best BJJ rash guards available in 2023.

Apart from offering very modern performance technology, this rash guard also offers a minimalistic design. Perfect for both No-Gi training or wearing under the Gi.

Elite Sports Full Long Sleeves Rash guard
Elite Sports Full Long Sleeves

This multipurpose rash guard works for just about anything, from BJJ to lifting weights. You could even go surfing in it.

The lightweight design means it is very comfortable while providing maximum compression at the same time, which improves blood flow to the muscles.

There’s a unique feature of honeycomb material under the arms and back for increased durability.

Antifungal and antibacterial properties mean your skin is going to stay completely safe from potential infections.

Oh, and the price is more than affordable!

As an added bonus, it is another IBJJF-approved rash guard that comes ranked.


 

Bad Boy Men’s Sphere

As far as old-school brands that are still going hard, Bad Boy is right up there with the likes of Fuji. The Sphere Rash guard is a short-sleeve rash guard that’s right up there with the best BJJ rash guards of all time. It actually has one of the best designs in grappling.

Bad Boy Men's Sphere
Bad Boy Men’s Sphere

While it is not an IBJJF-approved rash guard, it is a great one to own for No-Gi training or competition under different rules. The Sphere comes in blue color with white and black patterns and the Bad Boy logo.

This rash guard is never going to roll up during training, thanks to the rubber grip it has on the bottom seam. It features stay-cool mesh on the back responsible for comfort and breathability.

There are also ergonomic compression panels for improving blood flow. The material is 10 % Spandex and 90 % polyester.

Key traits are reflective surfaces, meaning you can bike or run with it as well as a grapple.


 

Venum Gladiator 3.0 Long Sleeve Rash Guard

As I said, Venum has a huge collection of rash guards most of which are among the best BJJ rash guards of all time.

However, in 2023 specifically, the best companion of the Venum Werewolf rash guard is the Gladiator 3.0 Long Sleeve Rash guard. Simply put, another Venum masterpiece for grapplers.

Best BJJ Rashguards 2019
Venum Gladiator 3.0 Long Sleeves

There’s no argument that Gladiator 3.0 has one of the best designs ever! The rash guard comes in three variations: black & white, red, and full black, all featuring the same design. The graphics cover the rash guard entirely and are resistant to any sort of peeling or fading.

The inevitable compression and moisture-wicking technologies are there, as is a rubber waistband to keep it in place.

Seams are reinforced with double flatlock stitching.

Quick-dry technology helps you regulate body temperature and stay increased comfortably.


 

Under Armour Men’s HeatGear

There’s no way we can do a rundown of the best BJJ rash guards and skip Under Armour. After all, to this day most people get an image of an Under Armour product when they think about a rash guard. Just so happens, they also have products that fit grappling needs perfectly.

Under Armour Men's HeatGear
Under Armour Men’s HeatGear

As far as color options go, no other rash guard can beat the short sleeve Under Armour HeatGear rash guard. There are an astonishing 29 colors available for this model. If old school is your thing then this is the right BJJ rash guard for you. Still, it is a very modern 84 % polyester and 16 % elastane rash guard, with stretch mesh underarm panels for ventilation.

There is also a signature HeatGear fabric responsible for compression and comfort. As far as versatility goes, this rash guard goes as far as to offer UV 30+ protection for outdoor activities. Furthermore, they dry extremely fast and retain next to no moisture.


 

Sanabul Essentials Rash Guard

Sanabul is the last brand we’ll feature here today but is far from a last-ditch option. Actually, their rash guard is extremely high quality and is fit for grapplers of all levels. The Sanabul has all the features of most of the rash guards described above, and then some!

Sanabul Essentials Rash Guard
Sanabul Essentials Rash Guard

First of all, they’re approved by the IBJJF and come in ranked variations. Next up, they are notoriously durable, mostly as a result of the 4-dimensional stretch material with integrated compression they employ.

There’s also a ventilated mesh underarm area providing swift ventilation. Similar to Under Armour, Sanabul also offers UV protection but takes it up to 50.

Available in long sleeves, this rash guard is the ultimate grappling and one of the cheap rash guards you can own.


 

The Birth Of The BJJ Rash guard

So how did rash guards come to play a role in BJJ? We all know that early on, it was all about grappling with the Gi. when things got too hot in Brazil like during the summer, people would discard the gi jacket and roll with Gi pants only. later on, as MMA burst onto the scene, people switched Gi pants with shorts and went on like that. So how exactly did rash guards come to dominate the No-gi scene?

First of all, let’s analyze another BJJ-specific thing. How did the Shaka sign, which almost every grappler alive does become the most common BJJ hand gesture? Wasn’t it originally a surfer thing? The answer is yes, and that’s exactly how it came into Jiu-Jitsu. Surfers and grapplers socialized a lot on the beaches of Brazil, and later on, Hawaii and similar spots.

Just like grapplers took up surfing for fun, surfers sometimes went to the mats to learn how to roll. And, inevitably they brought some of their cultures along. the two most recognizable things they brought were the shaka sign and the Jiu-Jitsu rash guard.

Naturally, rash guards soon proved to be highly effective and replaced cotton t-shirts and bare-chested grappling. Not long after, Gi and gear brands saw the potential and started manufacturing them for a larger market.

As No-go boomed on the scene of BJJ, so did hundreds of brands coming up with numerous designs, making the task of figuring out the best rash guard for Jiu-Jitsu a real hassle. Until now.

The Perfect Rash guard For Grappling

What exactly is the role of a rash guard in BJJ?

Well, they have plenty, to be honest. While most people think they’re just there to deal with sweat, they actually do a lot more than that. One of the main features is muscle compression, which improves muscle function. Compression translates to improved blood flow, meaning it makes muscle metabolism more effective while improving recovery and helping prevent injuries.

Hygiene and rash guards.

Mats can be a real layer of bacteria and fungi, as can be certain training partners. Rash guards, especially long-sleeved pones, and full spats help keep you safe from various skin infections. Furthermore, they limit the spread of the infection, since many of the best jiu-jitsu rash guards have antimicrobial properties.

Performance

Performance-wise, moisture-wicking means your body temperature stays stable, and you can roll longer. Plus, a rash guard improves your grip, whenever you grip your own body parts for leverage. A D’arce choke is a great example. Try finishing one with a short-sleeved one after a 10-minute roll and you’ll understand what I mean. Last but not least, having a rash guard means you can wave goodbyes to those pesky, annoying mat burns.

Comfort and Mobility

Full range of motion and comfort is something very appreciated in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, so you want your rash guard to feel both comfortable and stretchy enough. Also under armpits ventilated meshes are a great choice because you can really stink after some time.

Moisture and sweat protection

The best rash guards have excellent protection against moisture and sweat. It is very important that they are made with such a cut that they wick sweat away from your body. This is of great importance, especially during hot summer days. Only absorbing your ostrich and not absorbing moisture from the outside helps protect your body from various infections that are not so rare in Jiu Jitsu gyms.

Main Features Of The Best Rash Guards for BJJ

Four-way stretch fabric

The four-way stretch fabric is the best feature a rash guard can have to last long during heavy-duty training and rolling.

Flatlock stitching

It refers to the flat fabric on the inside of your rash guard. It means it won’t irritate you while you’re rolling or drilling. It also makes the rash guard stronger as it’s reinforced and more durable.

Sublimated Graphics

Sublimation is a special way of putting graphics on rash guards to make them durable. Sublimated graphics won’t fade or peel even during hard rolls and everyday usage. The reason for this is because the ink is embedded into the material.

Silicone or rubber waistband

High-Quality rash guards for BJJ have rubber or silicone implemented into the waist of your rashguard so it’s more comfortable and nonslippery while moving.

Cool Design

When you’re buying a rash guard you want to enjoy wearing it so pick ones you really like because we all like to look at ourselves in the mirror don’t we? 🙂

IBJJF Rash guard compliant

If you’re looking to compete in IBJJF No Gi tournaments you’ll have to wear a Jiu Jitsu rash guard that has at least 30% of your belt color on it.

What’s The Difference Between a Rash Guard and Compression Shirts?

Compression shirts are usually tighter than rash guards. The main difference lies in the material those two are made of. While rash guards have a lot of other purposes except to compress on your body they’re usually made out of higher quality materials than compression shirts.

You’ll see many Jiu-jitsu practitioners wearing compression shirts over rash guards because they’re much cheaper and pretty affordable for anyone’s pocket.

Anyway, if you decide to go for a compression shirt instead of a rash guard make sure you don’t buy a fully cotton one. Make sure it has some spandex and polyester (lycra/elastine in some countries) materials to keep them a bit more durable.

Frequently Asked Questions about rash guards:

Are rash guards necessary for BJJ?

Yes! Rashguards are necessary for BJJ because they provide multiple benefits when you’re training. For example, a rash guard helps keep the skin cozy, while preventing injuries and keeping your muscles soft and fresh while rolling. You can check all the other benefits that we covered in this article about the usefulness of rash guards in Jiu-Jitsu.

What is the best material for a rash guard?

A rash guard is made of mixtures of many synthetic fiber materials. The best combination is the percent of spandex and similar materials for the rash guard to be stretchy in combination with polyester that offers good breathability.

Are rash guards cool?

Yes! There are many cool rashguards on the market. What makes them cool is their design and colors. So, if you feel cool in a rash guard of your choice that means they’re cool right?

What size BJJ rash guard should I get?

The one that fits you the best, and fits you tight. You don’t want a rash guard to be like a t-shirt. Always make sure to check the sizing of the one you’re buying. The reason for that is that most of them are made in Pakistan so the sizes might be different from the ones you’re used to.

Who makes the best rash guards?

If you check our list of the best rashguards right now you’ll notice there are many different rash guard brands at the top of the list. We can single out some such as Hayabusa, Fuji, Tesla, Tatami, etc.

Do rash guards stretch over time?

Rashguards might become a little looser over time, but the high-quality rash guards won’t stretch over time.

Is it OK to wear a rash guard?

Yes! It’s more than OK to wear a rashguard. It’s the main benefit is that is actually the best skin guard in the gym, and also something to protect your teammates who have contact with you.

Best BJJ Foam Rollers – Guide And Reviews For 2021

Best BJJ Foam Rollers

What are the best BJJ foam rollers that you can use? Or, perhaps I should ask if you know why you need to be using one in the first place? Okay, let’s take it back a few steps. IN a few words, foam rollers are training recovery tools that athletes use to speed up the healing of muscle tissue. Since grappling is a highly competitive contact sport even under the friendliest training circumstances, you can see how recovery should be a prerogative for grapplers. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu puts so much stress on the body, that after a competition style opens mat, you probably won’t be able to function for a couple of days. Now imagine having to go through another one of those the day after! That’s where foam rollers can make a difference! 

Foam rollers are first and foremost, a self-massaging tool. Still, athletes have numerous uses for them. You could grab a foam roller to warm up, cool down, work on recovery, or even that some minor injuries. While grabbing a foam roller is nowhere near as detailed as getting an actual message, it is a cheap way for making sure you get them on a daily basis. With recovery as a part of athletic training booming these days, so does the offer of foam rolling tools and equipment. As you’ll see late on, you now have the option to choose whether you want a smooth-surfaced roller, a textured one, or even a self-vibrating one. They all have a role to play but you can’t think of them all as the best BJJ foam rollers for grapplers.

Best BJJ Foam Rollers

The best BJJ foam rollers out there are actually not easy to find. The thing with foam rollers is that they’re quite durable, so people do not change them too often. that means that you can’t really test many of them in bulk. Yet, we managed to get our hands on quite a selection of foam rollers, and looked at each one carefully. We wanted to know which are the best to help grapplers recuperate from training. For that purpose, we looked at shape, size, material, and of course, price. The ones we deem worthy as the best BJJ rollers for grapplers to use in 2021 are listed below:

TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller

The TriggerPoint Foam roller is one of the best rollers on this list, and one I’ve used on many occasions. While I do not own one, there’s one at the academy where I train. If there was ever a foam roller that fits all the needs for grapplers, it must be this one.

Best BJJ Foam RollersThis is basically a hybrid between a smooth and a spiky roller. While it does not have spikes, it features grooves that work much in the same way. The roller has a hollow core, like many others, and is able to withstand up to 500 lbs of weight. It also comes in a few different colors, for those that want looks to go along with the benefits. This roller is a softer one, which means it can double as a warmup tool on top of its recovery properties. The added bonus is that it comes with free instructional videos.


LuxFit BJJ Foam Roller

The LuxFit roller is a compact and smooth foam roller made of polypropylene foam. It comes in a variety of sizes, including 36, 24, 18, and 12 inches. This is one of the firmer foam rollers, offering a really deep massage for high-grade recovery. Yet, if you’re a beginner, you might want to take it slow, as you’re bound to experience some pain due to the hard material.

Best BJJ Foam RollersAn outstanding characteristic of this foam roller is the density. The LuxFit roller has an incredible 2 lbs per cubic foot density. This means that it is extremely hard and can withstand a lot of weight. It also means it provides deep relaxation of any muscle tightness. The LuxFit is also water repellent, which is somewhat of a unique characteristic in foam rollers. Like the TriggerPoint roller, this one comes with a free instructional video as well. Yet, the LuxFit also comes with a three money-back guarantee.


OPTP Soft Density Pro-Roller

If you’re just starting out with foam rolling, this should be the first roller you get. While it is a softer density one and not as high quality as some others, it is certainly one of the best BJJ foam rollers you can have. The material is lower grade PE material, yet one that is germ-resistant and extremely durable.

Best BJJ Foam RollersThe length of this foam roller is 36 inches, making it one of the longer ones. This, along with the fact that it is a smooth surface roller, makes it perfect for day to day use. Moreover, it makes it a great fit for working the whole body in a shorter amount of time. Since it is a soft roller, there won’t be any pain related to working with it, while it will stimulate circulation just a much as harder ones. The foam is cross-linked and of the closed-cell variety, which makes it a very long-lasting piece of equipment. Comes in blue and pink color.


“NextRoller” 3-Speed Vibrating Foam Roller

Time to take a peek at some high-tech options. The NextRoller is a foam roller for the “lazier” grappler. It offers a whole new dimension by including vibrations in its performance. Moreover, there are no less than 3 different speeds of vibration. And, in all honesty, the price is not steep at all.

Best BJJ Foam RollersAs far as the best BJJ foam rollers go, this one is certainly a top contender. Honestly, it was an interesting experience to give it a go, to say the least. This roller combines deep tissue massage and vibration therapy into one. What vibration brings to the table is a shorter recovery time and absolutely no pain whatsoever. This is a smaller sized roller, coming in at 13 inches in length and 6 inches in diameter, but it’s still perfect to do anything unilaterally. There’s a hard plastic handle built in to make manipulation much easier. It works with a rechargeable battery that can last for up to two hours without rest. You also get a one year warranty with every purchase!


RumbleRoller – Textured Muscle Foam Roller

The RumbleRoller is a textured roller that has spikes all along its surface. It is a very durable roller that has a texture of alternating rows of bumps. The reasoning behind such a textured surface is that it provides a much better release since it stretches the muscles in addition to massaging them.

Best BJJ Foam RollersAs far as trigger points go, this foam roller is the solution for them all. It completely relaxes tightness with minimal discomfort, despite the sturdy built. Still, the bumps are quite tough so beginners need to be careful with this. The bumps themselves are very firm yet still flexible with the aim of imitating a massage therapist’s thumbs. The Rumble Roller is a piece of equipment designed to last, and will probably last longer than any other foam roller out there. There’s the added value of a three-year full money-back guarantee with every purchase as well.


321 STRONG Foam Roller

The 321 STRONG foam roller is a medium-density roller that comes in a huge variety of colors. It comes at a “basic” size of 12.75 x 5.25 inches, with a solid core and an ethylene-vinyl material. It has a unique design of interchanging bumps and plates that have the task of mimicking different fingers.

Best BJJ Foam RollersThis foam roller comes with a free E-book full of clear and precise instructions, as well as a carry case for the roller. It is the perfect foam roller for both personal uses at home or at a gym or BJJ academy. The fact that it is a medium-density roller makes it perfect for every occasion. The texture ensures you can get a really deep massage, if you want to, without experiencing the pain related to sturdy rollers. The weight of the roller is just 1lb, making a very portable one as well. All in all, this is probably the number one on our list of best BJJ foam rollers, due to the fact it fits the needs of both beginner and more experienced grapplers.


PowerPro 2-in-1 Foam Rollers

This is the end-all-be-all of the best BJJ foam rollers. It is a great way to cover all your bases by getting two different types of the roller that are easy to use and extremely portable as well. Both rollers are lightweight, yet extremely durable and come with a black carry bag.

Best BJJ Foam RollersThe 2 in 1 foam roller consists of a spikey foam roller that features both bumps and plates, much like the 321 Strong rollers. It is 13 inches long and 6 inches in diameter, with a hollow core. Within this core, there’s a smooth surface roller that has the same length as the textured one. This means you can get all the benefits of both surfaces and cover everything, from a deep tissue massage to a gentle warm-up roll. Two e-Books accompany this bundle, offering all the motions you can do with both of the included rollers.


TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller – Mini

If you’re someone that can’t do without a foam roller and you also have to travel or commute a lot, then this is the best solution for you! The Trigger Pro Mini is a “pocket-sized” foam roller that serves all the purposes a full-sized one does. While it may be challenging to set some movements up at first, you’ll soon realize is just as good as its larger counterparts!

Best BJJ Foam RollersThe Trigger Point Grid Mini is a textured foam roller that is definitely one of the best BJJ foam rollers for grapplers. it is a foam roller you can keep in your BJJ bag or backpack and carry with you to the gym every time you train. It features grooves on one side and bumps on the other, allowing for a lot of variety during rolling. It has a medium-density and comes at 4 x 5.5 inches, but is able to withstand up to 250 lbs of weight. One year warranty and free video instruction are included!


 

IntelliRoll Textured High-Density Foam Roller

This type of roller is somewhat different from all of the roller we explored so far. The IntelliRoll high-density foam roller comes in a very specific shape and size. It is a roller originally designed specially for massage therapists and doctors.

Best BJJ Foam RollersThe INtelliRoll comes at a length of 20 inches and has a distinctive curved shape. It is made of ethylene-vinyl meaning it is going to last incredibly long. The curve is due to the roller’s anatomical design, making it perfect for reaching parts of the body that are hard to massage. This foam roller is particularly useful for releasing the muscles of the back and dealing with grappling – induced back pain. It comes in a black and blue variety and is safe for use with both beginners and advanced, despite the high-density material.


Recovery And Grapplers

Recovery is now a huge thing in combat sports. If I had to guess, I’d say that MMA and all the craze associated with it brought recovery to the forefront after all the strength and conditioning madness. Suddenly, people started using weird looking tools, like these foam pipes with pikes on them, or dens little balls, bands, and a bunch of other things to “recover”. But what exactly is recovery?

In terms of weight training, recovery is the period where the muscles actually grow. While you train with weights, you put stress on the muscles and break their tissue down. When the muscles recover, they grow in order to accommodate the new demands. The cycle then goes on. In terms of grappling, this translates to performance and efficacy of movement instead of size. Still, the training presents as a stressor and recovery is a must if you want to train again at the same or higher pace. And the one factor you have to consider for recovery is time.

For the most part, if you give it enough rest, your muscles will recuperate. But most grapplers do not usually do that. Even recreational grapplers can’t really stay away from the mats for too long. In those cases, active recovery means, the likes of stretching or self-myofascial release enter the frame in a big way. And the best way to ensure full body self-myofascial release is by using a foam roller. To that extent. we’ll take a look at the very best BJJ foam rollers you can get to require with the speed of light!

Foam Rollers For Jiu-Jitsu 

A foam roller is basically pipes of varying lengths and diameters that are covered in a special foam-like material, hence the name. Their role is to help you release tension in your muscles and improve blood flow for faster recovery. For that purpose, there are a few different types of foam roles which you should know about before you decide which are the best BJJ foam rollers for you.

Material wise, foam rollers are usually made of polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl, or polypropylene. Each of these materials offers different qualities to a foam roller. The first is the of the softer variety and least quality but are the cheapest. The second type of foam rollers are sturdier, and most of the foam rollers people use are of this category. Finally, the firmest and highest quality ones are made of expanded polypropylene and are never going to soften, which may be an issue on its own for some people.

Then, there’s the size. While different sizes serve different purposes, you can do almost all with even a travel-sized foam roller. That said, the standard size of a foam roller is about 13 inches in length. This allows you to work all body parts, albeit on one side only. There are foam rollers double that length for simultaneous bilateral work. Diameter-wise, 6 inches are the norm, although smaller people might want lightly smaller ones.

The best BJJ foam rollers can come in both a smooth and spiked variety. Both versions have their use, and it is advisable to have one of each if you truly want to see results.

Man Chokes Out Female Pub Manager with Ezekiel Choke

The incident took place at the Cameo Club in Roath, Cardiff where Ms. Phillips and Mr. Webb both worked at the time.

According to Daily Mail and since the incident Ms. Phillips reports many problems like facial paralysis, anxiety, and depression.

Ms. Phillips
Ms. Phillips

“I can’t smile in photographs. People don’t notice it, but I notice it more than anything. If it’s still like that when I get married, I won’t be able to smile in my wedding photos. Things like that. It’s not nice.”

Cameo Club in Roath
Cameo Club in Roath

In the video below we can see Mr. Web putting Ms. Phillips in an Ezekiel Choke. He simply put her arm around her neck and used his sleeve to reinforce his arm on Ms. Phillips’s neck. That was enough for her to pass out.

https://youtu.be/C_5EkvRCQ94

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Best BJJ Shorts 2021 Review And Guide

Best BJJ Shorts 2019

Compared to about a decade ago, training without the Gi is becoming increasingly popular. Before, usually, people involved in MMA took part in training without the Gi. Now there’s a huge No-gi scene out there, for both training and competitions. Along with the increased interest in No-gi training, specific training apparel is also booming. The trend lately ist wear full-body gear, meaning a rashguard and spats along with shorts. yet, the one item here that features now as much as it did before is BJJ shorts. Can you train BJJ in just spats? Certainly. Is it pleasant for your training partners? certainly not. Plus, training with BJJ shorts on is just more comfortable. So, when it comes to choosing a pair or two for you, make sure you know what the best BJJ shorts in 2021 are! 

BJJ shorts come in all shapes and sizes nowadays and are probably the most versatile piece of equipment you might own. While their primary use is clear – grapple with them, you can use them in a multitude of other ways as well. For example, they’re great to wear as you’re training strength and conditioning. For MMA training or competition, they’ll also more than do the trick. You could even use them as swimming trunks, should the occasion arise. I actually do on a regular basis. You might even use them as leisurewear if you do not find the lack of pockets annoying.  So you might want to make sure that you have the best BJJ shorts that you can get.

The Best BJJ Shorts For the 2021 Season

Time to see what the best BJJ shorts options are out there! The selection below is one based on multiple criteria and taking into account the needs of grapplers in 2021! We guarantee you can’t go wrong with any of these, but still, personal preference is the deciding factor. All of the BJJ shorts featured below fit the criteria and need a grappler might have for training and competition. Plus they’re all very affordable, especially when you get them through the special deals we offer!


Bad Boy Men’s Legacy BJJ Shorts

Kicking things off are a pair from a brand that is among the best in the world ar making combat sports shorts. Bad Boy is a leading force in the world of MMA and No-Gi grappling equipment, with their shorts standing out. So far a lot of their shorts turned out to be a success, but none can surpass these. The Bad Boy “Legacy” shorts are the best BJJ shorts you can get!

Best BJJ Shorts 2019These shorts feature a classic velcro plus drawstring closing mechanism at the waist. They’re extremely comfortable to wear and fit tightly around the waist. The material is a very unique one –  charcoaled bamboo fibers. This allows the shorts to act as a heat retainer, making sure your muscles do not cool too much. Four-dimensional stretch material is also a feature, meaning they can stretch to provide a lot of freedom of movement. They come in plenty of sizes and have a really cool-looking design that’s sublimated, so no chance of washing it off in the machine.


Venum Camo Hero BJJ Shorts

One of the most recognizable BJJ and MMA brands out there. When it comes to all things BJJ, you can turn to Venum for quality material in both the Gi and No-gi department. With shorts, you have a lot of series out there, but the only one makes our list of the best BJJ shorts in 2021. The Venum Camo Hero Shorts are certainly ting of beauty!

Best BJJ Shorts 2019First of all, the design is unique and really catches the eye. The camo graphics combine with the logo of the brand in a very unique way. These shorts are made of polyester micro fabric that ensures they’ll last for years to come. An extremely useful feature is the long slit along the side, allowing for unimpeded lateral movement. They come in all the usual sizes, from extra small to extra large. There’s an innovative 3 point closure system that ensures the shorts will stay in place even though the most chaotic scrambles.


Clinch Gear Performance Shorts

The candidate for the best looking BJJ shorts, the Clinch Gear Performance shorts are truly an all-around product. There’s hardly a physical activity that you can’t use them for. IN terms of grappling, they offer security, comfort and are the most flexible pair on our list of best BJJ shorts for 2021.

Best BJJ Shorts 2019The one thing that stands out with these shorts is the material. It is a military-grade material, that has no chance of tearing or breaking down. The design is also awesome, with printing completely resistant to wear and tear due to use or washing. These shorts feature 360-degree side flex panels and have moisture-wicking properties. Extremely comfortable and lightweight to wear. At the waist, a hook and loop closure system are there to keep things tight and safe.


RVCA Men’s Grappler Shorts

RVCA is among the leading brands that make the highest quality MMA and grappling equipment. The Grapplers Shorts are their finest accomplishment to date! These are not just the best BJJ shorts, but also the best shorts for anything! Yeah, they even feature an inner pocket, meaning they can easily double as leisurewear when needed. A multitude of sizes and corols available plus a really minimalistic and aesthetic design.

Best BJJ Shorts 2019The material of the RVCA Grappler Shorts is 90% polyester and 10% spandex. This is the perfect ratio to make these shorts both extremely durable and as flexible as possible. The material is highly breathable and is moisture-wicking as well. As far as comfort goes, these are among the most comfortable pair of shorts you’ll lever wear in grappling. They feature a velcro and string closure system, the most common and secure one in BJJ shorts.


 

Hayabusa Metaru Jiu-Jitsu Shorts

Hayabusa is the manufacturer of the best BJJ shorts, period. At least in my experience. I confess to being partially biased towards Hayabusa BJJ shorts, but it is based on years of grappling experience! Simply put, if you want a solid pair of shorts, there’s not one Hayabusa product that is going to disappoint you. Still, even among them, some are better than others, and we are looking for the very best here! aren’t we?

Best BJJ Shorts 2019The Hayabusa Metaru BJJ shorts have a huge distinctive advantage over others – they are approved by the IBJJF. So, if you are into the No-Gi competition under any rules, this pair is all you need. On top of it, they come ranked, so you can choose the color according to your belt level. The shorts have the usual stretch panels, making them comfortable and durable They also have a state-of-the-art hardware-free waistband, that keeps the shorts securely in place without the need for drawstrings or velcro. Maximal durability and breathability guaranteed!


RDX BJJ Shorts

RDX are among the most reliable MMA brands out there. While they’re geared mostly toward’s MMA, that doesn’t mean they do not make a mean pair of BJJ shorts. The RDX latest series is a strong candidate for the title offset BJJ shorts in 2021. Their biggest advantage over all the other shorts on this list is price. The RDX shorts come at a great value, by offering high-quality performance shorts for a fraction of the usual price.

Best BJJ Shorts 2019The RDX MMA Shorts have an ergonomic design. They feature the mandatory side slits that make movement easier. They’re also 100% resistant to microbes, fungi, and odor retention. The stitching is very high quality and is part of the latest technologies. As far as durability goes, reinforced stitching guarantees long life even under the harshest conditions. The shorts come in a variety of sizes and multiple color options.


2XU Men’s Elite Compression Shorts

Let’s spice things up with a pair of compression type shorts. So far, we saw board type and hybrids, so it’s time to get one of these introduced into the mix. The main benefits these shorts offer are faster recovery and a lot less soreness. You might even wear them under a pair of board shorts for maximum results.

Best BJJ Shorts 2019The 2UX Elite Compression Shorts feature nylon, lycra, and elastane, with nylon represented at about 80 %. This ensures they’re both extremely flexible and can get back into shape immediately. They also feature MSC technology (Muscle Containment Stamping). What this means is that these BJJ shorts compress the thigh muscles in order to make them work more efficiently, They also help with muscle recovery. They have an extremely lightweight feel to them and come in a variety of sizes and colors.


Anatomy Of BJJ Shorts

If you think you can train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in shorts meat for kickboxing or just regular trunks, you’re in error. BJJ shorts are actually built in a very specific manner to ensure you get the most mobility for grappling. They’re also made out of specific material, strategically reinforced to guarantee they won’t tear from the stress during rolling or competing. Before you go on to choose the best BJJ shorts for you, you need to understand what a pair of them looks like.

First of all, BJJ shorts need to be the right length. This doesn’t always have a lot to do with size. If the shorts that fit you at the waist and every other department are too long, they’re a bad fit. Too long, in this case, means going past your knees. This only impedes movement and is going to get you stuck often while rolling.

Next up you have the side cuts. The best BJJ shorts have cuts on the sides of the tighs, making sure the shots do not interfere with the lateral movement of the legs. This is key in grappling, as it is extremely easy to get stuck in a regular pair of shorts. Or, even worse, get injured.

Then, there’s the issue of the locking mechanism. While most BJJ shorts, even some of the best, include the usual drawstring + velcro locking mechanism, there are some examples out there that move past this. This ensures that there’s absolutely nothing that makes rolling uncomfortable, even when you’re putting a lot of pressure on certain points of your body.

Shopping For BJJ Shorts 

Before we offer all the suggestions for the best BJJ shorts let’s get into shopping criteria for a while. After all, you need to know what it is you’re looking for right? Especially if you’re someone who has no experience in No-Gi grappling equipment. Today’s focus is going to be on shorts size, material,  and type, before everything else.

In terms of size, you’ll need to be careful with size charts. Every brand out there has its own variations of common sizes, so make sure you always consult the charts. Some even have categories that are right in between common sizes, offering enough variety to satisfy everyone. As a rule of thumb, always go for a smaller size or cut off shorts. If you’re in between sizes, the smaller one will do. This makes sure nothing is going to impede movement or get tangled as you roll. After all, comfort is key when selecting BJJ shorts you’ll wear on multiple occasions.

Materials are obviously key when you’re shopping for BJJ shorts. There’s no point in buying a pair that’s not going to last long. material translates directly to quality, and you want the best bang for your buck. What you’re looking for is material that’s durable and sturdy, yet stretches enough to accommodate a wide range of movements. You also want to be reinforced stitching along areas that are known to give way.

Finally, you have a few types of shorts to choose from. There are your basic board shorts which feature a velcro and drawstring lock mechanism and have cuts on the sides. Next up are Vale Tudo shorts, which are a type of compression wear. Today, you also have a hybrid type joining the best features that the two types have to offer.

Ninjutsu Master Develops System Using Kicks Against Grapplers

Ninjutsu Master Develops System Using Kicks Against Grapplers

Yossi Sheriff, the AKBAN Academy headmaster, explains how to use kicks in combination with grappling and throws.

While there was a lot of “anti BJJ”, “anti-grappling” or even “anti-Gracie” systems in the past this one is something new.

Anyway, check the video below and tell us what you think about Yossi’s system? Are his leg kicks any real threat or?

 

Jiu-Jitsu Rolls: Training With The Opposite Sex

Jiu-Jitsu Rolls With Opposite Sex

There are no two Jiu-Jitsu rolls that are the same. Even if you do two rolls in a row with the same person, they’re going to be significantly different. And, rolling with other people only increases variability. This is exactly why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is such a fun martial art to train. Your everyday academy has people of all sizes, physical attributes, levels, and genders. This means that every moment of every BJJ roll brings something different. The widely accepted premise is that you should train with as many people as possible when rolling in Jiu-Jitsu. And yes that includes rolling with the opposite sex as well. 

Rolling with the opposite sex is somewhat of a tricky subject in BJJ. While a lot, or better said, most people do not see this as an issue, there are still those that tend to avoid such situations. And, don’t get me wrong, there’s no gender in particular that creates these situations. There are representatives of both genders that make things difficult for the rest, whether it is because they avoid the opposite sex during Jiu-JItsu rolls, or because they’re acting disrespectfully. To be honest, it shouldn’t even be a subject that merits thought, yet it is somewhat of an issue in our sport. So today, we’ll look at both sides of the story, so that Jiu-Jitsu rolls can be free of such unneeded turbulence.

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“Pure Jiu-Jitsu” by Luis Heredia is a DVD set that tackles all the major positions in BJJ ideal for both male and female grapplers. There’s no stronger sex if you know what professor Heredia has to say in his video instructional. Learn how to counterattack even from the worst positions with the help of “Pure Jiu-Jitsu”!

Jiu-Jitsu Rolls: Men With Women

iu-Jitsu RollsLet’s start first at what seems to be the favorite subject today. I get it that gender equality is a given in modern society, as it should be. However, there’s no need for radical behavior during Jiu-Jitsu rolls. This stands true for both genders. During training, there has to be respect between training partners, regardless of gender. And yes, this goes to both genders, but it’s the males in particular that tend to forget themselves more often as it seems. It is easy, and a basic premise of BJJ – respect those that give you their bodies to learn something extraordinary. I think there’s no need to point out the most obvious way of remaining a gentleman while you’re trying to strangle a female training partner.

Next up is intensity. While nobody likes Jiu-Jitsu rolls that mimic world championship matches, with ladies, this takes on a whole new meaning. Yes, any male can smash or outmuscle and female during Jiu-Jitsu rolls. As far as missing the point of grappling goes, this is as bad as it gets. Lower the intensity, unless you’re in agreement with your female training partner that you should go all out. Even then, try to focus more on the technical aspects of pressure rather than brute force. It’ll benefit both of you.

Oh and one last ego check for the guys. When a girl has a higher rank than you, there’s no shame in getting destroyed. Leave your ego at the door, just like you should do when you’re rolling with male partners. There’s no point in trying to rag doll a female training partner as a response to here submitting you. Dust off, learn the lesson and move on.

Jiu-Jitsu Rolls: Women With Men

Ladies, you’re not going to get away without some talking to either. When you decide to go for Jiu-Jitsu rolls with everyone at an academy, you should be completely ready for what’s coming. While guys should look out for intensity unless otherwise specified, you need to understand that a lot can happen during a roll. Accidental hand or leg placements, for example, shouldn’t be immediately classified as bad intentions. It is a contact sport and even the most careful of male training partners can grip somewhere that’s “inappropriate” during a scramble. Let it go, as long as it is not something that’s done intentionally, which tends to be obvious.

Also, be ready for all the bumps and bruises that rolling inevitably brings. Plus, make sure you choose a good hairstyle for training, or you’re going to have a lot of frustration with your hair. Do not hold it against your male training partners when your hairs tangle up in their grip during a roll. Again, as long as nothing is intentional.

Form another perspective, it is also good to be smart about your rolling partners. Choosing the 250 lbs white belt when you’re a 110 blue belt might backfire. Make sure that you choose partners where you can use leverage to your advantage. That doesn’t mean rolling with lightweights only, but make sure your partners fit your technical abilities and goals. Especially if you’re a competitor. Fast moving, higher ranked grapplers that are not ultra heavyweights are your best options. At least for rolling on a regular basis. Every now and again, enjoy some giant slaying if you’re feeling like it.

The Issue Of Boundaries

There is one more aspect of rolling we need to consider here. The reality of Jiu-Jitsu rolls is that they’re messy affairs which bring two people in very close contact, not to mention all teh awkward and uncomfortable positions. You wouldn’t react to the North-South position in a sexual context with the same gender, so why would you act differently with the opposite sex? Just keep it simple and roll respectfully with everyone.

iu-Jitsu Rolls Opposite SexThat said, contact between opposite sexes often results in attraction. When this is mutual, dating is often a result. While dating within a BJJ academy is a topic for another day, we need to address it here as well. If you’re about to ask someone out, make sure you do it outside the academy, and most importantly, off the mats. Jiu-Jitsu rolls are about learning and testing yourself, not about making moves on someone you’re flirting with. Again, this holds true for both genders.

Finally, the one man you have to turn two, for any gender-related issue is your instructor. Whether they’re male or female, they need to be the person that’s in control of any situation. Anything form friendly advice to the resolution of a potentially volatile situation.  And when an instructor is the one acting inappropriately, other school instructors and/or professors need to be brought into the situation.

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Best BJJ Strength And Conditioning Resources in 2021

Best BJJ Strength And Conditioning Resources 2018

Ah, the strength and conditioning puzzle again. This seems to be the Holy Grail of not just BJJ but martial arts in general. From Wrestlers to MMA fighters, everyone is on a quest to discover the absolute best way of getting and staying into fighting shape. The answer so far seemed to elude everyone, and the reason for that is easy – they were approaching the search wrong. The thing with grappling conditioning is that it is such a complicated subject, there’s o way to approach it only from one direction. Instead, you need multiple top options that come together into one absolute Best BJJ Strength And Conditioning system. 

It seems that we finally found a solution for the conditioning conundrum that grapplers face on a daily basis. With so many programs available out there, there’s no way for you to know what actually works. And, chances are you’ll end up broke before you run across the resources that can actually help you become better on the mats. Well, we took it upon ourselves to scour the internet and use all our past experiences as a guide to get you the best BJJ strength and conditioning resources that you can use. You’ll notice that we didn’t focus on just one aspect since there’s no one way of getting into shape for BJJ.

However, if you acquire the best possible resources from multiple areas, you’ll definitely be able to excel. What’s even better we offer both ready-made templates that are proven to work, as well as principles to allow you to build a program of your own!

BJJ Strength And Conditioning – Solving The Enigma

The very first question we have to answer when it comes to BJJ strength and conditioning is the goal. What’s the reason you’re looking into strength and conditioning? There’s almost no chance that you need immediate improvements in every possible department. The cold hard truth is that even in the off-case that you do, you can’t achieve them simultaneously. This, in turn, means you can’t be at the top of every athletic quality at all times, as you’ll have to sacrifice one slightly in order to hit a maximal level on another. Let’s see an example.

You’re about four months away from a BJJ tournament. That translates loosely to around 16 weeks. During that time your goal is to improve your strength, explosiveness, and conditioning, along with the inevitable technical training. Plus you want to maintain a high degree of flexibility and limberness. So, you go about doing it all. You begin your training with an explosive movement, transition into a few strength exercises, and finish with a cardio blast. While this kind of programming is ok, it is not something you want to use unless you’re just trying to maintain qualities you’ve already peaked.

The thing with training everything together is that nothing really gets much of an improvement. At the end of 16 weeks, you’ll have marginal improvements in all fields, at best. There’s a different approach to things, though, one that actually brings results. All you need to do is identify your main weakness and focus on improving that. Only in the last weeks of camp can you introduce other variables to improve things that do not take a lot of time, like conditioning, for example.

Best BJJ Strength And Conditioning Resources:

In order to make sure you’re actually giving your body the chance to improve in a certain field, you need the best resources. So, with this in mind, we decided to make a list of what we consider are the Best BJJ Strength And Conditioning Resources available. One notice though. If you’re expecting to get into a world-class grappling shape by only doing a follow-along workout at home, you’re in the wrong spot. Your best bet is to go to a state-of-the-art facility and hire a professional strength coach (which is expensive). Your next best option is to learn what you need to do and tailor a plan according to those needs.

The best resources that are going to guide you are those that focus on principles and concepts of training. However, we did not only focus on that, as we know that not everyone likes to spend time learning. So we include the truly best BJJ strength and conditioning resources – those that contain principles as well as complete templates and programs. What we recommend is that you take the time to go through the material and use the suggested programs as guidelines for achieving your goal.


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Triphasic Training - Cal Dietz

Triphasic Training – Cal Dietz

When you’re looking to improve your BJJ strength and conditioning, the first thing you absolutely need to focus on is strength. The stronger you are, the better you’ll fare in grappling. Leave aside the romantic notion that BJ Jis all about leverage and technique. Whoever has the strength factor also has increased chances of victory. Especially when the levels of the technique are similar.

Cal Dietz hacked strength training for athletes through his exploits with football players. Instead of making his athletes powerlifters, he opted for a smarter approach. He dissected what athletes need and got to an innovative conclusion. He saw that athleticism is more than just the ability to lift heavy objects. it is also the ability to keep them at a certain position, and also be able to lower them. Furthermore, he found out that you need to be able to execute motions with them that are not always explosive.

The triphasic method is actually really simple. You focus on all parts of a lift for certain periods of time. For example, the first part of the program has you doing the concentric portion of a full-body lift. Next up, you’ll look to become proficient at the isometric portion, before you move on to the eccentric motion. Diet also has different tempos for all methods, meaning you develop not only overall strength, but also explosiveness.

And, for all of you looking for a complete template, he includes a year-long scheme, complete with a few peaking phases.


Ultimate MMA Conditioning – Joel Jamison

Right after our first choice for the best BJJ strength and conditioning resource, we go straight into another aspect of training. While “Triphasic Training” was all about developing strength and power, “Ultimate MMA Conditioning” is what’ll make you tireless on the mats. The man behind the method is Joel Jamison, whose pedigree is more than adequate. All it takes is to point out that he is the coach of the one UFC fighter we’ve never seen tired – Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

Joel’s approach is a very scientific one. The book is really easy to read and understand. First, he goes over the tree energy systems, making everything abundantly clear. Next, he offers training methodologies that focus on improving each of them in particular. And, in the end, he offers integral advice on how to design a full camp where you focus on one quality while maintaining the others.

If you want a NIck Diaz-like gas tank then you won’t need to search further than this resource. Joel has everything broken down into 8 week periods or camps. Furthermore, he has a clear hierarchy of which energy system you should focus on first, second, and last. In short, if you dedicate 3-4 months to this, your conditioning is going to be right up there with the best of them.


The Encyclopedia of Underground Strength and Conditioning – Zach Even-Esh

This book is truly an encyclopedia. Zach Even-Esh is one of the most knowledgeable people in the field of grappling strength and conditioning. In fact, since grapplers are his bread and butter, he might be the one person that’s above everyone else. Granted, he mostly works with wrestlers, but that translates to all grappling martial arts. This book is an absolute must, as it outlines everything you need to know about strength and conditioning for combat sports.

Zach is a former bodybuilder, turned athlete, and strength coach. He lived his whole life in the domain of strength training and has used his body in order to experiment and learn everything he knows now. His methods might seem unusual, but they’re by far the most effective. Actually, a Zach Even-Esh program might even remind you of CrossFit. Make no mistake, however, everything is pre-planned, programmed, and under control from start to finish.

To put it short, Zach likes to mix in strongman training, powerlifting, and calisthenics. He is also a fan of interval training and gymnastics so expect a mix of everything. However, what you’ll see in this mix are clear progressions, modifications to fit anyone, and a whole lot of training principles that’ll last you a lifetime! It’s really an encyclopedia of the best BJJ strength and conditioning methods in existence!


Training For Warriors – Martin Rooney

Rooney is one of the old-school strength coaches. However, when I say old-school I do not mean he is a stubborn meathead. On the contrary, he is a cerebral guy who has been in the game arguably longer than any of the other authors on this list. His exploits date back to early UFC and Pride days, getting combat athletes in shape all across the world. Rooney is most certainly one of the best BJJ strength and conditioning coaches of all times.

This resource is a highly informative one. While there are principles and concepts, Rooney keeps things short and sweet., Instead, he focuses more on exercise explanation. Furthermore, he teaches you what kind of activities best fit your goals and/or certain body parts. Plus he has a system of exercises that are the best for specific martial arts. That includes even different grappling martial arts like BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, and Sambo.

On top of everything, he offers a few 16 weeks long complete camps at the end of his book. IN them he focuses on the strategic development of strength and power. If you read “Triphasic Training” and the “Underground Encyclopedia” you won’t see a lot of new things here. However, in the conditioning department, especially from a programming aspect you’ll hit the jackpot. The Hurricane training methodology is Rooney’s brainchild and is the method behind the success of unstoppable fighters like Frankie Edgar. Once you give Hurricane Training a try you’ll both hate and love this book and its author.


Jits-Fit – Daniel Fredell

Finally, a book that is there to satisfy even the busiest of grapplers. If you think you don’t have time to go over everything Cal Dietz, Zach Even-Esh, and Joel Jamison have to say, then Daniel Fredell’s work is for you. Daniel is a coach that cuts straight to the point. In his “Jits-Fit” book, he offers precise advice on designing a foolproof strength and conditioning program for Jiu-Jitsu.

Daniel completely understands the needs of the Jiu-Jitsu athlete and has a complete system to address them. His system focuses on developing strength and agility in motions that are very specific to BJJ. The key thing is that Daniel goes over why you need the exercises he suggests. He focuses less on how to execute certain moves than on explaining how they benefit grapplers in particular. His system is tailor-made for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The book includes a complete program that takes you through everything you need to know. It includes warm-ups, lifting exercises, how to condition yourself, all the way to cooldowns. Daniel even goes to offer the most important supplements for grapplers. He even goes as far as offering a few different workout programs to fit different kinds of grapplers.


Mike Perry Kettlebells for BJJ

Kettlebell Training With Mike Perry


Putting Everything Together

So, now that you have the absolute best BJJ strength and conditioning resources, how do you put everything together? It’s easy. The one quality that requires the most time to develop is strength. So your best bet is to start with strength only using Even-Esh and Cal Dietz’s work. Since power is an ability that you can develop along with strength, their methods are the absolute best when it comes to getting the most out of your training.

Only when you have a good level of strength (which is going to take time, so plan ahead, can you focus on conditioning. Nobody can beat Joel Jamison and his principles in this department. Finally, the stuff that Martin Rooney and Daniel Fredell write about is only going to help you round things offer and give you different camp options for different competitions. All in all, get all five of our best BJJ strength and conditioning resources and you’ll be set for life!

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Old School BJJ vs. Modern Jiu-Jitsu – Which Do You Prefer?

Modern Jiu-Jitsu vs Old School BJJ

If you take a broad look at the state of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you’ll notice two main streams of BJJ. I’m not talking about specific techniques or the periods of fame certain concepts have. It is not as much about style as it is about the orientation and principles of competitive grapplers. The two streams I’m referring to are the old school BJJ guys and those that like the modern Jiu-Jitsu game. Both have a lot to offer but are quite different from one another. Even though there’s not a real out-and-out rivalry, both these streams are opposed to each other. Each has its own die-hard fans, but as the landscape of Jiu-Jitsu is slowly changing, this is becoming more and more insignificant. What’s important is recognizing the values of both, and how they can improve your own game. . 

The reason why these two schools of thought are so different has to do with time above everything. Old school BJJ developed as the result of certain influences that were popular at the time. It fit the requirements of the martial arts scene from a century ago. This included a lot more real-world applications in addition to competing. Modern Jiu-Jitsu, on the other hand, is all about competition. Whether it is MMA or pure grappling, the majority of modern innovation has a specific sports application.

Chris Haueter is as old school as you can get. His brand of Jiu-Jitsu can rival any modern style of any young gun competitor. Now, you also have the chance of learning effective and tested Jiu-Jitsu. “Old School Efficient BJJ” is a Chris Haueter DVD set that is going to make you a grappling machine. Everything you need to know, from crushing pressure to old school submission hints is laid out in this instructional.

The Case For Old School BJJ 

As you probably know, old school BJJ is all about the basics. Let’s make something clear when we’re referring to old school BJJ we do not mean the early efforts of Helio and Carlos Gracie. It is actually the second generation o Gracies, featuring the likes of Rickson, Royce, Ryan, and others that put everything into context. There’s also Roger, the king of the basics, that still makes this brand of Jiu-Jitsu exciting today.

Remove term: Old School BJJ vs. Modern Jiu-Jitsu Old School BJJ vs. Modern Jiu-JitsuThe original intention of JIu-Jitsu was for it to be an effective martial art. Unlike modern Jiu-Jitsu which is competitive but only under given circumstances, old school BJJ worked everywhere. It actually included striking and distance management all based on extensive groundwork, which was unheard of at the time. This old school BJJ style worked perfectly for Vale Tudo, gym storming challenges or even street fighting. As such, the lessons it learned while evolving are priceless.

From a more sports perspective, there’s one thing you cant skip over in Jiu-Jitsu – pressure. Old school or modern, there’s no high-level BJJ unless you know how to use pressure. And, in the old days, it was all about smashing with pressure from all imaginable positions. the goal was to always end up on top, where pressure is going to be the game-changer that leads to submissions. It’s still the case today.

And then, there’s the self-defense aspect. Although many see BJJ as a sport nowadays, back, in the beginning, it was all about being able to defend yourself. Only a handful of truly old school academies focus on this today. As such this is a key trait of Jiu-Jitsu that we all need to incorporate into our style.

The Modern Jiu-Jitsu Perspective

Let’s now take a look at the opposite side of the spectrum. Modern Jiu-Jitsu obviously has different goals to old school BJJ. One of the direction modern BJJ is moving in, seems to be complexity. Complex positions and techniques are the norms nowadays, and even lower belts get tangled up in them. From the Berimbolo, through funky lapel guards, all the way to Danaher’s Ph.D. level instructionals, Jiu-Jitsu is evolving into a complicated way to manipulate people’s bodies.

However, this way of looking at grappling is exactly what makes modern Jiu-Jitsu so effective. All the research into specific positions and techniques means the level of technical knowledge is extremely high. While Old school BJJ was technical, the way we perceive Jiu-Jitsu now is completely different. Attention to detail is as high as it can be, and simple unnoticeable movements might make or break a technique. Once again, it’s complicated but it is undoubtedly effective. Whether it is more effective than the old style of BJJ remains to be seen.

Remove term: Old School BJJ vs. Modern Jiu-Jitsu Old School BJJ vs. Modern Jiu-JitsuFinally, there’s the sports aspect. While old school BJJ was competitive, it was all about challenges, Vale Tudo and eventually, MMA. However, modern BJJ has plenty of platforms of its own. Gi competition, No-Gi competition, submission only, even combat Jiu-Jitsu. All these modern Jiu-Jitsu aspects mean that BJJ has grown into a full-blown sport. There are even opportunities to be a professional grappler nowadays, which is something that is very specific to modern-day Jiu-Jitsu.

Finding Balance For Success

The easy thing to say is that you need to combine modern Jiu-Jitsu with old school BJJ. However, doing this, in reality, is a bit harder. it depends a lot on who you are, and what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, you need a clear definition of what your BJJ goals are before you start looking into building the most effective style. define your goal

The first thing to do is to install a filter. You need to know which of the things that you learn are useful to your game and which aren’t. On top of it, you need to know where you can improve one aspect of BJJ, modern or old school, by introducing things from the other. The best way to achieve this is to experiment a lot and have someone that understands both styles to guide you.

There’s no need to engage in one style of Jiu-Jitsu and completely abandon the other. Old school BJJ has some qualities that transcend the boundaries of time. Modern Jiu-Jitsu, on the other hand, offers something old school guys never had – a deeper understanding of the art. Make sure you follow Bruce Lee’s advice and focus on what works for you. furthermore, learn what works for you from all available grappling sources, which do not necessarily start or end with BJJ.

Recycling Old School BJJ Moves To Make Modern BJJ More Effective

Chris Haueter DVD Review – Old School Efficient BJJ

Old School BJJ Submissions – The Straight Armlock

https://bjj-world.com/best-bjj-books/

BJJ Tips: How Much Sleep Do Grapplers Need?

BJJ Tips; Sleep for recovery

Roll, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. This is one of the most usual BJJ mantras across the globe. However, people usually only focus on the first, and perhaps on the second part of it. The part that doesn’t get nearly enough attention is sleep. Out of all the BJJ tips for grapplers, it seems that sleep shouldn’t really rank high on the list. However, if you see the usual sleeping habits of most grapplers, or better said, lack of them, you can understand why we need to address this subject. Time to see how we can optimize sleeping for BJJ recovery and ultimately, a better Jiu-Jitsu game. 

Until a while ago, most combat sport related to strength and conditioning was all about training. Lifting weights, roadwork, sprints, CrossFit, and the likes reigned supreme. Lately, people started looking more into recovery with things like mobility work, foam rolling, and even movement training. In this context of recovery, though, the one aspect that most still take for granted is sleep. It seems pretty obvious, get as much sleep as you can, but things are rarely as simple as that. That’s before even mentioning how difficult it can be to get in more than a few hours of sleep with this modern lifestyle. And, lack of sleep is something that greatly impacts your Jiu-Jitsu training, both physically and mentally. So, how do you know how much sleep you need? Le’s look into it.

George Lockhart is one of the people involved in combat sports that has a mission to make athletes bodies work flawlessly. He handles weight cuts, nutrition, recovery and even has integral advice on sleep and sleeping patterns. It is all in his “Nutrition And Weight Management” bundle that includes 3 DVDs and a big E-book.

Why You Need Sleep

There are plenty of aspects from which sleep can benefit a grappler. Some are pretty obvious, as they pertain to health and wellbeing in general and you don’t need BJJ tips in order to be aware of them. Some, on the other hand, is all about athletic potential and performance. As asleep becomes the focus of recovery programs, more and more research is done into why we need it. So far indications are numerous.

BJJ Tips Sleep Some of the athletic benefits that a good night’s sleep brings are increased reaction time, more accuracy and precision in athletic movement, improved speed, and similar. It also helps improve the rate of your metabolism. On top of it all, there’s the mental component. We all know how sluggish we tend to be if we’re tired and we lack sleep. And that’s from just one or two days of lack of sleep. Imagine what chronic undersleeping does to your mind and body.

There’s also a different angle to sleep and why it is so important. Our hormonal systems, for the most part, work on a circadian rhythm. that means they need us to be awake and asleep during a certain amount of time, i.e. 24 hours. This is especially true for testosterone, which is integral to hard training. Sleep also heavily affects our immune systems, making us susceptible to colds or gym infections. In fact, your immune system can completely shut down from lack of sleep.

How Much Sleep Is Enough?

So, how much sleep do grapplers exactly need in order to optimize their performance? How about the minimum amount that is required to keep us functioning in a healthy way? The thing with sleep is that it is a very individual thing. Not all individuals need the same amount in order to have the same benefits. Which is where things can get complicated.

Since we can’t offer a pattern of sleep that’ll fit everyone’s needs, we’ll go over some BJJ tips for sleep length in general. The minimum time you should spend sleeping should be no less than 4 hours. And even this is far from optimal and mustn’t be a regular thing. you could get away with one or two nights per week, but it is not recommendable. As you get older, you’ll feel the stress of it more and more.

With just 4 hours of sleep, you might fulfill the norm for barely staying functional, but not for training. As far as BJJ tips go, you need to aim for the golden period of 8 hours if you want to grapple at a high intensity. ANd this means 8 hours of uninterrupted, sound sleep. During this time, you’ll go through enough repetitions of the sleep cycle to gain all the benefits. Yes, it may be hard to squeeze this in a regular working day, but if you truly want to be a machine on the mats there’s simply no way around it.

BJJ Tips: Optimizing Sleep For Grapplers

Making sure you’re getting enough uninterrupted sleep is paramount for grapplers. There are different strategies though, to get what you need every night. This is where the individual factor comes into play a lot. It is also where you can use a few tricks to make sure you get all the benefits without the full 8 hours of sleep.

BJJ Tips How Much Sleep One of the best BJJ tips is to make sure you give to sleep in the best environment possible. Especially if you can only get in 6 hours or so. that means that you need to be in a room that’s as dark as humanly possible. Absolutely no electronics, and especially screen should be anywhere near you. Furthermore, you need to make sure you have enough quiet. And, of course, pay attention to the bed you’re sleeping in. The mattress should be on the harder side, and you have to make sure the pillow offers the proper spinal support you need for uninterrupted sleep.

Finally, real lifesavers are naps. While you can’t really make up for lack of sleep with napping, you can certainly boost your body and mind. Take either a few 10-20 minute naps or one half an hour or so long during the day. Creating a regular sleep pattern that you can adhere to is one of the best BJJ tips we can give you on recovery.

BJJ Ezekiel Choke: A Powerful Arm-In Variation

Arm-In BJJ Ezekiel Choke

The BJJ Ezekiel Choke is not a technique that many grapplers like to set up carefully and intentionally. Instead, it is a choke most people use to either make an opponent commit a mistake in order to pass or as a blitz attacking option. Still, this choke is a very potent weapon in any format of combat sports, and in particular, grappling martial arts. The BJJ Ezekiel Choke works in its classic setup with the Gi, works without the gi, and has a number of variations that make it truly remarkable. In fact, Ezekiel Chokes constitute a mini system of their own. Today, we’ll be dissecting the arm-in Ezekiel, arguably the most useful and secure variation of the choke. 

People are slowly becoming wiser to the BJJ Ezekiel Choke and its potential lately. One man responsible for this is UFC fighter Aleksei Oleinik, who pulled the Ezekiel choke from the bottom of the mount. So, if it works in the Octagon, from one of the most inferior positions possible, it’ll certainly work on the Jiu-Jitsu mats. However, our focus today is on a variation of the Ezekiel that is pretty much universal. In that sense, it works both with and without the Gi and is available from pretty much every position you can find yourself in. The Arm-In Ezekiel is the ultimate weapon to make sure you get a submission, regardless if it’s your first choice or just a follow-up.

Alexandre Vieira: Loop Choke & Crucifix
Techniques List

Extend your arsenal of sneaky moves that people won’t see coming with a great video instructional. Alexandre Vieira has the black box of secrets for incredible loop chokes and crucifix attacks. Check out his “Crucifix And Loop Chokes” DVD set for detailed instructions! 

The Classic BJJ Ezekiel Choke

The classic BJJ Ezekiel choke is a real nasty piece of technique. This move developed as a result of the efforts of a certain Judoka by the name of Ezequiel Paraguassu. While preparing for the Olympics he decides to throw in some BJJ training in the mix and chose Carlson Gracie’s to do so. What we today know as the BJJ Ezekiel choke came purely by accident when Paraguassu was stuck in the closed guard. His instinctive reaction guided him to the old judo choke called Sode Guruma Jime which is the forefather of the modern Ezekiel choke.

The original Ezekiel Choke is nothing fancy and pretty. It is a direct, simple choke that results in both a sensation of choking as well as immense pain. Since it turned out the move could choke someone while they were in guard, Carlson decided to look into it. After a lot of experimentation, the result was a move that later branched out into plenty of variations of its own. Do not kid yourself thinking you can successfully pull off an Ezekiel Choke that’s going to be a pure blood choke. The cold hard and painful truth is that this is mostly an air choke, which can double as a blood choke under certain circumstances.

From the mount position, the BJJ Ezekiel Choke is really easy to get. Most people already have an arm under the head of an opponent, which means there’s no need to do complex setups. All it takes is to put the four fingers of the arm that’s under the head deep inside the sleeve of your other arm. The hand of this second arm then goes as deep across the neck as possible. Finishing is almost effortless, whether you keep a blade hand or make a fist.

The Arm-In BJJ Ezekiel Choke

Since the preference in BJJ, especially modern detail-based Jiu-Jitsu is a clean and effective technique based on leverage, the Ezekiel Choke is considered a crude weapon. So normally, the choke evolved. One of the cleaner variations that eventually arose was the Arm-In Ezekiel Choke. Mechanically speaking, this is a clean blood choke, with no pressure on the trachea whatsoever. While this does take from the pain of the original choke, it is a far more effective way of submitting opponents of all sizes. Plus it is universally effective in both Gi and No-Gi.

BJJ Ezekiel Choke Variation The best use of this choke is definitely with the Gi. From side control, an opponent is going to set themselves up just by slightly turning away from you. The moment the opponent exposes a bit of their back, the aim is to slide the arm that’s closer to their hip around their neck. However, it is imperative to trap the top arm of the opponent as well, rather than just the neck. The palm of that arm needs to end up pointing towards you on the other side of the opponent’s neck. This is where you’ll use the fingers of that arm to grab the sleeve of your other, free arm. Just like with the classic Ezekiel. For a finish, all you need to do is sit back so that the opponent ends up on their back.

BJJ Ezekiel Choke No-GiBack control is a great example of how you can hit this choke without the Gi. Longer limbs are definitely an advantage but not a condition for success. When you have the seatbelt in, you’re actually ready. All you need to do is transfer the bottom arm across the neck so that it ends up across the shoulder. Simply put in a figure-four grip and squeeze to finish.

When To Look For The Arm-In Ezekiel

The Arm-In variation of the BJJ Ezekiel Choke is a very good option to hunt for by itself. Anytime you have the option of inserting an arm in a seatbelt-like position, you should at least consider it. Granted, it does come easier from certain positions. But it also works very effectively and ties in great with other different attacks. The Rear-Naked Choke and arm triangle are just two examples.

BJj Ezekiel Choke From turtle The turtle is one spot that offers easy access to the Arm-In Ezekiel Choke. All it takes for you to be in the “basic” turtle position. It actually requires a lot less setting up than back attacks or guillotines. All you need to do is quickly thread an arm under the armpit and across the neck. The beauty is that you can do it on both sides, depending on the situation. This gives you a lot of versatility with just one attack. For a finish, you still need to end up in the same position as we described above.

BJJ Ezekiel Choke Guard Pass setupYou could also always hit the Arm-In Ezekiel from a guard pass. The Leg drag is a particularly good spot for it. All you need to do is make sure you have a grip on the collar from the top side. Actually, you’ll have hardly any success with the leg drag if you don’t have this grip.

BJJ Ezekiel Choke Arm In Arm triangles are the next-door neighbors of the Arm-in Ezekiel. They combine easily to render your opponent powerless. All you need to do when an arm triangle is not working is fit the opponent’s head off the mats. Then, just switch to the arm-in Ezekiel. It’ll guarantee you get a tap.

Ezekiel Choke – Gi and No Gi Details and Mechanics

No-Gi Bow And Arrow Choke Variation From Eddie Cummings

High Elbow Guillotine Details From The Danaher Death Squad

Standing Guillotine Defense Techniques You Must Know