Have you ever rolled at an open mat while music was blaring on speakers? It really does make all the difference, compared to simply rolling in silence (apart from the usual grunts and sounds of BJJ folks). You might not know how empty it feels to roll in the proverbial silence until such a time that you try rolling with music on and then take it away. From that moment on, you’ll probably never approach another roll or drill session without a playlist ready to rock. In that sense, let’s take a look at some song options that are essential for an awesome BJJ playlist.
Rolling is fun to do even under imperfect circumstances. However, when you have the option of rolling on good mats, with lots of people from all ranks, working GI and No-Gi,m the only thing that is missing is the cherry on top of the cake – a solid BJJ playlist to keep the mood of everyone in the room at the optimal levels. Music can greatly influence the performance of athletes, so much so, in fact, that you can’t just go blaring heavy metal or hardcore music all the time.
The Role Of Music In Training
Have you ever wondered why pro fighters in everything from boxing to MMA walkout to certain songs? You already y know that music can get you inspired, sad, feeling goosebumps, bring up memories, etc. That is a clear indicator of how much music can influence our emotional state. But that usually has to do with specific songs or even musical genres. What is really interesting is how music influences us in general, from the BPM (beats per minute) to the selection of songs for a specific occasion.
First of all, let’s take a look at the physical benefits that music can provide athletes with. tempo (physical). The tempo which is how we define the beats per minute can have a direct influence on the brain’s neurons. Certain studies suggest that the brain can even synchronize with the tempo of the music. With rhythm, lyrics, and melody all contributing, the end result is a physical state that allows for better and longer performance.
Secondly, but no less important, is the psychological effect of music on athletic performance. Studies show that music can actually help with pain relief during training as a result of the release of endogenous mu-opioid and other mood-enhancing chemicals raise the pain threshold. There is also the reduction of perceived effort and music acting as a distractor that really counts when it comes to athletic performance.
When coming up with a BJJ playlist, you should consider that there are also different stages of training and that music should help you get the most out of every one of them. While you cannot control what people listen to before or after training, you can certainly influence the mood in the gym.
Building The Ultimate BJJ Playlist
Putti9ng together a BJJ playlist can be easy – throw some songs that people know together, and go train or roll. It will work, but not for everyone and not when it comes to actually achieve a specific goal in mind. Basically, the tempo of the music will greatly affect the speed of training, and going all out competition-style while listening to “The best of Madball” is not something you want to do on a regular basis.
Instead, you should think about when you want to use music. Depending on what type of warm-ups you are doing in the gym, incorporating a playlist to get people in the “groove” is a great idea. Moreover, it has been tested and proven to work.
When it comes to utilizing a BJJ playlist during technical training, one thing is clear – the gym should be silent while the instructor is demonstrating. However, the question still remains whether you should play music as people are training the techniques. I personally do, although the choice of music in terms of BPM is very specific, and the volume is very low. However, just as with studying and working, the right music can not only set the mood but help with the retention of knowledge as well.
During drills, the situation is pretty much the same. You need the correct rhythm and volume, along with song selection to get people working with focus, in the mood to do so, and help them retain as much information as possible.
Of course, the one aspect of training where your BJJ playlist is going to be the most influential is rolling.
12 Must-Use Songs For Powerful Open Mat Experiences
The truth with music is that it comes down to preferences and taste, and those are both things that are not debatable and highly individual. That said, it doesn’t mean that there is no way of determining which songs will really help you get people in the mood for rolling, and provide you with the best result regardless of the demographics in your gym.
The thing to remember is that you want to “manipulate” the temp of rolls, especially if it is just your regular open mat session. that means start off slow, getting people in the mood, more of a flow-roll style and then progress with the tempo, and henceforth, the speed of rolls and perhaps even the aggression of the matches before you bring everything slightly down again.
The following songs, in the order provided, make up one of the best BJJ playlist options for open mats. Tried and tested!
#1. Cypress Hill – Get ‘Em Up (Link)
#2. Eminem – Lose Yourself (Link)
#3. The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (Link)
#4. Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger (Link)
#5. Guano Apes- Open Your Eyes (Link)
#6. Limp Bizkit – Break Stuff (Link)
#7. Nickelback – Burn It To The Ground Lyrics (Link)
#8. Motorhead – The Game (Link)
#9. AC/DC – Back In Black (Link)
#10. Europe – The Final Countdown (Link)
#11. Rage Against The Machine – Bulls On Parade (Link)
#12. Gorillaz – Dirty Harry (Link)
Final Thoughts
The above is, of course, a BJJ playlist that will make most people on an open mat happy, and it will help you start off with the right intensity and mature towards some tougher rolls before settling down for the end again. That said, you can have playlists ready for every occasion, from waring up to open mats, and you should particularly have a few BJJ playlists ready for competition training.
