Essential Tips for Rest and Recovery in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Many people new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu often don’t realize how crucial rest and recovery are. While taking a break might not seem as thrilling as rolling on the mat, it’s just as necessary. Without proper rest after intense training, you won’t perform at your best. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to speed up recovery after Jiu-Jitsu sessions.

### Skip the Heavy Lifting

After a long day of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, skip heavy lifting for at least 24 hours. This break allows your muscles time to repair the tiny tears that occur during training. Some enthusiasts might be tempted to hit the weights right after, but that’s counterproductive. Constantly breaking down muscle fibers through lifting won’t help build more muscle. Instead, give yourself a full day to let those fibers heal. You might still feel a bit sore, but most of the damage should be on the mend.

### Take Care of Your Joints

Joint health is super important in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Unlike other martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu heavily focuses on grappling, leading to awkward positions as you escape from submissions. Over time, this can take a toll on your joints, causing pain and inflammation.

To protect your joints, consider taking a chondroitin and glucosamine supplement daily. These compounds are known to support joint health and healing. Additionally, always do a thorough stretching warm-up before each match to further safeguard your joints.

### Stay Hydrated

Doctors and health experts usually suggest drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. If you’re training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you’ll likely need even more. Ditch sugary sodas and opt for water. It’s essential for transporting nutrients, feeding muscle fibers, cooling you down, and flushing out toxins.

To sum up, improving recovery after Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu involves avoiding heavy lifting, protecting your joints, and drinking plenty of water. Following these tips will place you far ahead in your recovery efforts.