Its true! The panting of being a white belt or blue belt days will soon be over, or will they? Let’s be realistic, being a white belt sucks! Being a blue belt sucks a bit less and once you’re a purple belt you feel like you truly have a place in the BJJ community. Here is the thing, when you become better at BJJ you may unintentionally sacrifice your cardio a bit. FACTS!!
Once you become a purple belt, which takes many years to achieve, you are more proficient at BJJ. You have a working knowledge of submissions, takedowns, sequences, more advanced movement and a better understanding of the body mechanics needed to help you finish faster. As well and probably one of the most important ways to identify a purple belt, transitions. It may be safe a purple belt in brazilian jiu jitsu can toy with lower belts without breaking much of a sweat. Another obvious factor is that you don't use much cardio while doing this. Now don’t get me wrong, there are different performance levels and each person during their journey can be in great physical shape, however if you ask any non competition purple belt about the need for cardio when they train they will tell you they don’t need to use cardio because they rely more on technique. (I hope)
For the Record!!! I am not saying all purple belts lose cardio. I am saying as you become more technical the need for it may become less depending on who you train with and where you train. Ok, here are 7 reasons purple belts have bad cardio. 1. BJJ Purple Belts Have More Technical Knowledge: BJJ purple belts have a deep knowledge of Jiu Jitsu and its techniques, which often leads to them spending more time thinking about strategy during rolls rather than relying solely on cardio endurance. 2. BJJ Purple Belts Spend Less Time Rolling: BJJ purple belts generally tend to roll less often due to their increased responsibility in teaching classes or running the academy, leaving less time for them to train intensely. 3. No need to use strength: BJJ purple belts have more experience with technique and as such they may require fewer intense rolling rounds to develop their game, reducing overall cardio conditioning sessions. 4. BJJ Purple Belts Move More Efficiently: BJJ purple belts have learned to move more efficiently and are therefore able to conserve energy, which leads to less need for vigorous cardio training. 5. Some BJJ Purple Belts Have Greater Strength: BJJ purple belts tend to have a greater strength-to-weight ratio due to their increased technical knowledge and experience, making them less reliant on higher intensity aerobic exercise. 6. BJJ Purple Belts Rely Heavily On Strategy: BJJ purple belts rely heavily on strategy rather than using brute force, reducing the need for intense cardio sessions. They are a lot more technical. 7. Purple belts missed years of warm ups (sorry I had to). If you don't warm up or stay consistent when getting in shape you will become "out of shape"
Again this does not apply to every purple belt in every match however it is known that as you become more technical you may rely on cardio a lot less.
Stay fit, train smart! Hit the Gym, and keep your cardio on point!
Matthew Tropp | BJJ Report
Info@bjjreport.com