In many Jiu Jitsu classes, you’ll see Purple Belts show up late regardless of the academy. After the white and blue belts finish shrimping up and down the mat, you’ll see the Purple Belts step in through the door, nonchalantly taping their fingers and putting on their gi. Even though the official start time of class was 15 minutes ago, they don’t seem hurried, as if they’re right on time. What gives? Why do Purple Belts skip warmups?
If you’ve earned a Purple Belt, chances are you’ve trained for about half a decade. In that time, after thousands of warmups, it gets tiring and boring to even attend. By Purple Belt, your shrimp is probably developed enough that another 20 up and down the mats isn’t going to do much to help make space while in side control. After doing Jiu Jitsu for a while, some of the magic is simply gone, and you just want to cut to the chase and do Jiu Jitsu. Could it be said Purple Belts are missing out on anything by skipping on warm ups? The answer is yes!
Leadership is important and being an example for all who participate is also important! Its imperative to get every second of time on the mat. Warming up is also a very important part of being optimal in any sport.
Why warm ups are important in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
As with any physical activity, warm-ups are an essential part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) training. They prepare your body for the intense movements and techniques that you will perform during a class or competition. But why exactly are warm-ups important in BJJ? In this section, we will explore the reasons behind the importance of warm-ups in this martial art.
Reduces Risk of Injury
Warm-ups help prevent injuries by preparing your muscles, joints, and ligaments for the physical demands of BJJ. By gradually increasing your heart rate, blood flow and body temperature, you are preparing your body for the stress and strain that comes with grappling. This helps to loosen up tight muscles and improve flexibility, reducing the risk of strains and sprains. Additionally, warm-ups also increase joint lubrication, making it easier to perform techniques without straining your joints.
Increases Performance
A proper warm-up not only prepares your body physically but also mentally. It helps to improve focus and concentration, allowing you to perform at your best during training or competition. By getting your heart rate up and increasing blood flow, warm-ups also deliver oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, helping them function at their optimum level. This can result in better performance, especially when executing complex BJJ techniques.
Enhances Learning
Warm-ups are not just a physical preparation, but they also serve as an opportunity for learning. In BJJ, many warm-up drills mimic the movements and techniques used during actual training or competition. This allows you to practice and refine your technique, coordination, and timing in a controlled environment before applying them during live sparring sessions. By incorporating BJJ-specific movements into warm-ups, you can also improve muscle memory and overall skill development.
Fosters Camaraderie
BJJ is not just about individual training; it is also a highly social sport. Warm-ups serve as a bonding experience for teammates, encouraging a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. By working together through warm-up exercises, you are building trust and communication skills with your training partners. This can also translate into better performance during live sparring sessions where teamwork and communication play crucial roles.
Here is an idea... In most cases, a Purple Belt just wants to roll. With any skill, the concept of diminishing returns becomes a very real thing. Novices such as White Belts can see DRASTIC improvement simply by getting through the warm ups. Purple Belts on the other hand have already put in their reps, and as such don’t really benefit from the basic drills. The 100,000th shrimp (hip escape) won’t have as much of a benefit as the first 1,000, and at that point the Purple Belt's time would be better spent on other areas of their game.
Its also safe to say that purple belts have more injuries than any other rank! Why??
(future article)
At Purple Belt, the journey becomes much more self directed. It is said that Purple Belts rely less on their professor after blue belt. Much like a Master’s or PhD student pursuing their research, a Purple Belt should be doing their own study of Jiu Jitsu. Much like a Professor at a University, the Professor at the Academy will move into a more advisory role for the Purple Belt, pointing them the way to go, but not holding their hand through the process. However Purple Belts in many ways are still beginners in a lifetime of learning,
Whatever the case may be, missing a warmup here and there isn’t going to matter as long as you keep showing up consistently. I would like to add that if you want to be a positive role model for lower belts its important to participate in all segments of class.
Just a thought…
Train Safe & Train Often, (and warm up) =)
Matthew Tropp | BJJ Report
Info@bjjreport.com