Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a fantastic workout. We at Gracie Barra Mansfield work hard to make sure of that. Yet, like all workouts, soreness and fatigue happen and old injuries can flare up. Instead of taking off completely, we can cross train in the water to help ease pain, soreness, inflammation and stiffness. Also, the best way to FIX a problem is to prevent it in the first place. By using some simple aquatic exercises, we can strengthen those areas most vulnerable to injury.
Water is an ideal environment for cross-training and rehabilitation. Since we are effectively weightless while in water, our joints can get a break because there is zero impact. Also, water is three times more resistant than air, so we get much more workout than we might realize.
As a writer, I have chronic issues with tendonitis. I also have problems with my back, neck and shoulder (courtesy of years of travel lugging around loads of luggage), which is why I add a regular dose of swimming and aquatic exercises to my routine. When I am diligent about complimenting my Jiu Jitsu training with aquatics, I feel better, sleep better and PERFORM better.
It’s hard to do well on the mat when our body is stiff, and our joints are sore.
Since I am smart enough to look to the experts, I’d like to recommend this article. Gracie Magazine offers 7 pool exercises exercises for rehabilitation and injury prevention. . .
“The specific training of a fighter is already stressful enough and water training can complement and develop various physical qualities. In the water, you may use devices that can increase the intensity of the exercises through resistance, what works better because there are no impacts on the joints. It’s important to understand that exhausting workout routines and competition training can often overwhelm your body and change an outcome. This water training method was developed by Prof. Alvaro Romano who has for many years since the 1980s started to train athletes from various sports….”
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