Jiu-Jitsu

How many times a week should you train Jiu-Jitsu?

by matmartial · Published February 11, 2020 · Updated October 26, 2020

How often should you train Jiu-Jitsu?

How often should you train jiu-jitsu? Of course, the answer to this question depends on several factors, including your age, fitness level and goals. As a beginner, if you can train in class two times a week, you will be able to make progress and improve. Here are some things to consider:

Two jiu-jitsu players in white gis demonstrating the kimura grip from the bottom of the guard. The kimura is a figure four grip. — **Kimura**

The benefits of training Jiu-Jitsu

The benefits of training Jiu-Jitsu often and routinely are so great and so wide ranging. Even the most experienced practitioners will differ about how jiu-jitsu positively impacts their lives. From white belts to black belts, everyone has examples to illustrate the benefits of jiu-jitsu off the mats. And one thing that everyone who trains Jiu-Jitsu agrees with is that the benefits of training are real. From simple things like improved strength, flexibility and cardio vascular fitness. To improved confidence, mental health and interpersonal skills. Jiu-Jitsu is a unique art form that relies on human interaction to bring greater health to anyone who trains routinely.

Two jiu-jitsu grapplers wearing white gis at a tournament with blue mats. The jiu-jitsu man on the bottom has secured a triangle position on his opponent who is on top of him with one leg posted. It is unclear whether the triangle submission will be successful or if the man on top will be able to execute an escape technique. — **Competition does not have to be the goal. But it sure looks like fun (except for this guy on top caught in a triangle).**

Training every day

In an ideal world, you should train Jiu-Jitsu as often as every day. A daily Jiu-Jitsu practice will keep your skills sharp. Showing up every day requires discipline, not only in jiu-jitsu but in all areas of your life. This discipline is one of the cornerstones of building yourself into a true martial artist. After all, the more you show up to train, the better you will get.

Photo of a jiu-jitsu gym with open, light gray colored mats. The ceiling is white. It looks nice and bright and inviting. — **You want to be on the mat at least two times a week starting out.**

Staying healthy and injury free

When you begin to train jiu-jitsu more often, besides showing up on the mat, daily training involves discipline in other areas of life. Factors such as nutrition, rest and recovery cannot be ignored, especially as you mature in your practice. Often recovery requires focus on your over all fitness. Activities like walking, running, biking or swimming are great for cardiovascular endurance. Yoga and stretching are great for joint health, strength and flexibility. Weight training and kettlebells to gain strength and build muscle are also very effective. Of course, Jiu-Jitsu is a great workout itself. But a well-rounded fitness program off the mat becomes important as you mature. Your overall fitness is incredibly important if your goal is to maintain a high level, daily Jiu-Jitsu practice.

Black and white photo of a man in a white jiu-jitsu gi in the middle of executing a sit-through or a jiu-jitsu get-up. — **Classic sit-through / get up. A great movement to do every day when you can’t get to the gym.**

Staying active off the mats

For most people, training Jiu-Jitsu as often as every day at the local Jiu-Jitsu gym is not practical. However, maintaining strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness between training sessions is still important. By now, knowledge and understanding of the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle for optimizing overall health is widely accepted throughout society. Jiu-Jitsu is no different. Even moderate physical activity on a daily basis, simple things such as going for a walk, will go a long way toward maintaining your health and making you a true martial artist. Most of us lead fairly sedentary lives these days without really realizing it. If you work at a desk, even if you work out before or after work, you are leading a sedentary lifestyle. Go for a walk. Get down on the floor and do some easy yoga poses. Keep moving.

Photo of a man walking on a sidewalk in a park from below the knees, only the pants and the shoes showing. You can also see the green trees which are out of focus in the background. The man's shoes are bright blue and his pants are gray. — **Simple daily activities like walking are essential to maintaining your health.**

Be patient with your progress

For a beginner, not only is it usually not practical to train jiu-jitsu as often as every day, but if you are an older and more mature martial artist in your late 30s or older training every day is probably not advisable just starting out. If you are middle aged or older, training two times a week is sufficient to learn and improve slowly. Keep in mind that patience is an important quality for a martial artist to master. Usually, if you truly love Jiu-Jitsu two times a week will not feel like enough training and it will keep you hungry enough to keep coming back to class for more. Don’t forget to check out our post on learning jiu-jitsu from the best online. Top 5 Best Online Jiu-Jitsu Instructors

A black and white photo of a crowded Japanese training room where several men, all wearing white gis, are practicing judo throws onto the mats. — **People have been training jiu-jitsu for a long time. You can do it too. Just be patient and don’t force anything.**

Training three days a week

After about three to four months of consistent training two times a week, you may want to train jiu-jitsu more often. If your body is holding up under the physical demands of your Jiu-Jitsu training, you may want to consider adding a third training session each week. You definitely should not rush into adding a third day of jiu-jitsu training, especially if your classes all involve a component of hard sparring. But if you find that two days a week is just not enough. If you are just itching to get into the gym more. I think that by adding a third training session will really begin to notice improvements to your game.