This is Part 4 of our interview series with trainer and grappler, Dharma Shay.
“When I have more time, I’m going to train every day! Twice a day, bro!”
It’s great to have enthusiasm for your training. Consistency and mat time are the surest paths to improvement.
But how much training is too much?
“There is no such thing as overtraining!” the gung ho trumpet. “There are only weak minds!”
While the statement might be high on motivation, it is low on exercise science.
How do you know if you might be overdoing it in the BJJ school? The Jiu-Jitsu Times asked Dharma Shay this question. Here is what he had to say.
The Jiu-Jitsu Times: How do I know if I am overdoing it in the gym or at BJJ class?
Dharma Shay: Overuse is one of the most common issues in all sports related injuries.
Some joints, like the shoulders, are more likely to be overused due to the practical use of them in training. When something is tight or in pain, consider warming it up and/or stretching it out, avoiding techniques or drills that demand the use of the joint, tapping a bit early or focusing on protecting the joint, and talk to a professional.
As I mentioned before, the feeling of tightness or pain is the body’s first response to over stimulus of a joint or muscle. The key is to look at all pain your body signals as if it is a warning. I have fully ruptured my Achilles, ruptured and bulged multiple discs in my back, dislocated my hand, ripped my shoulder multiple times, and tore my lateral meniscus, and when I thoroughly look back, every time something happened to warn me to address the problem. I share this with you today because of this and I am hoping you can avoid any major or additional injuries.
Remember, your body is highly intelligent, so the best thing you can do to support it is gain a greater awareness of it through meditation and listening to the early signs. If you are not sure what to do, ask for help from a professional because often it will take me five minutes to identify what is wrong with a person’s muscle skeletal system (you can ask Mark) and what you need to start doing.
Listen to the body!
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