2026 Training Log Part 2

On the stereo today- Pearl Jam

Monday

Yoga. No, reallly. I did some home yoga. Only had 20 minutes to train, I was incredibly busy all day (more on that later). Then I intended to train on Monday night but by the time the session came around at 7.15pm I was just exhausted. Working all day in the (new) gym and then coaching for 3 hours before the session. I planned badly, ate badly, and then didn’t train. My energy was better directed at coaching.

Tuesday

Mixed Upper Body session. Back to a Push/Pull single day.

1. Decline bench 5×5
2. Inverted Row 5×10
3. Single arm row 4×8
4. Single arm machine press 3×15
5. Wobble board plank 3x60s
6. Bicep curls 3×12
7. Pushdowns 3×15

Sauna for 20 minutes.

Wednesday

Jiu Jitsu training. 7x5min rounds. I felt like I hadn’t been on the mat in months for some reason. Very rusty so just focused on controlling big guys and when with the little folk I worked my movements. A fun thing to do if you’re one of the better/heavier people in the room is to focus on control initiallly, and then no submissions until the last minute. Then try to get one as though you’re chasing the clock in a tournament.

Friday

Ran into the gym for a quick blood flow session.

1. Prone Row 5×10
2. Ring push ups 80 broken into 20, 15, 15, 10, 10, 10
3. Med ball push up 3×10
4. Lat pulldown 3×12
5. Weighted overhead crunch 3×15 (still feeling these today!)
6. Side plank 3×45
7. Hammer Curls 3×12

Saturday

Jiu Jitsu.

Good warm up and then into-

25 minutes first score positionals.

5×5 minute rounds from stand up.

Very enjoyable. I gassed! I had been painting the (new) gym the day before, and I’m very sensitive to paint fumes. I felt my throat was at me for a long time during the session, and then I hit a wall completely during one round. I haven’t felt that way in years! It might also have been that during one of the positionals, I just wouldn’t let my son get the score. It’s getting harder!

Training Thoughts of the Week

Burning the candle at both ends for the next while. The way my job used to work was that I had very busy periods with crazy work hours and stress and then long, not-so-busy periods to rest and recuperate.

Since August last year, it’s just been busy period after busy period, one into another. My training has to take a back seat, and I squeeze in sessions. I don’t mind it. I’m doing things with work that I really love, but it does mean less energy for my own training. So for now, I’m just keeping some momentum.

Non-Training Thoughts of the Week

Well, it’s out. Kyuzo is moving to a new location. This is brilliant news, and I’ve a lot of great ideas and things that will be going in to the new location. But it’s 24 hours a day at the moment. I’m dreaming about work.

In general, I try to make sure I’ve only 1 “front burner” project on the go. At the moment, I have 3! The European Kids Championships in April that Ireland BJJ is hosting, Kyuzo’s move, and another one that I won’t talk about here.

Look, I like it. I genuinely do, but it requires management of your down time. You have to make conscious efforts to not get caught up with work, and to continue to do the other things you need to do. Like keeping this blog- it’s a thing I enjoy doing and sharing, and it would be easy to drop it until I was quiet. But it’s a part of my routine that is important to keep.

And you’d think I’d be tired but actually I’m full of ENERGY! I can’t wait to do this stuff! I’m installing a floating, sprung Jiu Jitsu floor! The type of thing I’ve been watching other academies in the USA do with ENVY! Now Kyuzo will have one. Things like that get me excited. I want my students to get the best experience around, and a nicer academy is next.

See you on the mat,

Barry