2026 Training Log Part 24

On the Stereo today- Mogwai

A decent week on the mats trying to put some new stuff into play and figure out some new positions.

Monday

Into the weight room for a dreadful session!

1. 10 mins bike
2. Hip circuit- Side lunges, step ups, sumo squats
3. Bench w/u to 95kgsx5
4. Machine single arm press 2xmax
5. Face pulls 3×12
6. Weighted decline sit ups 3×15
7. Side Plank 3x60s
8. Pushdowns 3×15

Evening Jiu Jitsu- just a heap of sparring rounds. I think I did 9x5min.

Wednesday

Morning Jiu Jitsu with Roger. More workshopping and looking at positions than training. all in all about 4 or 5 6 minute rounds.

Evening Jiu Jitsu- some light sparring with some of the lads. Maybe 6 rounds?

Saturday

NoGi Sparring, 10 rounds

Jumped in with a limited warm up which I paid for all weekend, but good session nonetheless. Did 1 hour of sparring with 1 round off, so whatever that adds up to. Enjoyable rounds. The challenge is to find something to give you a challenge in each round. What is the guy good at? What moves does he do? Is he high output? If so can you slow him down? If you can’t, can you match him? Does he use a lot of pressure? Okay, then try to keep that pressure off, or when he gets to put it on you, figure your technical ways out. Sparring with consciousness is the best thing you can do when you’re at an advanced level.

Training Thoughts of the Week

So I’m trying to advance my own knowledge of positions and Jiu Jitsu in general all of the time- learning new things and learning how to be a better coach. This is a given- call it CPD.

But for my own training, lately it’s about figuring out ways to do things that I used to be able to trust things like flexibility and mobility to take care of. I can no longer rely on those attributes as I get older, so now I workshop not only new techniques, but older things that I need to adapt and alter. I need to shape my Jiu Jitsu around self-preservation and longevity. That can mean not going for things that might end up in a potentially injurious scramble, for example.

Non-Training Thoughts of the Week

I really feel for these kids, and increasingly adults, locked into social media.

As a 15 year old, if I lost a football match, I forgot about it about an hour later. You walked into your gaf, your Mam screamed at you not to sit in the chair in your filthy gear, your Dad asked you how you played. You said “Pretty well” or “Not great” and he said “Well done” or “Keep the head up”, and then you had your lunch and forgot about the game 3 bites in.

Now you have to write an after-action report for instagram as though you were a journalist. It’s an additional pressure that you just don’t need. It’s there for everyone to see and forever. Of course it has its benefits, you can spread and share the enjoyment of your sport with people. But it can get out of hand, and it can become the thing.

See you on the mat,

Barry