2026 Training Log Part 26

On the Stereo today- Pearl Jam

A decent week of training.

Tuesday

Conscious of still having a bit of tightness in my ribs , I took Tuesday evening off, but I worked on some spinal rotation in the gym in the morning and hit the sauna. Seemed to have some effect.

Wednesday

Morning Jiu Jitsu with Roger. Talk about 40 something Jiu Jitsu- he had a low back issue, I had a rib issue, so we did a few rounds without taxing ourselves too much, and then our sons trained.

Wednesday evening session I went in for a round or two, but nothing crazy.

Thursday

Hopped on for some sparring. Absolutely chuffed with myself to get through a full 10 rounds.

Friday

Upper body session in the gym

1. Decline Press 5×10
2. Max out pec deck 2xmax reps
3. Inverted rows 3×12
4. Batwings 3×20
5. Hip Dips 3x1min
6. Face Pulls 3×15
7. Plate Preachers 3×12
8. Pushdowns 3×15

Saturday

NoGi Sparring, 15mins back control finishing, 6 rounds sparring

A bad session. Nothing to do with the training, and everything to do with a migraine. If you’ve had them you’ll know what it does.

Even so, good to get some finishing work in particular in, even if I didn’t get many finishes. I’ve been working on using more trapping, but it didn’t go so well.

To tell a secret though, I am the worst positional guy. Put me in open sparring, I catch stuff. Put me in drills, I’m awful. I couldn’t finish a pack of Wine Gums. Always have been.

But while it’s frustrating, it’s useful. My brain works overtime, and I pick out the things I’m not doing. Once I get in a round, I get the results.

Training Thoughts of the Week

Speaking of which, I was hitting a decent number of finishes a few months back from the back control position, but I’m finding it so difficult to get anything at all at the moment. Here’s how I’ll fix it-

1. I’ll try to take the back more often in open sparring, getting myself to the position and ignoring other opportunities to just stay on top
2. I’ll study some tape on finishes- technique and competition matches
3. During positionals from there, I’ll focus on finishing rather than transition

I’ll report back.

Non-Training Thoughts of the Week

I’m not fond of global warming, but I tell you what I don’t have much to do to warm up these days.

See you on the mat,

Barry