BODY

There are many names for soft tissue work. SMR or Self-Myofascial Release was the term I was taught when I obtained my first personal training certification. It mainly encompassed using a foam roller or lacrosse ball on a specific muscle group. Foam rolling can be used to obtain new...

New Year fitness goals are extremely popular especially because it allows us to start fresh no matter where we are in our fitness journey. Regardless if you have been training for years or you are just getting started, something has lead you to this specific section in Jiu-Jitsu Magazine...

Just saying the term “heel hook” will send shivers down any grappler’s spine, from head to heel. In many sanctioned competitions, the heel hook is not legal in any division. If not released in time, a heel hook can do some severe damage. In this article I’m going to...

If you’re the type who loves to constantly train and compete, then taking a break from rolling or working out may not be your thing; however, you can reap several benefits by taking time to stretch.  Stretching decreases muscle stiffness and the risk of low back pain.  It improves...

Stretching seems like a pretty simple topic, however, there is a little more to it than most think. When most people think of stretching, they are usually thinking of static stretching, or holding a “stretch” for 20-30 seconds then moving on to another. This has been the traditional warm-up...

You may have heard the phrase, “Where the head leads, the body follows” at some time or another and this rings very true in jiu-jitsu, whether you’re on the offensive or defensive side of things during sparring or competition. In terms of offense, with a strong neck you are...

When you feel a pain in your knee, your mind might quickly go to the worst-case scenario. That reaction might be warranted or not. Here’s a simple guide to help jiu-jitsu practitioners know when it’s OK to keep training, when to be a little cautious and when it’s necessary...

Master the art of jiu-jitsu and you have mastered the science of anatomy. Understanding how the body moves and knowing what positions make us strong, and our opponents weak, is what jiu-jitsu is all about. Equally important is to know our anatomy and understand the components of the musculoskeletal...

Maybe it doesn’t happen too often as a white belt, but ask any grappler with experience what the one area is to attack that people often aren’t paying attention to and they’ll tell you it’s the wrist. Wrist locks present themselves all the time, maybe not as the first...