There are really simple ways to know if you are overtraining. Here are the symptoms:
– Lack of enjoyment during class
– Slight fevers
– Series of injuries
– Delayed reaction times
– Depression
– Constant soreness and tiredness
– Lack of motivation to go to training
If these things happen, don’t hesitate to take a break. Either don’t do any Jiu-Jitsu for a few days or do a completely different sport for a while (to stay in shape).You will also perform better after a break. Doing one class with a fresh body and mind is better than doing three classes feeling tired and bored.Resting is as important as training.
The problem, is when one is training for competition, the limits of physical and mental toughness have to be pushed in order to come in the best shape possible on D day .
We often hear of BJJ champions training 3 times a day. There is no question that the ones that train the most are the ones that have the biggest chances of becoming champions.
Shanti Abelha is a Brazilian-Danish top black competitor who trains out of Arte Suave academy (home to champions Ida Hanson, Janni Larsson etc..) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
She talked on her Facebook page about how she deals with feeling burned out when training hard before a competition and wondering wether or not to train or to take a break:
“To train or not to train? Here’s probably one of my more personal posts. I was tired today. Mentally and physically. 6th day straight with no rest, big project at work, million things in my head. I used to tell myself the usual inspirational quotes crap. “How bad do you want it” “No excuses” “Quit whining and train hard”. It led me down a path of burnout and stress – which certainly did not help my performance!! So now I tell myself it’s ok to rest and take a day off. I almost did that today, but European’s is soon and old habits die hard.
I went to training. And prohibited myself to go harder than 30%. Did not think about positions I need to hit or improve. Just came to move around, play around.
You want to be good, want to be great in the long run? Year in, and year out? This is what you need to master, especially when you also have other obligation in life.”
