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Exercise Scientist: ‘The Majority of BJJ Competitors Should Not Cut Weight’

Exercise Scientist: ‘The Majority of BJJ Competitors Should Not Cut Weight’

 

Thinking about cutting weight 2 weeks before your next tournament? Think again. An exercise scientist recommends that you do not.

Exercise scientists assist sportspeople to achieve the best possible sporting performance by applying knowledge and techniques from the areas of biomedical science, physiology, biomechanics (the study of human movement), nutrition, psychology and sport assessment.

Exercise scientists often attend training sessions and sporting events to monitor sporting performances in addition to working in an office or testing laboratory. They have a high level of contact with the public.

Samuel Spiegelman holds a degree in Exercise Science and a brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Exercise scientit SAMUEL SPIEGELMAN

Exercise scientit SAMUEL SPIEGELMAN

In an interesting article for Breakingmuscle.com Spiegelman talks about why BJJ competitors should not cut weigh for tournaments:

 

 

  • The majority of BJJ competitors should not cut weight. This may be the opposite of what most people think, but from a performance standpoint, cutting weight for a tournament is not ideal.

  • A mistake new competitors make is trying to follow the training methods of more advanced competitors. Competitors in the white-belt level are cutting weight for a tournament. Even worse, they are cutting weight for a small local tournament. As a beginning competitor, the focus should be on BJJ itself. The stress of cutting weight is not necessary. Focus on your training. It does not matter if you cut twenty pounds for a tournament. If you do not know how to escape the mount, it will not make a difference.

  • The only people who should cut weight are high-level competitors competing in a tournament with day-before weigh-ins. Remember, cutting weight means a rapid loss of weight often involving fluid and/or food restriction. With day-before weigh-ins there is enough time to replenish fluid and nutrients that have been depleted. If done properly, 24 hours is enough time to replenish.

 

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