Balancing Work & Training

The Lion War · 02-11-2013, 04:09 PM

Hey guys, so I'm new here and new to the sport. I've got about 5 months under my belt at the moment and probably racked about 50 hours of mat time in NoGi Jiu Jitsu and about 10 hrs with a Gi.

I want to get as much mat time as I possibly can because I know experience comes with mat time but I'm just having trouble balancing my work with training. I work 4pm to 12:30am 4/5 work days of the week and I find myself not even being able to wake up in the morning for a 9am class because I wasn't able to even fall asleep until 2 or 3am.

I currently train at Team Quest in Temecula and during my mon-fri I'm limited to the morning classes at 9am. My off days I usually try to roll nogi in the morning and then gi at night. Do you guys have any tips on how I can balance work with training effectively so I can still get a good 4+ hours in the gym a week? Any energy supplement recommendations or something or is it as simple as I have to get my ass up and go despite being tired all day?

jko1355 · 02-11-2013, 04:55 PM

your asking people to teach you how to manage time?

you need to get a job with different work hours. besides 4 hours a week in the gym is still like none... you should be in the gym about 10 hours a week in the gym to become a decent beginner..

50 hours in 5 months? so do you even remember any of what you learn?

sonicdahedgehog · 02-11-2013, 04:56 PM

First, get a Chuck Liddell cut. Then stock up on "Zonk"or whatever they drink on TUF, buy a bunch of tap out gear and start sleeping in an "oxygen chamber" like Lance. If that does not work, ask yourself what Chuck Norris would do. Hope that helps.

fight4ippon · 02-11-2013, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lion War

... Do you guys have any tips on how I can balance work with training effectively so I can still get a good 4+ hours in the gym a week? Any energy supplement recommendations or something or is it as simple as I have to get my ass up and go despite being tired all day?

Don't worry about hour per hour at the gym. One thing that worked for me was casually training technique OUTSIDE of class. Ten minutes a day working on something your teacher said looks bad in practice will do wonders for your gameplan. Also reading/dvd can help enrich your training. Jiu Jitsu University is a great book that taught me how to frustrate stronger/ better overall grapplers than me after reading.

Moral of the story: training doesn't end when you leave the gym, and you don't need to spar to train. there are many great solo drills and practices you can do for 10-20 mins at a time that will sharpen your game.

No go out there, learn some new tech and woop your friends on the mat that's a direct order cadet.

HIMBOB · 02-11-2013, 06:19 PM

They don't have open mats?

They don't offer lunch time classes?

Perhaps have a nap after the 9am class, that way it will be easier to wake up at 8 the next morning.

lastly,
roughly 3 hours per week is not a lot by average standards but it is still enough to progress in my mind. The key will be if you think about it between classes, if not it will be very slow going.

xilliun · 02-12-2013, 09:54 AM

Work > Training

Try and find if any other gyms nearby offer classes at a better time. For the mean time, you're just going to have to deal with it unless you want to go to training sleep deprived - not the best idea.

B vitamins and caffeine are the best things to help feeling tired. Creatine and beta alanine will be your best supps to take to reduce muscle fatigue - assuming your diet is good. None of this will substitute sleep though.

The Lion War · 02-13-2013, 03:42 PM

with work starting at 4 i miss all of the evening classes they have. I generally try to roll outside the gym with a couple of buds as much as I can but that doesn't always work out. This is the schedule, im pretty limited to the a.m. classes. Carlson Gracie around the corner does offer a bit more time slots and it is entirely jiu jitsu. I'm just wondering how other people fit in all of the training they do with a harsh work schedule on top of it.

http://teamquestmma.com/wp-content/u...1.40.17-PM.png

shotgun charlie · 02-13-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lion War

or is it as simple as I have to get my ass up and go despite being tired all day?

yep... it is.

unless your job only requires half days or minimal hours then your going to be beat for training.....
you actually have it kinda good because training before work is alot better than trying to train after work. you could try taking some thing to help you get to sleep earlyer.... take something to help you get up when you dont feel like it.... but ultimatley it comes down to will power and discipline.

sorry.

KennisTheMenace · 02-14-2013, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lion War

I want to get as much mat time as I possibly can because I know experience comes with mat time but I'm just having trouble balancing my work with training. I work 4pm to 12:30am 4/5 work days of the week and I find myself not even being able to wake up in the morning for a 9am class because I wasn't able to even fall asleep until 2 or 3am.

Basically you need to stop fuckin around until 3am each morning so you can get to the gym by 9. Go home and go to bed after work. This isn't that hard?!