Stay Motivated and Improve Your Jiu-Jitsu Skills

Mansour Mahamat-Salle
5/7/2025

Stay Motivated and Improve Your Jiu-Jitsu Skills
Are you struggling to stay motivated in your Jiu-Jitsu journey? Do you feel like you're not improving as quickly as you'd like? You're not alone. Many Jiu-Jitsu practitioners face challenges in maintaining their enthusiasm and discipline. However, with the right approach, you can stay motivated and achieve your goals.
The Importance of Motivation in Jiu-Jitsu
Motivation is a crucial factor in determining your success in Jiu-Jitsu. When you're motivated, you're more likely to attend classes regularly, focus on your techniques, and push yourself to improve. On the other hand, a lack of motivation can lead to frustration, burnout, and eventually, quitting.
1. Make Training Feel Like Play
To stay motivated, you need to make training feel enjoyable and engaging. Here's how:
- Set specific goals and focus on achieving them
- Spar and observe to identify areas for improvement
- Pick a weak spot and focus on improving it
- Stay curious and keep experimenting
2. Set Clear Goals
Setting clear goals can help you stay focused and motivated. Instead of "I want to get better at Jiu-Jitsu," try "I want to improve my escaping side control." Having a specific goal in mind will help you stay focused and motivated.
3. Find a Training Partner
Training with a partner can make classes more enjoyable and help you stay accountable. Find someone who shares your goals and interests, and you'll be more likely to stay motivated.
4. Track Your Progress
Keeping a journal or video record of your progress can help you see how far you've come. Celebrate your small wins, and you'll stay motivated to continue improving.
5. Stay Curious
Staying curious and keeping experimenting is key to improving your Jiu-Jitsu skills. Ask questions, watch videos, and try new techniques. You'll stay engaged and motivated, and you'll continue to improve.
6. Focus on the Process
Instead of focusing on the end result, focus on the process of improving and learning. Enjoy the journey, and you'll stay motivated to continue.
7. Don't Be Too Hard on Yourself
Don't get discouraged if you don't see progress right away. Jiu-Jitsu is a journey, and it takes time to improve. Be patient, and you'll get there eventually.
8. Respect Your Training Partners
Treat your training partners with respect and care. They're not your enemies; they're your teammates. You'll get better together.
9. Take Care of Your Body
Make sure you're eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep. Your body will perform better, and you'll enjoy the journey more.
10. Learn to Breathe and Relax
BJJ can be intense. Learn to breathe, relax, and trust your training. You'll conserve energy, stay calm, and maybe even catch a few submissions.
11. Stay Consistent
Consistency is key. Try to train at least 2-3 times a week, and don't be afraid to take a rest day (or two) when you need it. Your body will thank you.
12. Have Fun
Most importantly, have fun! Jiu-Jitsu is an incredible martial art that'll challenge you, inspire you, and make you a better person. Enjoy the ride!
The Bottom Line Starting your Jiu-Jitsu journey can be intimidating, but with these 12 tips, you'll be well on your way. Focus on technique, train consistently, and have fun – and you'll be improving your skills in no time.