The warmup may in itself be the difference between a glorious performance and frustration, as GRACIEMAG never ceases to reiterate. Photo: Roger Gracie by Ray Santana/GRACIEMAG.

Although it’s often forgotten or neglected, the warmup is an important part of Jiu-Jitsu class. Warmed up and stretched out, athletes avoid injuries, pick up the pace and see improved performances—in training and in competition. So on that note, we dug up five ways for you to improve your warmup.

These tips come from many-time world champion Saulo Ribeiro to former UFC star Ricardo Cachorrão, and on to brown belt Trevor Newton, a student of our GMA in Texas João Crus.

WARM UP REINFORCING BASIC JIU-JITSU

In the lessons, you learn some moves, like shrimping get-up techniques and, in closing, stretches using a Jiu-Jitsu belt. The important part is that all the exercises apply one of the main Jiu-Jitsu commandments: minimum force, maximum efficiency.

Study the subject in the following videos and comment below: What’s your warmup trick? If you’d rather, record your innovative warmup at the academy and send it in to us.

1. Warm up with Ricardo Cachorrão Almeida

2. Saulo Ribeiro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqmxrBdtcr0

3. Trevor Newton

4. Russo

5. Academia Serrinha/Nova União

6. Patrick and Jiu-Jitsu exercises to do on your own