Weight gain/loss advice...

DutchMafia · 10-26-2009, 10:35 AM

Looking for some advice, guidance or someone to tell me to quit being a bitch…

I’ve been rolling for about 8 months, competed in NAGA, GC and some local tournaments. I’ve done well but noticed that I’m rather limited due to my weight class. (I’m, 29, 6’4, 230 pounds with probably around 16-18% body fat.)

My typical weight classes
NAGA: 200 - 225
GC: 180-200, and 200+
USG: 200+ (Proposed adoption of IBJJF weight classes)

I’m trying to decide whether I should start trying to get super lean and hit 205, or try and pack on an additional 25 pounds. The reason being that with the current weight classes, if I stay at heavyweight I’ll likely have to roll with some 275-300 pounds gorillas. Technique is great and all but when a guy gets side control and I have to move my 230 plus his 280 pounds, it can prove difficult.

I’ve spent a lot of time watching these guys roll at tournaments and noticed that once they get points, they will just lay there until time expires. I should also note that I’m in the Army, so I do have to meet certain height/weight requirements. In addition, not sure how well my knees will hold up to a rigorous running schedule with an additional 25 pounds.

Thoughts anyone?

* Grappling for big guys sucks as there are typically 5-8 weight classes between 100-200 pounds and usually 1-2 from 200-300 pounds.

Gary Peters · 10-26-2009, 10:47 AM

If you were an 18 year old kid still growing i'd say to eat up. However, at 29 years old and being in the Army i'd say to slowly get to a weight where you can cut to 205 easily.

Oblivian · 10-26-2009, 11:53 AM

What is your strength level like? If you moved up, would you be muscled around?

Vedic · 10-26-2009, 12:18 PM

Stickies is a good place to start.

DutchMafia · 10-26-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oblivian

What is your strength level like? If you moved up, would you be muscled around?

I think if I packed on 20 pounds of muscle I'd be competitive. The difficult is that regardless of whether I go down to say 210 or up to 250-255 it's gonna be rough. I'm leaning twoards losing it like Gary suggested. I have another 12 years till retirement so I can't afford to have my knees fall apart.

Oblivian · 10-26-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DutchMafia

I think if I packed on 20 pounds of muscle I'd be competitive. The difficult is that regardless of whether I go down to say 210 or up to 250-255 it's gonna be rough. I'm leaning twoards losing it like Gary suggested. I have another 12 years till retirement so I can't afford to have my knees fall apart.

I'm a bit confused. Don't you basically have to get to under 200 lbs for it to matter?

mikehmike · 10-26-2009, 02:22 PM

If your in the Army how have you gotten out of shape sir? Get to running, pray for some smoking sessions and eat healthy. Add that in with training, lifting and you should be a 205 beast in a few months

DutchMafia · 10-26-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oblivian

I'm a bit confused. Don't you basically have to get to under 200 lbs for it to matter?

I'd like to hang between 215-210 and then drop the last 5-10 pounds 2 weeks out from competition.

cooks1 · 10-27-2009, 11:51 AM

What are your Goals?

Are you just doing this for the fun of competition, or do you actually want to win as much as possible?

If I am assuming the latter, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

How and why am I winning now? Is it because of technique? strength? quickness advantage? better conditioning? Going from HW to LHW is not always the advantage people think it is (Ask Brandon Vera). If you are winning due to your conditioning and quickness, stay where you are. Because this will not be an advantage for you at a lower weight as it is now.

How and why are you losing now. Are you competitive until someone gets on top of you? Are you getting rag dolled?

You have the frame to be a legitimate HW, my guess is that you should probably do NOTHING. Your body is comfortable now and performing well in its natural state. If you put on a lot of muscle, you will have to work hard just to keep it. That energy would be better spent developing skill and technique.

My Brother was about your size when he wrestled in HS (weighed 224). His sophmore year he came in 4th in the state in wrestling at HW. The guy at 220 at his school was a 3 time state champ so he had to wrestle HW to be varsity.

His junior year, after the 220 guy graduated, he dropped to 220, thinking he would be able to muscle guys after rolling with much bigger dudes. He was wrong. AND his speed/quickness advantage he had at HW was a DISADVANTAGE at 220. At that weight, his opponents were quicker than him, and every bit as strong. After starting the year with a 6-10 record, he went back to HVY and came in 2nd in the state as a JR, then 1st as a SR.

The reality is you are probably going to compete against MUCH better athletes if you move down.

DutchMafia · 10-27-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikehmike

If your in the Army how have you gotten out of shape sir? Get to running, pray for some smoking sessions and eat healthy. Add that in with training, lifting and you should be a 205 beast in a few months

Marriage, children and a deskjob...

Besides, I don't think 230 at 6'4 is all that out of shape!