This video is part of a series on my quest to do a Turkish Get Up holding a kettlebell equal to my own bodyweight. That’s 96KG, or +200lb.
Yes, I know, just writing it down makes me think I’m mad. Although, if you never try, you’ll never know.
“Why?” you might ask.
Yes, I know, just writing it down makes me think I’m mad. Although, if you never try, you’ll never know.
“Why?” you might ask.
The long road of getting to a +200lb kettlebell turkish get up...
Well, while recording two different podcasts I talked about what exercise I could do, if I could only do one exercise for BJJ strength training. My answer was the Turkish Get Up. I was also given the idea by Byron from the ‘BJJ Brick’ podcast, of recording a series of videos where I tried to complete a strength and conditioning challenge. Something that might interesting for my audience to see. So, I thought what better challenge than trying to lift a ridiculous weight above my head in the style of a Turkish Get Up.
Thus, my 96kg Turkish Get Up Quest was born.
Why do I think the Turkish Get Up is such great strength training exercise for BJJ?
Thus, my 96kg Turkish Get Up Quest was born.
Why do I think the Turkish Get Up is such great strength training exercise for BJJ?
Performing a turkish get up with a 48kg / 106lb kettlebell.....great for BJJ strength training
First, if you think of the movements we perform when training jiu jitsu, getting up off the floor, or getting away from an opponent while you’re on the floor is pretty damn important. In my opinion the Turkish Get Up replicates those movements very well. Now, strength never replaces technique. Although being strong in those movements can’t hurt.
Second, the Turkish Get Up is one of very few exercises that uses nearly every single muscle in your body. I think the only muscle it doesn’t work are those moving your eyelids…..and even that’s debatable. It forces you to use your body as one entire unit, one very strong unit for that matter. It literally makes you strong from head to toe. So its a must for strength training that gives you the biggest bang for you buck
Third, its incredible for rotation and core strength. Strength in those areas are absolutely key if you train jiu jitsu. Just think of all the rotational movements you perform in BJJ.
Fourth, it develops amazing strength in the shoulder and its supporting muscles, in multiple different directions. We are posting our arms out in so many different directions in BJJ, that have strength through the shoulder in different directions will no doubt help.
Fifth, lifting a cannonball from a laying position to above your head while standing, is about as old school and manly as you can get. What can I say, I just think its pretty damn cool.
So, that’s why.
Lastly, while there will be a load of Turkish Get Up strength training tips in the videos, they are not technique videos per se. So, these links may also be useful for you:
Useful links
So, I hope I can convince you that the Turkish Get Up is about as good as it gets when it comes to strength training for jiu jitsu. I hope you add it to your training and I hope I can survive the challenge….
Second, the Turkish Get Up is one of very few exercises that uses nearly every single muscle in your body. I think the only muscle it doesn’t work are those moving your eyelids…..and even that’s debatable. It forces you to use your body as one entire unit, one very strong unit for that matter. It literally makes you strong from head to toe. So its a must for strength training that gives you the biggest bang for you buck
Third, its incredible for rotation and core strength. Strength in those areas are absolutely key if you train jiu jitsu. Just think of all the rotational movements you perform in BJJ.
Fourth, it develops amazing strength in the shoulder and its supporting muscles, in multiple different directions. We are posting our arms out in so many different directions in BJJ, that have strength through the shoulder in different directions will no doubt help.
Fifth, lifting a cannonball from a laying position to above your head while standing, is about as old school and manly as you can get. What can I say, I just think its pretty damn cool.
So, that’s why.
Lastly, while there will be a load of Turkish Get Up strength training tips in the videos, they are not technique videos per se. So, these links may also be useful for you:
Useful links
- Video tutorial on performing the Turkish Get Up
- What weight kettlebell to buy
- All other kettlebell videos
So, I hope I can convince you that the Turkish Get Up is about as good as it gets when it comes to strength training for jiu jitsu. I hope you add it to your training and I hope I can survive the challenge….
Teaching the Turkish Get Up as part of a BJJ strength training program
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