Train Like a Fighter
If you have ever taken a FightShape class at Evolve MMA,
then the below work out performed by UFC interim welterweight champion, Carlos
Condit, will look very familiar. It is
not performed in a traditional gym and there are no barbells, dumbbells, or
heavy weights involved. For athletes,
and mixed martial artists in particular, a traditional body building work out
will do very little to improve your performance. Bicep curls will give you aesthetically
pleasing biceps, but they won’t do anything for your martial arts game. In order to improve athletic performance you
must focus on more functional strength training.
At Evolve MMA, our FightShape program follows a very
specific and proven formula for improving athletic performance. It will also help reduce the risk of injury,
which means you can spend more time training in martial arts with less aches
and pains. The program begins with a
lengthy warm up that includes myofascial release followed by static and dynamic
stretching. We then move into muscle
activation, which fires up all those muscles that have been shut off due to inactivity. This is particularly important for those who
have been sitting at a desk all day.
Once your body is warmed up and ready to go, the program moves into
functional circuit training. This
includes fully body exercises that simulate the type of movements that are used
in the practice of martial arts. Think kettle
bells, battle ropes, and body weight exercises.
In an hour or less your body should be completely exhausted. Any time over an hour spent on strength
training is too much and would be better spent training in your actual sport.
To get an idea of how an elite level fighter trains check
out the below video of Carlos Condit preparing for his upcoming fight with
Georges St. Pierre. If you want to
become a better mixed martial artist you need to train like one. Training like a bodybuilder will do you more
harm than good. If you have the
opportunity, be sure to try out a FightShape class at Evolve MMA. FightShape is designed to complement martial
arts training and improve athletic performance.
It will also get in you in the best shape of your life.
Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.
