Punching, kicking, moving, ducking, and wrestling are all natural movements used in martial arts and MMA. So why is there so much focus on these new types of training methods? Lifting weights doesn’t build toughness. Using your own bodyweight builds a toughness.

Lifting weights and bulked up muscles don’t make you a better fighter-just look at all the juiced up ( steroids ) fighters. Steroids don’t help a fighters chin. What makes a better fighter is a superb work ethic, and being a conditioned machine  built with bodyweight training.

Fighters are spending to much time on exercises that are not going to make them a better fighter. A tough fighter is focused, he is strong physically and mentally, he is explosive, flexible, fast, and highly conditioned. And he is someone that can take a punch.

A good fighter trains like a fighter and only does things that will make him a better fighter, things that are unproven he leaves alone. Martial arts has come a long way and will probably go even further, but will soon become a spectacle.

I think the best fighters are natural fighters. Men that have certain tools, not everyone is meant to be a fighter. But everyone wants to be a MMA fighter for the sake of saying” I’m a MMA fighter “

Old methods of training like bodyweight training have worked for years, the new way is flashy and gets people in the door. Some trainers use the old methods and put out good fighters- fighters that are strong and highly conditioned.

One secret is train like you fight and use the same movements you would in a fight.Train using circuits with little or no rest. Always train harder in training- and the fight will be easier.

A fighter that trains 4 to 6 hours a day and can’t breathe after a 5 minute round is doing something wrong. A conditioned fighter should never get tired and if does he should be able to get out of harms way.

A fighter that does not stay in condition is not a serious fighter. When a fighter fights in the ring and is not conditioned he only loses, but if you are in the street and you get tired, you’re dead.

A few things that will help a fighter to be better conditioned are bodyweight exercises, like jumping rope,  hill sprints, sprints, burpees, and explosive pushups. Another way to step up your conditioning is to combine bodyweight training circuits in between rounds.

An example might be a 3 minute round on the heavy bag and 2 minutes of burpees. Or 1 minute of pushups and 1 minute of jumping jacks. Get the idea. Very little rest use as much active rest as possible, and your fitness level will sky-rocket. Toughness Builds Winners 

 

About the Author

John Grube B.C.S. F.F.S is an expert on the subject of bodyweight training and real functional fitness. He has over 25 years of training experience and is the author of The Wildman Training Program manual and Course and other training material. For more info www.wildmantraining.com He also runs fitness bootcamps In the State College Pa area

Tags: bodyweight, MMA, secrets, training