MMA and Fitness: How to Train Like A Pro Fighter
MMA is one of the fastest-rising sports on the planet, if not the fastest. Organizations are finally getting the recognition they deserve. One thing is certain about MMA – it offers next-level adrenaline and excitement.
Its hardship is one of the reasons why many people want to train. After all, this isn't just one martial art – it's a mixture of everything. A good fighter needs to have great knowledge of boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, judo and BJJ.
That’s not all. If you want to be a pro fighter, you need to train like one. In this article, we’ll focus on the fitness aspect of how a pro fighter should train.
Fighters Always Bet on Themselves to Win
Those who are able to endure the toughest challenges always end up on top. They always bet on themselves to win. That’s called the winning mentality and if you want to be the best, you need to possess it.
While fighters bet on themselves in a metaphorical way, fighting fans count on them by literally placing bets on the fighters. The growth of MMA as a sport has seen a spike in popularity in sports bets, especially online.
One of the reasons why fans prefer online betting is due to the fact that sportsbook sites offer so much more than wagering. Better odds and fantastic promotions are among them. As soon as you register, you can claim the top betting sign up offers and use them to increase your potential rewards.
Thanks to that, you’ll have a much better experience. Add the fact that online bookmakers are accessible from any device and you’ll have a winning combination of advantages.
As much as we’d want to talk about the benefits of online betting, we need to discuss the main topic of this article – training like a pro.
Strength Training
Strength training is a must because there are a lot of situations in the cage where you need to rely on your strength to come out victories. If your opponent has mount position or if you’re in clinch, you need to be able to move their body without any difficulty.
That’s what strength training will help you. The two best exercises to build strength in your whole body are squats and deadlifts. Heavy bench presses and push workouts are also fantastic option. Strength training basically requires you to move heavy weights with low repetitions.
Explosiveness
Good fighters need a lot of explosive power to be able to punch and go for takedowns fast and move at lightning speed. Explosive workouts are the total opposite of strength workouts. You use lighter weights and have more repetitions.
Everything here is about momentum. You start at point A and you need to reach point B as fast as possible. Squat jumps, box jumps, burpees, explosive push-ups, overhead press (standing up), jumping Bulgarian split squats, jump ropes and pull-ups are a few exercises that you need.
Interval Training
If you’re going to compete for 3-5 rounds, you need to have the stamina to endure the tempo. Fights aren’t like marathons where you maintain one tempo for a longer period. This is where you need a lot of energy in short intervals.
Hence, you can’t rely on aerobic stamina too much. You need to better your anaerobic stamina. Anaerobic overpowers aerobic in this sport. Sprints, air bike intervals and rowing intervals will test your spirit, but they’re the best option for building stamina.
Functional Training
Last but not least, to compete like a pro, you need to have full body stability and mobility. You achieve that via special core exercises and exercises for better mobility and flexibility. When it comes to having a stable core, you should prioritize workouts that better your rotational skills.
That's because when it comes to striking, everything is about rotational power. The more rotational power you have, the harder your punches become. Not only that, but you can reset your guard much faster and minimize the odds of counters. Countless landmine exercises can help you achieve that.
As for functional workouts, many consider the likes of Snatches and Clean and Jerk the best as they require you to use your whole body.