| First of all, what is MMA? MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is | | | | point in wandering aimlessly around in circles. If you're |
| a full contact combat sport that allows a wide variety | | | | serious about being an MMA fighter, then you must |
| of fighting techniques and skills, from a mixture of | | | | have a serious strength and conditioning program. |
| traditional martial arts, wrestling and boxing, to be | | | | You must always be thinking about what you need |
| used in competitions. The rules allow the use of both | | | | to do to improve those aspects of your training that |
| striking as well as grappling techniques, both while | | | | need work and to practice and perfect those skills in |
| standing and on the ground. Such competitions allow | | | | which you excel. |
| martial artists of different backgrounds to compete. | | | | Tip 2 - Maximize your Efficiency. If you want to |
| The MMA fighters compete using techniques from | | | | succeed as a mixed-martial artist, at a minimum, |
| these distinct forms of fighting inside of an eight | | | | you've got to train in jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing and |
| sided cage. A win is when the other opponent is | | | | wrestling. This doesn't leave you a ton of time to |
| knocked out, submits, or succeeds by the decision of | | | | work on strength. So you've got to get in an |
| the judges. | | | | efficient workout in the little time that you do have. |
| As a result of the different techniques used in MMA, | | | | In your strength program, you can do so by training |
| fighters must be highly trained and in top physical | | | | full body workouts focused on movement patterns. |
| condition. Practitioners that prepare to fight in | | | | Instead of generally working on your chest, biceps, |
| matches have to work on their speed, strength, | | | | quads, hams and back, think squats, lunges, deadlifts, |
| agility, and endurance. Becoming a professional MMA | | | | pushes, pulls, and twists. |
| fighter takes time and patience. Most MMA fighters | | | | TIp 3 - Use a Medicine Ball. By far the best tool for |
| have to start out from the basics - martial arts such | | | | developing MMA specific power is the medicine ball, |
| as Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Jiu-Jitsu. Wrestling and | | | | since you can throw the ball as hard and fast as you |
| boxing are also valuable skills to have. If you don't | | | | can in rotational movements that heavily involve the |
| have these skills, it is essential that you join a mixed | | | | core. Integrating the medicine ball will allow you to |
| martial arts gym, school or club to be trained | | | | develop knockout power with your strikes, as well as |
| properly. | | | | explosive take down ability. |
| After you acquire the basic skills, the next steps are | | | | Tip 4 - Get the Right Gear. You can't fight or train |
| practice and physical conditioning. It is essential for a | | | | without the proper equipment. Experienced |
| MMA fighter to develop strength, endurance and | | | | competitors involved in fighting sports such as MMA, |
| balance. Here are some important tips to achieve | | | | wrestling, jiu jitsu, and boxing know how important it |
| your MMA dreams! | | | | is to wear the right protective gear and clothing. |
| Tip 1 - Follow a Program. The worst thing you can do | | | | Safety and performance are of the utmost |
| is go to the gym and spin your wheels. There is no | | | | importance when choosing the proper equipment. |