| Contrary to what many believe, the importance of | | | | With mixed martial arts training, the artist wants to |
| weight room training when preparing for mixed | | | | increase muscle strength while producing greater |
| martial arts fights cannot be understated. Over the | | | | speed and stamina. |
| years, many people mistakenly believe that weight | | | | It should be obvious that if one person has been |
| training will cause loss of flexibility and a decrease in | | | | training and doing squats and bench presses, he is |
| speed and this is not so when weight training is | | | | going to be stronger than the guy who only does |
| tailored to martial arts requirements. Weight room | | | | half the amount of weight training. Nobody is |
| training is a very important part of Mixed martial arts | | | | suggesting that you go to the gym and begin to bulk |
| training for a very a number of reasons. | | | | up, far from it. But with a program especially for the |
| A mixed martial artist needs not only the strength | | | | mixed martial artist, with your body weight and |
| and power for use as attack but must also have the | | | | shape in mind, you will be able to notice a difference |
| muscle power and stamina to absorb an attack from | | | | in no time. As an example, doing 3 sets of 15 reps of |
| his opponent. Stretching is very important as it helps | | | | squats, the same with leg curls and leg extensions, |
| create flexibility by increasing your range of motion | | | | add to this walking lunges, standing or seated calf |
| and the better your range of motion, the more | | | | raises, all while using dumbbells (not overly heavy) |
| muscle fiber will be stimulated, the more muscle will | | | | and including some bench presses should see you |
| be produced. This not only increases your strength | | | | building strength fairly quickly. |
| but also your balance, speed and agility. It also helps | | | | At this stage, though, as with any new mixed martial |
| provide protection against injury of the tendons, | | | | arts training regimes, you may notice some soreness |
| ligaments and connective tissue. | | | | as you will be working muscles that have not been |
| When thinking about weight training, it is vital to | | | | worked at this intensity before. Any soreness will |
| remember that there are many forms of weight | | | | decrease as your body adjusts to this new regimen |
| training and these forms are used to suit the | | | | and begins to strengthen. It is wise to consult a |
| individual and what they are trying to achieve. | | | | trainer at your gym with regards to the exact type |
| Sometimes, the word weight training conjures up the | | | | of weight training that is right for you. Advise him |
| picture of a huge muscle bound weight lifter or a | | | | that you do mixed martial arts and as a precaution, |
| massive footballer. These people work at producing | | | | be sure to advise him of any injuries you have had in |
| large muscles to lift heavy weights for a short time. | | | | the past. |