MMA Conditioning

Written by Mike Massie on October 13, 2009 - 12 Comments
Categories: Curriculum

Your MMA Strength And Conditioning Questions… Answered!

Technique is important, but everyone knows that being in top condition is a prerequisite for success in MMA

I’ve decided to mix it up a little bit this week…

So, I’m asking you to post any questions you may have related to conditioning for martial arts athletes – especially pro or amateur MMA fighters.

All your questions will be answered by Eric Wong, noted MMA strength and conditioning expert and the author of The Ultimate MMA Strength and Conditioning Program.

If anyone were qualified to write the definitive guide to mma conditioning, it’d have to be Eric. The guy has impeccable credentials, and a track record of helping athletes get in tip top shape for the ring.

(By the way, Eric recently sent me a copy of his book to review, and I was very impressed. Head and shoulders above most of the stuff I’ve read on the topic. If you fight or train fighters, I’d suggest it as a solid resource.)

Here’s How To Get Your MMA Strength And Conditioning Questions Answered…

All you have to do is click the link at the end of this article. Post your questions as a comment (try to be as specific as possible – it’ll help us address your questions) and I’ll forward your questions to Eric.

After we’ve collected all your questions on conditioning and workouts for MMA fighters and martial athletes, I’ll publish your questions along with Eric’s responses in a future blog post.

Just be sure to post your questions by Thursday, October 15th at midnight – that’s so we can get Eric to answer your questions in time to post the answers sometime next week!

Click here to post a question on conditioning for MMA fighters

-- Mike Massie has owned and operated martial arts schools and fitness studios for most of his adult life. A lifelong martial artist, he is the author of "Small Dojo Big Profits", runs the Martial Art School Alliance International (MASAI) business coaching website, and is the creator of The Self Defense Black Belt Program (TM) and Fighting Fit Boot Camp (TM). For martial arts business coaching, visit http://martialartschoolalliance.com.

12 Responses to “MMA Conditioning”

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Kurt Schulenburg

October 13, 2009 at 11:23 am

Joints appear to be the first thing that really “go” as we get older. I can personally atest to the difficulties in training for MMA when you’ve got knees and elbows that have reached retirement age before the rest of you.
I’ve learned that “hurdler’s stretches” are horrible for knees in sports involving kicking. Are there other traditional stretches that are NOT good for MMA? What would be included in a GOOD MMA warm-up/cool-down?
Manny Reyes Sr.

October 13, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Q’s#1- Other than running & doing sprints, what can a fighter training for an m.m.a. event do to increase his/her cardio for maximum performance;so that their body does’nt quit on them in the middle of a fight? Q’s#2- If you are a striker,how much B.J.J.,Wrestling,Judo, or for that matter grappling should you know in order to compete in an m.m.a. event? Q’s#3- Same Q’s only the roles are reversed,if you are grappler…
Manny Reyes Sr.

October 13, 2009 at 1:09 pm

Q’s#4- Sorry I sent my last Q’s & forgot to add this on,in regaurds to over all conditioning & cardio training,how much harder is it to train your body to be ready for an m.m.a. event, vs. only a striking event,vs. only a grappling event?
Filip

October 14, 2009 at 5:19 am

Conditioning is very important.
But I have noticed that Americans use a lot of conditioning NOT involving martial arts movements. (Rich Franklin, etc…) Eric Wong uses many very good condtitioning exercises and it will get you in great shape. But shouldnt`t you push your conditioning with martial arts movements themselves. (kicking bags, etc…) Then you got figthers who when they are tired will do stuff like Machida, Anderson Silva. They get tired by mostly sparring and variations of their techniques. I have no doubt about the efficiency of Wong`s conditioning system but isn`t the second one better as a fighter?
Mike Massie

October 14, 2009 at 6:56 am

Excellent questions, guys…

Keep ‘em coming!
Simon

October 14, 2009 at 4:42 pm

I was interested in training some of my friends in this way, but am running out of training methods. Ive used kettlebells, tyres and medicine balls etc. What other training methods can I use t condition the body?
Mike Massie

October 14, 2009 at 5:12 pm

Simon,

I’m sure Eric will have some suggestions for you.

After reading his manuals, I’m positive he could provide you with some useful suggestions.
Vidal Rosales

October 14, 2009 at 10:46 pm

What exercise would you recommend to become more explosive? Faster?
mani

October 14, 2009 at 11:00 pm

Hoiz, i just need a clarification about the street fighting, I am a blackbelt i am very good in sparring and kicks and fighting skills in karate dojo,and i am practicing street fight also in the dojo, but when i go to real street fighting i am getting shivering and i cont able to touch the opponent. i dont know why? please give me a suggestion to change this in street fight situation.
Mike Massie

October 15, 2009 at 7:18 am

Mani, I hope “street fighting” isn’t a common occurrence for you…

What you’re describing is an adrenaline dump, also known as “pre-fight jitters” – practically unavoidable since it’s a programmed physiological response, but easily channeled into something positive.

Maybe Eric will have some suggestions for you on this…
billy carter

October 15, 2009 at 5:47 pm

i have mostly kids in my class and i cant get them past 10 pushups without stopping.any suggestions on getting them to work harder at it.
Mike Massie

October 15, 2009 at 5:52 pm

Billy,

Has it occurred to you that age might be an issue in athletic performance? Most children are much weaker developmentally in upper body strength until puberty…

Could also be your teaching style – but in my experience, when teaching kids if you can turn “work” into a “game” you will always get more out of them.