The Mixed Martial Arts Guy's Style of Fitness: A First Look

If you haven't been hiding under a rock, you've probably seen some mixed martial arts fights on  television.  What you have also probably noticed is that the majority of these fighters have extremely impressive physiques and they are in superb physical shape.  They need to be at such a high level of fitness to be able to compete against guys who are likely just as talented and in as good a physical shape as they are.  Have you ever wondered what kinds of things a mixed martial arts guy does to get into fighting shape.  Well, you have come to the right place.  We are going to take a “first look” at a mixed martial arts guy's style of fitness.

Keep It Challenging and Keep Learning

Many mixed martial arts fighters train with people who are better than they are.  This allows them to learn more and improve their skills.  Here is what Georges St-Pierre Had to say:

“I always train with better wrestlers than me, better boxers than me, better jujitsu guys than me.  When you train with people who are better than you, it keeps challenging you.”

Many MMA guys train with a variety of partners in jiu jitzu, grappling, kickboxing and boxing.  To become better fighters, they work with partners who are better than they are at that particular discipline.  So if you are looking to get more physically fit, find a workout
partner that meets or exceeds the fitness goals you would like to meet can be a good idea.  By finding a workout partner that is really fit, you can learn a lot from them when it comes to building muscle, getting leaner and even on nutrition.  Even if you don't want a workout partner, you can still find guys who have elite fitness at the gym and who are more than willing to help you on your quest for peak fitness.  You will stay challenged and you will learn a lot.

Strength and Conditioning Are Key

When it comes to mix martial arts, having superior strength and conditioning are vital.  Strength is important in just about every sport but for those in the world of mixed martial arts, strength converts to wins and titles.  It is the strength that allows a fighter to knockout an opponent with one strike or to put them at a disadvantage in position.  So what does an MMA guy do for strength ... lots of weight lifting.  They perform big compound exercises that build muscle and general strength like squats, bench presses, pull-ups, lunges and deadlifts.  They also do lots of core exercises that work the abdominals and obliques.  So if you want to add a “spark” to your physical fitness, going MMA style through weight training to is a great way to do it.  You will definitely increase your strength.

For an MMA guy, conditioning comes in a variety of ways.  A mixed martial arts guy will do lots of cardio work by running and swimming.  They will also do lots of high intensity training by running sprints, stairs and high speed drills. 

Many MMA guys also jump rope which not only improves conditioning but it can burn up to 1000 calories in an hour.  It is great for toning muscles and it helps fighters develop that long, lean muscular look.  Did I mention that jumping rope is super for cardiovascular conditioning.  It also improves agility, endurance, explosiveness, timing, vertical jumping ability and hand/eye/foot coordination.

An MMA guy's conditioning wouldn't be complete without some plyometrics which are exercises that produce fast and powerful movements.  Plyometrics are used to help an MMA guy improve their performance in the ring/octagon.  Some plyometric exercises include squat jumps, medicine ball throws, the clean and jerk and burpees.

For mixed martial arts guys, condition is what gives them the ability to fight hard in the final round.

Workout With A Goal and Intensity

You won't find any serious MMA guy slouching his way through a workout.  First, they have a goal in mind, something they want to accomplish.  Most want to become the best at their sport and be a champion in their weight class.  For anyone wanting to model an MMA guy's style of fitness, you need a goal.  With a goal, you have a direction to go and the motivation to reach that goal.  The goal will also help you create a plan so that reaching the goal can become a reality.

The MMA guy's style of fitness is also very intense.  They have done the planning and they know what workouts they will be doing each day.  With that in mind, they now have to go out and execute it with a fierce intensity so that they will be a better; fighter; fast, stronger and more well-rounded.  You can't do that if you go into a workout like a “wet noodle”.  You have to give every workout all you've got.  In the end, the MMA guy will push himself to the limits and be that much better as a fighter.