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Conditioning is very important in MMA competitions (as in all martial arts or law enforcement in general). Imagine yourself entering into a Mixed Martial Arts competition. You have been training in BJJ, Boxing, Muay Thai and Wrestling for years. You know every technique in the book. Your striking is crisp, your takedowns are unstoppable, and you have a scary ground game.
You step into the cage or mat knowing that you have the skill to beat this guy. Then a question creeps in "Should I have spent more time on MMA conditioning?" Before you can think of an answer you hear the sound of the horn. The fight has begun. Right off the bat you land a few sharp jabs and then take your opponent down with such a fast single leg that he does not even have a chance to defend it. From the ground you work your magic. You are in control and feel like victory will be yours.
Things start to change when you notice that with each scramble you seem a little slower, a little less in control. You are starting to feel short of breath and soon enough the tables are turned on you. The other man gets up to his feet and the referee tells you to stand. You are now noticeably gassed and the guy you are fighting sees it. He attacks aggressively and you are stuck defending because you don't have the energy to mount an offence. Your arms feel heavy and are starting to drop bit by bit as the moments pass. He throws a left hook and your hand is down. You wake up back stage with an answer to your question and a splitting headache. If you run out of gas in a fight, it does not matter how skillful in MMA you are, you are going to have a bad day. How do we prevent that from happening? Through a well-rounded MMA conditioning program.
Your conditioning program must develop...
· Aerobic capacity · Anaerobic capacity · Strength · Functional Strength · Power · Muscular Endurance
The main ways to develop these attributes is through...
· Running · Sprinting · Weight Lifting · Functional Exercises · Plyometrics
Where to start? The best place is where you are the weakest. Do I gas out easily? Am I exceptionally strong? These are the kind of questions to ask yourself so that you know where you should be spending the most time. Remember that you are only as strong as your weakest link. Not to say that you should neglect your strong areas. You should continue to work on them also.
With a little thought you should be able to come up with a MMA conditioning program that will eliminate your weaknesses and bolster your strengths.
Remember, if you are in better shape than your opponent, even if he has an edge in technique and skill, the odds are greatly stacked in your favor because once he runs out of gas, his amazing technique will simply disappear.
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MMA Conditioning |
