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The MMA Workout Program designed for a UFC Champ...
How about a cardio workout that doesn't need a gym, machines, or even running?
These are the books and programs that started it all. Find out about Wiggy's methods on training strength-endurance, sandbag training, and how to intensify your workouts! Simply put, a kick-ass little workout timer that's small and easy to carry, easy to use, and even easier on the wallet! The best book on Intermittent Fasting on the internet - it's how I eat! The
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"Pull
Yourself Together" One of the most overlooked areas of putting together a strength program for MMAists is pulling exercises. Upper body pushing exercises get a quite a bit of attention. We all know how popular the bench press is. (As well, we all know how popular it is to dislike the bench press.) Overhead pressing is becoming more popular (especially when it's combined with the clean). And many coaches will tell you to always make sure to work the lower body, with squats (and to a certain extent, deadlifts) usually being the first choice. However, upper body pulling exercises tend to not get mentioned as much. And for any combat athlete that spends much time in the clinch or on the ground, pulling exercises are absolutely essential. Think about this for a second. Think about most non-striking moves in MMA - the clich, takedowns, the guard, changing position, most submission attempts...almost all are largely pulling motions of some sort. The clinch involves clasping your hands around your opponents head/neck, pulling them down, and him to you. After shooting in for a takedown, you are grabbing your opponent (be it an ankle, a leg, around the hips, etc.) and holding him to you. It is a cross between holding your opponent's limb(s) and driving forward with your lower body that allows you to take him down. While the guard is done with the lower body, many times you will be holding your opponent close to you, keeping him from creating space between you. By doing this, you take away much of his ability to strike, or go for submissions. Armbars are done grabbing the arm, and extending through with the hips - a pulling motion. The same goes for kneebars. (In fact, this same pulling motion is a big part of many sumissions.) The rear naked choke, after snaking your arm around your opponent's neck, involves not only squeezing the arm together, but arching with the back - another pulling motion. Even little used submissions like the can-opener or neck crank use pulling motions. Now, think about how much you're pushing with your upper body. It's very little. This isn't to say that pushing motions aren't beneficial - because they certainly are. But just don't make the mistake of thinking that they are more important than pulling motions. Upper body pulling exercises like chins, pullups, various types of rows, etc. should be staples in your workout plans. As should whole body pulling exercises such as deadlifts, high pulls, cleans, and other power versions of the Olympic lifts. Increase your strength and power on your pulling movements, and I think you'll find all of a sudden, you have much more power on the mat. Train Hard, Rest Hard, Play Hard.
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"Hey man, that's so f@#$ing crazy
that you just emailed me, I'm reading your article about sand bags right
now on MMA Weekly! I would love to try one of your workouts. I've read
several of your articles, and I really like your approach...You've got
some great ideas, man. I really liked the sand bag article.Thanks again, and take care," Joe Rogan UFC Color Commentator BJJ Brown Belt US Open TKD Champion, MW & HW TKD Champion
"I
have been training in MMA for a year and lifting weights for over two years
consistantly. I have trained in bodybuilding, crossfit, and powerlifting for
different aspects of conditioning. But NOTHING is like your MMA workout plan...As
far as my skills training goes this program has created a buzz by my team about
if I am on the "juice" or not. I am able to run through my partners
and keep going. The cardio work has allowed me to go a whole class without a
break, and then go to my next class and keep the intensity going...I LOVE this
workout plan and want to get some of my teammates going..." "Hey
man, I had my first mma fight in New York last weekend and ended up giving up
30 pounds to my opponent because he was the main event fighter and his opponent
backed out. They asked me to fight up in weight in the main event against this
guy and I won via arm bar submission in the second round. I just wanted to thank
you for the programs with the sandbag because I was stronger and better conditioned
then this guy who has apparently won the gold cup tae kwon do championship 7
out of the last 8 years. If it wasn't for my strength and conditioning, I probably
would have never gotten him to the ground and won. Just wanted to give you a
shout out and say thanks." "It's
cool to see you layout the rep schemes for the power complexes. And I liked
the section on healing shoulders, lots of guys out here have that problem...And
also, good to see you include MFD, I am still a huge proponent of that, I think
it's key." "...it's
like you reached into my head and pulled out what I've been attempting to accomplish
and I'm only on the first 20 pages...approaching conditioning from both ends
is f#cking genius. I was doing it from the intensity point of view only..." |