Designing some MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Conditioning programmes this week.
The most important aspect of a fighters training is the work they put in within the ring/cage… Nothing can condition a fighter better than putting in countless rounds of sparring.
However specific Strength & Conditioning is vital for taking an individual with talent and turning them into an athlete performing at their best.
When developing MMA Conditioning programmes a lot of emphasis is put on high intensity training and metabolic conditioning, progressing a fighter to peak fitness, stripping away excess weight whilst maintaining lean muscle and strength.
Within these sessions we include SAQ drills (Speed, Agility & Quickness), Strength and Plyometric work. Specifically training these areas will result in a faster, stronger and more powerful fighter.
Too much resistance training is generally seen as being negative to a fighters progression (Building too much muscle may slow the fighter down and cause them to tire quickly). However incorporating the right strength training into a programme will not cause anywhere near the amount of hypertrophy (Muscle gains) that could be seen as negative for a fighter.
The right programming will result in a prominent increase of strength to weight ratio, which can help a fighter to dominate their weight category.