How to Build an MMA Workout

By Espen Hanson

Most top tier fighters separate their MMA workout into five minute circuits. Each circuit contains a one minute break in between the circuits. This format mimics modern day MMA fights and how they take place. This type of training is the best to simulate what a fighter's body will go through during a fight.

No matter what type of workout someone does, it is important to warm up before serious physical activity. Common warm up techniques for fighters include exercise bikes or using a jump rope. But there is also running, press ups, dips, pull ups, shadow boxing, and a host of other techniques you can use to warm up your muscles.

It is very important to improve your cardio for mixed martial arts fights. Running and cycling are the most often used for this. Some fighters also use swimming as well since it is a total body workout and great for cardio. Circuit training can also be incorporated into a workout.

After cardio, strength building is also key to a good MMA workout. Strength building and body weight exercises are important because they give a fighter more power in their strikes, a greater ability to takedown an opponent, and also make submissions easier.

All fighters utilize bag work as part of their training regimen. Whether it is a bag lying on the floor for ground and pound, a bag hanging upright for striking, or a bag used to simulate a person in throwing drills, it is a necessary component to MMA training. For strikers, it is also a great way to work on striking combinations.

Finding a partner, or multiple partners, to train with is an absolute necessity. Finding a partner with an appropriate size and skill level to train with will help you become better at your craft. It is important that both fighters understand that the goal is not to hurt the other fighter, but to push them and train hard.

We've already mentioned that a bag is important for bag work. But you'll need other equipment to build a successful MMA workout. Most gyms will have all of the equipment you would ever need.

Developing good dieting habits and having good nutrition is a key to a solid foundation in mixed martial arts. Good nutrition is the fuel that a fighter's body requires. The better the fuel that is put in the better results a fighter will see. This also allows them to stay in top physical condition for weigh-ins.

The mental aspect of fighting is one that definitely cannot be overlooked. If a fighter can put together all of the physical parts to being a fighter, the mental game is still as tough if not more tough. Some of the best fighters in the world have been beaten due to a lack of mental fortitude or focus.

If you can put all of these different components into your MMA workout, or multiple MMA workouts, you can be successful. Whether you are doing it to become an elite fighter or just to get into shape is up to you. But this is a general overview of all the things one should think of when designing their MMA workout. - 30300

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