Weight Training for MMA
February 7, 2010
A lot of people ask me if weight training is good for mixed martial arts… and my answer is yes. Weight training, if done properly, can be very beneficial for MMA and UFC style training.
However, there are several things to keep in mind… for one thing, you should have a workout that is custom tailored for your fighting style. If you are primarily a striker, you shouldn’t be loading up too much on the curls – but if you are primarily a wrestler, then hit the curls hard.
As a striker, it is important to keep your arms elastic and flexible (hence a striker should avoid bulky arms) but as a wrestler, having powerful arms is good for finishing double legs and other takedowns.
Another thing to keep in mind is a proper warm-up before lifting weights. If you go the weight gym, you’ll see people just do a few stretches and then start lifting… and if you look around in the same gym, you’ll see bulky dudes walking around with their arms all curled in… you don’t want that. You want long, smooth, flexible, and strong muscles. You don’t want to leave the gym with your arms curling in.
To avoid that, a proper warm-up is important. Personally, I like to do a big shadow boxing routine, break a sweat, and then stretch out my arms. Once you are warmed up and stretched out – begin your lifting. Make sure you do each exercise with a light warm-up set first.
In between sets, instead of just sitting and waiting, stretch your arms and shadow box. The stretching and shadow boxing between sets will keep your arms loose and flexible. Try this, you will notice a big difference.
Then at the end of your workout, burn out with some cardio. Either do some intense shadow boxing (until you are sweating) or go for a one mile run. Afterward, do a nice long stretch. You’ll notice the difference when you get home – and especially the next day. Your arms will feel loose and flexible – not sore and curled up.
If you guys see me lifting weights at our Miami MMA gym, that is why you always see me shadow boxing in between sets :) That being said, it helps to have an ipod with your favorite music playing while lifting.
–Master Marcos Avellan
www.FFAspace.com
P.S. Don’t forget to reserve tickets for the Banquet! You can reserve them online at www.FFAspace.com on the front page – everyone is invited! You can bring friends as well!
