This is a great question and one that I feel should be answered. For many years, many martial artists who competed in various combat sports from jiu-jitsu to mma overlooked their strength and conditioning programs. Many of these athletes thought two things; that gaining more muscle would make them slower and that they would get the conditioning they would need through sparring and training in the martial arts of their choice day after day. As mma has exploded these ideas that were once held are no longer.
Now every top fighter has their own strength and conditioning coaches and many have credited those same trainers for taking their game to the next level. Some examples B.J. Penn has raved about Marv Marinovich and what he has done for him. We can all agree love him or hate him, Penn has really looked unstoppable. Another fighter that comes to mind is Frank Mir, for his last fight he was in incredible condition thanks in part to Mark Philippi. He packed on some lean body mass and looked faster and stronger than he ever has before.
With the explosion of mixed martial arts and grappling throughout the world it is essential to have all aspects of training covered. A strength and conditioning coach or expert should not be a person you overlook.
So what can a strength and conditioning program do for a fighter? Here are three things:
- Improve your speed, agility and quickness. Other wise known as SAQ.
- Improve your strength, power and conditioning.
- Improve your mental toughness.
Tomorrow we will get into more detail about how improvements in your speed, agility and quickness can be made in a solid strength and conditioning program.
