Archive for October, 2011

MMA Workouts

If only strongman competitions were more mainstream then bodybuilding then perhaps more mixed martial artists would incorporate better strength and conditioning exercises into their MMA workouts without the need of learning or knowing why.

One of the most common mistakes MMA fighters make when the are new to the concept of adding strength and conditioning to their MMA workouts is that they carry around the mindset of a bodybuilder. They go to the gym thinking they need to do all sorts of exercises for each muscle group and the only way to get a productive workout in is to get a good “pump.”

But if you wanted a general idea of what type of strength and conditioning you need to develop with your MMA workouts, then think of the type of exercises strongmen do: picking up heavy and awkward objects, carrying heavy weight for long distances, performing extremely powerful and heavy lifts as many times as possible in a certain time period, to name a few.

These types of exercises are MUCH more functional and carry over very well to MMA fighters when it comes to the type of strength and conditioning they need.

The reason being is that in a MMA fight your opponent, unlike a balanced barbell, is a constantly shifting his awkward weight that you have to continuously push and pull from both balanced and unbalanced positions, such as the type of resistance a heavy and awkward object would give you.

Not only do the exercises themselves carry well and should be adapted into your MMA workouts as opposed to your much more standard bodybuilding type workouts, but the tempo, intensity, and amount of reps and sets done in strongmen competitions are much more along the lines of how an MMA fighter should train.
Instead of doing 5 sets of 12 concentration curls with a 20 lb dumbbell to increase the “peak” of your biceps, carrying two heavy objects and doing the farmers walk for as far as you can will develop the leg strength endurance and grip endurance needed in a fight.

Strongmen lifts are very practical to add to your MMA workouts as well because they develop the type of strength that is most optimal for MMA fighters: power endurance. Doing 5 different isolation exercises for your chest in a way that stimulates hypertrophy – which essentially means an increase in muscle mass – won’t do you much good in the ring or cage unless you’re just their to impress the ring girls (though they probably won’t be too impressed when you get your ass kicked).

On the other hand, push pressing a heavy weight for as many single repetitions as you can inside a few minute timeframe will develop the power endurance to continuously exert your maximum power in a fight without tiring out or getting sloppy.

As you can see, strongmen exercises and the way they are are much more practical for MMA fighters. Eliminate any knowledge you may have on bodybuilding and building muscle mass if you want to create effective MMA workouts. Instead think exercises and workouts that force you to develop strength endurance and power endurance.

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Benefits Of Martial Arts

There are dozens of martial arts all over the world. Almost every culture has produced a system of self-defense thats been passed down from generation to generation. Some people may be reluctant to visit their local dojo because of false assumptions about the practice, while others are intimidated or have negative pre-conceived notions about martial arts. Here are five ways martial arts can give you a happier and more fulfilling life.

Self Defense

This is the most obvious benefit that martial arts can give you. All of them, from karate and judo, to muay thai to jiu jitsu, and even tai chi, were originally conceived to help ancient warriors fight better and live longer. While six months of training wont turn you into Bruce Lee, it may give you the edge you need to survive, should you find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Discipline

Martial arts instill discipline in every participant who progresses from the novice stage. Learning and practicing various movements take plenty of time and effort, requiring dedication and discipline. Its simply impossible to get better without the self-discipline needed to advance. This is a character trait that becomes intrinsic after sufficient time has passed. It carries over to other aspects of your life, like the work place or your family, where self-discipline can help you excel.

Stress Relief

The fast pace of the modern world has produced multiple sources of stress that our parents never had to deal with. Stress related illnesses are legion and everyone can use some relief in their lives. Martial arts can be used as an effective alternative health option to deal with stress.
It gives us a comfortable and legal setting where we can release the days frustrations safely.

Self-confidence

As you spend time on your individual journey in the world of martial arts, you hit milestones, accomplishments and experiences that you are invariably proud of giving you a better view of yourself. This healthy dose of self-confidence will also show through other aspects of your life. It is a proven alternative health remedy for treating low self-esteem among many people around the world.

Exercise

Martial arts are a superb source of aerobic as well as anaerobic exercise. Sparring, doing forms, and strengthening routines are effective alternative health activities designed to get you sweating and your heart pumping.

Martial Arts & Kickboxing

When signing your Child up for kids karate and kids martial arts in Stillwater, OK you will realize that your child will not only gain self-confidence, self-respect, and discipline but they will also be gaining a great deal of self-defense. This is a very important quality in a young individuals life. To have self-defense is to have a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, ones property, or the well-being of another form of physical harm. Children will develop certain skills and techniques helping them to become more one with themselves and the people around them. They will accomplish many tasks involving self-defense and will learn the proper ways in defending themselves during kids karate and kids martial arts classes in Pawnee, OK.

To have your child in kids karate and kids martial arts classes in Stillwater you will soon realize that this is the right way to lead a young individual. Your child will learn so much. What they will learn will help them both in the class as well as outside of the class. Children develop all sorts of communication and physical skills that are strongly taught in kids karate and martial arts classes in Stillwater. Defending oneself is one of the most important qualities that someone can have. For a child to gain this quality at such a young age, this will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Parents instinctively know that the safety of their children is under constant threat. More kids then ever before are abducted and victimized by their peers each and every day. By enrolling your child into kids karate and kids martial arts classes in Stillwater, OK, you can equip them with the skills to ward off an attack or ignore it altogether.
Kids martial arts classes are not designed to train children to fight. Instead, they focus on developing a number of mental and physical skills that provide lifelong value. Kids learn to concentrate more effectively and think more clearly. They also learn the value of respect and emotional restraint while taking classes in Stillwater.

Once a parent decides to sign their child up for kids karate and kids martial arts classes in Pawnee they will understand exactly what it is that everyone talks about. The skill, the technique, the confidence, the self-respect, the discipline, and most importantly the self-defense are all major factors in your childs life. Being part of a kids karate or a kids martial arts class in Stillwater will prove that these factors are essential in your childs life and can all be accomplished!