The Pro Leg Stretcher click on image for details.
Before a warrior can attack his workout, he must first prepare his body. The MMA warrior warm-up prepares the body for the demanding activities within MMA like; striking, wrestling, and grappling. This warm-up increases a fighter’s core temperature, which is important for performance. With a higher temperature in the core and in the specific muscles about to be used, the warrior is ensured better performance during the workout with less chance of injury. By using the warm-up exercises through a complete range of motion, the warrior’s dynamic flexibility is increased and his joints are nourished and strengthened by the compressive forces passed through them. By using the dynamic version of stretching, the neuromuscular system is prepared to perform; and by performing the exercises over and over correctly, the athlete also improves his coordination and ability to process new skills.
Remember, training is not just about getting tired. A true warrior must be more concerned with the quality of work than with its quantity and intensity. A warrior does not sacrifice technique for speed when beginning to perform this warm-up. Begin the warm-up at a higher quality and lower intensity level. As your skill improves, you can increase the intensity to match the quality of your exercise. You must monitor your technique and address any errors. You must also make sure not to perform a task better on one side versus another. These unilateral mistakes must be addressed to ensure that the warrior will reach maximum athletic potential. The warrior must also remember that joint position affects specific muscle recruitment.
High Kicks equals Flexibility
Training in MMA is an all-year process. Stay consistent with the warm-up year-round so that the exercises become truly a warm-up and not a complete workout in themselves. When an MMA warrior applies this type of consistency to his training, that will be a time of progress and, most important, the warrior will use this warm-up to better understand himself.
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February 17th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Warm-Up is indeed very important in Martial arts.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Warming up is a good thing but you need to do it right. Active flexibility drills are a good start, but you need to be careful. The stretch and hold type moves make you more flexible, yes, but also make you more prone to injury directly afterwards. Best to put the stretches meant to increase your flexibility at the end of a training session.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Bart,
Good point and well taken. What kind of stretching movements do you feel are the best for warming up.
Thanks
thacker
June 4th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I admire the time and effort you put into your blog. I wish I had the same drive :)