6 Simple Tips to Enhance Your MMA Training

Mikkie Mills December 29, 2020

Mixed martial arts is a challenging sport requiring strength, agility and overall physical fitness. Like any sport, performing at your peak in MMA requires intense training year-round. If you are training for MMA, here are six simple tips to enhance your training.

1. Hydrate

Hydration is always important, but it’s even more crucial when doing MMA training. That level of exercise results in significant water loss through sweat, making it necessary to replenish that water. Hydration also flushes toxins out of the body and contributes to natural processes, such as digestion and muscle repair. Failure to properly hydrate can cause weakness, fatigue, headaches and other symptoms that make training difficult.

To increase water intake, water softener systems can be used to improve the taste and quality of drinking water. You may also consider beverages that contain electrolytes to replenish water loss due to sweat, but be aware of the amount of sugar in some sports drinks.

2. Diet

A healthy and balanced diet is needed to improve physical fitness. Protein intake is especially important since the amino acids in protein are what repairs muscles after exercise, resulting in growth. You should be sure to intake healthy amounts of all major vitamins and minerals. Taking a daily multivitamin can help with this.

Your caloric requirements vary based on your size, level of activity and goals. If you are trying to lose weight, you should consume less calories than you burn. If you are trying to gain weight, you should consume more calories than you burn. Where these calories come from is just as important as the total calorie count. Avoid excessive carbohydrates and saturated fats that will result in fat production in the body. Lean foods and proteins and will your body build muscle rather than fat.

3. Rest

With the goal of being an MMA fighter in mind, it’s easy to assume you need to do intense workouts every day, but that is not the case. Taking days off or alternating heavy workout days with lighter days will allow time for your muscles to recover and grow. It will also help keep you from overworking yourself, becoming fatigued and lower the risk of injury.

4. Stretching

Stretching is a vital part of your workout and should be done consistently. Keeping your muscles limber will make them more resistant to sprains, strains and tears. It is best to stretch both before and after a workout. It is also good to stretch on your days off to maintain flexibility. In addition to preventing injuries, flexibility will help with your fighting technique and agility.

5. Plan

Creating a plan for exercise schedules, water consumption and meals is a great way to ensure that you’re doing all the right things. It can help you make sure that you are giving enough attention to each muscle group during your workouts, drinking enough water and intaking all the right nutrients. Creating a schedule in the form of a to-do list breaks down large goals into more attainable tasks and will give you a sense of accomplishment when you complete each item.

6. Commit

Preparing for MMA fights takes time and patience. Odds are, your body will not be in perfect shape overnight or even in the first few months. Create a training regimen and stick to it. Over time, you will see improvement in your physical fitness and fighting ability. Creating and accomplishing short term goals, such as losing those first ten pounds, is a great way to stay motivated. You can also record your weight and measurements over time or take progress photos that will allow you to see the difference.

Mixed martial arts training takes a lot of energy and willpower, but with these six tips, you will be in peak fighting shape in no time. Just remember to stay hydrated, watch your diet, rest, stretch, create a plan and commit to your training.

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