| Many people think that because they are involved | | | | continuous heavy lifting from working on a farm, |
| in a certain discipline, that is all they need to do, | | | | or through a regular weightlifting routine. Since |
| and due to strict training in that discipline they will, | | | | many people don't work on farms these days the |
| over time, become a "master" at their skill. | | | | only alternative is weightlifting. |
| Although many fighters prefer one discipline, and | | | | 4. Martial Arts Training. Every fighter must be |
| tout that discipline when they fight, Mixed Martial | | | | involved in a consistent martial arts training |
| Arts is just that "mixed." Every fighter that has | | | | regimen. I prefer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo or other |
| the desire to become the best at what they do | | | | grappling martial arts, but this does not mean |
| must implement 5 items into their routine to get | | | | they are the best, or most effective. Lyoto |
| at the top of their game. These 5 items are: | | | | Machida, who at the time of this article is 13-0-0 in |
| 1. Diet. Every fighter must have a consistent, | | | | his mixed martial arts career is a Karate fighter, |
| healthy diet. The food we eat is the fuel that | | | | and obviously (based on his professional record) |
| keeps us going throughout the day and through | | | | has used Karate effectively to dominate his |
| our workouts. Every fighter should be up to | | | | opponents. |
| speed on what is healthy and what is not. This | | | | At one time I made contact with an instructor |
| does not only include the types of foods we eat | | | | who taught Tae-kwon-do and claimed that |
| but the supplements we take. Diet is something | | | | Jiu-Jitsu was predictable and could be learned in |
| you should not leave in the hands of someone | | | | two weeks. I cannot disagree more. All martial |
| else to make decisions for you. "If you put crap | | | | arts require consistent practice. Those that are |
| in, you get crap out." | | | | interested in martial arts do them for many |
| 2. Cardio. I wrestled for 4 years in high school and | | | | reasons, but common to all martial arts |
| for every hour we spent on the mat, we spent | | | | practitioners is the desire to be able to protect |
| at least an hour doing some sort of cardiovascular | | | | themselves (or others) when it "comes down to |
| exercise and strength training. Cardio exercises | | | | the wire." The only way to be able to do this is |
| include jumping rope, plyometrics, running (on a | | | | create muscle memory through consistent, |
| treadmill or on the street), biking, swimming, etc. | | | | long-term practice and training. |
| Although it is nice to pick a routine, changing up | | | | 5. Sleep. Sleep is one of the most important |
| the types of cardio you do, will cause "muscle | | | | aspects of a training routine. Every fighter should |
| confusion" allowing you to break down the muscle | | | | get, at a minimum, 7 to 8 hours of sleep every |
| more effectively, becoming stronger, and in | | | | night (or more if they can). Sleep is your |
| better shape. It also eliminates the monotony of | | | | recovery time to rebuild your muscles. |
| your workouts. | | | | Remember when you train, you are "tearing" your |
| 3. Strength Training. Back to the high school days. | | | | muscles. These very small tears need to repair |
| Included in every workout was pushups, pull-ups, | | | | themselves. Our bodies do the majority of their |
| sit-ups, etc. You will notice while watching the | | | | muscle building and repair when we are asleep. |
| UFC, WEC or whatever your league of choice is, | | | | Sleep could be considered one of the most |
| that the pro fighters have deep core strength. | | | | important aspects of a solid training routine. |
| This deep core strength can be built through | | | | |