Sandbag Training for MMA

I've mentioned before that I think Mixed Martial Arts is currently the fastest growing sport today. As each year passes the fighters get better and the training methods get refined.

I've also written that I think for fighters - using hybrid lifts and complexes would be a better conditioning tool than doing wind sprints or running as is traditionally prescribed. After all - it's not uncommon to see fighters who have done a ton of roadwork still fatigue rapdily during hard fights.

The reason for this is although the running has developed their cardiovascular system, the effect of lactic acid on their localized muscle groups is devastating. If we do not condition the muscle groups themselves to handle high levels of lactate, the cardio system will feel fine, but that area will lock up and shut down.

Kickboxers call this "heavy legs." Motocross athletes experience the same phenomenon but call it "arm pump" - where despite feeling fine - the forearms become so pumped up and unable to move that the rider is toast anyway! So I have used barbell and DB complexes to train this quality.

I was talking to Josh Henkin last year and we were exchanging ideas. He mentioned to me that doing complexes and circuits with sandbags (as opposed to bars) was harder metabolically - and the "unstable object" effect was more specific to the fighter. After trying it out I was convinced that there was something to what Josh was saying - especially to change up a training program.

After me bugging him for about a year - Josh and the team at Innovative Fitness Solutions have finally released a specific training product for the Mixed Martial Artist - Sandbag Training for MMA

Yes this is a blatant plug for Josh's product. But I've known Josh for years and he was one of the first people I interviewed for Strength and Conditioning Interrogations. (And bear in mind that I get asked to endorse or contribute to about a dozen products a day and turn down nearly all of them). And you should also note that I've never endorsed a sandbag training program before. This one is different - it's a solid product - probably Josh's best work to date.

If you are interested in adding a new dimension to your own training - or the training of fighters - check out Sandbag Training for MMA

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AC
www.alwyncosgrove.com