Bands are one of the best and most versatile training tools for MMA fighters and grapplers. For building rotational strength, explosive power, and muscular endurance, bands provide almost limitless options and allow for some intense, gut busting workouts that replicate the energy systems used in fighting.
Plain and simple, if you want to be a great MMA fighter or grappler, then you need loads of lactic acid tolerance. And besides your actual technique work and sparring, you need to be doing the right kind of conditioning work to build up that tolerance. While many fighters go for long runs or some other kind of mind numbing activity to get their "cardio" in, what they need to be doing is short, intense workouts that mimic the "feel" of a fight or match.
Bands are the perfect weapon sort of speak, and allow for a wide array of explosive and sport specific movements to get you in "fight shape" unlike anything else. European and Japanese Wrestlers and judokas have known about the power of band training for years, but many American fighters are still in the dark. Recently, powerlifting coach Louie Simmons has brought band training to the forefront and has some pretty crazy ideas when it comes to training fighters...things like timed sets, ultra high reps, and rotational work that no one has ever thought of - really awesome stuff!
Anyway, here are 8 of the best band movements for combat athletes:
1. Band Suplexes
2. Band Snapdowns
3. Band Arm Drags
4. Band High Pulls
5. Band Rows
6. Band Face Pulls
7. Band Shots (singles, doubles, high c's)
8. Band Pummeling
You can put these together in circuits, doing 10-20 or more reps per movement, or even try timed sets and intervals such as 30 seconds of snap downs followed by 30 seconds of rows followed by 30 seconds of arm drags and finally 30 seconds of face pulls. Good luck!
Plain and simple, if you want to be a great MMA fighter or grappler, then you need loads of lactic acid tolerance. And besides your actual technique work and sparring, you need to be doing the right kind of conditioning work to build up that tolerance. While many fighters go for long runs or some other kind of mind numbing activity to get their "cardio" in, what they need to be doing is short, intense workouts that mimic the "feel" of a fight or match.
Bands are the perfect weapon sort of speak, and allow for a wide array of explosive and sport specific movements to get you in "fight shape" unlike anything else. European and Japanese Wrestlers and judokas have known about the power of band training for years, but many American fighters are still in the dark. Recently, powerlifting coach Louie Simmons has brought band training to the forefront and has some pretty crazy ideas when it comes to training fighters...things like timed sets, ultra high reps, and rotational work that no one has ever thought of - really awesome stuff!
Anyway, here are 8 of the best band movements for combat athletes:
1. Band Suplexes
2. Band Snapdowns
3. Band Arm Drags
4. Band High Pulls
5. Band Rows
6. Band Face Pulls
7. Band Shots (singles, doubles, high c's)
8. Band Pummeling
You can put these together in circuits, doing 10-20 or more reps per movement, or even try timed sets and intervals such as 30 seconds of snap downs followed by 30 seconds of rows followed by 30 seconds of arm drags and finally 30 seconds of face pulls. Good luck!