When I hear people talk about improving their cardiovascular shape I can’t help, but shake my head. Here’s why. There is nothing wrong with ‘better cardio,’ but what does that really mean and what does that mean when it comes to training fighters? Fighters have very specific needs when it comes to conditioning, but I honestly believe that … Read More
What’s Missing
Every time you watch a fight on television, you will hear similar phrases from the commentators. He was a D-1 wrestler but needs some work on his stand up. He gassed out early in his last fight, lets see how he looks tonight. To the average person this may sound normal MMA small talk, but … Read More
The Fighter’s Toolbox
Evaluation/Assessment I am not a fighter. I am not your MMA coach. I don’t pretend to know every nuance of the sport. The MMA world needs clarity when it comes to strength and conditioning and hopefully I can help. It amazes me that fighters can have a wrestling, boxing, BJJ, and Muay Thai coach, yet … Read More
5 Mistakes in MMA Strength and Conditioning
MMA might be the most physically demanding sport in the world. The best athletes are explosive, strong, agile, resilient, consistent and incredibly dedicated. Even if a fighter has all of these qualities, it’s still easy for him to obtain poor information when prepping for a fight. It might not be the fighter’s fault; often times, he’s just … Read More
The Weight Room
More than just heavy lifting… The weight room is a relatively simple space. Fill a room with heavy things like barbells, plates, dumbells and kettlebells. Add some benches to sit or lay on and you have yourself the “bones” of a weight room. However, just like with a person, there is much more to a … Read More
5 Strength and Conditioning Mistakes in MMA
MMA might be the most physically demanding sport in the world. The best athletes are explosive, strong, agile, resilient, consistent and incredibly dedicated. Even if a fighter has all of these qualities, it’s still easy for him to obtain poor information when prepping for a fight. It might not be the fighter’s fault; often times, … Read More
Strength Wins. Start Early.
We wrapped up our fall COMPETE. Sports Performance Training program at Skill of Strength this past week and some of the improvements the high school athletes made were phenomenal. (We always test our high school athletes on the first and last day so that athletes see where and how they improved during the season.) In … Read More
The Fighter’s Toolbox – Evaluation
Mike will now be posting weekly on NorthEastMMA.net. Check out his first article about how he believes all fighters should be evaluated by their strength coaches. During the initial evaluation, the trainer/coach should try to gather as much information about the fighter as possible. This SHOULD include: Injury history Medical conditions Medications/supplements Diet Recent fights- information … Read More
Front Squat Your Way To a Better Kettlebell Jerk
I wrote this article for StrongFirst and wanted to re-post it here… There is no denying the benefits of the hardstyle kettlebell jerk. Whether your goal is power, strength, hypertrophy or endurance, these can all be accomplished by training the hardstyle jerk. There are various drills and exercises to improve the hardstyle clean and jerk, … Read More
Just Relax
Do not be tense, just be ready, not thinking but not dreaming, not being set but being flexible. It is being “wholly” and quietly alive, aware and alert, ready for whatever may come. -Bruce Lee Just like strength, relaxation is a skill. It’s a vital skill that is vastly overlooked in the strength and conditioning … Read More