Today’s topic includes two my favorite things – kettlebells and BJJ! If you’ve spent any amount of time training martial arts or coaching combat athletes, you’ve probably heard that kettlebell training can be incredibly beneficial for these athletes. You will hear things like… Kettlebell Training will improve functional strength. Training with kettlebells is excellent for … Read More
Strength Training for Fighters
Training Combat Athletes – An Overview
In this episode, Mike discusses his basic template on evaluating and programming fighters. He goes over everything from the FMS screen, table assessments, performance assessments and program design. Connect with Mike: Mike Perry on Instagram Mike Perry on Facebook Skill of Strength: Skill of Strength Online Training Contact Skill of Strength Skill of Strength Instagram … Read More
Post UFC Fight Training Programs
Saturday night, January 20, was pretty special for me. Three of the MMA athletes who train at Skill of Strength fought on the UFC 220 card at the TD Garden in Boston. Yup, that’s our home town! I have prepared athletes for some pretty big fights in the past, but three of them fighting in … Read More
Strength with Time Constraints
The fight game is tough. I get it. Many fighters are trying to figure out how to fit in technical work as well as strength and conditioning training…often while balancing a full-time job and a family. Fighting is a huge commitment, but like anything, if you want to be the best, there are some sacrifices that you need to make. … Read More
3 Game-Changing Exercises for Combat Athletes
When it comes to designing training programs for combat athletes, (and really, when designing all training programs) I always look for patterns! I ask myself the following five questions when designing training programs for athletes. What works? What doesn’t? What is the risk/reward? Is the exercise appropriate for the athlete at this time? Is the exercise appropriate … Read More
White Belt Strength Coach 4 Month Update
I started BJJ about four months ago. After training for a month I posted the article, White Belt Strength Coach so I figured it was time for a white belt strength coach 4 month update. After four months of BJJ, I’ve learned quite a bit and changed quite a bit as far as training programs for … Read More
5 Mistakes Coaches Make When Training Fighters
It’s been awhile since I’ve written. Life has gotten (even more) crazy, but it’s no excuse. I’ve been spending a ton of time writing training programs, looking back at old training programs and researching new ways to improve the performance of my athletes. Today I’m going to share with you what I believe are the biggest … Read More
Linear Squat Program for Strength and Hypertrophy
Do you want to gain some serious lower body strength? If yes, keep reading and do this program. Do you want to put some extra muscle on your lower body? If yes, keep reading and do this program. Are you currently 4-6 weeks out from a fight? If yes, don’t do this program. If no, … Read More
3 Isometric Exercises You Should Be Doing
For the most part, my training is pretty boring. It’s simple, basic and principle-based. Very rarely will you see me inventing “new exercises that crush your delts” or “5 new ways to increase your internal hip rotation and stabilize your fibular head AT THE SAME TIME!” It’s not that I don’t like new things or … Read More
The Scout Motto
I grew up in a fairly small town. My friends and I played outside every day until our parents yelled our names across the neighborhood to get home for dinner. We pretty much all did cub scouts and boy scouts. I couldn’t tell you exactly who was in my den, but I do remember having … Read More