Circuit Training for Combat Athletes

Regardless of your martial arts discipline or fitness experience, you’ve likely done some type of circuit training.

Circuit training is fast, effective and can provide a metabolic and strength benefit.
There are endless circuit ideas and strategies you can do.

Here are some ideas to make your circuits more interesting and effective:  

1. High/Low

Exercises are upper body focuses, then lower body focused (back and forth through the 6- 10 movements).  The benefit is improving your ability to move and function at a high level as your blood has to travel further from your upper to lower body.

2. Conditioning/Technique

In this case, the exercises are lined up where the first will be a conditioning exercise such as a pushup or burpee.  The next is sport specific, such as taking a wrestling shot (double leg). Then you go on to two more paired movements (conditioning and technique).  You can have 4 – 5 pairs like this and continue through the circuit 5- 10 times.

3. Time vs. Counting

Sometimes it is better to do a circuit based on time (30, 60, 90 seconds per movement).  Sometimes it’s better to count reps, especially when you are doing something on one side before you switch to the next.

As always, make sure you focus on safety first, then results.

Use the skills you gained earning your MMA Conditioning Coach Certification.

Thanks,
The MMACA Team
http://mmaca.net