Newb looking for advice to get into "fighting" shape, before starting training...

[Phobophile]

Title pretty much says it all. In about 3-4 months from now, I'll be moving to Columbus, OH, where I hope to start training MMA once I get there. But in the meantime, i'm stuck in a pretty quiet town where the closest training place would involve an hour plus drive. So, i'd like to make the most of my opprotunity here before I move.

I've never really been in 'shape' before (played some HS baseball, but that's about it), so i'd like any and all advice from you all. I don't expect to have great cardio like Tito Ortiz.. but my goal would be at least 'fit' before I start training, so I'm not completely overwhelmed and gassed when I hope to start training 4-5 days a week.

Any input on what I should start .. from yourself, links, or books or videos would be great, thanks alot!

Oh, and if it matters any .. I'm 5'10" 170lbs

 

[Mark Limbaga]

Do you lift? what sports are you involved in? Seriously, the best thing to do is just start training MMA as no conditioning will directly improve your MMA skill but MMA training itself

 

[Centaur]

get Bas' MMA workout vid. Or start running, and swimming. Do sets of shadow boxing with sprawls, mountaine climbs etc.
BabyPhenom is right, the best way is to do MMA, but these things will get you started.
Good Luck.

 

[Plisk]

I got Bas's workout, but haven't had a chance to try it. How is it? My resources suck.

 

[Centaur]

To be honest, I watched the video that I DL but that was it. It seemed pretty good. It is very similar to the training my Muay Thai coach put me through for fight training. Felt like I'd never get through it sometimes, but I alwyas managed. Plus I dropped about 3% body-fat in 3 weeks.

That and the fact that Bas' workout has been so highly reviewed here would suggest it's a good place to start.

 

[Plisk]

To be honest, I watched the video that I DL but that was it. It seemed pretty good. It is very similar to the training my Muay Thai coach put me through for fight training. Felt like I'd never get through it sometimes, but I alwyas managed. Plus I dropped about 3% body-fat in 3 weeks.

That and the fact that Bas' workout has been so highly reviewed here would suggest it's a good place to start.

No doubt, thanks.

 

[sarge]

Honestly, I would just lift weights and run. For a good lifting routine read the stickies in the strength forum. For running just do distance runs and work on building up your endurance first. You can build up a decent base in that amount of time. You gonna be training mma at the Jorge Gurgel school in Grove City?

 

[letsgotribe9]

Seriously, the best thing to do is just start training MMA as no conditioning will directly improve your MMA skill but MMA training itself

I agree.

 

[Mr_Radley]

I'd recommend running, swimming, and calisthenics. I've found that jump rope really improves cardio.

Good luck!

 

[Phobophile]

After mentioning Bas's instructionals, I've looked 'em up and it seems like there's nothing but great things about it. Is this the one that I'm looking for?

http://www.sherdog.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=60

If so, I looked at Bas's site and it's the same price -- anywhere I could get it a lil cheaper? Also, for anyone who uses it, is there any special equipment needed to do these exercises? It seems like there isn't much, but if there is, I don't have a problem going to the gym to do these.

No, I do not lift, and I haven't been doing any exercises for the past 3 years or so (I'll be 20 next month). And as much as I would agree with you all that doing MMA would be the best way to be conditioned for it, I'd just like to get in shape in the meantime, because I can't train right now.

Swimming is great, I love it. I'll probably encorporate it with the instructionals. The only problem I have with swimming, running, jump rope, etc. is that I don't know the proper technique for it - but that's something I can learn of course.

You gonna be training mma at the Jorge Gurgel school in Grove City?

That's what i've been leaning towards, but i'd like to attend there to see what it's like first. I've also thought about training BJJ at Relson's academy, and train boxing at the new Rec center. But I also want to train MT, I know the Gurgel school trains it, but I've been looking if there are other places in Columbus to train. And I'd really like to train at the main JG school, but I don't think I'd be able to take the 90 minute drive back and forth to Middletown.

 

[sambo fighter]

Lloyd Irvin has a cardio program you could try. Its bodyweight drills determined at random by rolling dice. I just ordered it, but is has not arrived yet. Its about $40. www.bodyweightworkouts.com

 

[Mark Limbaga]

Most warmup programs in BJJ clases are already a workout in itself

Ask any fighter and they will tell you that you can't fight if you're not in shape

 

[mschatz]

Run. Long distance running is the bedrock of any fighters conditiong program or should be. After you start the skill training, you can see what areas you need to emphasize in your training (strength, cardio, etc) but running should always be the foundation

 

[SwiftMcvay]

Run. Long distance running is the bedrock of any fighters conditiong program or should be. After you start the skill training, you can see what areas you need to emphasize in your training (strength, cardio, etc) but running should always be the foundation

That is my suggestion also. Do your running 5 days a week, mostly long distance. But since you aren't doing any real skill training yet, i'd suggest 1, sometimes 2 days a week of sprints, or mixing in sprints with your long distance (jog 40 seconds, sprint 20, repeat) to simulate some of the stuff you will do once you start training. Pushups, pullups, situps, dips, and any of the bodyweight exercises are good, and you could throw some weightlifting in there also. I'd suggest starting out with 2 miles, but if that isn't enough or you get used to it quickly, up it to 3-4 miles, or do some jump rope or swimming when you finish the 2 miles.

My suggestion on the weightlifting though is don't overdo it, and focus more of your energy on cardio. because technique can overcome strength once you start training, but if you don't have good cardio you don't have shit. If you have good cardio from day 1 when you walk into the gym, you will already be a step ahead of most newcomers, and you will learn more quickly when you can focus on technique and not get tired.

 

[Vilo Magee]

It always shocks me to see Swifty_mcvay give sold advice maybe he isnt as fucking retarded as I thought.
Maybe I will remove him from my signature







But probably not