When people look at me and ask why I spend so much time training martial arts or going to the gym, I look at them and think “How could you NOT want to do those things!!!” I know most people are not like me, but how could you not get excited by pulling up on a huge deadlift or nailing a perfect half guard sweep, or burying someone to the mat with a big harai goshi… freaks.

I really do understand that most people do not like extensive martial arts training, or extremely heavy weight training, but there is gotta be SOMETHING that they love to do… right? When I look at people who are just content at letting life slip away, I thought they just “sucked at life” and I had to accept the fact that 95% or more of the population is content just doing NOTHING. I drives me up the wall, but I was willing accept their suckiness. 
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High Intensity Interval Training for upcoming  MMA Fight

As the date of my first MMA fight approaches – July 18th.  I have been kicking it into high gear.  Every day now consists of multiple training sessions, including a combination of striking, MMA, jiu-jitsu, weight training and cardio.  For the next 6 weeks I wanted to add some high intensity interval training to increase my cardiovascular ability so that when I fight, I have the lungs to do it.  The best time to do this activity is first thing in the morning before I eat.  This can aid me in my final pounds to drop as well as “start the day right”.

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Bodyweight Training Background and Intro

Bodyweight training and incorportating bodyweight training into your MMA workout routine is a perfect compliment to a MMA fighters already rigourous training schedule. The difference in bodyweight training is that you focus more on using your own body-”weight” compared to using weights or machines. Some obvious exercises are pushups, situps, dips, pullups, etc.

Personally, I think Bodyweight training should be incorporated into your workout routine, instead of replacing it. There are many routines out there that are pure bodyweight exercises, and those work. But MMA fighters need a little “something” else that increases their overall strength. These exercises may include kettlebell exercises, heavy squats and deadlifts, grip strength exercises, explosive pressing and snatching, sandbag exercises, etc.

Right now as I write this, I am in the middle of training for a MMA fight in April 2009. I currently weigh 245lbs and need to weigh 205lbs for April. I have been a DIEHARD advocate for very heavy lifting, focusing on 1-2 reps for strength. My specialities were heavy deadlifts and push-presses. These two exercises along with supporting exercises were the cornerstone of my routines. As I started to prepare for my fight, I knew that I couldn’t lift like that anymore. For one reason, my fight is 3x 5 minute rounds. Focusing on 1-2 reps with a long rest period was just focusing on explosion, I needed to be able to "last" during my fight. So I would need to increase my reps GREATLY, along with shorten my rest period. I decided to start focusing on bodyweight exercises.

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