ANAEROBIC TRAINING IS VITAL FOR MMA

Mixed Martial Arts is such a tough sport to train for. So how do you prepare for a sport that relies on speed, strength and agility without breathing? Everyone in mma knows what it’s like to try and escape from a choke or body triangle all while breathing is near impossible. It’s a tough job, but mma isn’t the only sport that relies on a higher Anaerobic threshold. Some sports are mostly aerobic while others are primarily anaerobic. So what does this mean exactly?
Aerobic means “with oxygen”. Aerobic sports like jogging, rowing some martial arts rely on a constant abundant source of oxygen from breathing.
Anaerobic means “without air”. When your body’s need for oxygen exceeds the oxygen supply available it relies on energy stored in the muscles which is unlike aerobic which draws oxygen from breathing. Generally speaking, sports like mma, sprinting, swimming and other fast explosive exercises are anaerobic.

WHY IS ANAEROBIC TRAINING SO TOUGH?
During strenuous exercise as your oxygen and energy stores deplete lactic acid begins to accumulate in the muscles. Too much lactic causes muscle fatigue. Ever have a rear naked choke on an opponent for too long and burn your arms out? Well that’s lactic acid fatigue. Fortunately, it is possible to train your body’s recovery time to combat that burn. As my trainer Marty would say “Work through the burn!” Working through that burn will eventually make your muscles more efficient at defending against lactic acid. Over time the body will produce less lactic acid and the body will become more efficient at removing it through the blood stream.

It’s a great idea to vary your training with aerobic and anaerobic exercises and in mma it’s vital.

Tagged as: Anaerobic training, Exercise, Lactic Acid