Q: Jimmy, I know you're a big UFC fan and
I enjoy watching it as well. I think UFC fighters are the ultimate
athletes and have bodies that most people would die to have. Would
you have any recommendations about how I can train to look like a
fighter?A:
Mixed Martial Arts training is its
own sport so we can't just take a basic template and say athletes or
powerlifters train this way so we have to do it in MMA. MMA requires
endurance yet it also requires explosive strength. I've watched a few
UFC guys train and the the most "jacked" guys are the ones
that perform high intensity cardio like Sean Sherk and Matt Hughes.
these guys perform high intensity cardio and higher rep range training.
They both train for explosive movement as
opposed to just training with high reps 24-7. Matt Hughes is a farm boy
who was always doing sledge hammer work and Sean Sherk works with a ton
of heavy bags performing slams. The key is to not get caught up in the
specific type of training but rather in the end goal.
Don't diet down too hard or else you'll have
zero strength for your workouts. Train in the 4-6 rep range, include
some bodybuilding type movements and perform some high intensity cardio
with low intensity rests.
Q: I'm really trying to lose some weight and
am having a hard time drinking a protein shake almost every hour and
half to two hours. Do you have any suggestions that you can give me?
A: My first suggestion is to not actually
take protein that frequently. I know it goes against bodybuilding dogma
but it might not be the best thing for us. There is research evidence
that does suggest that by keeping amino acids consistently elevated
like what happens when we eat protein very often, our body will become
use to them.
Meaning that the positive effects of protein
will actually decrease when we have high levels of amino acids in our
body. It actually might be better to consume lots of protein at a single
time then various little times.
