Mixed martial arts are slowly catching on in many social spheres. In some areas, it is used for self-defense while in some underground and commercial circles it is used for entertainment and gambling. However, away from all the fame and fortune, and with the mind that not everyone can be a mixed martial arts professional, the pure art of this form of combat is made for self-defense and nothing else. Mixed martial art is an adaptation of many forms of martial arts that have been around for centuries, hence the name. It demands total fitness and requires discipline and commitment to attain the highest form and ability.
- Eat right
The first thing you need to do is do away with the junk food and any other unhealthy eating habits such as overeating, binge eating and bulimia. To be fit and strong, your body requires a balanced diet and food that will give you strength and that will fuel your body. As you start your training in mixed martial arts, you will be involved in vigorous exercises and body conditioning that will require a well-fueled body. Prepare your body the same way you would prepare for a road trip; normally you would take your car for a road test, service, fuel it, get the lights checked to make sure that you get to your destination in one piece. MMA is the same, you will have to visit a doctor to see how your body is, get the right gear, know what to eat so that once you start the training, and you will not break down before you finish your journey.
- Find your core
In martial arts, all forms of martial arts, you strength comes from your core. The core of your body is the longitudinal muscles from your stomach to your back that hold your body up. People confuse the core with the feet because they think the feet hold the body up, this is not true. Everything you do requires that you use these set of muscle and they need to be strong for you to land strong blows and powerful kicks. Finding your core is found by strengthening your abs and your back by a series of stomach exercises and cardio intervals.
- Get flexible
Kicking and throwing punches needs your muscles to be elongated and this is only done by stretching. Elongated muscles are the precursor to flexibility and you therefore need to stretch every time before and after you have had a workout session to ensure that your muscles are in a good and flexible condition.