EFFECIENTCY VS. MEDIOCRITY
For the serious fighter today mixed martial arts training is both brutal and rigorous. It consists of physical abuse on the body and many long hours are spent perfecting technique and sparring. In a world today where every martial arts school under the sun is trying to pass themselves off as a “mma school” I can’t help wonder how many so called fighters are getting lost in the shuffle.
If I were to say that MMA has some problems right now that would be a serious understatement. There are some issues going on right now that really need to be addressed. Like how bout the fact that all you have to do to meet the qualifications to compete in an amateur show is have a face! That seems to be the only qualification these days. Over half these guys I see competing on the amateur level are terrible. They can’t even execute the simplest techniques like passing someone’s guard or demonstrating basic footwork capability. If I am forced to watch another one of these shows where everyone thinks they are a fighter just because they have a pair of gloves and a tapout shirt on I am going to puke on the person in front of me.
So, what am I trying to say? When it comes to your training make smart decisions. Be efficient with your time in the gym. You should improve in some aspect every time you walk through the doors. Being efficient with your training is often the difference between being great and just being mediocre. Your coaches should be trying to maximize your potential. If they aren’t making you better then they aren’t qualified to be your coach and there is a whole lot of that going on right now! Choose your coaches and camp carefully otherwise you’ll just spin your wheels and remain mediocre. In the words of Joe Rogan “I can’t stress enough how important it is to be training with the right coaches, in order to make it to the next level you have to train at the next level.”
MMA training is hard. It's supposed to be hard. That’s what makes it great. If it wasn’t hard everyone would do it.
DRINKING ON THE JOB, START DOING IT
This guy sounds like he’s been drinking already, you may be telling yourself right about now. I have not been drinking so let me explain what I mean. With the hustle and bustle of working an everday job and trying to train at the same time, training can be extremely difficult at times for an MMA fighter. Mixed Martial Artist’s often feel fatigued, drained, and sore after a long work day followed by a grueling training session at the gym. I know that when I was in college I was trying to balance my school work, my job, my diet, and my training every day and I must admit I had some days where I flat out felt like quitting. I’m sure some of you are experiencing this on some level so I would like to let you in on my secret that helped me get through and is something that I still do today. I started drinking heavily!
Of course I’m not talking about alcohol. I am referring to three different things in particular. Those three things are protein, carbohydrates, and energy. As an avid bodybuilder I am on a very meticulous diet which consists of me eating 5-7 meals daily and it is virtually impossible to cook that many meals so I simply supplement a lot of the food portions with drinks. Drinks are quick, easy, and extremely convenient! You can easily carry them with you anywhere and can pop one open anytime you’re due for a meal. For daytime protein I usually go with two scoops of American Whey Protein or two scoops of Muscle Provider by Beverly International per meal. For carbohydrates I go with two scoops of Mass Maker by Beverly International per meal. These two meal substitutes keep it easy for me to stay on my diet which in turn keeps me reaching my goals.
Meal replacements are not the only time I use drinks to get me through the day.
I don’t know about you guys but some days I need a little pick me up when I get to the gym. I go with a drink called Slingshot by Axis Labs to get me amped up and keep my training focused and intense. Slingshot was formulated specifically for athletes and uses advanced carbohydrates Waxy Maize and Palatinose combined with Beta-Alanine for instant and sustained energy. Slingshot also contains BCAA’S (branch chain amino acids) that help my body recover and get geared up for the next day. I would also recommend finishing off your workout with a post workout protein drink such as a Pure Performance Protein by Cytosport. Most people don’t know that muscle recovery occurs mostly at night when you’re asleep so a post workout protein drink is perfect for a Mixed Martial Artist finishing a hard practice!
So, if you ever find yourself feeling like your goals seem impossible to reach due to a hectic schedule try these easy drink replacements I have talked about above. They will have your diet and training back on track in no time! They are quick, easy, and convenient. Not to mention they are cost effective. A ten pound bucket of American Whey Protein is only about sixty bucks and it will last you several months. Step up your training and start drinking!
GIVE ME SOME FREAKING STEROIDS ALREADY!
(OR MAYBE JUST SOME PROHORMONES)I know what you’re thinking and no I’m not suggesting that everyone that reads this call their “pharmacist” and start juicing tomorrow. Well, I kind of am. Let me explain what I mean. Steroids are active hormones in the body that are naturally produced or unnaturally taken to perform a specific task. Muscle building steroids also known as anabolic steroids or (androgens) are broken down into two different categories, oral anabolic steroids and injectable anabolic steroids. These androgens are a derivative or unoriginal version of testosterone. These can be found on the black market or “street pharmacy” and are known as “deca” (nandrolone), equipoise (boldenone), D-Bol (methandrostenolone) and several others. While these substances may be extremely potent there are several negative aspects to them as well. We all know about the health issues that can arise when they are abused so let’s not even open that Pandora’s box. None of us are rich these days and anabolic steroids are also flat out expensive, if you’re taking them orally a lot of stress is being put on your liver and if you’re injecting them there are risks pertaining to needle usage. By now I’m sure your asking yourself “what is the point of all this?” The point is there is now a potent, safe, and cost effective alternative to anabolic steroids. I am talking about prohormones!
Prohormones are hormonal substances that when digested can be converted to active anabolic hormones via a natural enzymatic process. The anabolic compounds they convert to are what would be considered anabolic steroids if taken in an already converted form. The need for natural enzymes and conversion is what differentiates them from illegal anabolic steroids. In other words, prohormones are basically weak anabolic steroids. However, prohormones are sold as dietary supplements and are taken orally, but since they do not originate as an anabolic steroid they come without the stress on your liver. The fact that your body is naturally transforming these substances also creates a positive ceiling. What I mean by this is your body will only create so much testosterone with this process so it becomes virtually impossible to abuse prohormones where anabolic steroids have no ceiling! The more you take the bigger you get and that is where a majority of the abuse comes into play.
So what does all this mean? Well, what I am trying to say is that prohormones make a powerful addition to any mma fighter or body builder’s regime! They work hand in hand with someone on a diet plan and in the midst of intense training. Your protein synthesis rates will sky rocket, your recovery time will be cut in half, your strength and size will finally reach the height it should have been at five years ago! Most importantly, prohormones are safe, cost effective, and potent. Stop wasting time, start juicing!
IMPORTANCE OF SUPPLEMENT USE FOR MMA FIGHTERS
In the sport of mixed martial arts today the difference between success and failure is extremely small. UFC and mma fighters alike are looking for every advantage humanly possible to help put them over the edge. Sports nutrition and mma supplements are among the two most sought avenues. Supplement companies such as BSN are now sponsoring UFC fighters like Forrest Griffin. These supplements play a crucial role in a fighter’s recovery, energy levels, and strength increases. If you are working hard daily at mixed martial arts or weight training and you aren’t using the correct supplements, you simply aren’t dedicated enough!
Lets break this down as it pertains to my training schedule as an example. I train Monday thru Saturday. My training consists of an hour and a half of stand up (either boxing or kickboxing),an hour and a half of ground work (either wrestling or jiu jitsu), and a full hour of weight training. I will also mix in a steady diet of clinch work, takedowns, and takedown defense. All the training contains a mixture of technique, sparring, and cardio. In order to maintain such a brutal training schedule it is essential that I give my body every advantage when it comes to recovery. Every day I provide my body with doses of glutamine and bcaa’s (branch chain amino acids). These two mma supplements do several things for my body:
-Increased protein synthesis for increased lean muscle mass
-Increased nitrogen retention
-Reduced muscle tissue breakdown
-Improved performance and endurance
-Maximizes recovery
-Provide energy during dieting
-Boosts my body’s immune system
I use two supplements in particular to aid in these processes. Glutamine Select by Beverly International for glutamine and bcaa’s, and Monster Pump by Cytosport for even more bcaa’s and nitric oxide. I also mix in about six scoops of American Whey Protein spaced evenly throughout the day to ensure my body is getting enough protein intake. If I am not cutting weight for a fight I will systematically work in a high performance creatine blend such as Creatine Select also by Beverly International. If you’re training heavily on a daily basis like I am I strongly recommend the use of sports supplements. They keep me feeling energized and healthy. They will have you training harder, faster, and stronger than ever before! Take my word for it.
JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR DIET?
To put it quite simply your diet is absolutely crucial! It is imperative that every fighter, trainer, bodybuilder, or anyone involved in fitness on any level get serious about their nutrition. Look at it this way, if you owned a Mustang Shelby would you put 87 premium gasoline in the gas tank to feed the engine? Of course not. You would give the car the best of the best to insure it achieves it’s maximum potential. Why should your body be any different? What you put into your body has a direct impact on your performance, appearance and physique, your overall well being, and much much more.
So why should I start dieting? What can I expect to get out of it? First and foremost your figure and build will improve drastically. Unwanted fat and flab will melt away. Body fat percent will plummet and over all muscle tone will improve and continue to amplify. Abdominals will start to show and rapidly become defined. Secondly, whether it be at the gym, at work, or while just performing your daily activities, individuals can expect to enhance their performances. Proper nutrition helps the body to recover, provides long lasting energy, and enhances sleep and rest quality. Lastly, good health ensues. People who are on a diet regime will establish healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Your health should be important to you and proper nutrition is the key.
But what if I can’t give up the foods I love to eat? This is a question I hear all too often. The fact of the matter is dieting is not nearly as hard as you think it is and it is getting easier all the time. Every day they are coming out with more and more fat free and low sugar alternatives. Here at Drive Mixed Martial Arts we have put together a diet program that is easy for people to follow and allows them to mix and match certain food categories to create great tasting meals without cheating! The diet is explained in detail so individuals not only know what and when to eat, but more importantly, why they should eat it.
When dieting it is absolutely essential that you do the little things! Lets break this down mathematically and I’ll show you what I mean. For instance, you may think it is ok to put a capful of your favorite topping (let’s say barbecue sauce) on your meals just to give them a little extra flavor. Well in that capful of sauce there is 6 grams of bad sugar. 6 grams of bad sugar 5 times daily is 30 grams of bad sugar a day. 30 grams of bad sugar a day is 210 grams of bad sugar a week! That is the difference between being successful and failing.
So, now that you know the importance and effectiveness of dieting no more excuses. Excuses are nothing more than people trying to justify their own failures. The diet is simple, full proof, and we will help you every step of the way. Failure is simply not an option, remove it from your vocabulary. Don’t be afraid to achieve great things. Call us at 513-706-3748 to set up a consultation. Consultations can be done in person or over the phone. I personally guarantee the results.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS IS THE FASTEST GROWING SPORT IN AMERICA!
It’s no secret that Mixed Martial Arts has literally exploded in the United States and all across the world in the past five years. It is the most popular sport among all male adults. It is a sport based upon discipline, hard work, grit, and sheer determination. One must become proficient at several disciplines in order to become successful. How does one become proficient at more than one discipline when it takes people years to master just one you may ask? The answer is not simple. You must clear your mind of all distractions. You must follow a very strict training schedule with the utmost focus. Your work ethic should state that you will not be denied success!
“Mixed Martial Arts looks so violent! Why should I or my kids get involved in something that looks so barbaric?” I cannot count how many times I have heard this comment from parents and other individuals. I cannot deny that MMA looks violent at times on t.v. but it is actually far less violent than many of the sports that are deemed “acceptable” today. In football you see players suffer severe neck injuries, blown out knees, even broken backs leading to paralysis! No one in MMA has ever been hit in the head with a 98mph fast ball or been nearly decapitated by a hockey stick. The fact is that the most severe injuries you will see in Mixed Martial Arts are cuts, bumps and bruises, and the occasional twisted ankle. These injuries are rare but are a part of every sport. Safety is of the highest priority. Equipment such as headgear, mouth pieces, gloves, and shin guards are worn to prevent such injuries.
Mixed Martial Arts by far has the most sportsmanship of any other sport. After every fight both fighters shake each other’s hands and usually hug to show respect for all the hard work they have both put in over the past few months in preparation. Each fighter also shakes the hand of the opposition’s corner to show that same respect. I can’t tell you how many times I have watched a wide receiver score a touchdown and the only thing on his mind is how he is going to celebrate and taunt the other team. Or how many times have you seen a player get hit in baseball and instead of a head nod or some other apologetic gesture the opposing team’s pitcher guns a 95 mph fastball at someone’s head to teach them a lesson. In MMA, everything is settled on the mat or in the cage. There is no trash talking or immature taunts. Only respect.
MMA doesn’t just make people better fighters. It benefits them in a wide variety of ways. Self confidence but not cockiness soon exudes from the students. They are more assertive, they show more respect to their elders, they become more attentive, they develop hard working and adaptation skills, they gain a new perspective on life, and the list goes on and on. If you have ever thought about trying Mixed Martial Arts or getting your kids involved but didn’t because of some miniscule reason you are making a mistake. You will not be disappointed by the results you receive on many different levels. I personally challenge anyone who is teetering on whether or not to try this sport to try it. Don’t be afraid to achieve great things as you will regret it, this I can promise you. We will help you along the way as that is what this is all about, teamwork!
