Always consult a doctor before undertaking a new exercise routine. If perform incorrectly these exercises could result in injury or death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this blog post we are going to look at the benefits of swimming as a training aid for the Mixed Martial Artist. Firstly, swimming can be a complete opposite to many other types of combat related exercise (i.e. running, skipping, padwork.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can make a nice diverse change in your training regime and also get you out of the gym and training hall environment. As they say, \u2018A change is as good as a rest.\u2019 The benefits of swimming are many. It is another great cardiovascular workout and a superb conditioner. If you study an Olympic swimmer none of them are six stone weaklings. Pushing your body against the force of the water is a sure way of building endurance and muscular power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the MMA fighter swimming can be a good way to ease muscle stiffness and soreness after a heavy workout. The buoyancy of the water supports the joints and takes away any strain, plus there is no impact involved in the exercise, which is good news for a tired body. Days before a fight when all the hard training is done, swimming is a great way to keep the cardio system ticking over and also helps stretch out the muscles. Using swimming as pre fight day exercise also means you lessen the chances of any muscle pulls or strains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was in Japan for Pride, with James \u2018The Colossus\u2019 Thompson we regularly swam in the hotel pool last thing at night. It is a good method of unwinding. We also looked really fetching in the blue bathing hats the pool attendant insisted we wore! Many of the fighters found their way to the pool and enjoyed the benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Swimming can also be an excellent form of exercise for re-habilitation from an injury. The water will support the injured body part and allow you to get some cardio training done. The limbs, back and neck can all profit from water. Also in between heavy training days in your normal weekly schedules, swimming will make a welcome change to running. It can also help you relax and give you time to think and \u2018chill.\u2019 Lets not forget though that swimming can also be an explosive cardio workout as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people when they go to the pool do not swim long or hard. The general public\u2019s view of the swimming baths is they are a place of recreation or fun not for serious exercise unless of course you are a swimmer. Most pools will have time set aside for the serious swimmer, where you can do lane swimming free of thrashing limbs, plastic inflatables and polystyrene floats. This will give you the space you need for some serious work. I am not the world\u2019s best swimmer, infact I can only swim breaststroke but I always treat swimming as another physical and mental challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blackbeltwhitehat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jamesthompson.jpg?resize=480%2C360&ssl=1\")
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