MMA specific Kettlebell exercise of the week......

This week's Kettlebell Fighter at ZT Fight Skool (Fight Skool) went down a storm!
Amongst the fighters in attendance where Olli Thompson and Kenshiro, both preparing for their bouts at ZT's Fight Night 15, taking place this Friday.



After a dynamic warm up, we started the session with some swings, snatches and clean and presses to get the body flowing.

THE MAIN EVENT
We then unleashed the mother of all kettlebell exercises: the Full Body Defense.

This is one Mike Mahler's favourite MMA specific exercises (Aggressive Strength), which really delivers a punch!

Full Body Defense

An MMA fighter needs to be able to go from the feet to the ground rapidly to avoid takedowns. That is precisely what the "Full Body Defense" will assist you with. The "Full Body Defense" will get you in shape and build incredible muscular endurance when done for high reps. Start the exercise by cleaning two kettlebells to your shoulders. Push your pelvis at the top of the clean so that that you can press your elbows against your stomach and keep the kettlebells tucked in. Take the kettlebells to the floor in the clean position.


Now jump back while still holding onto the kettlebells and arch your back. When executed properly, you will look like you are doing a yoga stretch. Immediately jump back into the clean position, clean the kettlebells, and then proceed with another rep. Again, work on doing three sets of five, two to three times a week. After you have the technique down, work up to three sets of ten.




This exercise is not only for fighters. It will get you in shape and burn calories at an alarming rate! Not only will it make you strong, but will make you lean, flexible and powerful.
Give it a go and let me know how you get on!

Christian
BRIGHTON KETTLEBELLS
christian@cvpt.co.uk

LATEST TRAINING TOOLS REVEALED!

I've just received two of the hottest training tools in the functional training market!

Having partnered up with The Strength Company (website), I'll now be stocking all their products. If there's anything you like the look of, give me a shout.

Firstly we have the Powerwheel an excellent core training tool which has left my abs screaming after a session yesterday!
Power Wheel

Voted "The Best" Core Trainer in the World!

No machine works the abs and back like the Power Wheel." - Matt Furey, Author of Combat Abs

The Lifeline® Power Wheel dynamically improves core strength, power and balance. Designed to fit hands or feet, the Power Wheel forces your core-muscles to adapt and stabilize with each dynamic move for the strongest back and abs ever!

The Lifeline® Power Wheel was determined to be "The Best Core Trainer in the World" by an independent research study done at the University of California Berkeley...read the review

"I can't tell you how valuable a component the Power Wheel has become in our strength program here at The University of Montana. There are so many aspects the Wheel covers in our program (i.e. flexibility, core strength, stability) that all our sports use it in their training regimen throughout the entire year." - Lacey Degnar, Strength and Conditioning Coach, University of Montana





Secondly we have the Power Punch. I got this one for use with my boxing and MMA clients, but its a great Cardio workout for any of my clients!

Power Punch

DEVELOP EXPLOSIVE PUNCHING POWER WITH CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS!

"I've trained 3 World Champions with the Lifeline Fitness Cables, and the Power Punch is another winner!" -Mackie Shilstone, Fitness Expert

The 5-in-1 Lifeline® Power Punch works by strengthening specific muscle groups like the arms, shoulders and your core. For Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Karate and Conditioning at the same time, it’s a must for the beginner as well as the serious athlete.

Kettlebell training for MMA fighters.

Sol Gilbert invited me to train the MMA boys today at ZT Fight Skool (see Fight Skool)



In attendance where Ryan "The Great" White, Oli Thompson, Sol Gilbert and Kenshiro, Tolly as well as others.

Today's workout was kept simple as many had not used Kettlebells before. I wanted to teach the guys good form and the skills of kettlebells, and give them a hint of how this would improve their fighting.

The Workout:
1) Dynamic Warm up- joint mobility work.

2) Warm up drill- 90 seconds X 2
2 handed swings- 30 seconds
1 handed swings- 30 seconds
1 handed swings- 30 seconds

This builds up explosive power in the hips for fast sprawls and guard recovery.

3) Complex:
Clean-Squat-Press- using weight which allowed only 8 reps x 3 sets/side

Gets everyone used to the feel of the kettlebell, builds strength in the whole body.

4) Turkish Get Ups- 16KG-20kg
This is where it starts to get interesting- with a move that translates directly to the power you need for ground work in MMA fights.

5) Kettlebell Split Snatch- taken from Mike Mahler's Aggressive Strength book, this builds explosive power needed for takedowns.



5) See-Saw Press- light weight 3 x 30 second alternating rounds
For endurance in shoulders- fast and aggressive

6) Power Alternating Rows- light weight- 3 x 30 second alternating rounds
For strength in dominating an opponant, as well as ground and pound in fights

7) Guard Attack- 3 x 30 second alternating rounds
For strength in fighting off an opponant in the mount position. We do alternating kettlebell presses lying on our backs- this fries the abs, chest and shoulders in one hit!

An awesome workout...with lots of sweaty smiley faces at the end!

Bring on the next one!
;-)
Christian
BRIGHTON KETTLEBELLS

Kettlebell training for MMA fighters.

Come and try the Battling Ropes!

This Wednesday, anyone attending the Bodyblast Advanced Kettlebell class will be able to use the latest training tool in fitness...Battling ropes!

These amazing ropes have been voted top cardio exercise by Men's Health in the U.S, a true testament to their effectiveness at torching bodyfat at an alarming rate.

Just 30 seconds on these leave you feeling winded! We'll be experimenting with new drills, implementing them within kettlebell circuits.


Ropes Gone Wild - Just Voted Best New Cardio Tool by Men's Health Magazine from art of strength on Vimeo.

Stop putting it off....

If I had a penny for every time people told me they where coming to my class, but didn't I'd be very rich!


So let's take action people! With no less than four classes to choose from, there can be no excuses!
Anyone responding to this blog will get their first class free when signing up to a block!
This week's classes:

Tuesday 10th March: 7.30pm@ Cheetahs Gym (All levels)
Wednesday 11th March: 7.30pm@ Cheetahs Gym (Advanced Class)
Thursday 12th March: 7:30pm@ ZT (Beginner/Intermidiate)
Saturday 14th March: 12:30noon@ ZT (Beginner/Intermidiate)

Please confirm which you'd like to attend and I'll be sure to put you on the list!
E-mail Christian at christian@cvpt.co.uk or text: 07876-558850

See you there!

He's back with a vengeance!

All Kettlebell classes are back to normal!

This week I have no less than three classes for you to choose from:

Wednesday 4th March: 7pm@ Cheetahs Gym (Advanced Class)
Thursday 5th March: 7:30pm@ ZT (Beginner/Intermidiate)
Saturday 7th March: 12:30noon (Beginner/Intermidiate)

Please confirm which you'd like to attend if you haven't done so already!

See you there!

Christian