Pre Fight Training

**Tcell** · Posted On: 10/21/2005 8:24pm

So you've got a fight/competition coming up (amateur) so no weight cutting.

Lets assume you train skills 2-3 times, weights 2 times & run 2-5 times a week.

Are you going to up your training?
If your training is going to increase, in what way will it & how many weeks pre fight?
Say you increase your training 8 weeks before the fight.
How would you break it down?

I'm thinking something like this.
Weeks 1-3 - increase weights, run faster/longer.
Weeks 3-7 - same weights, run faster/longer.
Week 7-8 - light weights, short run.

Weeks 4-8 Increase skill training.

As a general guide what do you think of the above increases without breaking it down to specific exercises?

Is 8 weeks long enough or is it to long?
How to structure your training so you hit the peak on fight day?
Is this to much for an amateur event?
Is it ever enough?

**Poop Loops** · Posted On: 10/21/2005 8:36pm

http://stickgrappler.tripod.com/mt/kk18.html

This is a good article I found.

PL

**lawdog** · Posted On: 10/21/2005 9:34pm

Tapering is actually rather complicated and is dependent on lots of different variables, the most significant of which is the individual himself.

**Hannibal** · Posted On: 10/21/2005 9:44pm

I have a problem with the advice given in the above link.

1. It says 6 weeks lead up time before a fight, you should be running every day EVEN on your day off. 40 minutes of jogging plus a few sets of sprints. Everyday ? No way. Thats a good way to wear yourself out. If you can do 10 rounds on the heavy bag hard to full contact then I think you have the level of endurance needed for a fight. I don't think jogging is needed. A few sets of sprints for diversity yeah sure but thats about it.

2. Training sessions that go for 3 hours ? I think 2 hours is sufficient.

3. Pushups/situps/crunches - every training session. Again not required.

3. Bottom line. Not enough rest time advised. If your training in a high intensity sport like Muay Thai you want at least a couple of days rest per week.

**Arde** · Posted On: 10/21/2005 10:55pm

Good one!
Don't want to gas up during the fight because of the lack of rest and recuperation- like Whitehead did during his fight with Rashad in TUF2.

**Poop Loops** · Posted On: 10/21/2005 11:39pm

Why do you think you'd "gas up" during the fight? Because you bled through your eyes from training for weeks before, but the week right before you took it easy to recoup?

And what the **** is with all this "I think" business!? What credentials do YOU have?

Granted, jogging, push ups, situps, and crunches aren't sports specific, but they help you mentally. If you can't push through the pain in training, it's doubtful you'll do it in the ring.

40 min jogs won't kill you, by the way. Isn't the minimum time to do cardio to actually get a benefit 30 minutes?

The only thing I agree with is having a full rest day.

PL

**lawdog** · Posted On: 10/22/2005 7:34am

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Granted, jogging, push ups, situps, and crunches aren't sports specific, but they help you mentally. If you can't push through the pain in training, it's doubtful you'll do it in the ring.

Finally, somebody actually gets it! :icon_thum

**Tcell** · Posted On: 10/22/2005 10:38am

PL - Interesting arcticle - cheers.

Lawdog - I see what your saying about tapering, but do you think 6-8 weeks is a pretty good time period to increase your training.

Hannibal - Yeah rest time is important.

Any guys here with competition experience willing to post a general outline of their pre fight schedule/routine?

Thanks for the replies.

**FighterJones** · Posted On: 10/22/2005 11:13am

Listen to khun kao, he knows his ****.

**lawdog** · Posted On: 10/22/2005 1:54pm

Originally Posted by Tcell

PL - Interesting arcticle - cheers.

Lawdog - I see what your saying about tapering, but do you think 6-8 weeks is a pretty good time period to increase your training.

Hannibal - Yeah rest time is important.

Any guys here with competition experience willing to post a general outline of their pre fight schedule/routine?

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I think that 8 weeks out gives MOST people plenty of time to ramp up the intensity.

I hesitate to even answer this because there are so many factors involved. I'm an individual who for most of my life would train in some way, shape, or form, for roughly 6-8 hrs a day. I never had any problem with overtraining, except for strength. For years I overtrained by not allowing enough recovery time between strength sessions. This basically just resulted in my never achieving the strength gains I could have, and sometimes experiencing significant loss in strength. It also probably contributed to some of my injuries as well. Other than that though, no problems with energy, getting sick, losing technique, etc.

Usually 5 days was all I ever needed to taper, and during that week, I would still train, just much lighter. No weights at all for 6 days prior. Usually the day before I would do nothing but maybe light shadow boxing, or if judo, uchikomi (loading practice) and light stretching. Maybe even a light run or swim and a good night's sleep.

I think most people with an 8 week notice, would ramp up the intensity gradually so as to avoid injury. The intensity would peek around the 4th week and would remain pretty constant up to the 6th week, then begin ramping down again the 6th week. The last week leading up to the fight would be very light.

That's just a general idea. Everybody is different.