Top Four Bodyweight Exercise for MMA

Just turn on any UFC pay per view and you can see that most MMA fighters display a super fit and muscular physique that rivals any athlete from any sport. Most of us would love to be as ripped as George St Pierre or Allistar Overeem. To look like that requires a strong conditioning program. Just like all sports, the of foundation of MMA is physical conditioning. Most UFC fighters train anywhere from 4-6 hours a day. With all of that training combined with a healthy lifestyle, its easy to see how these guys stay so lean all year round. Even if you don't have the time to train like a MMA world champion but you can star by implementing a few MMA bodyweight exercise into your workout or exercise program.

Bodyweight workouts can be fun but also extremely challenging. What makes these exercise fun is that you can do them pretty much anywhere. No more expensive health clubs filled with weirdo's or over priced yoga studios! With so many great bodyweight bodyweight exercise out there its hard to pick the best. Here are my top Four:

Hindu Squats
Hind squats were used by Indian wrestlers centuries ago. This bodyweight exercise builds explosive lower body strength, speed, endurance and power. Most athletes are surprised how effective this exercise can be because it looks so simple. First start standing with your feet shoulder width and your toes pointed forward. Bend your knees until your at the bottom as you come up on the balls of your feet. Push through the balls of your feet until you're standing at the starting position. Always start off slow until you have perfected the form of the movement. Once you feel comfortable, try and push the pace and perform at a fast speed. Hindu squats can be done everyday. Start slow and try to work up to 200 straight. When you can hit 200 non stop your getting close to that championship physique.

Push Ups
Push ups are probably one of the first exercises we try as young athletes. As children we are taught the push up in PE class and sometimes had to perform push ups as a punishment thought the years from several coaches. Many years later the push up is still standing tall as one of the most effective and basic bodyweight exercise. Push ups can make you more athletic, and save you money. Assume the push up position with you elbows locked. Lower yourself until your chest touches the floor. Come back by pushing through the floor. Hands should stay a little past shoulder width. To relieve pain in your shoulders keep your elbows 45 degrees to your body. Lower your chest down first not your head. Make sure your neck stays inline with the rest of your body.

Sprints
If youre having problems getting lean i highly recommend wind sprints. A sprint is a run less than one minute. Bring your knees up high and kick back to your butt, and speed up as fast as you can go. When performing sprints its key to perform them at 100 percent to see the results you want fast. Sprinting can be done indoor or outdoors. when starting a sprinting program make sure you start on a flat surface. Once you feel comfortable running sprints, try and work in some hill sprints. Nothing will get you in top shape faster than hard wind sprints. Start with one day a week then slowly add more as you go.

Neck Bridge
The neck bridge is a very controversial exercises. A neck bridge is a bodyweight exercise where you support your bodyweight on your head using your neck, back and posterior chain muscles in your legs to hold yourself up while your body is in the shape of a "bridge." Start lying flat on your back. Keep your knees bent and your feet flat on the mat near your buttocks. Dig your heels into the mat and push your weight onto your head. your back should begin to arch as you roll from the back of your head to the top of your head. Push your his to the ceiling and arch your back. When you first start you can put your hands on the mat next to your head, when you develop more strength you will be able to stabilize yourself just using your head.

So if you're wanting to look like your favorite MMA star, start by implementing a few of these powerful bodyweight exercises into your daily workout routine.