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Workouts

Build Strength and Increase Work Capacity in the MMA Off-Season

Build a good base of work capacity and strength by manipulating volume and intensity in the early off-season.

Written by Mike Marcinek Last updated on Oct 25, 2022

Week 1, Day 1

*Chin ups and presses are performed as a ladder. For example: perform 2 reps of chin-ups and 1 press each side, then perform 3 reps of chin ups and 2 reps of presses each side.

Week 1, Day 2

mike marcinek MMA and BJJ fitness workouts

Week 1, Day 3

mike marcinek MMA and BJJ fitness workouts

*Chin ups and presses are performed as a ladder. For example: perform 2 reps of chin-ups and 1 press each side, then perform 3 reps of chin ups and 2 reps of presses each side.

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 2, Day 1

*Chin ups and presses are performed as a ladder. For example: perform 2 reps of chin-ups and 1 press each side, then perform 3 reps of chin ups and 2 reps of presses each side.

Week 2, Day 2

mike marcinek MMA and BJJ fitness workouts

Week 2, Day 3

mike marcinek MMA and BJJ fitness workouts mobility

*Chin ups and presses are performed as a ladder. For example: perform 2 reps of chin-ups and 1 press each side, then perform 3 reps of chin ups and 2 reps of presses each side.

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 3, Day 1

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu training program

Week 3, Day 2

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu training program

Week 3, Day 3

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu training program

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 4, Day 1

mole marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu training program

Week 4, Day 2

mole marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu training program

Week 4, Day 3

mole marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu training program

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Phase two builds on phase one and starts to work in a bit of conditioning. Again, brute strength and overall work capacity are challenged to establish a base.

There are three workouts per week, each preceded by a movement prep session which remains the same throughout the twelve-week cycle.

Week 5, Day 1

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

*Perform the KB swing, then rest for double the number of breaths as reps of the KB swing.

For example: 1 swing=2 breaths, 2 swings=4 breaths. Focus on breathing nasally.

Week 5, Day 2

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

Week 5, Day 3

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 6, Day 1

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

*Perform the KB swing, then rest for double the number of breaths as reps of the KB swing.

For example: 1 swing=2 breaths, 2 swings=4 breaths. Focus on breathing nasally.

Week 6, Day 2

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

Week 6, Day 3

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 7, Day 1

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

*Perform the KB swing, then rest for the same number of breaths as reps of the KB swing.

For example: 1 swing=1 breaths, 2 swings=2 breaths. Focus on breathing nasally.

Week 7, Day 2

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

Week 7, Day 3

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 8, Day 1

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

*Perform the KB swing, then rest for the same number of breaths as reps of the KB swing.

For example: 1 swing=1 breaths, 2 swings=2 breaths. Focus on breathing nasally.

Week 8, Day 2

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

*Perform the KB swing, then rest for half the number of breaths as reps of the KB swing.

For example: 2 swings=1 breath, 4 swings=2 breaths. Focus on breathing nasally.

Week 8, Day 3

mike marcinek MMA BJJ mixed martial arts jiujitsu strength and conditioning

*Perform the KB swing, then rest for half the number of breaths as reps of the KB swing. Perform as many reps of the ladder as you can while maintaining this 2:1 swing:breath ratio.

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 9, Day 1

A1. Deadlift 6X1 @ 80%, rest as needed

A1. Suspended plank 6 X 20 seconds each

B1. 1-arm kettlebell clean and press 3X 1, 2, and 3 reps with 5RM, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 3X 1, 2, and 3 reps with 5RM

C1. Double kettlebell front squat 5 sets with 10RM, 30s on/30s off

D1. Double kettlebell swing 10 sets @10-12RM, 15s on/15s off each set

Week 9, Day 2

A1. Barbell Zercher squat 5X5 @10RM, rest as needed

A2. Suspended mountain climber 5X6, done slowly

B1. Double clean and push press 2, 3, 5, 10 reps @15RM, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 2, 3, 5, 10 reps @ bodyweight

D1. Double kettlebell swing 12 sets @10-12RM, 15s on/15s off each set

Week 9, Day 3

A1. Deadlift 8X1 @ 80%, rest as needed

A1. Suspended plank 8 X 20 seconds each

B1. 1-arm kettlebell clean and press 4X 1, 2, and 3 reps with 5RM, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 4X 1, 2, and 3 reps with 5RM

C1. Double kettlebell front squat 5 sets with 10RM, 30s on/20s off

D1. Double kettlebell swing 15 sets @10-12RM, 15s on/15s off

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 10, Day 1

A1. Barbell Zercher squat 5X6-8 @10RM, rest as needed

A2. Suspended mountain climber 5X6, done slowly

B1. Double clean and push press 2X 2, 3, 5, 10 reps @15RM, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 2X 2, 3, 5, 10 reps @ bodyweight

D1. Double kettlebell swing 18 sets @10-12RM, 15s on/15s off each set

Week 10, Day 2

A1. Deadlift 10X1 @ 80%, rest as needed

A1. Suspended plank 10 X 20 seconds each

B1. 1-arm kettlebell clean and press 5X 1, 2, and 3 reps with 5RM, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 5X 1, 2, and 3 reps with 5RM

C1. Double kettlebell front squat 5 sets with 10RM, 30s on/15s off

D1. Double kettlebell swing 20 sets @10-12RM, 15s on/15s off each set

Week 10, Day 3

A1. Barbell Zercher squat 5X5 @10RM+10lbs, rest as needed

A2. Suspended mountain climber 5X8, done slowly

B1. Double clean and push press 3X 2, 3, 5, 10 reps @15RM, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 3X 2, 3, 5, 10 reps @ bodyweight

D1. Double kettlebell swing 10 sets with the next KB size up from last week, 15s on/15s off each set

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 11, Day 1

A1. Deadlift 6X1 with +10-15lbs over last week, rest as needed

A1. Suspended plank 6 X 20 seconds each

B1. 1-arm kettlebell clean and press 3X 1, 2, and 3 reps with the next larger KB over last week, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 3X 1, 2, and 3 reps with 5-10lbs more than last week

C1. Double kettlebell front squat 5 sets with the next larger KB over last week, 30s on/30s off

D1. Double kettlebell swing 12 sets with the same KB as last time, 15s on/15s off each set

Week 11, Day 2

A1. Barbell Zercher squat 5X6-8 @ same as last time, rest as needed

A2. Suspended mountain climber 5X8, done slowly

B1. Double clean and push press 2, 3, 5, 10 reps with next larger KB over last week if possible, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 2, 3, 5, 10 reps @ bodyweight, add weight if necessary

D1. Double kettlebell swing 15 sets @10-12RM, 15s on/15s off each set

Week 11, Day 3

A1. Deadlift 8X1 @ same weight as last time, rest as needed

A1. Suspended plank 8 X 20 s each

B1. 1-arm kettlebell clean and press 4X 1, 2, and 3 reps with same weight as last time, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 4X 1, 2, and 3 reps, add 5-10lbs

C1. Double kettlebell front squat 5 sets with same weight as last time, 30s on/20s off

D1. Double kettlebell swing 18 sets the same weight as last time, 15s on/15s off

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

Week 12, Day 1

A1. Barbell Zercher squat 5X5 with +5-10lbs, rest as needed

A2. Suspended mountain climber 5X10, done slowly

B1. Double clean and push press 2X 2, 3, 5, 10 reps with a heavier KB than last time, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 2X 2, 3, 5, 10 reps @ bodyweight, add weight is needed

D1. Double ketllebell swing 20 sets @10-12RM, 15s on/15s off each set

Week 12, Day 2

A1. Deadlift 10X1 @ same as last time, rest as needed

A1. Suspended plank 10 X 20 seconds each

B1. 1-arm kettlebell clean and press 5X 1, 2, and 3 reps with same weight as last time, rest 90-120s

B2. Chin up 5X 1, 2, and 3 reps with same weight as last time

C1. Double kettlebell front squat 5 sets with a bigger KB than last time, 30s on/15s off

D1. Double kettlebell swing 10 sets a bigger KB than last time, 15s on/15s off each set

Week 12, Day 3

A1. Barbell Zercher squat work up to a 5RM max

B1. Double clean and push press max reps

B2. Chin up, bodyweight, max reps

Click on the number below that corresponds to the week of training you’re in.

About Mike Marcinek

Growing up as a child who struggled with weight issues and overeating, and then as an athlete who was constantly pushing himself to reach new levels both on the field and in the weight room, Mike can easily relate to just about any client that walks through his doors.

A self-professed “Training Nerd,” Mike blends a background in powerlifting with more functional and modern methods to achieve the quickest results possible. He can be found constantly reading, studying, and researching new and innovative ways to help his clients reach new heights in their nutritional, strength, and performance goals.

Mike has been fortunate enough to train and coach a number of different Division 1 athletes, and multi-time state champions, as well as train with and learn from some of the best coaches in the strength and fitness industry. Mike has worked with black belts in both Judo and BJJ and currently serves as Strength and Conditioning coach for the staff at Scranton MMA. Mike is also the owner of NEPA Fit Club/Driven Athletics.

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