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Workouts

Strength & Conditioning – Kevin Kearns, Workout 5: Bodyblade MMA Style

Kevin Kearns knows what it means to train like a fighter - he has trained successful UFC fighters for many years. Now you can get a chance at these exclusive hardcore workouts.

Kevin Kearns

Written by Kevin Kearns Last updated on November 12, 2012

Kevin Kearns knows what it means to train like a fighter – he has trained UFC fighters like Kenny Florian, Stephan Bonnar, and Marcus Davis for a living for many years. Now you can get a chance at these hardcore workouts, that also happen to be a lot of fun.

To learn more about Kevin, read our feature interview:

Featured Coach: Kevin Kearns, Part 1 – Blowing Up With the UFC

Featured Coach: Kevin Kearns, Part 2 – Everybody Has a Good Fight

Workout 5: “Bodyblade – MMA-Style”

The Bodyblade is no Shake Weight, my friend – no gag gift. This is a serious piece of fitness equipment that we use for all sports. We will use it from rehab for a shoulder to cage combat specific exercises. Don’t let this bow-type apparatus fool you at all. It can challenge the best of us.

You may ask, “Coach, why does it work?” Simply put it works your smaller muscles from the inside out while awakening your central nervous system (CNS) for a higher demand. The more you activate your CNS, the more muscle memory and coordination comes into play. Guess what? That translates into more force you can put into your strikes.

When you add another piece of equipment such as a stability ball, Bosu, or agility ladder it kicks into high gear. We actually developed a whole MMA workout just with the Bodyblade lasting 30 minutes. In this article we will share some of those exercises, which will help bring your game up a notch.

1. Bodyblade Sit Out

One of the toughest elements to rehearse without a partner is getting back up your feet when someone is on top of you, constantly changing the angle of attack. Place the blade in one hand as you lie all the way on the floor. Keep the blade moving as you get back to your feet.

Key point: Keep the moving through the whole motion.

Volume: Try this for 1 minute switching arms every rep.

2. Knee in the belly

A great move when you are in the top position. We like the to use a stability ball to increase the neural demand and sport specificity. Place one knee on a stability ball and grab the blade in the other hand. Now with the same motion hold the ball in position, get the blade moving, and start throwing the blade hand towards the ground.

Key point: Have the balance equal on both feet.

3. Post and punch

Being able to balance on one hand and throw punches, or what they call “post and punch,” is an important component in MMA. Start in a push up position and grab the blade in one hand. Get the blade moving and rotate it through a full range of motion.

Key point:  Reach the blade all the way under you for an added challenge.

Volume: Repeat these drills for 1 minute each for 4 to 5 rounds.

As you can see, the Bodyblade is an awesome tool for MMA or any other sport. As most people who know my company and me understand, we don’t endorse any product unless we use it and believe in it.

Kevin Kearns

About Kevin Kearns

For over twenty five years, Kevin Kearns has been professionally involved in the fitness industry. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where he was trained by Dr. David Thomas. He is certified by the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and is a Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Certified Specialist and a FreeMotion Master Trainer.

Coach Kearns has served as the strength and conditioning coach for professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters including Alberto Crane, Marcus Davis, and Din Thomas. He also was the strength and conditioning coach for WEC fighter Alex Karalexis and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and MMA fighter Daniel Gracie. Kevin works closely with famed Muay Thai/MMA coach Mark DellaGrotte out of Sityodtong. Based on his experience in training UFC fighters, Coach Kearns was appointed the strength, conditioning and wellness coach for the Martial Arts University International (MAUI), an association of the top martial arts schools in the country.

Coach Kearns contributes to mmatraining.com. He writes a monthly column for Ultimate MMA Magazine and a weekly conditioning blog for the Boston Herald. Magazines such as Maxim, Fight, Inside Kung Fu and Men's Fitness have featured his work.

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