How do you program MMA strength and conditioning?
Christopher Pierce
Updated on May 04, 2026
Strength and conditioning routine for MMA
- Monday. Squat 3 sets of 5. Bench press 3 sets of 5. Rows 3 sets of 5.
- Wednesday. Dead-lift 3 sets of 3. military press 3 sets of 5. Chin-ups 3 sets of 10, add weight if necessary.
- Friday. step-ups 3 sets of 10. push press or incline press or dips 3 sets of 5.
How many times a week should I train for MMA?
Three times a week is the minimum frequency at which you should train. The amount of time you train also depends on what stage in your MMA career you are in. For beginners, three times a week is a good starting point to get acclimated to the physicality, but more experienced fighters train more.
How MMA fighters train for strength?
Weight Training for MMA
- Workout 1. Squat – 3 sets of 5. Bench Press – 3 sets of 5. Rows – 3 sets of 5.
- Workout 2. Deadlift – 3 sets of 3. Military Press – 3 sets of 5. Pullups – 3 sets of 10.
- Workout 3. Step-ups – 3 sets of 10. Push Press or Incline Press or Dips – 3 sets of 5. Power Cleans or Power Snatches – 5 sets of 3.
Is Strength training good for MMA?
Many MMA athletes find that weight lifting combined with full-body workouts work well for developing the ideal physique for the sport. Weight training or resistance training, when used intelligently, can enhance these athletic characteristics.
How often do MMA fighters lift weights?
How many hours per day do MMA fighters train? MMA fighters train for an average of three hours per day. Their regime will usually involve a mixture of skills based development and fitness training of various types. Because of that, MMA fighters can have extremely high levels of fitness and endurance.
How strong should an MMA fighter be?
Professional MMA fighters should have a Reactive Strength Index >2.6, be able to Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull >3.5x bodyweight as a test of maximal strength, and vertical jump >50cm. However, these values will differ between weight classes and gender.
How often should Fighters strength train?
2-4 days a week
Fighters will typically strength train on 2-4 days a week. They’ll lift heavy to build their chest, shoulders, back and legs. The callisthenics work will target multiple areas of their body, as every area will be put under stress on fight night, and help to build core strength.
What can Conor McGregor bench press?
On Tuesday, the Irishman posted photos of himself during a weightlifting session to his Instagram. The snaps showed McGregor incline bench pressing 50kg and performing incline flyes with 20kg dumbbells. And the striations in his obliques and abdominals were popping out as he performed each exercise.
Is periodization necessary for strength training?
It appears from the strength training literature that is available that periodization is usually needed for maximal strength gains to occur, although evidence stating otherwise exists. Periodized training is a safe method of training for older adults, as well as those in pain.
Can an MMA training plan be periodized?
Although there have been no investigations into the periodization of an MMA training plan, there is a depth of research that has examined the effects of concurrent endurance and resistance training programs. Understanding this research will assist in the design of an effective periodized training plan to manage the training stressors of MMA.
Is strength training necessary for MMA fighters?
As the sport of MMA evolves, fighters are becoming better and better athletes. In order to compete at the highest level, a well-developed strength training plan is needed. Neglecting strength training completely is likely to have you being left behind the pack.
Is MMA physically demanding?
MMA is a very physiologically demanding sport. It can potentially challenge all of the energy systems. Additionally, the potential for an athlete to overreach or overtrain is a legitimate concern. To date, there is limited peer-reviewed research examining optimal training methods for an athlete competing in MMA.