Bodybuilders and martial artists could be viewed as total opposites when it comes to their workouts and goals in the gym.
The former often obsessively focuses on one bodypart at a time, even drilling down to various parts of a muscle, all in an attempt to develop each fiber to its maximum potential and polish each nuance of their physique to perfection.
The martial artist, however, pursues a stunning array of benefits from each workout.
“Martial artists and MMA competitors incorporate components of flexibility, conditioning and endurance — as well as explosive power and speed — to achieve ultimate physical and mental fitness,” says Teri Jory, Los Angeles–based personal trainer, professional ice skater, fourth-degree black belt and creator of the Poise method. “In short, they lean more on multifunctional workouts as opposed to only one or a few elements. Even when focusing on the legs, like in the following workout, they’d incorporate elements of the total body.”
Yet even if you’re mainly about aesthetics, these types of synergistic, top-to-bottom body-blasting sessions can spur some tangible benefits in your quest for improved shape, size and definition, too. After all, a highly conditioned, flexible muscle group is also by nature more developed, and it will also be better primed for action when you bounce back to your regular training regimen.
“This routine is designed to increase flexibility and mobility by working through deep ranges of motion,” Jory explains. “The order of exercises is organized specifically to test your muscular endurance, and it is capped with a classic high-intensity cardiovascular finishing move to push your lower body to its max.”
Consider it a case of “opposites attract” — and embrace your inner martial artist with this workout at least once or twice a month in place of your regular leg day.
The Fighting Shape Lower-Body Conditioning and Flexibility Workout
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