Just received an advanced copy of Martin Rooney’s new fitness and training book for mixed martial artist (MMA) fighters, Training for Warriors — The Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts Workout ($29.95 from HarperCollins Publishers).

I boxed for six years when I was a kid, and am still an avid gym rat. And even though I have no thoughts of ever fighting competitively again, I was looking forward to applying some of the philosophies and fitness routines from this book into my own fitness program.

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Martin Rooney is a world-champion fitness instructor, and his book has been described as:

…essential for all fighters but also can help any athlete or coach looking for an athletic-training advantage. Full-color photos throughout.

The book starts off by giving an overview of MMA fighting, to include terminology. I thought this was a bit unnecessary, as almost anybody inclined to pick this book up and use it would already have a familiarity with the basic info presented.

However, Rooney uses this basic overview of MMA as a way to demonstrate how each specific training routine applies to specific MMA skills and techniques.

After the introduction to MMA, Rooney devotes a chapter to each part of the body that is used in an MMA fight. Each chapter describes and illustrates (with fantastic, full color photographs) exercises designed for that body part, and explains how each region of the body is used during combat (and why).

• neck
• chest and shoulder
• arm and hand
• back
• abdominal
• heart and lung
• hip
• glutes and quads
• hamstring
• foot and ankle
• flexibility

While most of the exercises can be performed with just body weight, a physioball, the body weight of a training partner, or simple gym equipment, most of these exercises are hard — this training program assumes that you are already in pretty good shape and fairly athletic.

If you’re not, start slow until you can do each exercise.

The final sections of the book puts it all together and provides suggested daily/weekly fitness routines using the exercises described throughout the book.

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While Training for Warriors is definitely an advanced fitness program, the book is well organized, and the exercises are explained and demonstrated in a very easy to follow manner. Actually being able to complete the program is another matter.

But if you can get through this program and make it a part of your fitness training, you’ll be prepared for anything any sport can throw at you.

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I’m going to start this program in the next month, with a goal of learning the complete warm up routine, and then completing the 8 week detailed program at the back of the book.

I’ll keep ya’ll updated as to how it goes.