With an unparalleled knowledge of fighting, health, and physical preparation, Martin Rooney, the director of the Parisi Speed School and performance coach for the IFL Pitbulls, is the perfect person to write the Training for Warriors guide. Meant to be a guide for all fighting sports, including MMA, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, wrestling, judo, boxing, and Muay Thai, Martin provides the quintessential manual for the necessary physical preparation to successfully compete in these sports. Just as the title says, this book provides the “ultimate mixed martial arts workout”.

Martin Rooney presents the most comprehensive look at both orthodox and unorthodox training methods for fighting sports that I have ever seen. With over 270 techniques, this is also probably the biggest. To assist the reader, Martin has chaptered all of his techniques by the muscle group under focus. These techniques range from traditional body weight exercises to amazing tire and hammer routines. Of all the techniques, I found that most could be mimicked at a home gym and easily transferred to a local fitness club. To accompany the techniques, Martin provides warrior workouts built to maximize the important systems for fighting.

Apart from the techniques, Martin also provides key insight into some of the most important aspects of fight training: the warrior mindset, diet, supplements, and weight cutting. It is obvious when surveying these non-workout elements that success is paramount for Rooney’s fighters and he does not waste a single breath on inefficient training.

The warrior mindset is a collection of proverbs from famous fighters and non-fighters alike. Rich and full of inspiration, this section provides the perfect “pep talk” to begin a warrior workout, sparring session, or fight. I found the inclusion of mental training to be an invigorating positive step for the martial arts and fitness book industry.

The diet is probably one of the most valuable sections of the book. When combined with Rooney’s Hurricane workout series, it is a sure fire way to optimize your body’s performance as you prepare for the arduous tests of fight preparation. Although I have seen other books, like Royce Gracie’s Superfit, which attempt to explain diets such as the Gracie Diet, I found Rooney’s to be much simpler and easy to follow. His method is clear - to be a warrior, you must eat like a warrior.

Speaking of maximizing performance, Martin also discusses the role of supplements for the MMA fighter, grappler, or serious athlete. To break through the possible fear or doubt over supplements, Martin delves into what he sees as positive supplements for recovery, strength building, immunity, and more. What I enjoyed most about this section was it really made sense that fighting sports athletes have special needs and that a wise usage of supplements could have beneficial results.

Weight cutting was the final section that made a big impact on me. Wherever there are weight classes, there is sure to be weight cutting. Martin describes the safety and effectiveness of weight cutting techniques so that athletes truly understand their health parameters before resigning themselves to a drastic weight-cutting plan. This section serves as a public safety and education announcement for all fighters and competitors.

When it comes to the combat sports training market, Training for Warriors stands heads and shoulders above the rest. Although other books like Superfit and DVDs like the SAID training series have all done good jobs of outlining workouts, routines, and diets, none of these has accomplished as much as what Rooney has set out to do. So, whether you are a striker, grappler, or modern combatant, you owe it to yourself to pick up Martin Rooney’s masterpiece and take your game to the next level.

Happy Training,
Kevin