Mp8 recently sat down with Alex Ariza and asked him what is his most important tool for getting fighters ready for battle?
Mp8: Alex what is your favorite form of cardio exercise to get your fighters ready for a fight.
Alex Ariza- very quickly responded, “Swimming” No question it is swimming.
Mp8: “Why swimming out of all the exercises out there”
Alex Ariza- “Because of the strengthening of the muscles involved in respiration. This helps to facilitate the flow of air in and out of the lungs. Swimming strengthens the heart muscle, to improve its pumping efficiency and reduce the resting heart rate. Of course the toning of muscles throughout the body, which can improve overall circulation and reduce blood pressure,without the stress on the joints. Swimming is great for increasing the total number of red blood cells in the body, to facilitate transport of oxygen throughout the body,
Mp8: So overall it is good for energy and stamina?
Alex Ariza: Yes, there is an increased storage of energy molecules such as fats and carbohydrates within the muscles, allowing for increased endurance. You will get this from a lot of different exercises, but I prefer swimming because it makes a person focus on their breathing and is much less stressful on the body.
Mp8: You have mentioned a couple of times that working out in water or swimming is easier on the body. Do you know why that is?
Alex Ariza: Because the density of the human body is approximately similar to that of water, the body is supported by the water and less stress is therefore placed on joints and bones.
Mp8: I recently heard Rampage Jackson the UFC fighter can’t float- He stated in an interview it is much harder for him to swim then most people, because he can not float. Rampage actually had his swim coach do a test and he learned he can not float.
Alex Ariza: I am a fan of Rampage. I like any fighter that brings it in the ring or the cage. Rampage always brings it. He is like Manny Pacquiao and BJ Penn always looking for the finish- I know who rampage is. I am a fan of his. Listen, know one can truly float. The reason why some people have a harder time trying to float is because of their density: People with a lower body fat percentage (fat is less dense than water) sometimes cannot stay on the surface of the water without motion to propell themselves upwards, although most people *do* remain at the surface if they relax and lean back. Bone is considerably more dense than water, muscle is a little more dense, and fat less dense. If the weight of water you displace is less than your own weight, you will sink.
Mp8: So you are a fan of Rampage. Any chance of you guys ever working together?
Alexa Ariza: You know he has a great team around him already and they look like they are doing great things with him. I would like to see his cardio better then it is now and there are things he could do that would improve on this. But Like I said, he has a great team around him right now. But you know,,, I would like to see him with a little better cardio, because this just makes for a more exciting fight. I wanted him to knock out Rashad Evens. If he needed any help for that fight I would be there tomorrow.
Click here to watch “RAMPAGE JACKSON CAN’T FLOAT VIDEO”
