Kevin Kearns: MMA Strength & Conditioning Coach for UFC Stars and More

Mixed Martial Arts Strength and Conditioning Coach Kevin Kearns is one of the most recognizable figures in the sport when it comes to fighter strength and conditioning.

Kevin has been professionally involved and around the fitness industry for over twenty years. He has a B.S. in Exercise Physiology and is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Functional Movement Screen Certified Specialist and a FreeMotion Master Trainer.

In addition to those highly accredited certifications, Kevin is the strength and conditioning coach to top martial arts schools across the country.

Speaking exclusively with Bleacher Report, Kevin spoke about all things strength and conditioning.

He works directly with Mark Dellagrotte's Sityodtong Muay Thai Academy in Massachusetts and has trained some of the sports best fighters.

"I was Kenny’s (Florian) strength coach for three years. After the Sherk fight and leading up to the BJ fight. Alex (Karalexis) is in town, Marcus (Davis), and Jorge (Gurgel) when he comes back in town. I've worked with Patrick Cote, Marcus Davis, Daniel Gracie. and alot of others, pretty much anybody who works with Mark (Dellagrotte) ends up working with me."

Kevin has developed his own system, "Burn with Kearns". The "Gas in the Tank" series that he invented is an advanced workout involving all three ranges of human motion.

"The 'Gas in the Tank' is what i'm known for and I don't want my guys that, when the cage door closes, look across and say man he looks strong I better take my time."

The "Gas in the Tank" phase is the last step in a three step program which includes strength hypertrophy training which he calls "Laying the foundation" and explosive power training.

"We have a three step program, and let's say a fighter has four months. Phase one would be strength hypertrophy and we lay the foundation, build up their core strength because if they don't spend enough time on this phase then when they get to the sports specific then they're not going to be able to handle the vigors of it. Explosive power is the next phase, and that could last from four to six weeks which contains plyometrics, mini trampolines, and a lot of crazy stuff."

Along with that three step program, Kevin has formed Partner Drills and Grappling Specific Conditioning as well.

Both the Partner Drills and Grappling Specific Conditioning programs involve techniques that he refined after working with top level fighters as they prepared for fights and competitions. In his partner drills DVD, Kevin can be seen working through fight simulated exercises with UFC Welterweight Marcus Davis.

All of the above programs that have been mentioned can be found on Kevin's website,

www.burnwithkearns.net.

In addition to mixed martial arts strenth and conditioning, Kearns states that he wants to assist in helping everyone achieve their health and wellness goals.

"We try to reach as many people as possible and I want to help as many people as I can to achieve their goals and get where they want to go. We're bringing seminars and workshops into public schools and we've had kids to do the work outs and they love it."

The seminars schedule includes stops in Victoria British Columbia (April 9), New York (April 24, 25), New Jersey (May 1), and Sacramento, California (May 8-10).

Featured in this link is a exercise called the "Bosu Sprawl" check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbPdAfQlVBc&feature=related