Instructions for Mountain Climbers - Martial Arts Conditioning Exercise

Mountain climbers are a great martial arts conditioning exercise. This plyometric exercise will build your endurance & stamina, improve your leg strength, work your core, etc. These videos and instructions below will show how to do mountain climbers in order to improve your martial arts conditioning. All stretches, conditioning and strength exercises should be supervised by a trained martial arts instructor in order to prevent injuries and to ensure the proper technique is utilized.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Starting Position: A modified push-up position with the left foot below the chest and between the arms.
• Drive right leg forward with the right foot, bring it back while moving the left foot forward. Bring left foot back while bringing right foot forward.
• Continue to repeat with alternate legs. You are essentially running in place while in a push-up position.
• Place the hands directly below your shoulders, fingers spread (middle fingers point straight ahead) with the elbows straight, not locked.
• To prevent your core from sagging, tighten your abdominal muscles and maintain this contraction throughout the exercise. Do not raise your hips when moving throughout the exercise.
• Align your head with the spine and keep your eyes looking forward.
• Throughout the exercise, stay on the balls of your feet.
• Move your legs straight forward and backward, not at angles.

Reference Sources

1. Public Domain document, FM 7-22 Army Physical Readiness Training, http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/fm7_22.pdf, Added - 02/01/15