Every wrestler should know you have to have a well balanced wrestling strength training regiment if you are going to be the one with his arm raised at the end of the match. There are no shortcuts or substitutes for plain old hard work in the gym and on the mat. But in addition to free-weights, body weight, medicine balls, plyometric routines and cardio - there is often one overlooked component of a wrestler's strength training program. Not doing this could rob you of achieving your greatest potential. So make sure to include resistance band training as part of your weekly wrestling training routine.

A Lesson From A Champion

NCAA wrestling champion, US Olympian and current coach Cary Kolat believes using resistance band training is vital.   While it is often assumed the kinetic bands / resistance bands are only ideal for traveling or when you can't get to the gym, he suggests a weekly program. Incorporating the bands into a traditional routine mixes up your workouts, causes your muscles to have to work differently and can be varied in intensity and resistance. If resistance band training is good enough for a former NCAA champion and US Olympian, it should be good enough for any wrestler.

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Improve Pulling Strength

While wrestlers will often spend a lot of time doing "pushing" exercises - "pulling" exercises are just as important. Throughout the battle of a match wrestlers do both. From pushing an opponent to pulling an opponent into position. While things like lat pull downs or pull ups are often prescribed, resistance band training allows athletes to improve theirpulling strength. It's a different type of workout compared to machines or body-weight. This two-pronged approach to strength training can help put a wrestler in the best position to get the take-down instead of get taken down.

Lower Body Strength Training

Strong hips and legs will allow you to explode out of holds, deliver crushing pressure when sprawling or riding and help keep you injury-free. There are some machines that will allow you to isolate the hips and target the abductor muscles responsible for the strength needed. But machines alone aren't ideal. Like the rest of a training program has to be balanced, building leg and hip strength is no exception. Myosource Ultimate Kinetic Bands / Resistance bands are ideal for lower body workouts as well. From explosive drills to repetitive, low-intensity exercises, there are plenty of options to use kinetic bands / resistance bands to build lower body strength.

Every athlete wants to compete at the highest level and you have to be willing to put the time into strength training if greatness is desired. It is important to maintain a balanced approach. Take the advice of a champion and integrate kinetic bands / resistance bands training into your workout. You might just be the one with an arm raised when the whistle blows.