Grips and Hips Interview with Mike Saffaie

Grips and hips may sound catchy, but it is the methodology and approach of strength and conditioning for coach Mike Saffaie who happens to work with some of the top athletes in combat sports. A brown belt himself under Rener and Ryron Gracie, Mike incorporates this “grips and hips” philosophy to his own workout program as well.

Mike says that the importance of grips and hips in jiu-jitsu comes from the basic element of our art, which is to grab and control our opponent to manipulate their weight and position. One way to maximize this ability is to condition the prime muscle groups most important in accomplishing this feat.

In this article, Mike infuses some of the actual grips that you would use in a grappling match and that you wouldn’t find in your traditional workout program.