Retired bodybuilder and powerlifter Stan Efferding’s training methods have even reached the desk of a UFC legend. Recently on the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel, Stan Efferding reflected on working with Jones where he emphasized that his priorities were strength and power.
Former Light Heavyweight king and reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is arguably the greatest athlete of all time when it comes to mixed martial arts. Jones has earned this reputation from countless training sessions, adversity, and perseverance. His ability to blend wrestling with striking turned him into a superstar within the organization.
Stan “The White Rhino” Efferding is best known for his talents within bodybuilding and powerlifting. He holds many accolades but one of his most notable accomplishments was winning the title of 2010 Mr. Olympia Worlds Strongest Pro Bodybuilder. On his way to success, Efferding dropped jaws and took home gold by benching 628 pounds and deadlifting 800 pounds, beating Johnnie O. Jackson‘s previous record by almost 100 pounds.
Efferding continued gaining recognition in retirement. He accomplished this by sharing a variety of training strategies and nutritional methods. Working out and healthy living are significant aspects to his program ‘The Vertical Diet,’ a nutritional approach he created that focuses on simplicity and sustainability for high caloric needs.
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Stan Efferding Gets Real About Working With Jon Jones: “What Can I Do For This Guy”
Stan Efferding has served as a critical coach to many athletes as of late, including Hafthor Bjornsson, Brian Shaw, and Jon Jones. As Efferding takes on new clients with elite pedigrees, he wonders what else he can contribute to those who are already so successful.
“I always wonder to myself, when I work with a great athlete, what can I do for this guy? He’s already one of the best athletes in the world. Jon Jones is already a 14-time defending UFC champion. Hafthor Bjornsson was already one of the greatest strongmen on the planet. Brian Shaw was already a four-time World’s Strongest Man.”
Using his training knowledge, Efferding found it most important to favor strength and power during his workouts with “Bones.”
“All these guys I always wonder the same thing but when I find out when you sit down with them and go over all the things that we all know that are important for performance, health, strength and power,” Efferding shared about Jones.
In addition to talking about what he can contribute to Jones’ training, Efferding explained that Jon Jones keeps his social circle large in order to gain as much knowledge as possible. Known for his analytical nature, Jon Jones is constantly seeking ways to improve himself not only physically but mentally as well.
Efferding disclosed:
“Well, Jon likes to surround himself with a lot of people. Jon is the kind of guy who wants to know as much as he possibly can. We talked about his ring IQ, that doesn’t happen in the ring necessarily.
Obviously, he’s got a lot of experience. Outside of the ring, he prepares for everything. Watches tons and tons of videos. Works with the best jiu-jitsu black belt he can find. Works with a professional boxer. Works with a 6’5″ 300-pound wrestler that’s a professional fighter in mixed martial arts.”
Working with the powerlifting veteran Stan Efferding, it’ll be exciting to see what Jon Jones brings to the table in his second-ever heavyweight bout against Stipe Miocic this November. Given Efferding’s focus on power and stamina, Jones hopes to perform at his best yet.
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