Fact:
Cardiovascular fitness is a cornerstone of wrestling. Although strength and technique are vital, a wrestler’s ability to maintain a high level of intensity throughout a match is what often separates the winners from the losers. A wrestling match can be a grueling test of endurance, with athletes needing to maintain quick bursts of speed and power for several minutes.

Wrestlers often engage in rigorous cardiovascular training, including running, biking, and interval sprints, to ensure they can keep up the pace. Conditioning is not just about endurance but also about recovery—wrestlers must be able to recover quickly from intense efforts to perform at their peak throughout the match. A strong cardiovascular base allows wrestlers to dominate in later rounds when their opponents begin to tire.