Getting Started With Mixed Martial Arts - A Guide to Choosing the Right Facility and More
Unless you have been living under a rock you have probably been exposed to the exciting sport of MMA in some shape or form.
As such, you have probably been wondering whether it is a good sport for you to try.
Furthermore, you should know that MMA training facilities are available in almost all 50 states, provided that you are healthy enough to train.
However, there are some things that you will need to consider before diving into this sport head-first.
As I stated before - the good news for you is that there are plenty of gyms in almost every state.
The bad news is that some of those gyms are run by people who don't know what they're doing and are in it solely for to make money.
Hopefully, the following article will help you select a proper training facility and give you a few pointers before you begin your training.
The easiest way to start is to use Google and search for mixed martial arts events and gyms in your area.
If there aren't any complete MMA gyms in your area, you should also consider searching for Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools.
These gyms often offer MMA programs as well.
Alternatively, if you come up with some local MMA events in your area, you should definitely make an effort to attend those and network with the fighters and event organizers.
These people will often point you in the right direction.
Hopefully you are able to locate at least three or four facilities to check out.
You will have to o some legwork in order to personally visit these facilities and see how they operate.
When you first arrive to the gym on you list, ask to speak with a head trainer.
This should be the first person you come to for information.
Head trainers almost always own the gym and will be able to answer all of your questions.
You should start by discussing the typical weekly schedule.
It should include a striking class, a grappling class, and a wrestling class.
There should also be a day dedicated to conditioning or open gym.
Once you found out about the schedule - discuss the pricing.
It is an important step, because it could reveal lots of issues.
MMA training is not cheap and will probably cost you upwards of $100 dollars/month.
Many facilities will allow for some negotiating room and may offer discounts if you pay in advance for several months.
You should take note on how the trainer talks about this.
If he sounds like a salesman - run away from that place.
Respectable gyms will never pressure you into joining.
Now that this is out of the way, a good gym will allow you to come and watch people training for free.
They should also offer you to train for free for a couple of days.
This is a "try before you buy" type of thing and is crucial.
The instructor should then advise you of a gear you will need to bring.
This will ALWAYS include a mouth guard and a groin protector (cup).
Good gyms will have a supply of boxing/MMA gloves and shin pads for you to borrow.
However, if you decide to continue training, it's a good idea to buy your own gear.
When you come to the first free session, try to get a feel for the gym.
Talk to your fellow students and see what they think about the facility and instructors.
Ask them how long they have been training.
Normally, students that have been in the gym for over 3 months will be allowed to spar (it is very important to spar at least once a week, once you learn the ropes).
Talk to instructors and try to get their credentials.
They should not brag.
In good gyms, grappling instructors will typically have at least purple belts in Brazilian JiuJitsu from relatively known schools.
Striking coaches were probably competing in the past and they should freely talk about it.
It is also a good idea to find out how many students in the gym participate in competitions.
Good gyms will have at least a few fighters that fight on a professional level.
Also note the overall facility.
If it looks overly "nice" you should definitely be cautious.
Most good gyms are clean, but have equipment that shows signs of being "used.
" A good gym will also have grappling mats, a cage and a boxing ring.
Now that you know what to look for in a gym, you should look at all of the gyms in your area and make a decision, based on the aforementioned factors.
I also highly advise you to work on your cardio before signing up.
If you are out of shape, you will really be struggling and will not be able to take full advantage of training sessions.
Best of luck in your training! Stay strong!
As such, you have probably been wondering whether it is a good sport for you to try.
Furthermore, you should know that MMA training facilities are available in almost all 50 states, provided that you are healthy enough to train.
However, there are some things that you will need to consider before diving into this sport head-first.
As I stated before - the good news for you is that there are plenty of gyms in almost every state.
The bad news is that some of those gyms are run by people who don't know what they're doing and are in it solely for to make money.
Hopefully, the following article will help you select a proper training facility and give you a few pointers before you begin your training.
The easiest way to start is to use Google and search for mixed martial arts events and gyms in your area.
If there aren't any complete MMA gyms in your area, you should also consider searching for Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools.
These gyms often offer MMA programs as well.
Alternatively, if you come up with some local MMA events in your area, you should definitely make an effort to attend those and network with the fighters and event organizers.
These people will often point you in the right direction.
Hopefully you are able to locate at least three or four facilities to check out.
You will have to o some legwork in order to personally visit these facilities and see how they operate.
When you first arrive to the gym on you list, ask to speak with a head trainer.
This should be the first person you come to for information.
Head trainers almost always own the gym and will be able to answer all of your questions.
You should start by discussing the typical weekly schedule.
It should include a striking class, a grappling class, and a wrestling class.
There should also be a day dedicated to conditioning or open gym.
Once you found out about the schedule - discuss the pricing.
It is an important step, because it could reveal lots of issues.
MMA training is not cheap and will probably cost you upwards of $100 dollars/month.
Many facilities will allow for some negotiating room and may offer discounts if you pay in advance for several months.
You should take note on how the trainer talks about this.
If he sounds like a salesman - run away from that place.
Respectable gyms will never pressure you into joining.
Now that this is out of the way, a good gym will allow you to come and watch people training for free.
They should also offer you to train for free for a couple of days.
This is a "try before you buy" type of thing and is crucial.
The instructor should then advise you of a gear you will need to bring.
This will ALWAYS include a mouth guard and a groin protector (cup).
Good gyms will have a supply of boxing/MMA gloves and shin pads for you to borrow.
However, if you decide to continue training, it's a good idea to buy your own gear.
When you come to the first free session, try to get a feel for the gym.
Talk to your fellow students and see what they think about the facility and instructors.
Ask them how long they have been training.
Normally, students that have been in the gym for over 3 months will be allowed to spar (it is very important to spar at least once a week, once you learn the ropes).
Talk to instructors and try to get their credentials.
They should not brag.
In good gyms, grappling instructors will typically have at least purple belts in Brazilian JiuJitsu from relatively known schools.
Striking coaches were probably competing in the past and they should freely talk about it.
It is also a good idea to find out how many students in the gym participate in competitions.
Good gyms will have at least a few fighters that fight on a professional level.
Also note the overall facility.
If it looks overly "nice" you should definitely be cautious.
Most good gyms are clean, but have equipment that shows signs of being "used.
" A good gym will also have grappling mats, a cage and a boxing ring.
Now that you know what to look for in a gym, you should look at all of the gyms in your area and make a decision, based on the aforementioned factors.
I also highly advise you to work on your cardio before signing up.
If you are out of shape, you will really be struggling and will not be able to take full advantage of training sessions.
Best of luck in your training! Stay strong!