Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport involving multiple martial disciplines from around the world. Modern athletes must be proficient in wrestling, striking and receiving blows, and close range combat. To start training you need to sign up for a specific course and hone your newly learned skills with constant practice. With the right level of commitment and skill you can train and compete at the highest levels.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Enroll in Courses
Step 1. Choose the fighting style you want to learn
If you want to be an all-round fighter, you need to know how to deliver effective kicks and punches. The most used disciplines in MMA are muay thai, boxing, taekwondo and karate. Observe the athletes practicing the ones you are interested in to decide which styles you want to follow.
- Muay Thai focuses on punches, kicks and movement in the ring.
- Classic boxing is extremely focused on punching.
- Kicks and punches are the fundamentals of taekwondo and karate.
Step 2. Evaluate the kind of hand-to-hand combat you want to train in
If you want to be a complete athlete, you need to combine wrestling and wrestling skills with attacking skills. Among the various disciplines there are Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Greco-Roman wrestling and American wrestling.
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes specialize in supremacy holds, as well as choking and subduing the opponent.
- Judo focuses on holds that block the opponent and on throws.
Step 3. Do some research online
Find gyms, dojos, or clubs that offer martial arts or fighting classes in your area. Look for general MMA lessons to help you develop fighting and striking skills. If you can't find a "hybrid" gym that offers these options, chances are you will have to go to different establishments, each specializing in certain disciplines.
- If you live in a small town, there may not be any courses for the specific style you are interested in; in this case, be flexible and adapt to what is offered.
- Web pages like mmamania and italianmma can be good starting points for your research.
- For example, if there are no MMA gyms in your area, you can sign up for a kickboxing and jiu-jitsu course separately.
Step 4. If you have no other options, watch video tutorials
If there isn't a martial arts gym in the area where you live, you can supplement your training with these online guides; do some research, find videos recorded by professionals, and watch their moves to complement your practice.
But know that there is nothing better than a "live" training
Step 5. Call the gym and make an appointment for your first class
Once you have identified a structure that satisfies you, you should establish the date and time of the first workout; some gyms offer a limited number of free trial lessons to new members.
When you call, you can say that you have never trained before and would like to sign up for your first class; don't forget to ask for details about the cost and what is the date of the first introductory lesson
Step 6. Get the necessary equipment
Typically, you must wear a mouthguard and a jockstrap with a clamshell. Some gyms also require the use of a gi (wrestling kimono) or other specific equipment; During the very first few lessons you should wear a normal training shirt and shorts, but be aware of the specific needs of the coach.
- Other items you should consider are gloves, hand wraps, shin guards, and a helmet.
- If you don't have any of these, ask the gym representative if there is any equipment available that you can borrow.
Method 2 of 3: Introduce yourself to the First Lesson
Step 1. Be polite and humble
All fighters have been beginners and fully understand what it means to be a novice in MMA. The people you meet in the gym are there to learn and improve their skills, so don't act like a "phenomenon", otherwise you will give a bad first impression of yourself; be kind to the individuals you meet, keep a positive attitude and accept advice.
Step 2. Listen to all instructions from the instructor
When you start training it is essential to follow any instructions given by the coach; if you don't, you run the risk of harming yourself or hurting others. Pay attention to his every word and try to execute the moves exactly as you were taught.
Step 3. Stick to your own pace
During the first few lessons, you might think you need to prove something, but that's not the case. It may be tempting to train at maximum intensity as soon as you step into the ring or tatami, but this will tire you out quickly and cannot continue the class. Remember to breathe deeply, practice the moves correctly and improve your technique instead of running out of energy.
Step 4. Don't be too hard on yourself and keep a positive approach
If you have no experience with martial arts, you may have to face training sessions with someone more practical than you; if you are not trained, do not expect a great performance in the wrestling enclosure. It is very likely that you have to put in many hours of training and practice before you can be competitive in the gym; remember this detail so as not to be discouraged.
Method 3 of 3: Perfecting Skills
Step 1. Learn the fundamentals
To improve in MMA, you need to become proficient in basic strikes and grappling techniques. Among the classic punches we remember the hook, the direct, the upright and the crossing; you also need to learn the basics of circle and front kicks. When it comes to grappling, you need to know the different positions and how to perform basic movements, such as arm levering, leg strangling, and backsliding. Practice these basic techniques before moving on to the more complex ones.
Step 2. Attend classes regularly
This way, you hone your skills and keep fit. Don't take too much free time between sessions, especially at the beginning; try to take at least three classes a week, then find your own pace to be able to show up at the gym every week.
Step 3. Don't overdo it
While it's completely normal to experience some muscle aches, you shouldn't get too tired. When you feel physically exhausted, have too much pain or have suffered an injury, take a break and let your body recover. otherwise, you become weak and lose focus. Fatigue, weakness, decreased performance, and constant muscle aches are all signs of over-training.
Step 4. Fight with classmates
During these training sessions you can test your technique with the other students; don't be afraid to trade a few shots with them. When you train in this way set a goal and keep it in mind; for example, you can import to score a point with a perfect circle kick or try to optimize the distance you keep to hit a straight.
- Practice improving the fundamentals with a moving target and remember to stick to your own pace.
- The purpose of training fights is to improve technique and not harm the opponent.
- It is considered polite to shake your opponent's hand before and after the match.
- Sparring partners often adapt to your fighting intensity, so expect to receive "tit for tat"!
Step 5. Practice grappling with classmates
During this phase of training you improve your hand-to-hand fighting techniques without using blows; This is a grueling part of MMA encounters that requires a lot of stamina, so remember to keep your pace and take your time. Train yourself to free yourself from difficult situations, to gain dominance and to suffer those of submission.
Step 6. Improve muscle strength and condition the body
While training and techniques are key, it is also important to develop strength and endurance. Squats, deadlifts and bench presses combined with sprints, skipping and stretching make you stronger, faster and more flexible; set aside a day or two a week for strength training and for strengthening the body.
Step 7. Sign up for amateur competitions
Before doing so, get in touch with the amateur league in your region to learn about the regulations and rules. When you are ready to fight, the coach or gym team usually signs you up for an organized match; talk to these people to decide which competition or fight to participate in.
Step 8. Stick to a healthy diet
Track your meals by writing down everything you eat during the day, counting calories and nutrients; you also need to hydrate and follow a diet rich in proteins and carbohydrates. If you are training very intensely, try to get 2 g of carbohydrates and proteins for every kilogram of weight; the diet should also incorporate plenty of omega 3 fatty acids, in addition to traditional vitamins and minerals.
