To be a full-time MMA fighter there are a few things you must know. Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is a full-contact combat sport which combines both striking and grappling from different martial art forms. Being a great way to get in shape and learn self-defence, this type of combat has become extremely popular in Brampton, and around the world.
MMA is a mix of different combat sports. Some of them are Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Since it is a combination sport, it is okay to feel a bit overwhelmed before joining a lesson. We have you covered here. This blog post covers what you should know and be prepared for before joining an MMA class.
First MMA Class: What You Should Know
What Should You Expect During the Class?
- Burn a lot of calories: The first thing that happens when you start training in MMA is you will work hard; burning many calories in the process. As a beginner, be ready to experience body aches and exhaustion in the initial sessions. It will put a strain on your muscles and help build your cardiovascular and body strength. As you’ll be so active, worrying about calorie counting is a non-issue. You need to keep your energy levels up, so make sure you’re eating enough!
- Be ready for bruises: While training is good for you; bruises are a fact of life for MMA practitioners. Even though MMA is also for kids, accidents do happen. Because of its nature, you are bound to suffer bruises and bumps. However, it’s important to remember this little bit of pain is necessary to prepare yourself for dire situations.
- You’ll be calmer: The way MMA training helps in dealing with pressure and pain is commendable. The psychological benefits associated with the sport makes you a more focussed person. MMA training can be very gruelling, especially as you move up in experience. The only way many practitioners get better is by treating each challenge as a problem to be solved instead of panicking. As you spend time training, you’ll see yourself gradually changing your approach to stressors in a more stoic manner.
Basic Courtesies of Mixed Martial Arts
If you are attending an MMA class for the first time, you should be aware there are a few basic rules of etiquette to be followed.
Timeliness: To begin with, arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled time. This will help you get acquainted with other trainees and give you time to change your clothes without any rush.
Clothing and Accessories: Talking about clothes, make sure you’re dressed comfortably. Comfortable clothing allows you to freely move around when throwing kicks and punches. If the class description recommends it, bring your own gloves, shin pads, mouthpiece and groin protector.
Hygiene: A basic courtesy in an MMA class is to remove your shoes before beginning the class. The mat upon which you fight should be hygienic, as a big part of MMA is about ground fighting.
Training Partner Courtesies: MMA cannot be done in isolation. You will need a second person to practice with and push you to do better. That’s why training partners are important. Having said that, remember despite MMA being a contact sport, respecting your training partner is of utmost importance. Listen to your partner and make sure that you keep the effort level below 100%. You aren’t trying to hurt them, just testing each others’ skills.
Being aware of what to expect and how to behave in your first MMA class will surely help you be confident during the training. Make sure you keep these points in mind to avoid getting into awkward situations. You can consult your trainer before joining to learn about the first class in advance. However, if you have not yet found suitable classes for you, there are a lot of MMA training gyms in Brampton to choose from.