Is MMA For You?
MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts and is gaining in popularity thanks to everyone watching UFC fighters on television. However, if you want to take it up there are several things to consider before you set out to try MMA.
It’s vital to know that martial arts are not just about fighting – they are about focus and attention. You should also always learn martial arts and undertake any kind of fight under professional supervision.
What makes MMA popular?
The key reason MMA is rising in popularity is it is made up of a really wide variety of disciplines, such as kickboxing and karate. It means you don’t need to pick just one. You can try them all out and then focus on the style of combat which suits you best.
Where is the best place to find a coach?
If you think MMA might be for you then it’s important to find a professional coach. The ideal place to find one is by heading to a gym specializing in MMA. It’s important to find a teacher who does specialise in the fighting skills, not just a cardio workout based on the moves.
Don’t go to a generalised gym which offers mixed martial arts as a side option as it’s unlikely to be with a professional coach. It’s important to choose a really professional, high quality and specialist gym to find the right coach for you. A bad coach will end up putting you off all together so if you’ve decided it’s the sport for you take your time to find the best teacher.
Will it cost me a lot of money?
If budget is an issue in making your decision to start MMA, then you need to consider the equipment which you will need to buy to protect you from injury. The kind of kit you need might vary so here is a rough guide to some of it, to help you decide if MMA is right for you budget-wise:
● mouth guard
● groin protection
● gloves and hand wrap
● shorts, tops and footwear
● shin and knee guards
● head protection
You can find the best options for things like gloves and mouthguards by checking out reviews on sites like https://www.sportzbits.com/
Will I have to fight from day one?
If you are worrying that MMA is not for you because you will have to fight from day one, put your fears aside. Newbies to MMA should view it as an ongoing learning approach, with a gradual developing of skills.
You will not be expected to fight like a UFC fighter from the first day so if this is something that is worrying you, then you needn’t think it on it any longer. It takes many months of MMA practice to get to that level.
On the other hand, if you are coming into it hoping to fight immediately then you need to revisit your expectations and realise that this is not going to happen. If you are impatient, unwilling to take the time to learn and develop, then MMA is not the right sport for you.
No-one starts out at UFC fighter level – they have spent years in the sport and you will need to do the same to get to be a good fighter. MMA is a long learning curve and definitely a journey of growth.
What do I need to do to be MMA ready?
If you are thinking MMA is right for you, then you need to take a few simple actions to get yourself fully MMA ready. Firstly, have your expectations set at the right level – don’t expect to be fighting straight away.
Secondly, you need to start working on your fitness levels. It will be harder to learn the skills and techniques if you come at it from a place of unfitness. It’s good to have a fitness program running alongside your MMA work.
If you take care of your nutrition and start off with good fitness levels it will improve your mixed martial arts performance on both the mat and in the ring eventually. Putting the effort into your body will see the results come out. So start eating nutrition rich grilled food as it will give you body strength for MMA workout without compromising on the tasty flavor of the food items.
Finding the right mixed martial arts instructor and having the right mindset are the two key conditions to enjoying MMA once you have decided this contact sport is right for you. If you meet these two conditions MMA will become an incredibly enjoyable activity.
If you don’t have the patience and want to dive straight into fighting then you don’t have the right mindset for martial arts of any kind and it’s not for you.
However, if you have the right mind set and do decide to start with MMA you will start to grow in l strength, make a new social life and gain a new sport to enjoy and be passionate for. It can become a way of living as well as a way to keep fit and strong.
