Ten Tips For MMA Beginners

By Staff Report
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Updated: March 30, 2021

People enjoy participating in various sports-related activities that test human stamina. And when you combine exciting elements of these sports into a single tournament, the challenge becomes even more appealing. Mixed martial arts – alternatively known as cage fighting – has been around for decades. Now more people are considering beginning their careers as MMA fighters. So, here are some suggestions for them that might help:

Find a mentor

Bruce Lee couldn’t have become successful had there been no Yip Man in his life! Every martial artist requires the support and supervision of a master/mentor. Remember that MMA training can be difficult without conducting it under the guidance of a coach. Just ask Chuck Norris! An instructor possesses the expertise to transform an amateur into a professional athlete. Choose a mentor who is associated with a well-established organization and the one with whom you get along. And wouldn’t it be something if those mentors have a Joe Rogan and Dana White resemblance and get immediate attention?

Find a partner

Sparring with your friend helps you excel in training and acquire a realistic picture of the real-life event for which you’re preparing. Such a buddy also fills you with motivation to become better than before and out-do your previous record. It’s mutually beneficial for both of you as it provides a better experience than practicing on a dummy. Also, undergoing MMA training with a friend makes exercise more enjoyable and adventurous since you two can learn something from each other.

Select your passion

Mixed martial arts – as the name suggests – is a combination of techniques derivate from different sports. A martial artist must incorporate these various disciplines for excellence in this profession. A diversity of skills turns MMA trainees into ferocious combatants. This diversity contributes to enhancing agility, flexibility, endurance. You should research the best disciplines for MMA to become an expert fighter. Some well-known arts MMA borrows from are:

Karate
Boxing
Wrestling
Thai Boxing
Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Always start small

You can’t migrate to high-intensity exercises immediately after beginning your MMA training. It’s wiser to start with some low-intensity workout, i.e., “introductory stunts.” Begin your training session with rope-jumping, chest expansions, and hip/neck rotations. The move on to overhand and weight-lifting. These “baby steps” allow blood to flow through your body, thereby loosening your joints and making them more flexible. That’s how high-intensity exercises become easier for you.

Don’t neglect safety

Martial artists don’t underestimate the importance of safety precautions during an intense training session. Pushing yourself forward and attempting to surpass your limits does not imply that you neglect relaxation. An athlete knows when it’s time for recovery so that the body can unwind the exhaustion. Know your limits to avoid any severe damage to your body, and don’t exert unnecessary pressure on yourself. Also, you must understand the significance of wearing safety gear during exercise, which brings us to the next tip.

Gather your gear

Practicing martial arts with caution requires you to arrange some amenities for physical protection. This gear also enables you to combat effectively. Now, the type of training equipment you need depends upon the MMA discipline you’ve opted for. This gear includes:

Gloves
Thai pads
Shin guards
Hand wraps
Mouthpiece
Knee/elbow pads
Cup or groin guard (for male combatants)

Keep on training

Training makes a person perfect – this principle accurately defines the pathway to success in mixed martial arts. These strategies create harmony between a man’s mind, soul, and limbs. You learn to act on impulse, move with ultra-instinct, and focus on a pre-established goal. Beginners should train for around 20-24 hours every week. Such a massive amount of physical training will help you to pursue high-intensity exercise routines in the future to excel in this profession.

Plan your diet

It’s necessary to control your diet and avoid eating unhealthy food. Once you’ve decided to pursue martial arts, treat your body as a sacred temple. Eat nutritious meals only and food rich in healthy calories. Healthy food fulfills the energy requirements of your body to survive an intense exercise routine. Fruits and vegetables seem like provisions appropriate for an MMA beginner. Moreover, protein-rich stuff (such as fish and eggs) and carbohydrates (such as whole grains) also constitute a sensible diet.

Build your muscles

What are some prominent bodily features of an athlete? They have well-built core muscles that help them kick/punch with brute strength. These muscles allow MMA fighters to channel their chi from the center to the outer limbs. If you want your attacks to land harder on the opponent, you must build these core muscles. Therefore, performing core exercises (such as crunching) helps you make these muscles stronger for maximum agility. Your core muscles are categorized as:

Traverse abdominis
Rectus abdominis (six-pack)
Obliques (internal and external)

Go to the gym

MMA fighters should become regular gym visitors, though this isn’t more than a suggestion. Gyms can improve your training experience. If you don’t wish to join one, you can always engage in domestic body-building exercises in the comfort of your own home. It isn’t abnormal for MMA trainees to have home workout sessions since they travel a lot and often find solace in shadow boxing to continue their training.

Conclusion

In its primitive form, mixed martial arts existed even in Ancient China. Even Greeks had an event named Pankrationthat was known for hardly having any rules! Though Bruce Lee introduced and popularized MMA in the 20^th century among Americans. And now we have organizations such as UFC that organize MMA events. Amateurs who wish to become martial artists must understand the importance of regular training, exercise, and muscle-building. Also, they should abstain from all sorts of unhealthy habits (including consuming a non-nutritional diet). Following these tips will contribute to your career advancement and pave the way for you to become an ultimate fighting champion.