Top Tips For Beginners to MMA

Stepping into the MMA Gym for the first time can be hard. In fact that first step is absolutely the hardest (aside from stepping into the cage for the first time).  You may not know what to expect, and everything you are covering can definitely be overwhelming. Over the next few days, we will be covering 5 strategies to make sure you are getting off on the right foot. Check out my first tip for training in MMA

MMA Training Tip #1: Focus on form

This is one that is all too often overlooked. No matter what you are doing, make sure you are incorporating proper technique. Whether you are working your Mixed Martial Arts Technique, drilling BJJ submissions, hitting the Muay Thai mitts, or lifting weights for MMA, form comes first. When you begin to fatigue, your form begins to slip, and your technique gets sloppy, YOU’RE DONE. I mean it. Take a rest, get some water, get back in there fresh.

When your form begins to slip, your body will compensate by recruiting alternate muscles that are not optimal for executing your MMA techniques. Most guys will tell you to push through this and build up your physical and mental toughness. Well this is a good way to get you hurt. This will also cause you to be sore to the point where you may not be able to get back into the gym for a few days, or more.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not telling you not to work hard. I’m telling you to work smart. If you notice you can’t keep up the power that you had at the beginning of the round, that’s fine. You can back off on the power a little bit, but work the technique, build the muscle memory, and then the speed and power will follow. Pushing through and working with sloppy technique in practice will result in sloppy application when you need it.

The same goes for strength and conditioning. If you are pushing through your barbell curls, and you notice that you are starting to swing the weight up, rather than squeezing and contracting your biceps to get the weight up, then you have reached a point of failure. That’s not a bad thing. Going beyond that failure point IS a bad thing. That will cause excessive muscle soreness, injury, and again, poor MMA technique.

I also recommend you split your workouts into technique and strategy sessions, and strength and conditioning sessions. Focus on one at a time. Alternating days works well, but if you have to do them on the same day, make sure you stagger it appropriately, and take a break between sessions. Obviously you will have some conditioning during your BJJ and kickboxing classes, but you should dedicate a few 30-45 minute sessions throughout the week specifically to your strength and conditioning.