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wanting to start but

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  • 04-09-2015 6:54pm
    #1
    mcneil
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 332 ✭✭


    Feeling really intimidated from these gyms, don't know why because I'm usually up for anything but just can't get my foot across the door ffs.

    Needs encouraging words and reasurrances that everything isn't what I have in my head!


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    #2
    Subcomandante Marcos
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,683 ✭✭✭Subcomandante Marcos


    mcneil wrote: »
    Feeling really intimidated from these gyms, don't know why because I'm usually up for anything but just can't get my foot across the door ffs.

    Needs encouraging words and reasurrances that everything isn't what I have in my head!

    Wrong forum really, the Martial Arts and Self Defence forum would be a better place to start.

    Now to address your post;

    I firmly believe that unless you're an natural athlete or immensely physically fit trying to start from scratch in MMA is a bad idea. I really think you're better off picking a "base" to start form.

    Whether it be Boxing, Karate, Kick Boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, whatever, pick a base art that interests you, make that your focus, and when you're getting your head around that then think about introducing another element.

    If you feel you'd make a good striker, go join a gym that deals with striking, see how you like, see if you can handle a jab to the face or a leg kick, focus on that and then a little bit down the line find a Jiu Jitsu school and join a beginners class.

    Training with specialists in individual arts will give you a better base than train a "bit of this and a bit of that" with an MMA gym, in my opinion. Once you have the base to work off then a good MMA coach can teach you how to bring them all together in an MMA environment effectively.

    To me anyway a good MMA coach is there to apply your skills to an unfamiliar situation.


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    #3
    Doug Cartel
    Registered Users Posts: 2,188 ✭✭✭Doug Cartel


    Most of the legit MMA places I can think of don't throw you straight in doing full on MMA. They have separate classes covering grappling/striking/etc. and you start off getting to grips with one of those, then the others, then MMA.

    If MMA is what you are interested in, don't waste time trying to learn separate styles and then come up with a mix of your own. Someone has already done that for you, so take advantage of that - go to an MMA school.

    Now, as for the anxiety of starting in a new place where you know no one and you don't have a clue what you are doing... yeah it's tough going, but if you don't take that first step you will never do it, and then years from now you will regret never trying. If you never step out of your comfort zone, you'll never achieve anything, and ever worse things will be a lot more boring for you.


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    #4
    John_D80
    Registered Users Posts: 3,539 ✭✭✭John_D80


    I would say ease yourself in gently, and slowly. Most MMA gyms also have BJJ classes. Go in talk to the coaches about joining in a beginners BJJ class. In my own opinion, BJJ guys are the most easy going, coolest people you will ever meet. Think surfers but without the long hair. No bull****, absolutely zero ego and always willing to help a new guy. Its a cliche for sure, but BJJ literally does change your life.

    From there, once you're settled in, ask about the MMA classes. All the guys who I train BJJ with that do MMA as well are sound out. Hardest part is taking the first step. Once you get into it, whether its BJJ or MMA, you absoutely wont regret it.


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    #5
    Subcomandante Marcos
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,683 ✭✭✭Subcomandante Marcos


    John_D80 wrote: »
    I would say ease yourself in gently, and slowly. Most MMA gyms also have BJJ classes. Go in talk to the coaches about joining in a beginners BJJ class. In my own opinion, BJJ guys are the most easy going, coolest people you will ever meet. Think surfers but without the long hair. No bull****, absolutely zero ego and always willing to help a new guy. Its a cliche for sure, but BJJ literally does change your life.

    From there, once you're settled in, ask about the MMA classes. All the guys who I train BJJ with that do MMA as well are sound out. Hardest part is taking the first step. Once you get into it, whether its BJJ or MMA, you absoutely wont regret it.

    Jui Jitsu is such a contradiction in some ways. Everyone is super chill and it's very welcoming of beginners, but it's also a very steep learning curve, just when you think "I'm getting the hang if this " you realise you are still clueless! But it's so much fun at the same time. When you're training with good coaches you are learning something new every time you train, and yeah you're right about it changing your life, you start to look at things differently, you start of seeing more solutions for simple problems, you start to see everything as a learning experience.

    You also end up daydreaming randomly thinking about how you can stop that guard pass next time or how to improve that transition to side control so you're more efficient. It's infectious.


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    #6
    Naos
    Registered Users Posts: 4,728 ✭✭✭Naos


    mcneil wrote: »
    Feeling really intimidated from these gyms, don't know why because I'm usually up for anything but just can't get my foot across the door ffs.

    Needs encouraging words and reasurrances that everything isn't what I have in my head!

    Well then lay it out, what do you have in your head?

    (Also, where are you based/looking to train?)


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    #7
    JJayoo
    Registered Users Posts: 6,561 ✭✭✭JJayoo


    OP you need to realise that MMA schools depend on people such as yourself for their survival and so they are tailored for beginners to join and have programs built in that will accommodate all levels of ability and fitness. There will be no expectation of you ability/fitness wise and there will be zero pressure put on you to progress past a level that you feel comfortable with.


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    #8
    eeguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭eeguy


    Even Arnold Schwarzenegger started by lifting light weights.

    Everyone starts at the bottom and works their way up. Best to get in now and pick up good habits, rather that trying to train yourself at home first and picking up bad habits.


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    #9
    Tazzimus
    Registered Users Posts: 3,935 ✭✭✭Tazzimus


    Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »
    I firmly believe that unless you're an natural athlete or immensely physically fit trying to start from scratch in MMA is a bad idea.

    I wouldn't agree at all with that.
    I'm overweight and very unfit, started in SBG back in June and haven't for one week thought this is too much for me.

    Yes being fit already helps immensely, but out of shape people can still do it, I started doing it to learn a few new skills and get in shape. Yes it's hard going and I do be knackered going home but I still enjoy it.


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    #10
    Mellor
    Registered Users Posts: 39,099 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »
    I firmly believe that unless you're an natural athlete or immensely physically fit trying to start from scratch in MMA is a bad idea. I really think you're better off picking a "base" to start form.

    Whether it be Boxing, Karate, Kick Boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, whatever, pick a base art that interests you, make that your focus, and when you're getting your head around that then think about introducing another element.
    I strongly disagree with that tbh. Most, if not all, MMA gyms separate the fundamentals into the base arts. You'll need to cover all aspects, it makes most sense to do them in the one location.
    If you feel you'd make a good striker, go join a gym that deals with striking, see how you like, see if you can handle a jab to the face or a leg kick, focus on that and then a little bit down the line find a Jiu Jitsu school and join a beginners class.
    The downside to that approach is that a lot of what you cover might not be suitable for MMA. Even something as simple as the correct stance and footwork. If you learn to punch in a boxing gym, you stance will be wrong when to transition to kicking, and again to MMA.
    Training with specialists in individual arts will give you a better base than train a "bit of this and a bit of that" with an MMA gym, in my opinion.
    I think it's wrong to assume that the standard will be better/specialized in an individual art over an MMA gym. For example, there are blacks belts running Bjj programs in MMA gyms, and pure BJJ programs ran by blue and purple belts.

    Really it comes down to the gym in question imo. And depending on where you are, the best option could be decided on location.


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    #11
    Mellor
    Registered Users Posts: 39,099 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    mcneil wrote: »
    Needs encouraging words and reasurrances that everything isn't what I have in my head!

    What do you have in your head?


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    #12
    reganreggie
    Registered Users Posts: 437 ✭✭reganreggie


    What's the absolute worse that could happen.


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    #13
    Subcomandante Marcos
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,683 ✭✭✭Subcomandante Marcos


    reganreggie wrote: »
    What's the absolute worse that could happen.

    Op, this is the attutide you need. The worst that could happen is that you don't try anything, never get started and spend the rest of the year thinking "I wish I tried".

    No matter where you go or what you do, you're not going to be getting hurt any time soon.


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    #14
    WorldChampions
    Registered Users Posts: 11 ✭WorldChampions


    This happens in the beginning. But once you started it really works. You just need to muster up the courage and hit the gym. It will be rewarded.


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    #15
    MartyMcFly84
    Registered Users Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭MartyMcFly84


    What's the absolute worse that could happen.

    This.

    OP: You are really building it up to be much more than what it is.

    Loads of gyms have dedicated foundation/beginner level MMA classes. In the gym I train in, I assist with the foundation MMA class we focus on technique and theory. There is no sparing at all until you progress to the intermediate class and even then it is more drilling and positional based.

    Once you actually go to a class you will think "what was I worried about?".

    What exactly are you nervous about? Hopefully I can help with any questions you might have.


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    #16
    MrStuffins
    Registered Users Posts: 19,148 ✭✭✭✭MrStuffins


    Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »
    I firmly believe that unless you're an natural athlete or immensely physically fit trying to start from scratch in MMA is a bad idea. I really think you're better off picking a "base" to start form.

    This is terrible advice!


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    #17
    MartyMcFly84
    Registered Users Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭MartyMcFly84


    I firmly believe that unless you're an natural athlete or immensely physically fit trying to start from scratch in MMA is a bad idea. I really think you're better off picking a "base" to start form.

    I disagree. I started in a beginner MMA class 8/9 years ago with no base in martial arts, and I am certainly not a natural athlete or was I fit.

    Through training in MMA I started started attending other classes like BJJ, Judo, Muay Thai, strength and conditioning . I certainly became fitter and more athletic through training martial arts, but it was a gradual snow ball effect.


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    #18
    RoboRat
    Registered Users Posts: 2,467 ✭✭✭RoboRat


    I started doing MMA aged 35 with a shot knee and was overweight. Most of the lads doing it were at least 10 - 15 years younger than me. I thoroughly enjoyed it but I have transitioned to BJJ as it is what I am really passionate about.

    Take the plunge, worst case scenario you don't like it. I don't know of any gym that won't cater for a new person, they are businesses and businesses require new customers!

    Most gyms have beginner classes or if they don't, they won't just throw you in at the deep end, its not in their interest. You will develop and as you develop the challenges will mirror your development.

    Perhaps it might be an idea to go down to your local academy and sit in for a beginner class without participating - this might allay any fears that you have.


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    #19
    jimmii
    Registered Users Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    mcneil wrote: »
    Feeling really intimidated from these gyms, don't know why because I'm usually up for anything but just can't get my foot across the door ffs.

    Needs encouraging words and reasurrances that everything isn't what I have in my head!

    I started with Muay Thai a couple of months ago and before I went I thought the same but it was actually a really friendly atmosphere and despite me being way WAY behind everyone else in the beginners class I wasn't made to feel like a dead weight. Any decent gym is going to be a welcoming place as they know its hard for people to make that first step through the door so the last thing they want is to scare you away once you do. Everyone was in your position at one point you just have to go for it after a couple of sessions you will wonder why you were so worried!


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