Beginner :)

xLisaBx

I'm starting MMA tonight as I've just started college and figured I'd try something new. I'm both excited and absolutely terrified :eek: I'm 18 and a girl (you probably guessed from the username)
What should I expect for the next few weeks?

MrStuffins

A tough work out and learning some cool stuff. Tonight you'll probably learn the proper footwork and how to "keep your hands up" and defend yourself. Maybe a "one-two" boxing combination.

Where are you training?

xLisaBx

CIT, it's a college club!

MrStuffins

Cool. It's a lot of fun and is a great work out too. You'll enjoy it

xLisaBx

Hopefully! I just looked on their facebook page and it seems to be all fellas.. so I don't know whether to go or not now?!

MrStuffins

Why wouldn't you? It's not as if you're going to fighting these guys. You'll be learning techniques and getting a work out.

Seriously, try it out and if you don't like it then that's fine. But don't let the fact that it's all guys stop you!

xLisaBx

Okay thank you Lets bring it haha!

MartyMcFly84

Girls will me a minority in most MMA gyms

Even the larger gyms would have a small group group of girls compared to guys.

There is always someone who has to be first . In my gym it was Aisling Daly, she trained with guys only years and years. But these days there are more and more girls joining all the time. I think once girls see other girls there they are more willing to start, its being the first ones that some people can find difficult.

Really if you have a good group, you can still learn and train nothing stopping you there.

What are your reasons for wanting to train MMA may I ask?

xLisaBx

I just want to join some kind of sport in college really! Like it would also come in handy for nights out when I'm hassled... and the youtube videos looked exciting

MartyMcFly84

Well that's every reason you need to join.

An added benefit is if you can train and handle yourself with guys, that is very applicable to a "self defence" scenario, and will give you confidence to no end.

Basically its a fun sport and once you get comfortable you will really enjoy it. My advice would be try and stick with the more experienced guys first as they would have better control and know what kind of pressure to put on for different stages of training. Then stick with guys as close to your weight as possible.

New people can get a bit spazzy and can sometimes flail about or use too much strength like its a life and death scenario. This can be very off putting for the training partner.

It takes a little while to relax, but when you do its great.

Enjoy!

Gumbi

It's great that you're thinking of picking it up.

As the rest have said, girls will be a minority in these gyms.

I'm going to be honest though, it can be tough. There may be some embarassment to get over with the ground work initially, and it can be mentally and physically tough training with guys who will mostly be bigger than you.

That being said, I think it's fantastic that you're inrerested by it and I hope you keep it up! It has many great benefits and is fun to boot.

Gumbi

It's great that you're thinking of picking it up.

As the rest have said, girls will be a minority in these gyms.

I'm going to be honest though, it can be tough. There may be some embarassment to get over with the ground work initially, and it can be mentally and physically tough training with guys who will mostly be bigger than you.

That being said, I think it's fantastic that you're inrerested by it and I hope you keep it up! It has many great benefits and is fun to boot.

wingnut4

Hey Lisa

I did MMA a for a few years a few years ago. Its tough but a great workout, your more thn likely going to be the only female or there may be another couple. Guys are fun to work with too, it can be tougher as they are generally stronger but dont let that put you off. As someone said previously try and go with someone whos abit experienced as newbies normally go all over the place lol

Get used to getting in awkward positions too! all fun though lol