Too late to start MMA?

Ranjo

I was always a spectator of boxing and recently been following UFC and MMA as a observer.

Recently I decided, I'd like to do it.

Is it something you can get into without any martial arts experience and with a few years under the belt (late 30)

Primary focus is fitness + confidence in self defence.

Mellor

Ranjo wrote: »

Is it something you can get into without any martial arts experience and with a few years under the belt (late 30)

Primary focus is fitness + confidence in self defence.

Yeah, absolutely. There's nothing stoping you taking it up as an older guy. Especially if it's for mainly fitness + self defence confidence, but you wouldn't be limited to that either .

mrkiscool2

Ranjo wrote: »

I was always a spectator of boxing and recently been following UFC and MMA as a observer.

Recently I decided, I'd like to do it.

Is it something you can get into without any martial arts experience and with a few years under the belt (late 30)

Primary focus is fitness + confidence in self defence.

You are never to old for that! I've sparred with guys who started out in their 40s and they would absolutely spank me in terms of their ability and fitness when I started out! It's an amazing sport to improve fitness and you get a lot of other benefits with it.

Jam_Donut

Thankfully the dublin mma leagues have very generous age brackets. For fitness, absolutely go for grappling. For fat ****es like me you are bathed in sweat in 2 minutes flat. Unreal for cardio and weight loss and grappling is savage craic!

Ranjo

When you say leagues, do you mean actual competitions? I'd probably be looking at just training for a while really.

Any suggestions in places to go/people to talk to? I am looking for Dublin south (Stillorgan to Cabinteely kind of range if possible) as I'm on the bike!

MagicIRL

Ranjo wrote: »

When you say leagues, do you mean actual competitions? I'd probably be looking at just training for a while really.

Any suggestions in places to go/people to talk to? I am looking for Dublin south (Stillorgan to Cabinteely kind of range if possible) as I'm on the bike!

The MMA League is like Sunday League football. It's a much more relaxed atmosphere, with stricter rules (no head shots, for example) and is generally just done by people looking to train and compete for fun.

raze_them_all_

MagicIRL wrote: »

The MMA League is like Sunday League football. It's a much more relaxed atmosphere, with stricter rules (no head shots, for example) and is generally just done by people looking to train and compete for fun.

Did they not bring in head shots while standing?

MagicIRL

That I'm not sure. You shou;d tag along to one and see what its about. You dont even have to compete. Just watch and learn.

shane9689

why couldnt you? ive trained with newbie 60 year olds before, only thing that should stop you is a permanent injury which can happen to anyone any age....

cowzerp

Ranjo wrote: »

I was always a spectator of boxing and recently been following UFC and MMA as a observer.

Recently I decided, I'd like to do it.

Is it something you can get into without any martial arts experience and with a few years under the belt (late 30)

Primary focus is fitness + confidence in self defence.

it most definitely is something you can train in and if you'd like have a go of competitively, a good promoter can match you with like with like, Personally I look at the MMA league as not MMA as such, it's grappling with some leg and body strikes put in, nothing wrong with it, it is what it is

i'd say just go join a club, if you don't get fitter and gain confidence then i'd be shocked

Ranjo

Thanks all for the replies. Looking forward to signing up. I'm going to spend Jan and Feb getting my fitness back then will look into it.

I'm struggling to find any clubs locally. Also can't find anything online about the MMA league. Any pointers/links would be much appreciated.

themandan6611

Ranjo wrote: »

Thanks all for the replies. Looking forward to signing up. I'm going to spend Jan and Feb getting my fitness back then will look into it.

I'm struggling to find any clubs locally. Also can't find anything online about the MMA league. Any pointers/links would be much appreciated.

check out SBG in blackrock, https://plus.google.com/108066048326457493121/about?gl=uk&hl=en

don't spend 2 months getting your fitness up, just join and you'll get plenty fit enough and start learning all about mma

MartyMcFly84

"I am going to get fit first then I will do it"

Famous words of all my mates who never started MMA. You will get the fitness required by attending class.

Beginner classes are designed for well.. beginners , not people with large cardio reserves or explosive strength, its for the average joe/joan coming off the street who wants to learn a new sport.

Believe me you will be much better off attending class for two months then running about on your own trying to get "fit" and then drifting off the idea as you don't feel you are "fit" enough.

Mr. CooL ICE

When I first did BJJ, I was training for a half marathon at the time and had given up football, but still wanted to do something active that wasn't running. Whatever fitness I had built up from running wasn't worth much to me tbh. I was constantly exhausted. At the time, the only thing that would have improved my fitness in BJJ was more BJJ.

tadix

Ranjo wrote: »

I was always a spectator of boxing and recently been following UFC and MMA as a observer.

Recently I decided, I'd like to do it.

Is it something you can get into without any martial arts experience and with a few years under the belt (late 30)

Primary focus is fitness + confidence in self defence.

In our club (Legends MMA) we had a guy start 18 months ago who was 66 years old when he took his first class so you are in no way too old, also our club is local enough to you as we are in little Bray. So feel free to drop in anytime

Dtp1979

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

"I am going to get fit first then I will do it"

Famous words of all my mates who never started MMA. You will get the fitness required by attending class.

Beginner classes are designed for well.. beginners , not people with large cardio reserves or explosive strength, its for the average joe/joan coming off the street who wants to learn a new sport.

Believe me you will be much better off attending class for two months then running about on your own trying to get "fit" and then drifting off the idea as you don't feel you are "fit" enough.

So true

MagicIRL

100% average Joe started BJJ a year ago and my fitness just improved as I went to more and more classes.

RoboRat

I was 34 when I started training in MMA and I'm 37 now. I only train in BJJ now but thats just down to lack of time and my love for BJJ. Never too late to start and once you do, you will love it. Don't worry about getting fit before starting because you never will, just take the plunge and your fitness will come.

RoboRat

it most definitely is something you can train in and if you'd like have a go of competitively, a good promoter can match you with like with like, Personally I look at the MMA league as not MMA as such, it's grappling with some leg and body strikes put in, nothing wrong with it, it is what it is

Is the MMA league still going? I heard that it was finished?

Ranjo

Update for the interested.

Signed up and attending a class in 2 weeks. I did what I intended & took Jan to get fitness up - but also delayed due to sickness and bike crash. Had another crash last night, hence waiting for another 2 weeks.

Looking forward to it. Will feed back on how first night goes if there's interest.

Dtp1979

Ranjo wrote: »

Update for the interested.

Signed up and attending a class in 2 weeks. I did what I intended & took Jan to get fitness up - but also delayed due to sickness and bike crash. Had another crash last night, hence waiting for another 2 weeks.

Looking forward to it. Will feed back on how first night goes if there's interest.

Yep please do. And stay off your bike

Dave 101

RoboRat wrote: »

Is the MMA league still going? I heard that it was finished?

Ye its finished

Dave 101

Ranjo wrote: »

Update for the interested.

Signed up and attending a class in 2 weeks. I did what I intended & took Jan to get fitness up - but also delayed due to sickness and bike crash. Had another crash last night, hence waiting for another 2 weeks.

Looking forward to it. Will feed back on how first night goes if there's interest.

Yes keep us updated

veganrun

I'm really out of shape and have no MMA or similar experience. Would a beginners class be good even for someone like me who's at least 4 stone overweight?

I'm not interested in fighting, but the fitness aspect is appealing.

Dtp1979

veganrun wrote: »

I'm really out of shape and have no MMA or similar experience. Would a beginners class be good even for someone like me who's at least 4 stone overweight?

I'm not interested in fighting, but the fitness aspect is appealing.

If you want to build confidence, strength, fitness and lose 4 stone then absolutely. I don't think there's another sport that works out your entire body so well

rockatansky

Have just been reading this thread and has got my attention but I know absolutely nothing about the sport! I'm in my mid 30's, a good 3 stone over weight, some what of a passive person (never been in a real fight in my life!), played football till I was about 15, run about once a month and then give up as I find it boring as hell. If I was to give this a try am I going to be absolutely destroyed by someone at a training session? Is it all one to one combat or is there some forms to it?

I should mention that I sometimes have a problem with my lower back (disc, for the past 8 years), does this rule me out completely? I'm good for light interval running but haven't pushed it any further.

reganreggie

No gym would have you sparring or getting destroyed by anyone until you can defend yourself properly and are comfortable about sparring. You'd be very surprised how friendly and how easy it is to get started and how addictive it is

Mellor

Dtp1979 wrote: »

I don't think there's another sport that works out your entire body so well

I'd disagree with that tbh. Beginners a find it extremely tough because they are generally, moving inefficiently and wasting energy.
With a bit more experience training becomes more about technique. Which is why separate conditioning sessions are needed.

If you've an interest in MMA, they I can't recomend MMA enough.
But if your only goal us weight loss and fitness. You can target that directly.

rockatansky wrote: »

If I was to give this a try am I going to be absolutely destroyed by someone at a training session? Is it all one to one combat or is there some forms to it?

Very little involves combat, probably none at all at the start.
At a basic level training MMA involves learning and improving body movement and drilling techniques.

There's no forms at all in MMA.

Dtp1979

Mellor wrote: »

I'd disagree with that tbh. Beginners a find it extremely tough because they are generally, moving inefficiently and wasting energy.
With a bit more experience training becomes more about technique. Which is why separate conditioning sessions are needed.

If you've an interest in MMA, they I can't recomend MMA enough.
But if your only goal us weight loss and fitness. You can target that directly.


Very little involves combat, probably none at all at the start.
At a basic level training MMA involves learning and improving body movement and drilling techniques.

There's no forms at all in MMA.

We're not talking about Bjj here were talking about mma. I don't see how this sport wouldn't make you fitter. Even wasting energy at the start is still building some kind of fitness. No matter how fit you are, 3 or four rounds of active mma sparring will tire out anybody, no matter how fit they think they are. Along with the conditioning classes that your gonna as part of mma, you're only going to get better and fitter

Mellor

Dtp1979 wrote: »

We're not talking about Bjj here were talking about mma. I don't see how this sport wouldn't make you fitter. Even wasting energy at the start is still building some kind of fitness. No matter how fit you are, 3 or four rounds of active mma sparring will tire out anybody, no matter how fit they think they are. Along with the conditioning classes that your gonna as part of mma, you're only going to get better and fitter

I was wasn't twling about BJJ.
Regardless, If your training doesn't involve grappling of some description, it's not MMA.
I never said you wouldn't get fitter. Of course you will. I was saying that it's not the absolute best way to do so.
If fitness is the only goal, then target that directly.

Or look at it this way, if you did three "conditioning" sessions a week. You'd probably get fitter quicker compared to doing two technical MMA sessions and one conditioning.

arybvtcw0eolkf

raze_them_all_ wrote: »

Did they not bring in head shots while standing?

MagicIRL wrote: »

That I'm not sure. You shou;d tag along to one and see what its about. You dont even have to compete. Just watch and learn.

Excellent advice there to Raze_them_all

Ranjo

update from the newcomer.

I started recently and did two sessions. It was a good intro and all care & attention taken on helping the newcomer out with technique. The class was around 10 people both times.

Unfortunately, I've decided to stop. There's a few reasons none of which reflect badly on the sport though - mostly personal circumstances.

I'm having trouble committing time-wise. My job makes it difficult to stick to a known timeslot each week and keep consistent in participating. I also do 1-2 other things which take time.
I can only attend once per week, given that membership is a monthly charge, it does not work out at good value for me. I may only be able to attend 3-4 per month.

In the end, I'm a little gutted because it was what I wanted, in terms of getting great fitness and the ability to look after myself, not that I put myself in situations. I have not dropped it, but shelved it.

thanks all for your feedback & comments. Again want to articulate that I enjoyed it and would recommend anyone else to it.

cowzerp

Ranjo wrote: »

I can only attend once per week, given that membership is a monthly charge, it does not work out at good value for me. I may only be able to attend 3-4 per month.

Pay as you go, if not an option find somewhere that has it.

Mellor

cowzerp wrote: »

Pay as you go, if not an option find somewhere that has it.

^This.

I train in two different gyms. Most in my main gym but around 1 session per week in another. It's be silly for me to pay two monthly fees, so I just PAYG in the second.

MartyMcFly84

Just reminds me a little of a conversation I had with my house mate this morning.

He signed up and is paying full monthly membership in our gym and would say he is averaging about once a month at this stage. He likes putting it on his CV the he trains there.

Despite my advice he will only go to a beginner MMA class and only because a certain coach teaches the class.

He is now put off by the foundations class because he thought everyone would be beginners and there are people who "have been doing it a while". He doesn't seem to grasp that these people were beginners too a couple of month ago but kept going to the classes....

I have kind of given up trying to convince him to go. If someone really wants to do something they will do it. There are many gyms that offer lots of different times for classes from early morning , weekend , afternoon evening. If you really enjoy it I am sure you could find a place or places that could accommodate your schedule.

yourdeadwright

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

Just reminds me a little of a conversation I had with my house mate this morning.

He signed up and is paying full monthly membership in our gym and would say he is averaging about once a month at this stage. He likes putting it on his CV the he trains there.

Despite my advice he will only go to a beginner MMA class and only because a certain coach teaches the class.

He is now put off by the foundations class because he thought everyone would be beginners and there are people who "have been doing it a while". He doesn't seem to grasp that these people were beginners too a couple of month ago but kept going to the classes....

I have kind of given up trying to convince him to go. If someone really wants to do something they will do it. There are many gyms that offer lots of different times for classes from early morning , weekend , afternoon evening. If you really enjoy it I am sure you could find a place or places that could accommodate your schedule.

I find it quite odd in this day and age some clubs don't do PAYG,
Is there a reason for this ?

Personally I pay monthly and it suits me cause I can always make classes but surely a gym would get more business if there was PAYG option as well ?

MartyMcFly84

I find it quite odd in this day and age some clubs don't do PAYG,
Is there a reason for this ?

Personally I pay monthly and it suits me cause I can always make classes but surely a gym would get more business if there was PAYG option as well ?

All the gyms I have trained in had/have a PAYG option. It makes sense, how can visitors train if they have to sign up for the month?

OP: Did you ask if there was a PAYG option and explain your circumstance? I am sure most gyms would accommodate you rather than loose someone completely

veganrun

Are there any good clubs in the south county Dublin/Dublin 18 area or nearby that would be good for an overweight beginner and which are PAYG?

I'm mostly just interested in the fitness aspect and not fighting or full/heavy contact sparring.

reelsmash

as for fitness theres no age consideration.. but if you are planning for competion that would a be different story..

MartyMcFly84

The majority of people who train don't compete, or if they do not at a high level.

No beginner would ever be involved in heavy sparring. In fact heavy sparring is frowned upon or not allowed in most good clubs even at the highest level.

If getting in shape , learning a new sport and some self defence along the way is your goal, you can start at any age.