Wimp2Warrior??

frag420

HI folks,

Has anyone got any experience of Wimp2Warrior?

Would you recommend it?

Its coming to a gym near me and I am considering applying, I have a tester session on the 27th with a start date of April 1st.

Would love to hear peoples thoughts on it!

Cheers

frAg

Fromvert

Whelo79 on here did it and put some updates along the way in this thread. Could be worth a read for yourself.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057205815

Whelo79

frag420 wrote: »

HI folks,

Has anyone got any experience of Wimp2Warrior?

Would you recommend it?

Its coming to a gym near me and I am considering applying, I have a tester session on the 27th with a start date of April 1st.

Would love to hear peoples thoughts on it!

Cheers

frAg

Well recommended on my part. It takes a lot of commitment but it is worth it. It's expensive in comparison to joining your local MMA gym but if you are completely new to combat sports and are looking for a safe and comfortable way to get into it and challenge yourself it's a great way to go.

What's the location by the way?

Mellor

I'd highly recommend it. Great experience and very different to just joining a local gym and easing into it.

frag420

Whelo79 wrote: »

Well recommended on my part. It takes a lot of commitment but it is worth it. It's expensive in comparison to joining your local MMA gym but if you are completely new to combat sports and are looking for a safe and comfortable way to get into it and challenge yourself it's a great way to go.

What's the location by the way?

I am in London, its starting in Croydon on April 1st.

I have a few questions if you don't mind Whelo...

My level of fitness is not great and my diet is similar to that of a three year old sugar addict, I'm 6'4 and about 16 stone. Can you tell me a bit about the nutrition side of things. Will I need to be stocking up on supplements? I am fussy around some foods, mainly veg. Do they give you a meal plan to follow? If so, how strict is it?

I have worked out that to get there for 6am I will need to be up and out of bed at 5am and out the door by 5:15am. Its a 35 min cycle to the gym. Following a session I will be going to work, that will be another 45-55 mins on the bike. Would I be able to cycle for about an hour after the sessions, esp at the start when my body will be getting used to it. My fear is that I may gas out (Ive got the lingo part sorted haha) so to speak on the cycle to work after an intense session!?

My social life revolves around having a few drinks, usually on the weekends but the odd post work drink during the week. How did you find W2W affecting your social life? I have a few things coming up this year that will mean missing one or two sessions, Slane and Download being two weekends away that would usually be booze filled weekends. Did you find that your mindset changed around drinking? Did you find it easier to moderate drinking? Not saying you're an alcoholic or anything, Im not, but I can easily put away 6-8 pints on a good night which I know would be detrimental to any type of training, the will power is weak on this one for me!! I would like to be able to enjoy a couple of beers and then be able to head home instead of staying out and filling up on beer!


Anyways that's all I have for now, apologies its a lot haha!! I am going to try to convince a mate of mine here to do it with me, I think it would be best to have a buddy to help encourage each other!

Mellor

They'll give you a meal plan, or dietary guidence. It's up to you how strictly you adhere to it. Not eating your carrots won't affect the fight outcome.
Cutting out drink is probably a smart idea. Especially if you know your opponent is tea-total. But again, that's your choice. I didn't cut it out entirely, but drank very little.
16 stone is nothing. There was a guy who started at 20 stone/132kg. I seen him fight at welterweight (77kg) at the end of it.
As for timing. I was up at 5.15, training from 5:45 until 7:30. Then headed to work. It started at 4 days, but very quickly ramped to 5 days plus my own extra at weekends

Whelo79

frag420 wrote: »

My level of fitness is not great and my diet is similar to that of a three year old sugar addict, I'm 6'4 and about 16 stone. Can you tell me a bit about the nutrition side of things. Will I need to be stocking up on supplements? I am fussy around some foods, mainly veg. Do they give you a meal plan to follow? If so, how strict is it?

It's aimed exactly at people like yourself. The average working lad/lady who might never otherwise get involved in this type of sport/training. They won't go super strict on your diet, they will give you tips and suggestions but ultimately they leave it up to you to manage your diet. You will probably be given an idea of the weight class they see you fighting at in the finale and it will be your goal to be on weight come fight night.

frag420 wrote: »

I have worked out that to get there for 6am I will need to be up and out of bed at 5am and out the door by 5:15am. Its a 35 min cycle to the gym. Following a session I will be going to work, that will be another 45-55 mins on the bike. Would I be able to cycle for about an hour after the sessions, esp at the start when my body will be getting used to it. My fear is that I may gas out (Ive got the lingo part sorted haha) so to speak on the cycle to work after an intense session!?

Each gyms sessions/classes are different all around the world so I can't say for sure how tired you will be after each one. The only really heavily intense session we done every week was the strength and conditioning session on a Friday. Other classes such as BJJ, Thai Boxing, MMA were more technical based with light drills/sparring, particularly for the first few weeks.

frag420 wrote: »

My social life revolves around having a few drinks, usually on the weekends but the odd post work drink during the week. How did you find W2W affecting your social life? I have a few things coming up this year that will mean missing one or two sessions, Slane and Download being two weekends away that would usually be booze filled weekends. Did you find that your mindset changed around drinking? Did you find it easier to moderate drinking? Not saying you're an alcoholic or anything, Im not, but I can easily put away 6-8 pints on a good night which I know would be detrimental to any type of training, the will power is weak on this one for me!! I would like to be able to enjoy a couple of beers and then be able to head home instead of staying out and filling up on beer!

I would have been the same as yourself. I started W2W this week 3 years ago and I was away to Denmark with the lads for Paddy's Weekend (week 1), so not an ideal start. I also went away to the European Championships in France the week before we were doing heavy sparring to determine or finale match ups. Arrived back at 9pm on a Wednesday night and sparred 4 lads at 6am the next morning!!

Most people find this commitment to training really motivates them to make small changes to their lifestyle. Healthier food choices, curbing alcohol intake and just overall getting into a better routine. You don't need to become a monk by any means.

You'll have a blast mate.

rob316

I did it, it's not cheap but it's an amazing experience. It takes a lot to get up and train at 6am 5 days a week for 6 months.
It'll test you mentally as much as physically. You will learn great skills, have fun and make some friends.

The production is of a very high level for the Cork and Dublin finales.

MartyMcFly84

I didn't do it myself but it was run in the gym I train at, saw many sessions and people in W2W also trained in some of the beginner MMA classes I coach.

My 2 cents. Positives : Its definitely a great experience, and what could be a once in a lifetime experience to get in and have an MMA fight against someone more or less your level. Many guys and who I have seen do W2W have stayed on and trained, or become very involved in the club. It's generally a great lifestyle change and Impressive the changes people can make.

Negatives: Maybe not too much of a negative , but the training is intense and its many many early mornings which I can see wanes on people after the first few weeks, and can clash with other life commitments.

Perhaps too much time on fitness? From what I have seen there is almost as much time spent on fitness as there is actual practical skills of how to fight. I know if it was my student I would ask them to get as much practical time as possible rather than throwing newbies into gruelling circuit work outs.


Overall its a good program and a great chance to join with other newbies , learn new skill and make lasting friendships.

rob316

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

I didn't do it myself but it was run in the gym I train at, saw many sessions and people in W2W also trained in some of the beginner MMA classes I coach.

My 2 cents. Positives : Its definitely a great experience, and what could be a once in a lifetime experience to get in and have an MMA fight against someone more or less your level. Many guys and who I have seen do W2W have stayed on and trained, or become very involved in the club. It's generally a great lifestyle change and Impressive the changes people can make.

Negatives: Maybe not too much of a negative , but the training is intense and its many many early mornings which I can see wanes on people after the first few weeks, and can clash with other life commitments.

Perhaps too much time on fitness? From what I have seen there is almost as much time spent on fitness as there is actual practical skills of how to fight. I know if it was my student I would ask them to get as much practical time as possible rather than throwing newbies into gruelling circuit work outs.


Overall its a good program and a great chance to join with other newbies , learn new skill and make lasting friendships.

There was a high dropout rate in my season, think we started with 30 odd and about half that made it to the cage. It's meant to be hard and testing, the 6am is all part of the novelty.

Definitely in our gym there was a greater emphasis on grappling over striking or fitness, but I think it depends on the needs/goals of the group. If there was alot of weight to be lost there would be more fitness.

OP you also have to do a medical and MRI so add that into the cost. It's about €1500 all in.

Whelo79

rob316 wrote: »

There was a high dropout rate in my season, think we started with 30 odd and about half that made it to the cage. It's meant to be hard and testing, the 6am is all part of the novelty.

Definitely in our gym there was a greater emphasis on grappling over striking or fitness, but I think it depends on the needs/goals of the group. If there was alot of weight to be lost there would be more fitness.

OP you also have to do a medical and MRI so add that into the cost. It's about €1500 all in.

It was the opposite in mine, we started with 50 I think and we only lost about 4 or 5. Two lads dropped out after they were told they wouldn't be getting matched up for a fight at the end.

Our weekly routine was:

Monday: BJJ
Tuesday: Movement/Yoga
Wednesday: Muay Thai
Thursday: MMA
Friday: Strength & Conditioning

A good balance but you really only pick up the basics of BJJ with one weekly session, I would have liked more.

Whelo79

rob316 wrote: »

OP you also have to do a medical and MRI so add that into the cost. It's about €1500 all in.

Also he is UK based so won't have to do the MRI.

srfc d16

Whelo79 wrote: »

It was the opposite in mine, we started with 50 I think and we only lost about 4 or 5. Two lads dropped out after they were told they wouldn't be getting matched up for a fight at the end.

Why were they not matched up? Had they completed all the training up to that point?

Whelo79

srfc d16 wrote: »

Why were they not matched up? Had they completed all the training up to that point?

There is no guarantee made that everyone gets a fight although generally where does. A decision was made that these two lads were not at the required standard to compete safely.

We had one fight cancelled on the day as a lads blood pressure was too high during the pre fight medical. Retested an hour later and it was still too high so the fight was scrapped.

frag420

Just thought would drop in with an update...

I completed the "trial" last night. Its was fooking tough, I was well and truly beat when I finished and very sore today!

Having doubts if I would be able to complete this as I have given up on things before when they got too tough or I got too lazy, Military fitness/boot camps and that sort of thing!

Anyways I will wait to see if I am accepted and take it from there.

Thanks for all the motivational words so far, much appreciated!

frAg

MartyMcFly84

Well done on trying out. Getting started is half the battle the other half is constancy.

The pain will be worst this time because you are not used to it. But its not like that all the time. You will certainly feel stiff after future sessions, (work on mobility) but it wont be as bad.

Whelo79

frag420 wrote: »

Just thought would drop in with an update...

I completed the "trial" last night. Its was fooking tough, I was well and truly beat when I finished and very sore today!

Having doubts if I would be able to complete this as I have given up on things before when they got too tough or I got too lazy, Military fitness/boot camps and that sort of thing!

Anyways I will wait to see if I am accepted and take it from there.

Thanks for all the motivational words so far, much appreciated!

frAg

The"trial" is generally the hardest part of the whole experience. They want to see the people who are willing to push themselves and not give up, they want to weed out the quitters, they want to see who is cruising, who has a bad attitude, who is unfit but willing to work hard.

There might be some few tough s&c sessions throughout the experience but none will come close to the trial for physical exhaustion.

Mellor

The trial is tough. Trying to train like that 5 days a week would be a quick way to get injured.

frag420

Just realising that this time next week I will be finishing my first W2W session!

I’m slightly bricking it now, loads of prep to do this week so I have no excuse, failing to prepare is preparing to fail and all that!

Did any of you guys eat before or after a morning session? Il assume a banana and some coffee would be ok 45 mins before a training session?

rob316

frag420 wrote: »

Just realising that this time next week I will be finishing my first W2W session!

I’m slightly bricking it now, loads of prep to do this week so I have no excuse, failing to prepare is preparing to fail and all that!

Did any of you guys eat before or after a morning session? Il assume a banana and some coffee would be ok 45 mins before a training session?

Yeah banana is my go too at that time before training

Mellor

At that time I'd have nothing and eat after. I'd also try to stay in bed as long as possible.
Literally Alarm goes, get dressed, go to training

Whelo79

Mellor wrote: »

At that time I'd have nothing and eat after. I'd also try to stay in bed as long as possible.
Literally Alarm goes, get dressed, go to training

Same. Id occasionally have a protein shake on the drive to the gym but I'd never eat any solid food.

You'll enjoy it mate, don't worry yourself about it. Go, work hard and have fun.

MartyMcFly84

I used to go to early morning sparring before work quite regularly. I found empty stomach is best, might have some black coffee or a bit of prework out before I arrive if I was feeling particularly tired.

But last think you want is undigested food in your belly before intense exercise. I have said bye-bye to a few meals eating too close to training.

Would have a nice recovery breakfast or shake afterwards.

frag420

Firstly apologies for the delay in coming back, I meant to update sooner but forgot all about it.

Anyways I am at the halfway mark. Noticing an increase in fitness but not as much as I would like and I have not lost too much weight. The reason being that on week three I got a chest contusion, we were doing some light shoulder tap style sparring and one of the guys got a bit ahead of himself, landed a punch on my upper chest and that was me out of action for 5 weeks. I was just about able to do the cardio and some of the S&C stuff but I could not do any grappling, BJJ, shrimping or stands, some pad work was ok. Was damn sore but I made sure I was going in regardless except for a few occasions when I was away with work or back home.

Anyways today was first day doing grappling/sparring and as luck would have it I crashed my chest down on one guys knee, thankfully not as bad as the first time but I couldn't continue this morn. Il be back tomorrow and I have no other commitments between now and the fight in Sep so no excuses not to go in every day.

Need to sort out the diet too!

Lastly, can anyone recommend a good pair of MMA shorts but with one caveat, there can't be a drawstring, I can very sensitive scar tissue on my tale bone and a drawstring aggravates it when I am on my back as it digs in. Can one get velcro shorts without a string?

Hope to be a bit more frequent with the updates too...not long lef!!


frAg

Mellor

Most shorts I've owned come with a string and velcro. Should work fine with the string removed

MartyMcFly84

You can go for a pair of vale tudo style shorts. No draw strings or velcro. Chanel the inner Wanderlei Silva

frag420

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

You can go for a pair of vale tudo style shorts. No draw strings or velcro. Chanel the inner Wanderlei Silva

Yeah I aint there yet...will consider for the future though haha!!

Esse85

Anyone looking to start in February?

LollipopJimmy

Esse85 wrote: »

Anyone looking to start in February?

My OH is in for Feb, well tryouts in Jan etc. I've done it and fought since, amazing program, there are a few that badmouth the program in Ireland but that's their issue with SBG. If you're thinking about it then do it, you won't be sorry

LollipopJimmy

Esse85 wrote: »

Anyone looking to start in February?

Did you sign up in the end? Tryouts are looming, actually they are the weekend of McG v Cowboy

Soups123

I’ve signed up for this, try out on the 18th. Looking forward to it but a complete novice

LollipopJimmy

Soups123 wrote: »

I’ve signed up for this, try out on the 18th. Looking forward to it but a complete novice

Fair play. All the coaches want to see in the tryouts is your heart and desire, the program starts with the basics, you're not expected to know anything

Soups123

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Fair play. All the coaches want to see in the tryouts is your heart and desire, the program starts with the basics, you're not expected to know anything

That’s perfect no acting needed on my part so. Just hoping it’s a good mix of people with plenty of proper beginners so if selected it’ll be as equal a footing as possible

LollipopJimmy

Soups123 wrote: »

That’s perfect no acting needed on my part so. Just hoping it’s a good mix of people with plenty of proper beginners so if selected it’ll be as equal a footing as possible

That's the idea of it, there will be experienced people in there too but you will learn from them. I know one guy going in is very experienced but he loves to share his knowledge and experience. Anybody that has completed it will tell you it's life changing. Just give it 100% and you'll be grand. There is only a small number of people that have ever made that walk into a cage and nobody will ever be able to take that from you.

For yourself or anybody else reading I'm happy yo answer any questions here or by PM

cowzerp

I don't understand why someone would pay so much to do something they could do in any mma gym, if you want to do an MMA match just join a gym and train with dedication without paying silly money

Whelo79

cowzerp wrote: »

I don't understand why someone would pay so much to do something they could do in any mma gym, if you want to do an MMA match just join a gym and train with dedication without paying silly money

But you can't do it in any MMA gym. You can't walk into any other MMA gym in Dublin knowing that 40-50 other people will be starting off on more or less the same level as you, get 5 days a week dedicated, tailored, specific MMA and S&C training with dietary advice added.

You can't go into any other gym in Dublin knowing that at the end of it you will complete in an event specifically for your group in a well matched novice bout against someone you now call a 'friend' after getting to know each other over the previous 5 months.

There are probably only two other MMA gyms in Dublin that have the wealth of experience and knowledge in them that SBG HQ have.

Is it over priced compared to a normal membership in any other MMA gym in the country? Yes.

Is it worth the price you pay? I would suggest yes it is.

Many people want to have the experience of an MMA fight but with the relative safety of knowing who they will fight at the end. There are lots of non SBG HQ MMA and BJJ gyms that have benefit from new members out of the wimp 2 warrior programme that may never otherwise have stepped foot in them.

cowzerp

cowzerp wrote: »

I don't understand why someone would pay so much to do something they could do in any mma gym, if you want to do an MMA match just join a gym and train with dedication without paying silly money

Even worse; you're paying to be the subject of a for-profit TV show.

It's one thing to join a gym, pay fees, train with dedication, decide to do ammy fights etc. As you suggest. But as soon as there's someone sticking a camera in your face, recording your journey, having ownership of the footage and ultimately selling it to TV networks for a tidy sum.... you'd have to be very naive to pay to participate.

To top it off, you have to pay your own medical. You have to sign a liability waiver. You sign over likeness rights (for how long?). You sign a binding contract. If you get injured there's no refund. And so forth. It's all incredibly one-sided, which is fine if you were being paid. But you're actually paying them!

LollipopJimmy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Even worse; you're paying to be the subject of a for-profit TV show.

It's one thing to join a gym, pay fees, train with dedication, decide to do ammy fights etc. As you suggest. But as soon as there's someone sticking a camera in your face, recording your journey, having ownership of the footage and ultimately selling it to TV networks for a tidy sum.... you'd have to be very naive to pay to participate.

To top it off, you have to pay your own medical. You have to sign a liability waiver. You sign over likeness rights (for how long?). You sign a binding contract. If you get injured there's no refund. And so forth. It's all incredibly one-sided, which is fine if you were being paid. But you're actually paying them!

Having done it I can say most of what you're saying isn't actually true. Its had a hugely positive impact on my life and I know pretty much every other competitor will say the same.

As I said earlier those that speak negatively about it are those that have another agenda or beef with SBG

LollipopJimmy

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Having done it I can say most of what you're saying isn't actually true.

I'm open to correction. Of the claims I made above, specifically what's true and what isn't ?

1. You're paying to be on a reality TV show
2. You have to pay for your own medical
3. You have to sign a liability waiver
4. You sign a binding contract governing your participation
5. If you get injured there's no refund

Which ones are not true ?

LollipopJimmy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm open to correction. Of the claims I made above, specifically what's true and what isn't ?

1. You're paying to be on a reality TV show
2. You have to pay for your own medical
3. You have to sign a liability waiver
4. You sign a binding contract governing your participation
5. If you get injured there's no refund

Which ones are not true ?

I'm not interested in going back and forth. But theres no TV show, that was in Oz.

The last two fight nights have been amazing productions, it's certainly not driving big profit for anybody. As for medicals, you're implying other clubs cover this for fighters? Do Tom King or Paul Cowzer cover meds for their fighters?

Same with liability waiver, same as you sign walking into a fit4less.

Anybody who was injured didnt have to continue paying - its paid weekly, why on earth would you be refunded for the training you've done? And anybody who was injured was accommodated on other events.

Like I said, of the couple of hundred of people who have taken part in Ireland you would be hard pressed to find someone who will speak negatively of it.

Relatively speaking it's not that expensive and the price includes full kit too. It works out at about a 10er a session and that's training with people like Will Fleury Lee Hammond, Richie Smullen as well as loads of well known pro fighters who guest coach.

I've done it, I'd do it again, I'm in a position to judge.

Whelo79

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm open to correction. Of the claims I made above, specifically what's true and what isn't ?

1. You're paying to be on a reality TV show
2. You have to pay for your own medical
3. You have to sign a liability waiver
4. You sign a binding contract governing your participation
5. If you get injured there's no refund

Which ones are not true ?

1. No, it's not on tv anywhere. And even if it was nobody is forcing you to take part.
2. Yes. Just like every other amateur fighter would do from any MMA gym in the country.
3. Yes. Just like you do when you go go-karting, canoeing, indoor wall climbing, escape rooms or pretty much anything else you can think of.
4. No idea what you mean by this but you allow them use images on social media etc.
5. Yes. If you get sick/hurt yourself on holiday and return early do you get a refund? If you crash your new car can you return it to the garage for a refund?

u2fanatic

Hi folks,
Anyone know if this year's one got up and running before all of this covid stuff arrived..?

LollipopJimmy

u2fanatic wrote: »

Hi folks,
Anyone know if this year's one got up and running before all of this covid stuff arrived..?

It did and they were about a third of the way through. I think its paused for now

Azzful

Sorry folks I've just joined boards and came across this about Wimp2warrior program, I've read through the comments and am amazed at how much people are misinformed and can slag off a program they have no clue what they are talking about tipical keyboard warriors,
I myself took part in season 5 of Wimp2warrior and hands down it was the best experience of my life, and here's why I was 46 years old I'd played gaelic football from the age of 7 and I played till 45 the body could not do it any more the Wimp2warrior ad popped up on Facebook with the tryout etc I was looking for something else as was lost by not having football in my life done the trail and was excepted in the program. I'd never done anything else except football before this and was a nervous wreck going down the first morning didn't know what was going to happen didn't know if I'd be able to complete the season 20 weeks 5 morning a week full of self doubt but quickly realised that everyone that was there was in the same boat
And for the first 3 weeks I struggled with everything I was tired sore but when I looked around everyone else there was the same and dealing with there own demons the way it progressed I got fitter and stronger and done things I never dreamt of ever person involved pushed each other on never letting u give up and to see these people make the walk including myself into an octagon full of confidence was an amazing experience and to the misinformed ever amateur sport u have to pay for your own medical and what not this program is not about fighting this is about getting ordinary people to see that they can do whatever they put there mind to, its has honestly changed my life for the better and I volunteer my time now just to see the change in people that sre full of self doubt because of the way there life has gone but when u see them glow after the effort and sacrifice they put in is amazing

derfderf

I never saw this thread before. Really interesting reading everyone's experience.
How did the fights go at the end of everything? How nervous were you actually compared to your thoughts at the start?
I don't think I'd have the drive to complete it myself. A lot of people mention the weightloss aspect, but I'm the opposite. A strong breeze could tko me.

Whelo79

SBG Charlestown vs SBG HQ in the upcoming W2W, The Battle of Dublin. Applications are open.

Nice spin on it, but it does take some of the comfort that many participants find from fighting against someone they've known and trained with from day 1.

u2fanatic

Whelo79 wrote: »

SBG Charlestown vs SBG HQ in the upcoming W2W, The Battle of Dublin. Applications are open.

Nice spin on it, but it does take some of the comfort that many participants find from fighting against someone they've known and trained with from day 1.

Is this running off the current programme or are they taking applications for a new one..?

Mellor

u2fanatic wrote: »

Is this running off the current programme or are they taking applications for a new one..?

I’m not sure what you mean by programme.
But each edition of W2W is new applications.

u2fanatic

Mellor wrote: »

I’m not sure what you mean by programme.
But each edition of W2W is new applications.

I was just wondering if they were still training the people that were already doing it pre lockdown or opening up new applications..

LollipopJimmy

u2fanatic wrote: »

I was just wondering if they were still training the people that were already doing it pre lockdown or opening up new applications..

The pre lockdown people had their fight when restrictions eased in September

Whelo79

u2fanatic wrote: »

I was just wondering if they were still training the people that were already doing it pre lockdown or opening up new applications..

Yeah it's a completely new series, open to applications for all.