Post: #1

I know we have some guys on here who are excellent fighters and have competed at a high level. I thought it would be good though to detail whats its like for a complete beginner to start off and learn a combat sport. I will detail my progress over the next year and hopefully inspire a few guys to start too. If they want some of the more experienced guys can chip in also with their advice on training, nutrition, technique etc.

So I just started MMA last week and will be doing my fourth lesson tonight. I am doing twenty 1-on-1 lessons a month, hour long each time. I have only ever been in a few fights and I have never taken any formal training. I have knocked out two people in my life - my brother when I was younger and a guy in a hostel years back that was annoying my girl. That said I definitely wouldn't count myself as being a good fighter.

Starting fitness: I have lifted for years but apart from surfing during my early twenties never did much cardio. My body strength is decent but once I start running or skipping I burn out fast. I weigh 80kg.

Lesson 1 & 2 was solely boxing. Started on the skipping rope for 8 minutes and then into some feet and hand coordination exercises. Learning how to throw a Jab and a Hook. Also learning how to move forwards, backwards and sideways. Lots of little coordination routines.

Every fifteen minutes we would do five minutes of intense cardio, push ups and ab crunches. Towards the end the ab crunches were killing me.

Lesson 2 we started on cross punches and worked on what I already learned from lesson 1.


Lesson 3 was jiu jitsu. Learned five basic moves and worked on them for the full hour. Although it was only one lesson I can see how lethal it would be to be effective at jiu jitsu. You may be able to take a good punch but you are in big trouble if you are caught out with a good hold.

I really liked the jiu jitsu, lots of wresting and going full out as best I can at the moment. Great buzz afterwards and was a lot of fun. Its tough work - within minutes you are feeling it. For guys who have been doing this years their cardio must be amazing.

My goal with all this is to be able to defend myself confidently and know I have a decent chance at winning if ever confronted or in a situation where fighting is necessary. I have been gyming for a long time and don't want to get much bigger so I am focusing on functional strength from now on. I would much rather be able to throw a solid punch and defend myself than lift another 10lbs on bench. Maybe if things go well I will compete at the end of the year in beginner events but I will see how things progress first.

Any other beginners or guys of other levels in here?

Post: #2

(03-07-2016 05:06 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  Any other beginners or guys of other levels in here?

Great thread. I did boxing for a couple months last year but stopped just as I was getting decent. Not really sure why and I've regretted it.

It was a lot of fun though. I remember my first sparring session was with a fat 49 year old man. I was thinking I was a young stud and that my superior physical strength would beat his experienced technique. About 20-30 seconds later my nose was damn near broken and I was bleeding pretty hard.

I've been thinking about restarting but thanks for this thread Atlantic. I'll be following your progress.

Post: #3

I picked up training two years ago. (Shoutout to Fisto).
Been training kickboxing and jiu-jiutsu 2-3 times a week since that.

Still a beginner but I'm enjoying the hell out of every training session.
Planning to have my first amateur kickboxing fight later this year if I have the chance.

It's a fun hobby and a great workout!

Post: #4

I've been doing BJJ for around six years now. It's fun, and sparring (rolling) is an awesome workout. I did a bit of Muay Thai back in the day, but didn't keep up with it - I'd love to get back involved though.

Any hobby that keeps you active is a good one in my books.

Post: #5

I started Muay Thai fifteen years ago. The first three months you'll improve like crazy then level off. After this, sparring and training other people are what will really help you improve. Just take a couple weeks off sparring if you get a concussion, the long term effects aren't worth it.

Everything you think you know goes out the window in your first match. That's why it's repetition, repetition, repetition. It's better to be able to execute a few moves perfectly then a whole lot of moves just average. And read The Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce. Still good.

Use mirrors and video, a lot. You may think you have the move down, but you'll see how much you need to work on by watching yourself.

Post: #6

Just done with an hour of kickboxing. My right kick is okay, my left is going to need some work. What I am finding hard is to keep the right hand and arm placement to keep the momentum.

Lots of ab work again tonight, nearly got sick at one point from drinking water and going right into intense ab exercises. The guys are relentless, no stopping and breaks are only a few seconds long. I am dripping sweat most of the time, even started bringing a towel. Also worked on uppercuts, again my right is decent but my left is weak and my wrist seems to snap a little when I make contact.

Solid hour of bag work anyway and can hardly put my socks on, my shins are going to be fucked tomorrow lol. One is bleeding a little but it was a lot of fun. I love how tough it is compared to the gym where I take huge gaps between sets and don't have someone pushing me constantly. I really need to start working on what I ahve been learning on my off says and maybe studying some YouTube videos and doing some shadow boxing. Want to make sure my technique is on point so I don't learn any bad habits starting off.

Just about to rest and try learn some Spanish. Feel great but wrecked at the same time.

Post: #7

I used to wrap my feet in duck tape the first month from all the blisters.

Don't let your wrist bend on punches, you don't want to break bones or tear / extend ligaments in this area, it's a bitch to heal. Slow down, and focus on technique.

One of the side benefits of all those kicks is being able to play soccer with no shin guards.

Hip flexibility and leverage are were you get kicking power. For side kicks, your lower leg is basically a bat. You throw your knee, and the lower leg follows, you don't throw your foot. Focusing on the foot slows you down, extends your rotation, and decreases power.

Post: #8

You need to do 3-4 group classes of BJJ per week for several years to become decent.

Group classes are way more important in BJJ than doing privates. Private lessons are a great supplement, but you need lots of mat hours rolling with guys of all different skill levels to really progress.

Do 3-4 group BJJ classes per week and use privates to work on areas of your game you are getting stuck once a week or once every other week.

Or a better idea is to use the privates to work on only wrestling (if the instructor is proficient) because strong takedowns is what will give you confidence in your BJJ skills. BJJ doesn't mean dick if you can't confidently take down a strong 220 pound male.

Pick up a copy of Saulo Ribeiro's University of Jiu Jitsu. It'll be the best $25 you ever spend learning BJJ.

Post: #9

I started boxing last about eight months ago and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My fighting experience before starting boxing was minimal and it was an eye opener to me how unprepared I was overall for any sort of combat situation, especially when compared to guys who know what they are doing.

I agree with RioNomad in regards to training 3/4 times per week. I didn't really feel that I was mentally solidifying what I was learning until I went 3/4 times a week, and more importantly, until I sparred, especially people at my level or better.

As a side note. It's interesting how boxing is slightly different depending on the country you are in. I trained in Cuba for three weeks and the training was different, like they were teaching a different style. There was another guy from europe training there, we would spar everyday, along with the Cubans once in a while. Philippines next.

I hope it goes well Atlantic. Which country are you training in?

Post: #10

@Poker - Colombia

(03-08-2016 12:29 AM)RioNomad Wrote:  You need to do 3-4 group classes of BJJ per week for several years to become decent.

Ya when I joined they said there was no group lessons, although I have seen them nearly ever time I go. Either they wanted to make money off the foreigner or its because my Spanish is poor. Down the line I will try do both.

Post: #11

(03-08-2016 09:38 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  @Poker - Colombia

Of course, mental slip up on my part.

Post: #12

(03-08-2016 09:38 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  @Poker - Colombia

(03-08-2016 12:29 AM)RioNomad Wrote:  You need to do 3-4 group classes of BJJ per week for several years to become decent.

Ya when I joined they said there was no group lessons, although I have seen them nearly ever time I go. Either they wanted to make money off the foreigner or its because my Spanish is poor. Down the line I will try do both.

If there are no group classes I'd be very wary of the instructor. There are a lot of frauds out there when it comes to BJJ, especially in foreign countries without many people who would know the difference between a fraud and someone who is legit. I wouldn't be surprised at all if a coach in Colombia wasn't qualified to be teaching. Not offering group classes is a big red flag in Jiu Jitsu.

PM me the info if you want and I can look into it for you.

Post: #13

Had my 6th or 7th class tonight. Second time doing kick boxing. My legs were still a little bit torn from last time and started bleeding about 5 minutes in. Wrapped them up with medical wrap and put on extra protection they had. Still felt a bit rough. I have hairy legs so maybe its catching when I hit the bag, its more friction then a cut. Anyway wasn't too bad.

The cardio required to spar for even a few minutes is intense, lots of sweating tonight. One of the main coaches is relentless and just keeps going. No time to catch your breath or get your heart rate down which I both love and hate ha. I am sweating a LOT which I think is down to lack of cardio experience at this heart rate. I can run on a treadmill all day without sweating much but once you have to keep doing kicks, punches and skipping I am soaked. I bring a spare towel to wipe down every so often but hopefully as my cardio gets better that will stop.

I am starting to see a lot of little things I need to work on. its easy to do something right the first few times but after going flat out for 50 minutes mistakes start to creep in along with bad technique. I might start watching some tutorials online on my off says and try work on doing things slow and correct to drill in the muscle memory.

Rio I will PM you know the name of the place.

Post: #14

What do you guys do (if anything) to avoid getting staph/skin infections? I love rolling but I'm always worried I'm going to catch some shit when I've got some guys balls on my forehead or his groin rubbing against my neck. I wear a rash guard but I feel like that's not enough.

Post: #15

^I have only been light sparring so far. I have my girl put on some iodine afterwards if I get any cuts to keep things sterile. My main concern is rubbing an open cut against a boxing bag or inside if a glove. I won't be too worried about physical contact, played rugby for years and never had any issues.

Post: #16

Don't even worry about staph. It will probably happen eventually and it usually isn't a big deal.

If you get an ingrown hair and it starts to feel "hot" or a stinging like feeling, it may be staph. Go to the doc and get some antibiotics to take care of it.

The only thing you can do to help prevent it is to wash your gi/shorts/etc. after each time you train and wash with antibacterial soap.

The photos and stories you see online are extreme cases, and often times when the person let it go on for way too long before going to the doctor. Those aren't normal cases.

Post: #17

(03-17-2016 09:31 PM)RioNomad Wrote:  Don't even worry about staph. It will probably happen eventually and it usually isn't a big deal.

If you get an ingrown hair and it starts to feel "hot" or a stinging like feeling, it may be staph. Go to the doc and get some antibiotics to take care of it.

The only thing you can do to help prevent it is to wash your gi/shorts/etc. after each time you train and wash with antibacterial soap.

The photos and stories you see online are extreme cases, and often times when the person let it go on for way too long before going to the doctor. Those aren't normal cases.

I've already had it once. Super mild case but still happened so I'm more vigilant now. Some good advice I had is to get out of your gear and shower immediately after training, don't sit around and quickly get something to eat or anything like that.

Post: #18

(03-17-2016 09:31 PM)RioNomad Wrote:  Don't even worry about staph. It will probably happen eventually and it usually isn't a big deal.

If you get an ingrown hair and it starts to feel "hot" or a stinging like feeling, it may be staph. Go to the doc and get some antibiotics to take care of it.

The only thing you can do to help prevent it is to wash your gi/shorts/etc. after each time you train and wash with antibacterial soap.

The photos and stories you see online are extreme cases, and often times when the person let it go on for way too long before going to the doctor. Those aren't normal cases.

Wash your goddamn hand wraps too! I am amazed at how many nasty motherfuckers just reuse their wraps without washing them.

Also be sure to spray your gloves, gear, and bag down with Lysol once or twice a week and let them air dry.

Post: #19

(03-18-2016 10:12 AM)J. Spice Wrote:  Wash your goddamn hand wraps too! I am amazed at how many nasty motherfuckers just reuse their wraps without washing them.

Also be sure to spray your gloves, gear, and bag down with Lysol once or twice a week and let them air dry.

I don't wash my belt, either.

Post: #20

I do mainly no-gi grappling but I always try to wear a long sleeve rash guard. I always wash my wraps too and wipe the inside of my gloves out with an antiseptic. Leaving your gloves out in the sun is also good and keeps them from smelling like ass.

Post: #21

^I found out that forgetting your gymbag in the car in a sub zero climate also works.

Post: #22

I did some boxing and some Wing Tsung back in my days. Still I'm at a basic level. Now I train with a friend. He is a total beginner and I share some of my few basics I know. We put a lot work into balance of the feet, hip movement. We make shadow boxing, technical training, heavy bag, jump ropes and at the end always sparring.
For the sparring we just use MMA gloves and open hands. We want to keep it as real as possible. As he has no fighting experience, I consider palm strikes better so far. Also with open hands you have a wider range of motion.

I don't know a lot of moves because I mostly did boxing. So I have to re think what works and what not when we have this no rules sparring. I consider the sparring the most important part to get a touch of perpetration for a real situation. The more my friend learns, the more I will rise the level. My goal is to have sparring with almost real conditions at the end. No holding back or fancy moves. Because I'm more advanced I miss the thrill that I had with opponents above my skill level, but because I'm not a pro, it give me also a good learning because he is faster then me. Maybe in the future some other people can join and we start a little group. The main goal is to be aware of self defence. I try also to bring in stuff that I see in fighting videos, and see how it works when we do our sparring. We do it 2 times per week, want to rise it to 3x in the week. Always 1.5 to 2 hours. Beside that I lift 3 times.

Post: #23

(03-19-2016 03:12 AM)Chaos Wrote:  ^I found out that forgetting your gymbag in the car in a sub zero climate also works.

Interesting, maybe throwing your shit in the freezer could work too then. Good for the winter when there's no sun around.

Post: #24

^ Of course. The freezer works aswell.

Post: #25

Freezer is the best way to keep gloves and protective gear alive. Just stick it in a carrier bag and pop it in the freezer.