How can I physically prepare before joining MMA? (And how are girls treated in the sport?)

Question

I plan to join an MMA school in a month or so, and I was wondering if there were any ways I might be able to physically prepare myself beforehand. I don't want to be the weakest link in the class, especially since I'm a girl.

Any tips? Excercises? Faux pas? How does the MMA community view female members?

Answer 1

At the most basic level you should prepare with intense cardio. I would focus on doing things till you reach a limit mentally then push yourself beyond that. Because if your having some intense sparring or wrestling your adrenaline is gonna carry you far but then its gonna burn out. Most people get sick of this and thats why the quit high intensity sports like this. Its a mental block that you cant really prepare for but be ready for it. Your gonna think you suck...and you do. But it makes all the difference if you can jump that mental hurdle. After you jump that hurdle, you find your body will easily follow. Its really mental. I stress that right now you work out all your muscles. Especially the pushing power of your legs, be smart but push yourself over mental hurdles. Try to push yourself out of your comfort zone because training mma is all about training in the uncomfort zone.

Dont be discouraged. Dropout for wrestling and mma is high because the best school push you beyond what your body will tolerate...some dont cuz they want your money. I highly suggest also that you dont compare yourself to anyone else in the class, it will only be discouraging to you. Also mma people are generally really nice because they understand the mental toll it takes...thats what makes them hardcore.

Girls are gaining alot of respect in the sport. They arent treated too different. Look at Gina Carro shes treated like royalty. You'll be fine. More girls do mma than boxing, wrestling, and football. This is the most common contact sport for females now.

I highly suggest swimming. It will work out all your muscles evenly and make sure your all around strong. So when sparring you wont fall behind too much. Plus swimming is like wrestling in the water...not really but closer than running. Swim yourself out. Good mental training. And your body uses the air more efficently.

Good luck and i hope this helps

please rate.

Answer 2

Well I'm a guy and ive been doing MMA for a while and I didnt really need to get in shape or anything because they pretty much do that for you. And they view girls pretty much like everyone else unless your hot or really good.

Answer 3

The only thing is don't give up! Don't say I can't do something, instead say I won't do it... for whatever reason you're choosing not to do what you're told.

Answer 4

physically...hmmm....maybe just start some cardio training.  That would be beforehand.  You know you're going to need it.  Training to use every muscle in your body constantly for even 5 minutes at a time is not going to come easy.  Going in with some stamina could only help.

I guess treatment of girls would be something your going to have to find out on your own.  It all depends on how professional the school is and how "they" look at women in the sport.  women in general are becoming more a part of the mma community from what I understand.  

dont go in there thinking..."oh, no i'm the girl, boohoo"...basically when its down on the mat your just another body someone is trying to tap out.  at least it should be that way.

Answer 5

It's just MMA. No reason to prepare for it. After you train in it for a few years and get into better shape you should think about taking a real martial art though.

Answer 6

Masta Hamsta has the most informative answer. Basically I would say just try to keep your cardio up because you will get in shape at the school but if you want to come in with a little endurance.

I have taken kickboxing classes and the class was about half male and half female. I wasn't treated any different. Not to say that there aren't jerks out there but those are the insecure ones who assume because you are a woman that you know nothing about the sport, watch out for the troll on here, he called me a s***k just for asking whether people preferred a cage to a ring. Yeah those ones you can probably kick their *** so don't even sweat it. You will do fine.

Answer 7

Run at least three times a week. work out with weights, watch your diet, try and eat as clean as poss. After a couple of months of this your physical abilities will imporve for MMA

http://markstraining.com Fighting and Training Methods for Unarmed Martial Artists.