What are MMA (Mix Martial Arts) classes like?

Question

I'm soon going to be taking MMA classes and I have no idea of what I will do in the classes. I've done Judo for 2 years but I doubt its similar. And also while training, will I have a kimono or something? Give me examples please. I'm 14 years old and I'm 5'7 and 119 lbs. Is there tournaments for people my age and stuff like there is in Judo? The only idea I have of MMA training so far is what I saw in Never Back Down ahaha :P

Answer 1

Please never mention that film again, ever, unless its in the context of a joke.

MMA classes differ massively, hence the term mixed martial arts. Generally speaking though its mostly shorts (no pockets if possible) and a t shirt or rashguard. Id go for a c**p old t-shirt, nearly garunteed to be torn at some point. Some of the submission gyms like to wear the BJJ gi (not sure if thats spelt right) for rolling as you have more to grab. Bring your ball guard, cup, groin guard. If you've seen an armbar you'll have an idea what your levering near. Mouthguard/gumshield/gumguard, (actually theres a q, why is there so many names for the same thing?) bring one if you have one.

Alot of the grappling ideas should be familiar to you, boxing will probably be alien but at your age they're not going to throw you to the wolves and have you sparring on the first night. Though they could, its fun to do it sometimes, especially if your being cocky.

Tournaments i cant really say, round where i am theres alot of no head shot tournaments for beginners, so these are heavily based on ground work with a few bruised ribs to make you feel, better? Comps will more likely be no gi submission sorts of things.

So in short. Bring any gear you have, + shorts and t-shirt. Be nice and nobody should rip your arm off. And if they do, dont ask them why, ask them how they did it.

Answer 2

most gyms separate disciplines when training so some nights its gona be shorts and a t-shirt while ur doing kickboxing, boxing, and other stand up arts,

then other nights when ur doing grappling, or bjj, ur gona wear some sort of grappling pants, long sleeve shirt, probably a rash guard bc they dont want staph infection to spread around, its possible that ur gona wear a BJJ gi but it depends on ur school, my school has 4 no gi classes a week and about 3 Gi classes,

theirs gona be only a few times a week 3-4 when ur gona do mma trainnign where its grappling and striking, they separate the arts so that u get the technique before u move on to incorporating it into ur overall game

depending on where u live their might be Pankration tournaments which is basically amateur mma,around the country ask ur instructors they should know  

Answer 3

Well, I'll tell you what mine is like and maybe that will help you judge.

M-W-F is grappling with a gi.  After which is takedowns and more of an open atmosphere where people work on stuff.  There is also a guy teaching Judo.

T-TH is no gi grappling which is followed by stand up/muay thai training.

Saturday is open mat and you train what you want.  There are a bunch of pads and bags in the gym with a 1/2 octagon to train against the fence.

The guys are cool and nobody loses their cool (except rare occasions).  The training is hard and good...so you need to be dedicated.

Don't go in there complaining or expecting to relax as you train.

Hope this helps!