Mixed Martial Arts has gained popularity each year due to the UFC and many other organized amateur and pro events happening all over the world. It’s easily becoming the fastest growing sport in the world. If you have dreamed of becoming a fighter and entering the cage to fight someone then MMA is the sport for you. So how do you go about getting the MMA training you are seeking? I have compiled a list of all the things you need to know in order to begin your journey in Mixed Martial Arts.

Find a Gym or Dojo

The first step in your MMA training is finding an MMA gym suitable for you. There are many different kinds of gyms available, some are more commercialized while other are old school dojos. Prices of course will vary so you should determine what’s in your budget before you make a decision. Proximity may be an issue for you as well so take into account how long it will take you to get to the gym everyday. When choosing a gym make sure that you find one that has equipment available for you to use. You will have to purchase some equipment for yourself but the gyms should have sparring pads available as well as training weights and larger equipment such as cages and heavy bags.

Some gyms will specialize in different forms of MMA training such as muay thai, jiu jitsu and kickboxing. You will have to decide on the kind of training you want and go from there. Make sure you do proper research on your gym of choice.

Training Gear

Training gear is essential in participating in MMA. The first thing you need to purchase is a mouthguard and a cup. You will also need boxing gloves and handwraps which are relatively inexpensive items. These things are required in order to be involved in training classes to avoid injuring yourself or other students. A good idea would be to ask the gym you are attending about what items you will need in order to take a class. As you become a more experienced fighter there will be other items to purchase like shin pads or head gear but you will at least have the essentials to get yourself going.

MMA Clothing

Quality MMA clothing is essential to having a good experience during training. Regular gym clothes will not work as they will rip or tear easily. You need items that are durable and can handle rigorous workouts. MMA shorts and shirts are essential and rash guard shirts are even better if you can afford them. A few brands to consider are Tapout, Affliction and Bad Boy.

Connect With Like Minded People

If you have an interest in Mixed Martial Arts you should connect with people who are already involved in the sport. Their knowledge will be invaluable to you and typically people in the sport are more than happy to help newcomers.