All posts by Absolute MMA

Getting the most out of your first month training boxing
3 tips from coach Pradeep Singh when starting your boxing journey

Learn the rules and fouls in boxing.
Can you hold? What is the definition of ‘back of the head’? Can you push someone in a fight? There are a lot of assumptions about what boxing is and how it is scored. For your own development, and the safety of your training partners, you should take a minute to look up the rules. (I prefer YouTube videos)

This will also make viewing boxing fights more interesting, as you’ll know who’s winning and how the referee is adjudicating before half of the room does.

Happy Feet
Footwork is arguably the most important element of boxing. All beginners often think it is punching, but how can you build a house without a foundation? Concentrating on your footwork early will prevent poor habits from forming. You will find your balance improve, and as a result, your punching power will increase. And who doesn’t want more power, right!?

Learn how to punch
This seems very obvious, but quite often beginners try to learn a 20 punch combo, an exotic punch, or something else they found off YouTube – before establishing their jab and cross. Introduction and fundamental classes are essential for learning to punch correctly, which could save your hands from injury and better your defense.

Boxing correctly is not only for boxers with aspirations for fighting. It can be more challenging to punch with good form, and therefore increase the workout.

So whether you’re boxing to get fit, release the pent up energy from your day, or looking to become the next Muhammad Ali – learn the proper form and technique to see your results excel.

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Getting the most out of your first month training MMA

3 Tips from MMA Coach Jeremy Wharerau

1.Go slow to learn fast

A lot of beginners try to hit as hard and fast as they can. The problem with this is that all technique gets thrown out the door, and a bunch of bad muscle memories are formed. Instead, forget that you’re trying to hit something at all. Just focus on slow controlled body movements, creating the correct muscle memory. Once you develop good muscle memory through slow controlled movement, add the speed and power last.

2.Learn how you learn best

We are all unique creatures whom are shaped, move, think, and process information differently. Understanding how you learn best will sky rocket your MMA development, as you can apply that process to whatever technique you want.
To figure out your optimum learning process – take note of the “light bulb moments” when a technique or movement clicks for you. Think about the entire process leading to the light bulb. All of the who, what, where, when, how, and why questions are important to understand the process as to why that technique clicked at that time.Then try repeat that process with other techniques constantly refining your learning process until you know how you learn best. This is a very hard thing to learn about yourself but once you do sky’s the limit.

3.Learn MMA last

It’s important to learn the fundamentals of boxing, muay thai, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu jitsu first. Build your training schedule to incorporate striking and grappling classes so that you can then learn how to put the different martial arts together in MMA sessions.

This famous quote from Bruce Lee is the key philosophy to base your MMA training around … 

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5 Reasons to train MMA

1. Burn, baby, burn! (like a disco inferno):  You can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour while practicing mixed martial arts. Training MMA can get you into the best shape of your life! I say ‘shape’ because ‘weight’ should only be a consideration for competitors around fight times. Don’t be deterred if you actually put on some ‘weight’ after you start training, it’s more than likely muscle, and I’m sure you’ll be a fitter shape!

2. Friends & networks: There’s a popular African proverb that says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” MMA is a sport that competes as individuals, however, there is still so much to be gained from the relationships you make within the team. Your teammates can:

• help you improve your techniques,
• keep you accountable to your goals,
• provide a social outlet with people of similar interests, and
• extend your networks past your usual reach.

3. That ‘cathartic’ feeling! It’s that feeling right after you finish a great session, where you feel the tensions and anxieties of your life melt away. Even if only until you arrive home, or back to work – it’s that rush of endorphins that draws us to the gym, and keeps us coming back. It get’s us out from our cosy beds on cold mornings, or away from the bar on tough days at the office. The release of stress through physical activity can boost your energy levels and help re-balance your perspective.

4. Self-esteem & confidence It is broadly recognised that physical exercise can boost confidence and self-esteem. One way this can be achieved is through learning new techniques, developing / refining skills, and generally gaining more knowledge of your own abilities. You shouldn’t be surprised that after training MMA, ‘that work emergency’ wont throw you off your game. This is because that ‘emergency’ isn’t trying to punch you in the face (hopefully!).

5. Build discipline & focus Starting is the toughest step. It takes the most effort to move from a standstill to running. Once you get moving and form the new habits of regular training (which will be easy considering the above benefits) – you will be able to invest your willpower into making more good decisions, and forming your next set of habits in your life.

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