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How Can I Get Prepared for MMA?

I plan to join an adult MMA class next summer. I’ve been out of the gym and practically idle for some time now and I need to get back into shape. I want to focus on Muay Thai but this school only offers MMA focusing on Judo and Taekwondo.

I’m converting my 2 car garage into a gym, but what can I do to help get prepared?

What kind of workouts do you recommend for conditioning? Should I purchase DVDs to help get prepared? Perhaps Muay Thai dvds. What type of equipment should I be looking for in my home gym?

I’m really excited and ready to start doing some hard work, so any advice would really be appreciated.

Thank You
Thanks First Poster- But I didn’t say I wanted to learn from the DVDs, I’m asking on how to get prepared and in shape for the class.

The gym that offers Muay Thai is in Detroit, thats 4 hours from where I live. The next closest one might be lansing…thats nearly two hours.

The question is mainly…what do I need to get conditioned and in better shape to be more prepared for classes?
Rboss- Thanks man, you answered my other question by saying that. I do want to get into fighting, so maybe I should look elsewhere for Muay Thai and BJJ.


MMA Gear Mixed Martial Arts

  1. John S
    June 24th, 2010 at 22:20 | #1

    Good questionQ I once asked this question at one point. I also train MMA Muay Thai and BJJ. First thing you have to do is get your cardio up because that is the most important. You can be a better fighter then me, but if I last longer I win the fight. Run, hit the bag, do some circuit weight training not to get huge, but to more get your mucsle endurance up. Running is big though!

    I suggest you do a 3 day split with a pull day, press day, and squat day for lifting. You want to moer compound lifts.

    Example pull day:

    Deadlifts: 5×3
    *5×3 means doing 5 sets of 3 reps, make sure the weight is heavy.

    Wide grip pullups: BWx3x5
    *Work your way up with these then start adding weight onto your pullups

    Bent Over Rows:
    135x3x5

    Some other excercises you can do on your pull day are: Zercher deadlifts, shrugs, reverse curls, hammer curls, wrist curls, Z and chin ups.

    Example press day:

    Bench Press:5×5

    Overhead Press/PushPress:95x1x8
    125x1x4
    135x1x2
    125x1x4

    Dips:BWx3x10
    *Just like pull-ups, you can use the weight belt for dips as you get stronger

    Close Grip Bench:4×4

    Other exercises you can use for press day: cleans, skullcrushers, decline DB bench, incline DB bench, push press, seated weighted bench dips

    Squat Day:

    Full Squats:5×5

    Front Squats:135x1x8
    185x1x6
    205x1x3
    185x1x5

    Overhead Squats:95x2x8
    115x1x5

    Dumbell snatches:55x2x6

    other exercises you can do on squat day: lunges, lateral lunges, zercher squats, parallel squats, barbell snatches

    Hope this helps. Like I said get conditioned very well. Get your stamina up thats really what it is in the end. These lifts I just lifted are great workouts for strength needed for the sport. Good Luck with everything.

  2. sum1won
    June 24th, 2010 at 22:20 | #2

    If you want to do a martial art, and the gym doesn’t focus on it, then join a different gym. You are going to have trouble learning Muay Thai from a DVD and a couple punching bags.

  3. BGTONY
    June 24th, 2010 at 22:20 | #3

    There are plenty of weight lifting books and dvd’s out there

    its hard off of youtube because some show how to do stuff incorrect

    U really need to work on cardio and lift to get stronger and not bigger
    U need to eat healthy too,

    I would do a full body workout, or u can do split workouts and u can work out everyday

  4. rboss90
    June 24th, 2010 at 22:20 | #4

    Ok well first off congrats on getting started :)
    i just wanted to ask/add some info:
    What r ur intention for the martial arts?
    physical conditioning only?
    fighting competitions?
    those questions

    Is that the only gym around b/c (im not putting them down) those arent great MA’s to go into if u want to fight.
    If u want to fight and cant get to Muay thai.. kickboxing and Brazilian jiujitsu is best
    But if ur in it for the fitness cool b/c TKO is the best for flexibility/acrobatic kicks
    and Judo is awsome for throwing ppl around which works full body

    as far as the workout:Ross Enamait period haha look him up.
    cool vids on youtube are like brock lesnar workouts(hardcore) with any other combat sport workouts to mix up ur training

    For martial art specific workouts ppl in the gym neglet:
    Grip
    Neck
    Hip
    and core strength this is key
    plyometrics
    purchasing things will be beneficial with:
    Ross Enamait books
    Heavy bag
    Yoga (yes yoga this is amazing for flexibility and makes ur kicks higher/ faster/ stronger which keeps u in martial arts do to u wont b frustrated that u cant kick(nooby problems)
    ppl take ballet? dont know whats ur thoughts but yoga is good for me lol
    dont neglect dynamic stretching(research)
    if u dont buy ross enamait (just do it ha)
    go for kettlebells and olympic lifts 30 yard sprints //jump rope

    DO NOT try and learn martial arts by urself!!!!
    u will develop bad habbits and possibly hurt urself… focus on flexibility and martial art fitness

    ok so ive covered all u need to know about workouts if u buy ross enamait b/c hes a sick man haha amazing
    u need explosive power/speed technique in MA
    HIIT training LSD training (great methods)
    just throwing things out there no specifics but good luck
    knowledge is power and u have a computer so use it!!! ha

    GL buddy Pce

    edit: good stuff john s.. dont dismiss his comment b/c ross enamait is better b/c he makes great pts with conditioning… once u start muay thai u’ll know what that is haha

  5. Shorty
    June 24th, 2010 at 22:20 | #5

    I take it that u live in Michigan. I live in Kalamazoo and i train MMA at a place called Southside Dojo. There is also a place in kalamazoo called Lightning kicks that trains MMA. There is a gym up in Grand Rapids that trains MMA its called grand rapids brazilian jiujitsu. You can go to there website http://www.grbjj.com. The Muay thai gym in Detroit that your speaking of is called Warrior Way and i’ve been up there to train a couple of times and it is an awesome place if you can ever get up there. The teacher is Maetee Jetapeek a 5 time world champion Muay Thai champion. If you would like to know any other gyms feel free to email me

  6. smartman11222
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