Training Journal?

[Andre2807]

Where do you live. I am a firm believer that MMA should not be the first combat sport one participates in. At 21 it's too late for wrestling, but boxing, MT, BJJ are options. Have you looked for options outside your immediate radius?

I'm in Mossel Bay, South Africa. The thing is that I'm very limited to my option. The closest city is Cape Town, which I'm sure have many gyms for all fighting style, but im like 170miles from Cape Town. Whats nice about our gym is that we have 3 trainers. One focus on stand up, especially kick boxing and MT. The other 2 focus on grappling, takedowns, ground and pound and submission.

 

[KnightTemplar]

I just read that thread.

You know what all those negative comments mean? Nothing whatsoever. Those guys don't know you and they don't have a crystal ball. All sorts of variables play into your potential success -- some of them you can control, some of them you can't.

For right now, concentrate on having fun, working hard and learning as much as you can. When it's time to compete, you'll know.

And even if the haters turn out to be right and you aren't a successful MMA competitor, you may enjoy MMA so much that you just train and spar in the dojo and that's enough. Or your training may lead you to other things you enjoy even more -- other combat sports, other athletic endeavors, other career possibilities, etc. Who knows?

The thing that totally hinders a lot of people is, they get involved in an activity they love and they end up deciding "if I can't become rich and famous doing this, I am a failure." That's bullshit. You should consider yourself a success every time you spend one second doing something you love. Put in the time and the sweat and see where the path takes you. It's sure as hell a more constructive way to spend your time than sitting on the couch with an X-box in one hand and a sammich in the other.

Excellent post, Flak.

It's not a pre-requisite to compete successfully in order to enjoy any sport, and that includes MMA. A lot of people who train MMA regularly never get in the Cage, but the practice benefits them in many other ways: fitness, self-defence etc.

Andre, train hard, train safely and enjoy it. As for the dicks on the other thread making negative comments - fuck them. If someone asks a legitimate question, as you have with this thread, there is no excuse for acting like an asshole.

Best of luck.

 

[KnightTemplar]

Well at our gym, theres no real structure to what we do on which day. I can go train on Tuesdays and Thursdays too. I will look into those training logs you guys have thanx. Just one more question. Is it a MUST to lift iron, or is bodyweight programs enough?

Bodyweight exercises will develop strength, it's just that free weight exercises develop strength faster and more efficiently.

Strength is developed through progressive resistance. With free weights, that "just" means adding more weight to the Barbell. With bodyweight exercises, the only option is to either increase the reps or try a more advanced and difficult version of the exercise.