Are you looking to finally accomplish all your martial arts goals? You may be wondering, how do I do that with only an hour to absorb all the knowledge I can from my instructor? If you’re wondering what else you could do to make the most of every session, look no further.
7 Hacks For A Better Martial Arts Class:
1) Actually pay attention to the class
The heavy bag is a great way to build strength and endurance for Muay Thai.
In the few minutes your instructor explained techniques and the details behind them, how many of these did you spend looking outside the window or thinking about what a difficult day you’ve had at work? Did you actually pay attention to what your instructor was saying? Instead of daydreaming and wondering what to do after class, focus on the present moment and listen to your instructor. There’s a good chance that what he/she is saying is actually useful, and could (possibly) help you get better at whichever martial art you’re practicing. Trust us, there’s plenty of time after class to think about other things.
2) Choose a new sparring/training partner each time
Having a buddy in training is great – you have someone you can talk to, and make a difficult class just a tad more bearable. But it doesn’t mean that you should only spar/train with your buddy every session. The more you spar/train with each other, chances are, you would have probably memorized each other’s games. And that doesn’t leave much room for surprise doesn’t it? And guess what, when you aren’t surprised – you aren’t learning anything new. This could seriously hinder your growth as a martial artist – and that’s the last thing you should want.
Instead, take the initiative to spar or train with a new partner as often as you can. This will open you up to new styles/games, making you more a well-rounded martial artist. You can hang out with your training buddy another time.
3) Practice your weaker side
Everyone has his/her preferred side, and if you’re doing a striking martial art, you’re either a southpaw or orthodox. Because we’re so comfortable with working on our stronger side, we tend to neglect our weaker sides. Unfortunately, this could have a negative effect on our training. Although it is normal to work on your preferred side, working on our weaker sides could take our training to the next level. It would help us get ready to face all kinds of opponents. Working on our weaker side also gives us more options for attacks – nothing would surprise our opponent more than being able to switch stances!
4) Attend a “basics” class
Multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion and ONE Superstar Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke started MMA at 37 years of age.
Being able to execute all the fancy techniques everyone’s been watching on YouTube and drilling after class is great and all, but what everyone forgets is how important basics are. Sure, they may seem boring compared to all the exciting new techniques you’ve been learning in your more advanced classes, but they’re the foundation upon which all those fancy techniques are built upon. In fact, mastering the basics would ensure that you’re well equipped to learn advanced techniques and perhaps help you discover details you might have never known about.
5) Give up positions/submissions on purpose
ONE Light Heavyweight World Champion and 10 x BJJ World Champion Roger Gracie is the most decorated BJJ competitor in MMA history.
Although this may go completely against what your instructors have taught you, learning how to attack from vulnerable positions could certainly take your game to the next level. As a martial artist, you need to have many tactics in your arsenal in order to take on a variety of opponents. By learning how to attack from a vulnerable position, you’ll be ready to take on any opponent and any style. Remember, the more well-rounded you are, the better. And if this means giving up a position/submission every now and then, so be it.
6) Have a goal in mind
ONE Superstar Christian Lee trains hard at the Evolve MMA Fighters Program.
One way to bring more purpose into your martial arts class is by setting a goal for yourself before you step onto the mats. Think of the positions you want to work on, the combinations you want to use during sparring, what your weaknesses are. Doing so will give you more focus and determination each time you attend a class. Instead of randomly performing techniques and sparring using your a-game, you have a solid plan that you need to accomplish. Each time you’ve accomplished your goal, reward yourself in order to stay motivated to continue goal setting each time you attend a class.
Trust us, there’s no harm in trying out these hacks in your next martial arts class. These tips will only help you reach your goals by encouraging you to make the most out of every BJJ/Muay Thai/Boxing/MMA class you attend. Don’t forget to train consistently and remember your goals each time you set foot inside the gym. By doing so, you’ll be able to reap the rewards of martial arts and accomplish your goals and beyond. So tell us, which of these tips will you try today?
Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier championship brand for martial arts. It has authentic World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No-Gi Grappling. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, ESPN StarSports, Tokyo Times, and many other leading authorities, Evolve MMA aims to deliver the best martial arts instruction available anywhere on the planet.
Top comments (1)
Nice find, great article!