INTRODUCTION
So, you’re interested in signing up for a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training camp? Well, lucky you - you scored yourself the perfect guide to help you throughout the selection process. BookMartialArts.com teamed up with some of the web’s most knowledgeable martial arts experts to break down the daunting selection process into 5 simple, practical steps you can easily follow. Right about now you’re probably itching to get down to business so let’s do this!
1. DEFINE YOUR GOALS Let’s start with ‘Why?’. Ask yourself (honestly) the reasons why you are interested in signing up for a martial arts training camp. Spend some time to really think about your answers as they’re crucial in clearly defining your goals, and they are key to choosing an MMA camp that is right for you. Here’s a couple of examples of goals that you may have: • • • •
I want to get started in MMA, get fit,and train as a hobby. I want to deepen my MMA skills & start competing. I want to broaden my skills by training at a camp abroad. I want to best prepare myself for my next professional fight.
Having a thoughtful understanding of your goals will allow you to better focus your selection process and save you a lot of time. The more defined your goals are, the better the chances that you will end up landing on a training camp that would be able to help you achieve them. If you are unsure as to when when would be the best time for you to sign up at a training camp, Roy of Kickboxing Planet explained that it would probably be best to sign up at a training camp after 1 (one) full year of practice since one would still have to learn in their first year. That said, he believes that the ‘right’ time doesn’t necessarily have to be tied down to literal time. Instead, if you feel as if you’re no longer developing at your usual Kickboxing, Boxing, or MMA gym, it’s probably time to re-evaluate and seek to sharpen your skills elsewhere. This is where spending time at a training camp would come in handy.
1. DEFINE YOUR GOALS – CONT’D
That said, Rew of Awakening Fighters shared that signing up at a training camp can be done as often as possible - regardless of ability and the length of training time. If you are a beginner, it’s best to select camps that focus on the fundamentals of MMA. If you are a beginner, it is highly advised to not start by signing up for a professional training course as you would have a very difficult time to keep up and likely to injure yourself. More importantly, before starting professional training you need to learn basic and fundamental techniques without which you will not be able to master advanced moves. We recommend you to try out a beginner friendly training camp like Super Pro’s 1 week MMA & Muay Thai training instead. Should you be training MMA for a while and ready to take that leap to become a complete MMA fighter, Roberto of Fightbook MMA has some insights to share with you. He explained that the skills and techniques required to be a complete fighter can be gained if you continuously practice and evolve with the sport. You can be great in MMA moves such as striking, grappling, boxing, defense, and ground game, but if you don’t practice them and just focus on one thing, then you will lack in your ability in other techniques. That’s why, as a professional fighter you would most benefit from training camps that focus on different martial arts disciplines and broadening your fighting skills.
2. DO YOUR RESEARCH If you happen to already be training in other martial arts disciplines, you probably would already know just how important spending time to research options truly is. For example, our panel of experts unanimously agree that just because a training camp happens to be run by MMA ‘stars’ or popular fighters, doesn’t make it automatically a great option. Travis of Evolved MMA stated it best “I think the best MMA camps are driven by a team of experienced coaches and fighters. Just because a certain brand or name is associated with something doesn't mean it is good”.
As highlighted on our recent Pro MMA Now post “How to Choose the Right MMA Martial Arts Training Camp”, when it comes to MMA, choosing the right training camp can also be a lot like choosing a life partner. It’s not really about how perfect they are, it’s more about how they are perfect for you. So, rather than being ‘blinded’ by a camp’s glitz and glamor when considering your options, choose to ‘dig’ deeper and be on the look out for these top five factors instead: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Qualifications of trainers and training program Class size & atmosphere Facilities & equipment Price Location
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST You can begin to create your list by comparing each of the options you found against the 5 criteria we listed above. Should you have other criteria that you consider to be priority, don’t hesitate to add it on. Afterall, this is your investment so it needs to be tailored to your specific needs. 1. Qualifications of trainers and training program We can not stress just how crucial your trainer will be in determining whether or not you will get the most out of your training. Depending on how efficient and effectively you’d like to grow in your MMA journey, it may just be the determining factor in your selection process. As Jack of PRO MMA Now so eloquently said “Trees will be known by their fruit. Lineage in martial arts is important. Find out where the instructors got their credentials. Verify it”. If you’re looking into training camps in the US an example of a legitimate MMA teaching certification is one issued by The Professional Personal Trainers Association (PROPTA). If you’re looking for a well-rounded experienced MMA trainer, they may have more than one certification as each martial arts discipline offers different certifications. Nick & Diane of Eudo.org agreed that legitimate certification and experience are important, but one should also not discount the importance of trainer’s personal characteristics such as being passionate, approachable, and reliable.
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST - CONT’D Ideally, before you decide to sign up for a camp, it is highly suggested that you have a bit of chat with the trainer(s) you are considering to train with. Ask them questions that would help you gauge more information on their professional credibility, martial arts experience as well as their personality. As a rule of thumb, your instructor should be someone you would feel comfortable training with. You must be able to count on him/ her to look out for your best interest and will continuously encourage & motivate you to achieve your MMA training goals. 2. Class size & atmosphere Similar to other classes or training you might have previously taken, if you happen to be a beginner in MMA, it’s best to stick to a smaller sized class. Regardless of your level of training, the smaller the class, the more 1 on 1 attention and supervision your trainer is able to give you. Ideally, a training class only consists of 3-4 trainees per coach. You should steer clear of any class on signing up for a class has more than 10 students for each trainer. As MMA is considered one of the most ‘brutal’ combat sport out there, your trainer will need to closely supervise your techniques and provide you with more guidance to minimize the likelihood of injuries during practice. With a large sized class, it’s unlikely that they would be able to give the attention you need.
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST - CONT’D If you seek to use the time you have at the training camp to prepare for an upcoming competition or a professional fight, Travis of Evolved MMA advised that it’s best to look for a training camp that focuses on preparing fighters for competitions and have had success in training champions. He noted that it’s always good to have a variety of training partners especially if you want to practice against certain body types. Some competitiveness between the trainees is also crucial as it’ll give you a glimpse of what’d you be facing in the cage. Roberto of FightBook MMA highly recommends for you to get the ‘feel’ of not only those who work at the training camp, but also those who are already training there. Some questions to ask are: Does the group’s overall ambiance appears encouraging? Does the class feels as if it’s a part of a family? Do the trainees seem as passionate about MMA as you do? If the answer is a definite “yes!”, it’s likely that you will feel comfortable training with them in the long run. If not, then you’ll probably be better off with other options. Sean of Muay Thai Guy concurred that ‘chemistry’ is key when it comes to evaluating who you’d be training with: “A family-like/team atmosphere is a great way to stay motivated and continue pushing hard during training even when you feel exhausted. Being able to share your passion with other like-minded, passionate, driven people is the best way to take your passion to the next level and really immerse yourself in your training”.
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST - CONT’D 3. Facilities & equipment Unless you are able to visit the training camp or MMA gym that you are considering, it would be difficult to confirm whether they have the equipment you expect them to. Fortunately, you can always browse through pictures of the camp or gym available on-line. If the images are not offered on the web, you can opt to pick up the phone and ask the establishment’s representatives directly. According to Aaron of Fight Quality, the most important equipment in a MMA gym is proper padded mats on the floor. This way, you are likely to minimize injuries when you get knocked down during a fight. He further explained that most MMA establishments should have a cage; however, some may have a ring instead. MMA gyms should also have high quality pads to hold. Good gyms will have a nice selection of pads, from boxing mitts, to Thai style kick pads to strike shields. These will be used by either one of the gym’s instructors or students in partner exercises. When practicing striking, another important thing to look out for are heavy bags. Bags come in all shapes and sizes, and most gyms will have a selection of several. These are great for perfecting techniques on your own.
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST - CONT’D To recap, a good MMA training camp should also have the following: • • • • •
Rings or cages Punching or spar bags Boxing equipment Full weights equipment Fitness & cardio machines
Quality training camps and/ or gyms may also offer ‘spare’ gear available to use or rent. This may be an alternative if you are only going to be using them a couple of times. Even though they’re probably cleaned after every use, it’s always best to buy your own in order to ensure the best quality and hygiene. 4. Price Depending on your budget, price may just be one of the most determining factors in your selection process. You may already know that professional MMA training camps can be a huge financial investment.
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST - CONT’D Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight, John Cholish, admitted to spend a whopping US$ 8000 – US$ 12000 for gym and travel expenses alone in preparation for a fight. So if you wondering whether it’s absolutely necessary for you to spend hefty sum of money to become a professional fighter, Nick & Diane of Eudo.org believe that gone are the days that you need to belong to the best gym/ club in town to succeed as a professional fighter. These days, there are other avenues that are available and in their view, attending training camps that are less popular and much less costly will also tick a lot of boxes in broadening one’s capabilities and training methods. Prices for MMA training camps vary greatly depending on the level of trainers, location, facilities & equipment, and so forth. However, it doesn’t always mean that a cheaper training camp has less qualified trainers than more expensive one. At BookMartialArts.com, we offer a variety of both budget and luxury options.To give you a better idea on the price range, a budget option of Super Pro’s 1 month MMA & Muay Thai training in Thailand is priced as low as US$ 344 (includes 30 days/29 days acommodation) where as a more luxury option such as KX Retreat’s 1 week MMA retreat in Bali would cost you US$ 2490 (includes 7 days/6 nights acommodation). Despite on different price ranges, we have received positive reviews for both types of camps, and our customers have shared that they significantly developed their skills after their training, which illustrates that low priced training camp doesn’t necessarily equal to low quality of training.
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST - CONT’D In order to evaluate the price range, you might want to compare the training program is offered. Typically, you will undergo at least 3 training sessions in different martial arts training disciplines. Some training courses offer additional classes such as yoga, meditation and/or cross training sessions. If you’re wondering how yoga and martial arts would complement each other, be sure to check out this post: “5 Ways Yoga Can Improve Your Martial Arts Practice”. If you are curious to know what is in store for you at a MMA training camp, here’s an example of a professional MMA & Muay Thai training program weekly itinerary by one of our organizers, Combat 360X. We consider this to be a good example of well-planned training program : MONDAY 08:30 – Muay Thai 10.30 – X training 16:00 – Muay Thai, MMA 17:00 – BJJ/ Grappling 18:30 – Yoga
TUESDAY 08:30 – Boxing 09:00 – BJJ/ Grappling 10:30 – X training 16:00 – Muay Thai, MMA 19:00 – Cardio KickBoxing
WEDNESDAY 08:30 – Muay Thai 10:30 – X training 16:00 – Muay Thai, MMA 17:00 – BJJ/ Grappling 18:30 – Yoga
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST - CONT’D THURSDAY 08:30 – Boxing 09:00 – BJJ/ Grappling 10:30 – X training 16:00 – Muay Thai, MMA 17:00 – BJJ/ Grappling
FRIDAY 08:30 – Muay Thai 10:30 – X training 16:00 – Muay Thai, MMA 17:00 – BJJ/ Grappling
SATURDAY 08:30 – Muay Thai 10:30 – Cardio Kickboxing 16:00 – Muay Thai, MMA
Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate or a pro, it’s advisable to always carefully weigh out the fee of the training camp against what is being offered. Take your time and feel free to ask around and make comparisons in determining whether the price tag is ‘worth it’ to invest in.
3. CREATE A PROS & CONS LIST - CONT’D 5. Location If you are more serious about your training and looking to hone in your skills in MMA, location may not be a huge variable that you need to take into account in making your selection. You can instead focus on evaluating which options would best assist you in becoming the great MMA champion you are striving to become. That said, if you’re looking to squeeze in some vacation time before, during and/or after your training, Roy of Kickboxing Planet, who is currently residing in Holland, suggests “In Holland there are so many good gyms and a lot of kickboxing events every weekend. The level of striking is extremely high and you will probably learn at every gym you walk into. However, when it comes to weather, I would choose Thailand.” Sean of Muay Thai Guy also shared his insights in terms of location: “The people and the coaches make the place doesn’t matter if you are training in a remote place or in a busy city it all comes down to the people and how they treat you as an individual but if the camp is near a beach, that’s always a plus!”
4. CREATE A SHORT LIST Hopefully by now your pros and cons list has already helped you in eliminating some of your initial options to a more condensed, shorter list of choices that you can now revisit and further consider. If your list still has quite a bit of options to choose from, we suggest to spend more time to browse through reviews and re-check all the information you’ve gathered during your research. If you find it difficult to find reviews, feedback,or insights that you need to whittle down your list, as mentioned prior, feel free to reach out to the camp’s or gym’s representatives directly. If you’d like to be more thorough, you can even ask them for the contact information of previous or current trainees that you can speak to to get more insights about the training camp you are considering.
5. ‘TEST’ YOUR OPTIONS Once you have your short list of options, which ideally would only consists of 3-5 choices, you can begin to ‘test’ them out – similar to what you would do when you test drive a car before making a purchase. Remember that signing up to a MMA training camp is a big investment so don’t rush in to making a decision! Whenever possible, it is always good to test out each camp a few times before you decide to sign up. This is your chance to truly evaluate whether the options you had picked up actually reflect your needs and preferences. Note that one of the most important things to be aware of is the dynamic between the trainer and the trainees as well as how the trainees interact with each other. Observe how your potential trainer coaches his/ her current trainees during a sparring session. This would paint an image as to how he/ she would likely to train you.
Should all of the training camps you are considering happen to be located out of town or abroad – testing out the options may not be a possibility. In this case, we highly recommend for you to do your due dilligence. Seek out as much information, reviews and feedback as you possibly can before sigining up for a training camp to reduce the risk of ‘buyer remorse’. As they say, it’s far better to be safe than to be sorry!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Do I need to have background in MMA before going to MMA training camp?
We agree with Jack of Pro MMA, who noted the successful MMA fighters he encountered came from many different (martial arts) backgrounds. In other words, you don’t necessarily have to start in MMA in order to achieve success in MMA. If you have had training in other martial arts disciplines and interested in carving a career in MMA, signing up at a training camp would only help you to delve into MMA in a faster pace! What background of martial arts disciplines are most beneficial for someone who is interested in becoming aprofessional MMA fighter? Rew of Awakening Fighters believes that an MMA professional fighter would need to have strong abilities in striking, wrestling and submissions. He shared that BJJ and wrestling are the go to skillsets for the ground game. With boxing one would best learn footwork and head movement, whilst Muay Thai enables fast and powerful kicks as well as brutal elbows and knees. Some Judo knowledge can also be highly useful for controlling your opponent. Last but not least, though Kung fu is largely overlooked today, but in terms of flexibility, reaction times and movement, the disciplines in this bracket would easily give a fighter an edge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) What gears do I need to buy for my first MMA training camp? If you are a beginner in MMA and are unsure as to what gear you should be bringing along on your ’test run’, Aaron of Fight Quality has some useful tips to share with you. He highly suggests to never ‘trust’ gloves under $30. If you ever find a pair of boxing gloves under that, chances are they’re poorly put together, and the padding is likely to be of poor quality and the wrong pair of gloves could risk you getting injured. As a beginner, you’ll probably be focusing on the techniques, but if any of the training camp you’re considering includes sparring, there are a few other bits you’ll need: a good pair of grappling shin guards, a groin guard, and a gum shield are all a necessity.
ABOUT OUR EXPERTS
We hope that the information and insights we’ve shared will prove to be useful in helping you to choose the right MMA training camp. Before we wrap up, we would like to give a hearty shout out and express our gratitude to our panel of eight experts who have graciously shared with us their knowledge and insights on MMA training camps. Without the help of this awesome people, this guide would not exist! They are: •
•
•
•
Aaron of Fight Quality, a resourceful website that offers honest and helpful reviews on a range of fight gear and equipment, as well as advice and tips to help martial artists to get the most of their training. Jack of Pro MMA Now, a MMA focused website that has been serving the mixed martial arts community by helping to promote up & coming fighters and keeping readers updated with the latest from the MMA world & combat sports. Nick & Diane of Eudo.org, a great organization that seeks to encourage all to learn one of the world’s most dynamic martial arts, Judo. It currently has over 4000 members worldwide. Rew of Awakening Fighters, a company dedicated to promoting female fighters & martial artists. On their website, they host the largest & most comprehensive database of female martial arts athletes in the world.
ABOUT OUR EXPERTS – CONT’D
•
• •
•
Roberto of Fightbook MMA, one of the web’s best resources for Combat Sports News from all over the world. The website offers comprehensive & accurate news on MMA, Kickboxing and Boxing. Roy of Kickboxing Planet, an awesome website where you can find the latest news on fights, events, interviews and articles on kickboxing all under one roof! Sean of Muay Thai Guy, a sensational Muay Thai focused blog where Sean, a professional Muay Thai fighter and champion, invites his blog’s readers to dive deep into the world of Muay Thai and take their training to a new level. Travis of Evolved MMA, a great website that brings you the latest information on MMA fighters and fights. They also provide expert reviews on all of the latest MMA gear.
ABOUT BOOKMARTIALARTS.COM
Ready to become the world’s next big mixed martial artist? Step up your martial arts skill through a wide selection of martial arts training camps with us! As a part of eBookingServices, a global theme travel company based in the Hague, Netherlands, BookMartialArts.com is one of the world’s leading martial arts travel websites. We offer a vast selection of MMA training camps and many other martial arts discipline located in every corner of the globe under one roof! As we work with over 100 martial arts travel organizers worldwide, we are an expert at what we do. Curious to find out more? It’s only one click away!
We sincerely thank you for taking the time to review this guide. Feel free to share it with others who would benefit from it. If you’d like to check out more great martial arts related content, please visit our blog. We wish you the best of luck and success on your MMA journey! P.S: Did you like our guide? Are you an MMA expert that has something to add to the topic? Feel free to contact us via Press@BookMartialArts.com. We look forward to hearing from you! Cheers, The BookMartialArts.com Team