Finding the right MMA Gym

Finding the right MMA gym can be a tough task. There are so many different gyms to choose from and each one has its own pros and cons. Some offer group classes, others have specialized programs for kids, while some even have programs just for women! It's important to take your time when looking around at all of your options because you want to make sure that you're getting the most out of your experience. So how do you go about finding the perfect place? Let me give you a few pointers!

1. Finding the right gym for General Fitness or Self Defense

When trying to find the right gym for general fitness, or even wanting to learn self defense for your everyday life, it is important to prioritize finding a gym you think you will have longevity at, and not burnout. When attempting to identify a gym that you will enjoy training at, it is important to look at their marketing and social media, and see if they are prioritizing the everyday athlete’s or other people with the same goals as you, or if they are advertising their amateur/pro MMA fighters.

Another important aspect to look at would be their class schedule, and how many recreational or fitness classes they have, and whether or not those will fit in your lifestyle. I recommend trying to take at least 2-3 classes a week to see solid improvements in your fitness/technique.

2. Finding the right gym as an Amateur/Pro MMA Fighter.

Finding the right gym for improving as an ameteur or professional fighter is very important, but also very difficult. The most important thing about finding the right school as a fighter would be looking at their current roster, doing outside research on MMA in general, and other gyms, and making an educated decision on the quality, resume, and knowledge of the other coaches and athletes at the gym.

Try not to make a biased decision, and choose the right gym based on how good you think you can get there. Believe me, there are many people that join a gym and tell the coach, "Yeah, I want to be a top fighter, and go pro!" and never show up to train. If I had to guess, out of the 100 people that say that, only 1 person will actually make it there. Also, keep in mind that a lot of gyms and coaches can spread the word on fighters.

So, having a good reputation from the start can help find you that coach. If you are a beginner, try to find a gym that doesn’t have many pro fighters that demand their coaches' attention on their top fighters. If you are a beginner, you won’t be a top fighter yet, and won’t get as much of the coaches attention when you need it most. It doesn't matter how nice the facility may be, or how many top fighters they have there, it's about you, and finding a gym that can take you to the top. Also it is very important to find a gym you are comfortable at, your fellow fighters should be just as willing to help you learn as your coaches, and training should be something you look forward to coming in each day.

You can't go from point A to point Z alone, you need to get your way to the top by finding a gym that will guide you all the way.