Thinking of starting Martial Arts/MMA - suggestions?

floggg

Hi guys.

I'm thinking of taking up some version of martial arts or mma. I would be a complete beginner at that sort of thing, so just wondering what people would recommend to start out on? I'm in Raw gym on richmond st, so i'd be doing the classes there - here's the options.

It would probably have to be in the evenings though, so i am realisitcally looking at MMA, brazilian jui jitsu or integrated combat arts. I could possibly do the Capoeira either on weekends. not even fully sure what integrated combat arts entails. any recommendations? is there any point jumping into MMA without any base in any martial arts or boxing etc?

When i said i was a beginner, i mean absolute beginner. My last fight was in second class, and the only reason i won that was cause i kneed the other guy in the nuts (i know, low blow, but he was feckin' huge!).

Also, i currently do weight training three nights a week and play 5 a side once a week as well. Would adding in one of these be taking on too much, and would the weigt training and martial arts have any negative impact on each other?

Furious-Dave

floggg wrote: »

is there any point jumping into MMA without any base in any martial arts or boxing etc?

Absolutely. What I have found in MMA is that complete beginners usually end up learning and progressing quicker than those who have a base something else, regardless of what that may be.

You could give each of the things you mentioned a trial run and then go with what you liked best/ what fitted your schedule best.
The weight training would fit in perfectly with MMA or other combat sports. It's probably best though to have a chat with coach about some Martial Arts specific weight training.

Hope it works out for you.

floggg

thanks. i am actually now thinking of looking at going to a dedicated MMA/martial gym - i reckon the classes will be bigger, so will be more people at my level. AFAIK the classes in Raw are quite small, so not sure how many will be on same level etc.

Can you recommend any in CC or Dublin 6 area? I think i'm leaning towards MMA (without really having done anything to look into any of them). Although, wouldn't mind Muay thai either.

Roper

Dublin 6, only one name you need
www.sbgireland.com

floggg

Roper wrote: »

Dublin 6, only one name you need
www.sbgireland.com

Huh? Thats in Dublin 12 per the website.

I have no car or other mode of transport (thanks to the mother****ers who stole my bike at Xmas!!) so needs to be in walking distance or on bus line.

Roper

Bus and LUAS? I know a guy who does Ashbourne to there every night. A guy in my gym travels from Tipperary 3 nights, and another from Cavan once a week.

If you find the right gym where you fit in, you should go for it no matter what the distance.

floggg

Roper wrote: »

Bus and LUAS? I know a guy who does Ashbourne to there every night. A guy in my gym travels from Tipperary 3 nights, and another from Cavan once a week.

If you find the right gym where you fit in, you should go for it no matter what the distance.

True, but considering i'm new to this, and have never tried it before, it don't think i can justify that commute. I'm still really at the "interested" stage rather than dedicated participant, and don't feel i can dedicated more than a couple of hours to it at this stage. I already have a fairly busy schedule and don't tend to get out of work till late.

That said, if i did find it was something i wanted to commit to, i would obviously reassess my priorities.

Raze_them_all

floggg wrote: »

True, but considering i'm new to this, and have never tried it before, it don't think i can justify that commute. I'm still really at the "interested" stage rather than dedicated participant, and don't feel i can dedicated more than a couple of hours to it at this stage. I already have a fairly busy schedule and don't tend to get out of work till late.

That said, if i did find it was something i wanted to commit to, i would obviously reassess my priorities.

Just to jump in on this, AFAIK the stuff in raw gym is all pretty new, You'd be better off going to one of the more established gyms, Ko, Sbg, Kokoro, Spartan as they've been around a bit and know what they're doing. I've gone from kilkenny to dublin alot for training and some of the other guys in the same club as me have too.

You shouldn't limit yourself on your desire levels now, because believe me after a few weeks you'll catch the bug, always better to start off somewhere well known for their good standards

floggg

Raze_them_all wrote: »

Just to jump in on this, AFAIK the stuff in raw gym is all pretty new, You'd be better off going to one of the more established gyms, Ko, Sbg, Kokoro, Spartan as they've been around a bit and know what they're doing. I've gone from kilkenny to dublin alot for training and some of the other guys in the same club as me have too.

You shouldn't limit yourself on your desire levels now, because believe me after a few weeks you'll catch the bug, always better to start off somewhere well known for their good standards

Yea, was thinking that about Raw - in fairness, its not a specialised MMA set up, so im not sure what equipment etc they have for it.

I was actually looking at the Kokoro website - it seems pretty good and is in an ideal location. does it have a good rep?

Do you know what the story is with fees? is it a pay per class job, or do you have to pay a monthly membership for the gym?

muckwarrior

floggg wrote: »

I think i'm leaning towards MMA (without really having done anything to look into any of them). Although, wouldn't mind Muay thai either.

You should bear in mind that training MMA and training in BJJ and/or Muay Thai aren't mutually exclusive. Quite the opposite in fact. Most MMA gyms will split things up into dedicated kickboxing/muay thai and BJJ/Sub wrestling classes. Then the MMA classes will often focus on combining your striking and grappling training.

floggg

floggg wrote: »

I was actually looking at the Kokoro website - it seems pretty good and is in an ideal location. does it have a good rep?

Aargh!!! I read thte website wrong (a little hung over here)! Its on Richmond Rd not South Richmond St as i thought. So the location isn't actually ideal. its not really a runner for me because of work - wouldn't be able to make it over there on time most evenings.

Is there any MMA clubs in or around CC or on green luas line?

Karatekrazy

Having trained in a lot of the MMA gyms around Dublin, I can say that by far the best gym in Dublin is Andy Ryan's place in Baldoyle. Hands down its the best club with best training and the best fighters.

http://combatsportsireland.net/

Raze_them_all

Karatekrazy wrote: »

Having trained in a lot of the MMA gyms around Dublin, I can say that by far the best gym in Dublin is Andy Ryan's place in Baldoyle. Hands down its the best club with best training and the best fighters.

http://combatsportsireland.net/

At least a certain fighter wasn't mentioned by name for once!
I'd be moving house alot if I were him!

Pride Fighter

Flogg, GO TO STRAIGHT BLAST GYM!!!

The 18 bus stops right outside it. You can get the 18 at Belgrave Square, Rathmines Town Centre (where the Pizza Hut used to be, just around the corner from Tesco's). So the bus does go to SBG from Rathmines, it takes 15 minutes with no traffic, 35 minutes with traffic.

Furious-Dave

Hi Floggg. For the Kokoro Gym you can get the 123 from either Damn St or O'Connell St for less than 10 mins and then it's less than a 10 min walk to the gym. For what it's worth I travel from Leopardstown.

Frankazz

Furious-Dave wrote: »

Hi Floggg. For the Kokoro Gym you can get the 123 from either Damn St or O'Connell St for less than 10 mins and then it's less than a 10 min walk to the gym. For what it's worth I travel from Leopardstown.

You mean from town it's 20 minutes with the 123? bcos i live in Leopardstown too... i dunno if it would suit me. What time do you have trainings at at what days?

Cheers

Furious-Dave

Hi Frank I sent you a PM.

Frankazz

Furious-Dave wrote: »

Hi Frank I sent you a PM.

Yes, i got it, thank you i think i asnwered, but if not, sorry bout it thanks a lot for the info

cheers

westwoodgym

there is one guy in clontarf, around tolka business park...well it's called business park it looks nothing like it..haha