However, figuring out where to begin can be somewhat intimidating when just starting your martial arts journey. As 2020 draws to a close and the traditional “new year, new me” season approaches, we felt it would be beneficial to share our three most important pieces of advice for beginning martial artists to assist anyone whose resolution is to take up whatever martial art piques their interest eventually.
Choose the Correct Sport
The first stage for aspiring martial artists is to decide what they want to learn. This one can be a bit tough because some elements aren’t always in your control (like if you think you’d love to try BJJ, but the nearest gym is hours away). Would you favor a martial art that is more conventional, such as Karate? Something like Muay Thai, which is centered on the competition? Do you prefer the notion of learning ground combat and grappling in BJJ? Or do you want to learn how to use them all in MMA? There are many various types of martial arts, and only you can determine which one you’d prefer. We recommend taking advantage of the free trials of most gyms and trying a few different techniques to determine which is best for you.
Take the Risk
Although it may seem obvious, enrolling in the first class is one of the most challenging aspects of beginning to master any new skill. Beginners frequently worry that they will look foolish or that others will judge them, but you must remember that every person in the gym has been where you are now at some point in their lives. Decide which gym best meets your needs, then sign up for a trial class there. You’ll quickly become a member of the gym family if you arrive prepared to learn, listen to guidance, and have a cheerful and courteous attitude.
The Key Is Consistency
This expands on the previous idea, albeit from a different perspective. Consistency is essential to achieving any objective as a beginning martial artist, whether it be achieving fitness and health, obtaining a black belt, or winning a championship. The adage “hard work beats talent” is undoubtedly accurate if talent doesn’t work hard. Even if someone has a genetic advantage that makes them an excellent martial artist, if they don’t take it seriously, they won’t ever advance as far as someone who shows up to every class and puts in the effort.
Maintaining consistency can be difficult because your motivation or schedule may limit your ability to attend certain classes. It’s always a good idea to remember that doing something is always preferable to doing nothing. While a few rounds of shadow boxing won’t be able to replace an hour-long session, they can still be a lot more motivating than binge-watching Netflix all night.