How Many Gyms Do You Attend?

Sweet Lew · 11-04-2009, 03:07 AM

I started off training at an MMA gym, which focused mainly on takedowns and ground technique. We did a little bit of standup but really nothing technical.

Also, the grappling aspect, although diverse, wasn't graded so I spent a lot of time rolling with newbs who fought like their lives depended on it. I haven't really learnt as much as I'd like in the year I've been there.

So, I've decided to go back to the core of MMA, and crosstrain at two gyms. One, a k-1 kickboxing gym and the other a well known BJJ gym with the option of taking extra MMA classes.

Ideally I want to train 3-4 days a week. 3 nights and either sparring or rolling on Saturdays.

Is this a good idea? Or am I falling prey to the old adage 'Jack of all trades, master of none'?

Finally, how many gyms do you train at? What has your experience been when 'crosstraining'?

singdawg · 11-04-2009, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Lew

I started off training at an MMA gym, which focused mainly on takedowns and ground technique. We did a little bit of standup but really nothing technical.

Also, the grappling aspect, although diverse, wasn't graded so I spent a lot of time rolling with newbs who fought like their lives depended on it. I haven't really learnt as much as I'd like in the year I've been there.

So, I've decided to go back to the core of MMA, and crosstrain at two gyms. One, a k-1 kickboxing gym and the other a well known BJJ gym with the option of taking extra MMA classes.

Ideally I want to train 3-4 days a week. 3 nights and either sparring or rolling on Saturdays.

Is this a good idea? Or am I falling prey to the old adage 'Jack of all trades, master of none'?

Finally, how many gyms do you train at? What has your experience been when 'crosstraining'?

Hey, if you got the money why not. cross training is VERY effective. Someone who just boxes will be easy to RNC. Someone who just grapples will be easy to KO. learn everything you can.

I train 1 gym. It offers classes 7 days a week. It has an all levels bjj class, a beginners bjj class, then an "standup" class. Also some competition and open mat classes on the weekend that I can never go to, sadly. It seems to be a predominantly bjj class as the standup classes are usually desolate but I go alot. I've noticed that alot of peeps who learn bjj only learn bjj. Some are fucking amazing, a lot of blue belts, a handful of purples, 1 brown, 2 blacks as regulars. However, alot of these guys don't train standup. A few months back my instructor decided to start us from standing, rather than have us start from the knees. Some of the people I went against were strong, nothing spectacular (except the bjj 4 stripe blue belt that is also a black belt in judo, fucking awesome), but then I went against this purple belt. He ties me into knots on the ground, but, I was able to throw him with relative ease into side control. whats the point of learning to be so fucking good at bjj if you don't know how to properly defend against throws?

The standup class is a combination of basically whatever the instructor wants. He's a certified JKD instuctor (jeet kune do, so basically a combination of anything the instructor wants to show, including striking (punches, kicks, elbows and knees) throws, standing sweeps, bjj sometimes, kung fu, ect ect but with Bruce Lee theology spread in) he's also certified FMA (philapino (sp) martial arts such as escrima and kali) and teaches weapons. Its not very structured, as in following an order and its kinda random. But it really fits me, because I go to classes I can and usually you don't need to know anything previously, like "okay lets start again on what we've been working on the last 2 weeks, everyone, 15 guard passes, 5 punching combos, 10 takedowns, 5 trips, right now, in order".. however, of course there are easily this many techniques and if I go to enough classes i'll learn them all in due course.

My training rules for selecting what/where to train are: 1. train! 2. research what interests you (ie. if you HATE being on the ground, don't take bjj) 3. explore the phonebook for gyms 4. find one close to you that sounds interesting to you 4. use the free trial, ask for at least 2 sessions or more if possible before signing up to make sure its a good school. 5. talk to the instructor, see what his mentality is like. if he's a douche (ie, mean or ignorant) don't train with him. if he's a military like pusher or a soft, go at your own pace guy, then make sure thats what you want. 6. if the gym you are at isn't satisfying you, leave. 8, if the gym satisfys you, stay! 9. train! get your moneys worth.

bad training is better than no training. but good training is better than bad training.

ThETranCe · 11-04-2009, 09:13 AM

MMA gym and a regular gym to lift weights. The MMA gym I go to provides Boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ(I go to the No-gi lessons), and Judo.

DrBdan · 11-04-2009, 10:30 AM

I currently train at two gyms, one for Muay Thai and one for weight lifting. If you can't get all the quality training that you need at one gym then as long as you can afford it I say definitely train at different gyms. There's no point in sticking with one gym because it offers "MMA" training if it's sub-par.

FIGHTER1980 · 11-04-2009, 11:38 AM

I currently lift weights at my house 2-3 days a week, I go to a martial arts school to train KukSoolWon 2 days, and I go to another place to train Muay Thai 1 day.

mjw1 · 11-04-2009, 11:54 AM

I do BJJ about 3x a week then I go to my Wing Chun gym once a week then every now and then I meet up with friends and do boxing/ kick boxing

Graverobber · 11-05-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBdan

I currently train at two gyms, one for Muay Thai and one for weight lifting.

Exactly what I do. Works out well.

Sevket · 11-05-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBdan

I currently train at two gyms, one for Muay Thai and one for weight lifting. If you can't get all the quality training that you need at one gym then as long as you can afford it I say definitely train at different gyms. There's no point in sticking with one gym because it offers "MMA" training if it's sub-par.

I want to do the same but my body, my age, my budget and most importantly my family life does not allow me. I try to train 3 times a week two hours per session but I plan to drop to two as it is not that easy at 34

DrBdan · 11-05-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sevket

I want to do the same but my body, my age, my budget and most importantly my family life does not allow me. I try to train 3 times a week two hours per session but I plan to drop to two as it is not that easy at 34

I hear you. The only way that I'm able to do both is by lifting weights on my lunch hour. Usually I lift weights twice a week and train Muay Thai two nights a week but lately I've dropped the weights and started training Muay Thai 4 times a week in preparation for an exhibition fight. Combine that with hockey one night a week and busy weekends and I feel like I have no time left for anything else. As much as I'm excited about my fight I also can't wait to take some time off Muay Thai and have free weeknights again.

Sweet Lew · 11-05-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singdawg

The standup class is a combination of basically whatever the instructor wants. He's a certified JKD instuctor (jeet kune do, so basically a combination of anything the instructor wants to show, including striking (punches, kicks, elbows and knees) throws, standing sweeps, bjj sometimes, kung fu, ect ect but with Bruce Lee theology spread in) he's also certified FMA (philapino (sp) martial arts such as escrima and kali) and teaches weapons. Its not very structured, as in following an order and its kinda random.

Wow, that's pretty much an exact description of my instructor, his training and his approach!

The cool thing about my kickboxing classes is they're pretty cheap. It's held at a community hall, which facilitates expenses for my instructor I guess.

The training is fairly light, lots of fitness and weights and then technique and we end with some sparring. I've told my instructor I want to fight amateurs, so I'm getting one-on-one attention from him. And hopefully soon a chance at a tournament or small local comp.

Funny thing is, he laughed when I told him my age; he said 28 is too old! Fuck that, I wanna fight!