A few months ago, I joined Adrenaline MMA in London, Ontario. Adrenaline is home to some of the greatest MMA fighters in Canada such as Mark Hominick, Sam Stout, Chris Horodecki, Chris Clements etc.
The first time I showed up to the gym I was very nervous and had all of the typical feelings someone has when trying something new. Luckily a co-worker of mine had been to the gym a dozen times and knew the deal and basically walked me through everything before we even started.
Important things to know before you start any Boxing / Muay Thai or Kickboxing classes :
- You’ll sweat a disgusting amount, so bring a change of clothes and shower after (if possible).
- You won’t be very good at first. Your coaches are there to help and you have to trust in the process and their coaching. Learning martial arts is very humbling because nobody starts and is amazing right away, it’s a long and rewarding road.
- Wrap your hands! Wrapping your hands seems very complicated but if you check YouTube for how to videos, it’s actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it.
- Get your own gear! Most clubs have some gear that you can use but if you’re commited to training often; you should buy your own. Boxing gloves, skipping ropes, shin guards etc. are all very reasonable priced and worth the investment.
- Listen to any and all feedback that you’re given! I listen to all of the feedback I’m given and try to incorporate everything I’m told and I’ve benefited a great deal as a result.
Kickboxing classes at Adrenaline are actually Muay Thai classes in the Dutch Style but I believe they just label them as “kickboxing” classes to keep it simple and attract more people. Classes typically start with skipping and I hadn’t skipped since childhood and it is every bit as difficult as I remembered. We usually skip for three 3 minute rounds and in the minute between rounds we do 10 pushups, 10 situps and 10 squats and then we go back into the next round of skipping.
Once your three rounds of skipping are over, we typically do one or two 3 minute rounds of shadowboxing. Shadowboxing seems very strange at first and a bit silly but the more you train the more you realize how important shadowboxing really is. Shadowboxing (especially in a mirror) allows you to practice your footwork and techniques and see any errors and correct them before you develop any bad habits.
After skipping and shadowboxing it’s time to partner up and bring out the thai pads or focus mitts. My first couple of classes were with a co-worker and I didn’t have to find a partner but once I started going to class alone; everyone was extremely nice and happy to partner up with me.
Once you’ve partnered up and grabbed pads, we typically start the first 3 minute rounds with the following basic boxing drills :
Combo 1 : Jab
Combo 2 : Jab x Cross
Combo 3 : Jab x Cross x Hook
Combo 4 : Jab x Cross x Hook x Cross
The next round is usually the same above combos but this time ending with a knee or switch knee. As you become more experienced, you can incorporate a thai plum/clinch and do more of a muay thai knee than just a basic knee without the thai plum/clinch :
Combo 1 : Jab x Back Knee
Combo 2 : Jab x Cross x Switch Knee
Combo 3 : Jab x Cross x Hook x Back Knee
Combo 4 : Jab x Cross x Hook x Cross x Switch Knee
The next round is the same boxing but instead of the knee, we finish the combos with Muay Thai roundhouse kicks to the body. Combos below :
Combo 1 : Jab x Roundhouse Kick
Combo 2 : Jab x Cross x Switch Roundhouse Kick
Combo 3 : Jab x Cross x Hook x Roundhouse Kick
Combo 4 : Jab x Cross x Hook x Cross x Switch Roundhouse Kick
Usually at this point in the class there may or may not be time for a final round. If there is a final round, we’ll usually do a free style round incorporating all of the combos in the first three rounds.
For the last few minutes of class, there is usually a fitness portion. Planks, pushups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, crunches etc. By the end of class you’ll have most likely sweat more than you ever have in your life. There’s been classes where I’ve lost 3–4 lbs of water in an hour, so be sure to stay hydrated throughout the class.
After my first class I was hooked. I typically take a class everyday now and it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever gotten into. I’m writing this article to hopefully encourage more people to give it a shot.
It’s my belief that the initial intimidation that most people have of going into an MMA or Boxing / Muay Thai or Kickboxing gym is stopping a lot of people from doing something that they’d love to do.
It’s important to remember that everyone in the gym had that same initial intimidation and we’ve all been the beginners in a class and that nobody is judging you. Have fun, learn as much as you can and enjoy the journey!
