16 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Martial Arts Training
Here are 16 tips that will help you get the most out your martial arts training at Masters Academy Plymouth;
1. Repetition One of the keys to getting good at anything is repetition. Most people agree that to become a master of anything will take you 10’000 consistent reps or hours of any one technique. To make it easier on yourself
2. Ask questions Don’t be afraid to ask your instructor questions. At the end of the day your instructor is there to help you. They want you to become as good as possible. Remember there are no stupid questions only stupid answers.
3. Be Consistent with training. It takes 21 days to build a habit and only 3 to break one. To improve in martial arts you need to be training at least 2 times a week. Try to train at the same times and the same days to build a routine. If your routine get s broken start it up again as soon as possible.
4. Stretch Flexibility is one of the most important and most overlooked aspects of training. This is probably because you can’t immediately see the benefits of flexibility training. A good range of movement or flexibility has many benefits including increased power, and reduced chance of injury.
5. Respect the limits of your body. You should push yourself during training. This will help you to develop faster and improve your fitness quicker. However, this should not be at the detriment of your body.
6. Have fun The key to learning anything is fun. If you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing, you won’t want to learn it. So have fun with your training.
7. Leave your ego at the door. Your ego will get you in more trouble than its worth. This is particularly true if you are involved in any type of sparring. Your ego will get you injured, and you will not learn as quickly. You’re main goal for every session should be to improve, not to see who is the best, strongest or toughest.
8. Listen to your instructors. When your instructors are teaching stay focused. This can be difficult after a long, hard days work. Try to pay attention to what they are saying, what they are doing, and how they are doing it.
9. Play with your techniques outside training. You can always be practicing the techniques you’re learning and working towards your 10000 reps. You just need to be creative. Here are a couple of examples; use a punch to turn off a light, a kick to close a door, and a choke to hold your shopping. The possibilities are endless.
10. Consistent with technique When you perform a technique do it the same every time, and do it to the best of your abilities. If you make a mistake don’t focus on it and beat yourself up. Instead, correct it immediately and get straight back into your training.
11. Improve 1% everyday. Try to make small improvements every day. This is a lot easier than trying to make big changes all the time. For example doing one more press up or one more round is a lot easier than doing ten, and a lot easier to achieve.
12. Set goals. How do you know when you’ve reached your destination if you don’t know where you are going? Most people don’t set well defined goals. For example they’ll say ” I want to lose weight”, but how much weight and by when. A better goal would be “I want to lose 10 lbs in 10 weeks.” Now you know where you’re going and when you need to get there by. You will be much more likely to reach your goal.
13. Diet Diet is on of the most important and overlooked aspects of training. A good diet will help you reach your goals faster and help you get in shape quicker. Here’s a few quick guidelines;
– Drink plenty of water. A good estimate is about 1 litre of water per 20kg of body weight.
– Eat mostly fruit and vegetables.
– Avoid processed foods. One of my favourite quotes is “If it doesn’t live in a field or on in the sea, grown in the ground or on trees don’t eat it.”
– Above all have everything in moderation.
14. Mindset Training martial arts is often described like being on a roll-a-coaster. Some days everything will go perfectly. Your techniques will be flawless, you’ll have infinite cardio, and you’ll be able to read your training partners like a book. Other days it’ll seem like nothing is going right. Every technique goes wrong, your conditioning sucks, and your training partners are owning you. This is all part of the normal learning experience. Learn to enjoy the bad times because tomorrow will be your day.
15. Extra strength & conditioning Martial Arts is a great way to develop fitness and lose weight. However, if you do a little extra work with your strength and conditioning you will be able to progress a lot quicker and reach your goals faster. They are hundreds tools and programmes out there that can be used, and can take as little as 15 mins extra before or after class.
16. Work with everyone Whenever you attend class try to work with as many different people as possible. Everyone is worth working with from the brand new beginner to the 20 year veteran. They will all have different attributes, styles, and something to teach you. Working with the same few people will only limit your growth.
For more information on starting martial arts classes in Plymouth call 01752 262233 or visit https://martialartsplymouth.co.uk/how-to-join/