Mixed martial arts training: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What mixed martial arts training is

Mixed martial arts training teaches striking, wrestling and grappling together, with drills, conditioning and controlled sparring for fitness or competition. People book it to learn several skill sets in one program, to get a strong all-around fitness base, or to prepare for an amateur fight.

Signs you need it

  • You want to learn striking, wrestling and ground work in one program
  • You are good at one part of fighting, such as striking, and weak at takedowns or ground work
  • You want an all-around conditioning program with partner drills
  • You want to compete in amateur MMA and need a plan for each part of the fight
  • You want to learn how to defend a takedown and get back to your feet

What the pro does

  • Checks your stance, footwork and basic wrestling and grappling positions
  • Teaches strikes with pads and bags, and the footwork that links strikes to takedowns
  • Works on takedowns, defense against takedowns and the clinch
  • Teaches ground positions and escapes, with partner drills
  • Covers conditioning and controlled sparring, with clear rules and gear for each session

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Group class or private session
  • Length of each class and the number of classes per week
  • Whether the class covers striking, grappling or both
  • Whether gloves, mouthguards and other gear are included or extra
  • Whether the gym has a fight team or a competition path, and its fees
  • Your starting level and the goals you have for the training

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of classes, class length and the schedule
  • Whether gloves, mouthguard and gear are included or required
  • Competition or fight team fees, if they apply
  • Class size and the number of coaches in the room
  • Policy for missed classes and cancellations

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What gear do you require for sparring, and do you provide it for the first class?
  • How do you teach takedown defense, so I learn to stay safe on the ground?
  • What is your sparring rule for beginners, and when do students start?
  • Do your coaches hold a certification in striking and grappling, and from which programs?
  • Do you have a competition path, and what is the time commitment?
  • Do you teach children, and do you require a background check for coaches who work with them?
  • Can I try a class before I sign up?

Red flags

  • Lets students spar hard without the gear the gym requires
  • Pushes beginners into live sparring or fights before their basic skills are in place
  • Pressures you into a fight team or extra training packages
  • Promises a fight or a title after a set number of classes

What you can do yourself

You can build conditioning at home with skipping, shadow boxing and bodyweight work, and practice stance and footwork in front of a mirror. Watching technique videos for takedowns and ground positions can help you understand them, but practice them with a trained partner. Hire a coach for striking, takedowns, grappling and any sparring.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach MMA. Ask the gym whether its coaches hold certifications in striking and grappling and whether the gym carries liability insurance. Check with your state or local licensing agency only if the gym or any fight event operates under rules that apply to combat sports or to the facility.

Mixed martial arts training questions

Do I need to have a background in another martial art to start?

No. Most MMA gyms teach the basics from scratch, and students from other arts often adjust to the mixed rules over time. Tell the coach about your past training so they can plan your first classes.

Do I need to spar to get the benefit?

No. Many students train for fitness and never fight. If you want to spar later, ask the gym what the sparring rules and gear are and how it decides when a student is ready.

Is MMA training safe for children?

Many gyms offer youth programs without hard sparring. Ask about the coach's training, the class size and whether coaches pass a background check before they work with minors.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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