Blog Post 3 - What to Expect as a New Member

Congratulations! You’ve made a great decision by choosing to sign up for classes at your local martial arts gym. If you’re brand new to the scene, your mind is probably racing with concerns about injuries and cult-like behaviors. Or, you’re super eager to begin training and beat the ever living crap out of everyone to prove yourself once and for all!

Okay, chill out. Let’s pull it back a bit.

In this week’s post, I want to discuss some expectations for new folks and cover some basic etiquette that might not be explained well to someone on their very first day.

Your Free Trial.

Most gyms, including ours, will let you “try before you buy.” You get to try out a class or a set of classes to see if you want to sign up. This is your chance to get a sense of the gym’s vibe and culture. How do the other students treat you? Are you welcomed and shown respect?

You also get a chance to see if these coaches know their stuff. Are they actually good at what they do? Do they teach in an accessible way? Can I learn from this person each week?

Another thing to observe is the cleanliness of the space. If the mats look like they were cleaned a month ago, then maybe you don’t want to stick around. Hygienic practices are a must in any martial arts gym. Our space is cleaned daily, you just need to do your part and practice good hygiene (shower after each practice, wear clean clothes to each practice, trim your nails, and don’t be a dirtbag).

Do your part and read up on the gym rules. Many gyms are like ours and have their rules posted both in the gym and on their website. There should not be a reason you didn’t know the rules if you were given plenty of time to have read them on your own.

Use the trial period to figure out if this spot works for you. If the vibes are good and you feel welcomed, then sign on the dotted line and commit to something that’s going to make you better in the short and long term!

Training - Navigating the First Few Months as a Beginner.

There’s a trope in Jiu Jitsu (though this does apply to other combat sports) about the “spazzy white belt.” Many experienced folks do not wish to roll with beginners because they are constantly trying to muscle their way through every position, increasing the likelihood of injury. There are sound reasons for why beginners do this.

First, they don’t know any skills or techniques required for controlling and subduing their training partner. For the most part, everything they are doing is based on instinct, their most primal forces from within. Someone untrained and new to the sport does not immediately grasp the idea of a “flow state” that a trained person would understand. More seasoned members should do everything in their power to not place themselves or their newbie partner in compromising positions where one or both parties are susceptible to injury.

A very common thing I see with beginners is the instinct to grab and hold on to bodies or limbs with a death grip. They see foot locks, arm locks, and strangles on the Internet and just instinctively grab onto something and squeeze the crap out of it without much thought behind it. This behavior can potentially lead to injury. It’s not that the new person wants to willingly hurt someone, it’s that they are moving their bodies in new and different ways and lack the control necessary to prevent an injury either to themselves or to their training partner. Many untrained folks are not used to the “fight or flight” response that kicks in during training. Adrenaline dumps into the bloodstream and the novel experience can be overwhelming for many.

Slow Down, Be Patient, and Give Yourself Grace.

My advice to newbies is to slow down. Really slow it down. Do not rush your training.

Every single black belt once started as a white belt. It’s going to take time to understand the nuances of everything and even more time to learn how to respond with grace under pressure. Allow yourself to make mistakes and use them as learning opportunities.

Slowing down in your training will also allow you to train for both a good time and a long time. Injuries, bumps, and bruises are all just part of it, but there are ways to prevent burnout and major injuries that lead to serious setbacks. For example, eating plenty of good calories, staying hydrated, and following a strength and conditioning program will all serve you in your fitness goals and keep you training longer. When it comes to longevity in your sport, there are no shortcuts!

Not every round should be a competition round. You’re not fighting for your place in Valhalla; it’s just a Tuesday night at the gym. Maybe a few rounds each week can be your harder rounds, and the rest of the time you can focus on specific aspects of your game, like escaping from bad positions in Jiu Jitsu or working your counters in Muay Thai.

Probably the most important advice I can give is just be coachable. Accept the fact that you don’t know everything and that there is always something new to learn or ways to improve. I’ve been coaching and training for almost 20 years and I still feel like there is so much more to learn.

The worst students in my experience were the ones who thought they knew everything and didn’t need any feedback or coaching. Usually they had some raw talent and were in decent enough shape to whoop on others who maybe weren’t as agile or strong. These early “victories” would just boost their ego to astronomical levels, leading them to a false sense of accomplishment that they could rest their laurels on. I can’t stand these students.

My favorite students are the ones who give their best each day. They aren’t always the most talented or most athletic, but they never waver in the face of adversity and are willing to listen to their coaches to improve. I would trade the best athlete in the world who was lazy and didn’t work hard for a whole team of “average” athletes who were willing to be coached. I’d make that trade every time.

When You Can, Give Back.

Like I mentioned earlier, everyone started out as a beginner. This sport relies heavily on its veterans to lend a hand up to those who are new. Intimidation is a common reason many do not even try to start their martial arts journey. So the interaction with others who train can make the difference between someone signing up or walking away. When you’ve had some experience under your belt and you’re no longer the new person, please remember what it was like for you when you started. Go out of your way to make that newcomer feel welcome on their first day. Walk up to them, shake their hand and introduce yourself. If people want to quit, that’s their decision to make and one that they will have to live with. But don’t let that reason have anything to do with how they were treated. Always be respectful to anyone who has the guts to step on the mats. They’re already doing better than the ones at home “thinking” about signing up.

All love and respect,

Coach Red