MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » Noob Jack City

[duffman83]

I know this is not in the right place for a post of this nature, but you do play the hand you're dealt when you start in a new forum. Anyway, after 6 long years in Buffalo, I'm finally finishing my Ph.D, and am taking a new, one year long Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP from now on, position). However, something about spending 80 hours a week translating dead languages for $13K a year in a city that, while lovely, is not very walkable has left me in rather worse physical shape than I started. Moreover, I'm moving to a new city where I know virtually no one, and VAPs tend not to get integrated into the sometimes insular social circles of academia, as we're essentially incredibly qualified temp workers. Because of all this, I find myself in need of a way to get back in shape doing something that excites me, and to find a community in my new hometown that will make me feel, well, at home. As a longtime fan of MMA, I thought that all of this might be a signal that I should be looking to joining a grappling/mixed martial arts gym. However, I saw three potential pitfalls.

1) I have neither the talent nor inclination to compete in any combat sport, and colleges don't take too well to repeated black eyes in their professors

2) I'm going to be 28 when I move, which, while young for a professor, may be too old for someone to start as a BJJ white belt

3) I'm a massive, massive nerd, and don't know if my personality would mesh well in such a gym.

Anyway, I figured I would take advantage of the thousands of experts on the subject at MMANews forums, and ask there advice.... particularly if they happen to know anything about the San Antonio era. I will now return you to your regularly scheduled discussions.

[rob_bills]

You should be fine man, just because you train doesnt mean you have to be aspiring to be the next Fedor, and as far as the whole nerd thing goes it shouldnt be a problem as soon as you walk in the door you already have mma as a topic of conversation so i wouldnt worry about that either.

And i know people who started jits in their forties so your pretty young!

If i were you id start training, enjoy getting fit and most importantly enjoy the hobby

[The Sword]

Originally Posted by rob_bills

You should be fine man, just because you train doesnt mean you have to be aspiring to be the next Fedor, and as far as the whole nerd thing goes it shouldnt be a problem as soon as you walk in the door you already have mma as a topic of conversation so i wouldnt worry about that either.

And i know people who started jits in their forties so your pretty young!

If i were you id start training, enjoy getting fit and most importantly enjoy the hobby

agree. Training is a great way to just stay in or get in to shape. you don't have to be a fighter. now for me I love competing so when I go for a job interview I tell them about my hobby and see if they approve. if that don't I say thank you very much, have a nice day, and end the interview. because when I go on an interview the company is interview me and I am interviewing them, and if I can't fight I know I wont be happy at that job.

[Pasha K]

Obvioulsy you have to train.

1.- Maybe you wont compete profesionally or maybe you wont even compete in amateur fights, but just train will help you to get in shape. And dont worry about black eyes, they are going to be rare.

2.- Age does not matter, its never late to start a sport. As I have said, you may not compete but if you want to get in shape you should begin to train. Or what? You think that at 28 you are too old to begin any sport so you can continue to be in bad shape?

3.- I know a lot of guys that have an extremely calm temperament and however they are very good in martial arts. You dont have to be some crazy mofo, and dont woryy, your GYM wont be a prison, I am sure you will adapt good

[Otomosix]

28 is not too late to start training in MMA or BJJ by any means. Just understand the likelihood of reaching the pinnacle in either sport is minimal but I think that's not really your desire anyway.

That being said, watch out for schools that demand you sign up for annual or similar contracts. Month-to-month is the way to go. And watch out for any "month-to-month" contracts with cancellation fees, too.

[Kimbo> Rampage]

its never to late to get into mma, especially if your just looking to get into shape. you can go through all the sessions and when it comes time to pick sparring partners look for the weaker and less experienced fighters, cause if you will do hard sparring with more experienced fighters you will get beat up and knocked out. it all depends on what type of gym you go to. if it is a family friendly gym, where everybody trains at then it should be for you. If it a gym with serious fighters and no women or children training then it probably wont be for you.

[TheKidInside]

train and don't look back.

you're doing this for yourself and not for anyone else so don't worry, bro.

oh and get your diet down right

[Frasedog]

I think you'll be surprised how welcomed you feel at a gym. When I started (like 4 1/2 years ago) everyone was great. Made me feel at home there, and they are like a second family. Its a great environment, very positive. We have all sorts, professionals, high school kids, young, old, you name it. Its never too late to start training. At least try it, then you wont wonder about it later.

[duffman83]

Thanks, this is news I was hoping to hear, and proof that Mixed Martial Arts enthusiasts are considerably kinder than people who do crosswords. All that's left now is to study the gyms of San Antonio.

[Repenter]

start training asap. it'll get you into shape, make you feel better about yourself, give you another interest besides work, and give you a way to network with people in a new city.

i former training partner of mine didn't start training until she was 35. now she's 39 and sweeping every blue belt division she enters, and has a passion she never knew before. it's always well worth it.