Martial arts are everywhere right now, with more people swapping their regular gym routines for combat sports. But if you’ve never stepped into an MMA gym, you probably have a few good reasons for staying away.
For me, it was the intimidating atmosphere and a serious fear of embarrassing myself. I have practically zero coordination, and the thought of experienced fighters judging my awkward movements kept me far away from the mats.
Eventually, I decided to bite the bullet and face my fears. I signed up for both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) classes at Onyx MMA.
I arrived exhausted after a full day of work… and with a full stomach after dinner. We were ushered in quickly, and after a flurry of warm up activities, I was already running on empty before the actual lesson even began.
With zero experience, I was worried that I’d hold the class back. But this is where Onyx MMA really shines. The trainers were incredibly patient and beginner-friendly, guiding us step by step. They corrected my awkward stance and showed me how to throw punches properly until I finally got the hang of it.
Before long, we were testing our new combinations on the pads. Stringing together jabs, crosses and kicks that I’d only learned 15 minutes earlier was both mentally and physically challenging. I was an uncoordinated mess at first, but landing a clean kick with a satisfying thwack made all the effort worthwhile!
Already drained from Muay Thai, BJJ took things to another level. I walked in completely clueless and was immediately humbled during the warm-up. We had to do forward and backward rolls – moves I hadn’t attempted since childhood. It was a little embarrassing trying to remember something so basic, but the trainers were encouraging and patiently guided me through it.
Next came mount escapes. As a hands-on learner, I appreciated that the trainers gave us plenty of time to practise each movement until it clicked. Yes, BJJ involves almost zero personal space, which felt a little awkward at first. But that feeling quickly disappeared once I realised I was learning practical self-defence techniques in a safe and supportive environment.
The highlight of the session came when the trainer let us test the escape technique on him. Against all odds, I managed to execute the move, reverse the position and escape. After all my earlier clumsiness, it felt like a genuine achievement.
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
If I had to choose just one discipline, though, I’d probably stick with Muay Thai. While both classes were fun and eye-opening, I found myself enjoying the fast-paced striking more than the technical grappling of BJJ.
If you’ve been on the fence about trying combat sports, my advice is simple: just step onto the mats. Onyx MMA offers a free trial class, making it easy to experience the sport and discover what suits you before committing to a membership. That’s exactly how I found out Muay Thai was a better fit for me.
Even better, SAFRA members enjoy exclusive rates at Onyx MMA, making it even more affordable to begin your martial arts journey. Between the free trial and member discounts, there’s never been a better time to give it a go.
Onyx MMA classes are held at SAFRA Jurong, SAFRA Tampines and SAFRA Yishun. Visit Onyx Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) | SAFRA for more information.
