Training Priorities For Beginners | Where Should Your Focus Go???

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Pleeeease avoid sparring while you are in the initial stage of learning a striking style. You could get hurt and need to focus in on LEARNING technique before trying to use it.

[@thomasgitlin1038]

Thanks for all the great content Gabriel! Hope to meet you one day when I go pro.

[@paulpelle3046]

Hehe! Extremely wise advice Gabriel...it also prevents more experienced gym members from inadvertently being injured by over-zealous beginners who cannot relax/control their adrenaline yet 🙏

[@allenwiththeMK7.5]

Will you incorporate hills into your cardio? Since you have to climb out of the pit after each round.

[@Andyofwasa]

When is the right time to start sparring in our opinion?

[@maxmchod5743]

Big truth right here

[@ShaamVM]

Full list: ✔✔✔✔ 1:50 Padwork 2:32 Clinch 3:29 Calisthenics 4:35 Defense 5:36 Bagwork 6:44 Footwork/Skipping 7:44 Shadowboxing 8:32 Technique

[@zer-td7il]

goated, thanks

[@DikiBolz]

shortlist is always good as a reminder

[@fl260]

@Brazilian Roy Jones Only bad students cheat.

[@DanielGonzalezRGB]

Your content is probably the best martial art content in YT. I hope you grow up more and more, you deserve it. Thanks for all that you’re doing master. Nothing but respect ✊ .

[@Niggro07]

This is great!! I fell in love with Muay Thai in June and have wondered how to work out on my own when I'm not training, as a beginner this is invaluable information for someone who comes from a traditional weight training background. I love how martial arts really shows you who you are, there's no lying and it's extremely humbling and spiritual not to mention I've never known deeper muscle pain in my life!! Gabriel Varga is a boss!!

[@jkow814]

For me, cardio/ leg strength would be the first thing, because if you have good cardio and strong legs, you can last longer with pad work, sparring and technique.

[@vjurbina]

Tjis is gold man!! Thank you so much!💪

[@alekc6998]

I just want to say Big Thank you Gabriel, its absolutely amazing what you do by sharing your vast knowledge. It's absolutely amazing thank you!

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

I appreciate that!

[@alekc6998]

I 've been watching your videos for quite long time but something occurred to me yesterday: you are one of those very rare people who incorporated budo spirit. And on my own list of best teachers I've ever met( mainly virtually) you're next to guys like Robert Shilller (Nobel recipient in economy). Its quite an eclectic list, but its my list:) Have a great day, Osu! Alek

[@vindicator75]

Totally agree. I try I should focus more on footwork and movement

[@HAYAOLEONE]

1. Footwork and distance games (touching, slapping, pushing, grabbing pieces of cloth pinned on straps/the jacket). Multiple steps (simple triangles) kinda early. Focus on the 'move to live' ideas and the applied principles of fluidity/economy of motion associated with forced 'combat' breathing. Correction of bad habits by an intermediate/advanced opponent doing intense pre-sparring warm-up. Favor pairing a beginner with an intermediate level opponent/partner as a rule. 2. 'Defense'. And stretching (entire body). Focus on the sharp and flexible mind with a flexible body. Destroying the 'fears'. 3. Bag & big targets (twice the amount of 'footwork' than striking, safe striking but at max to medium intensity - possibly after pre-fatigue tasks). Structure and understanding that strikes are the finishing part of an offensive action with good position/balance/structure. 4. Theory and tactic to understand/learn little by little the Art instead of the 'instinctive this or that' delusion. DOs & DON'Ts instruction. 5. Light sparring with either the accent on using fixed combos (2/3 strikes) correctly, or using mostly the intellect to learn 'reading' the opponent and using lots of feints instead of striking. 6. Volume of training, associated with a basic but firm understanding of periodization (resting and weeks of active recup being very important). No volume, no progress. 7. Pain/impact/brutal clinch entry conditioning (some people associate it with 'defense' as second priority if the beginner is already athletic). 8. Forms (understanding healthy range of motion, relaxation and coordination) and massages.

[@Sophist98]

Now we just need this for intermedians!:D

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Got you covered: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q56VfYije6qlmLs This one is for intermediate/advanced

[@hunterlogan2913]

agree, for newbie or near newbie great start!

[@jjun2891]

Love these types of lists. Makes it fun to watch and try to guess.

[@eboymorales3047]

Thanks Gab, you've been helping a long time

[@abdelmoumen14]

Gabriel man you are a true life saver!!!

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Hope this helps you lots.

[@hellclown4]

my coach has a very similar set of priorities for our beginners he use to be more relaxed about new people sparring but as you know they tend to spaz and hurt themself or others.

[@officialhung1804]

Glad to see the channel growing . Thanks for always putting out quality content

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

My pleasure! And thanks to everyone who supports the channel.

[@Lorendrawn]

Excellent conditioning and a good 1-2 will take you pretty damn far.

[@aymenbk9138]

Great video, I was really lost and looking for such a guide as a beginner.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Glad I could help!

[@HeartlessKnave]

I think the conditioning aspect of frequent clinch work is being undervalued for beginners; in that it will get you a stronger and more resilient neck which can help reduce KOs, drain bamage, and CTE, and the sooner started and worked on the better.

[@jreverie7018]

Thanks heaps for sharing this valuable info! Never fought in my life but this sure seems interesting. Loving that shelf behind ya dude! I have heaps to go through on your channel, I'm glad I found it!

[@JoshD0W]

Great video

[@PingoX]

Thank you very much for the list! All your videos have been so so useful even aplied to Muay Thai, you can't imagine. I have been training Muay Thai Technique and Shadowboxing for a week now alone and those TWO things (and HUGE help of the internet) resulted in very good improvements. Couldn't even walk front and back the first day or 2. Now i already have a lot of basic Striking (jab, step jab, cross, teep, elbows and kinda knees), some more complex footwork movements like pivots and switches (still not good switches, getting the right balance is hard) and can already throw some moving combinations in all directions. And most important with the Technique training and Shadowboxing i discovered a lot of things LIKE how stiff my hamstring and body in general is, have been doing Follow-Along Flexibility almost every morning so i can actually throw kicks without it being only teeps that you "cheat" leaning back ahahahah

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

And last 3rd message one million thanks for putting quality information for free

[@PolskiPolaK100]

great video brother

[@d.nguyen4993]

First babyyyy🤝☝️

[@muhammadali-eb9bk]

Thanks . you da best

[@mdc21787]

Just started kickboxing a week ago, I needed this vid! My calf is killing me from jump rope tho. Def a strain minor tear.

[@nvanguy6868]

Gets better ur body is just not used to it

[@whoknows8223]

I had the same from boxing. I wasn't used to be on the ball of my foot all the time. Try some magnesium bro. Bananas are best food to obtain it naturally 30 mins before training or right after the training to prevent cramps and sore muscles. You can also use supplements but nature form is always better remember that.

[@HAYAOLEONE]

Jump rope is a skill in itself. 100% useless in my opinion.

[@markjuarezmma]

Okay you’ve done one for a professional and beginner. Now I think you should do one for an mma fighter. Thanks Gabriel for C the great content, keep it coming!

[@JFK1611]

Thanks Buddy

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

No problem 👍

[@ramizbari8923]

Thank you for the tips

[@timm285]

The way my boxing gym rolls every class: 4 rounds of jump roping, 4 rounds of shadow boxing, 2-4 rounds of pads, then the guys that are fighting spar and the rest do bagwork. Class ends with calisthenics. Our coach has a “stay in shape mindset”

[@irfancetinkaya7188]

Thank you so much

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Very welcome!

[@Elpipiton]

Love it

[@KelpWolf]

Thanks for the super fast response to our request for a beginners priority video! I think partner drilling falls under technique, but I would be curious if you have a different opinion. As a beg/int, partner drilling is one of my favorites ways to learn new techniques.

[@andreassyvertsson2667]

Thx

[@fl260]

I'm so happy with myself cause these are (almost) exactly the priorities I've been following naturally. I guess calisthenics and bag work was above defense for me, but that's about it. Technique is obviously the priority (especially when you've felt the difference it makes when applied by a pro), but for some reason I've always like to practice my footwork like mad. Maybe it's the Thompson/Adesanya influence but I feel an advanced footwork can really make all the difference in the world. Great video, many thanks!

[@hentaisailor5951]

how are things going now mate?

[@fl260]

@@hentaisailor5951 Living in a small village, I'm lacking training partners. That's rough. Better cardio, better lifestyle out of the city, but nobody to train/spar with. Other than that, best shape of my life. I appreciate you inquiring, but why would you care since we don't know each other?

[@hentaisailor5951]

@@fl260 i just enjoy the sport(s) of fighting and as someone who is soon to go start training with an actual gym and fighting for sport (once i get my financial situation sorted) i'm just curious about how others are doing and progressing

[@fl260]

@@hentaisailor5951 Awesome man. How much have you been training by yourself so far?

[@hentaisailor5951]

@@fl260 the main bits of training i've been doing are just dieting and working out as i've not yet been able to get in a martial arts gym though i have a pf membership which gets the job done for fitness outside of fighting i've mainly just done research into different martial arts and practiced their techniques by either just shadow boxing or doing light touch sparing with my gf or her cousins who are pretty much in the same boat as i though i have fought before just not for sport or anything i just had to fight dudes sometimes

[@daiblaze1396]

The calisthenics part is the first thing a beginner should do. I started practicing Muay Thai last year. Unbelievable the feeling that you have once in proper shape. I think it should be included in the way of life of the martial artist. I mean doing it as a pleasure part of every day life instead of doing it just to get in shape !

[@Elpipiton]

Same I agree, but he's talking for fighting in specific so he's still right

[@youneslemdjadi6937]

Love your videos I want to start kickboxing am 18 6,5ft but only 145lbs

[@a1gamez262]

bulk up to 190-200 least m8

[@lucasthoren2981]

1 very good

[@paulpelle3046]

Guys, we’re ALL gonna be very broke very quick if Gabe ever starts charging us for the absolute gold dust content. 🤷‍♂️😁 Another perfect video 👏🙏

[@pamu9366]

I hope not. It's already few coaches angry for this what he doing and spread to social media 🙏

[@paulpelle3046]

@@pamu9366 haha! Really bro? Is that true? 😁 There are some other really fantastic martial arts channels out there (I love Jeff Chan’s...absolutely brilliant for sparring videos providing proof of many techniques being pressure-tested and analysed), but none of them come close to this one for variety, honesty, quality, and reliability of advice, imho 🔥🙏

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

The sad story that my first sparring made me have slot of pain for 3 days headaches.. And the 2nd one maybe I had some black mark on my face and one of them made me have some pain in my jaw all from one sparring partner…. He has no control on him self before… maybe he’s better now and in that time I didn’t even maybe know how to stand in the boxing stance…

[@Fartoogreasy]

Sorry you went through that, sounds like a terrible gym partner and even worse coaches for not protecting their fighters. Find a new gym or talk to your coaches about it

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

@@Fartoogreasy Thank you brother for your empathy and suggestions. I did for a long time go from gym to gym and now I am in my university gym Training and feeling. good bad sparring partners were just another experience in life. Thank you.

[@nvanguy6868]

Thats bs if your coach allows that you are in the wrong gym My coach would beat the crap out of someone who did that and he is a champion

[@whoknows8223]

Sounds like an @sshole. Sorry to hear that. In such case just stop the sparring and go the heavybag. If coach asks whats going on tell him you are not willing to put your health on risk because that guy is not holding back on beginners. If the coach is not a absolute jerk he will respect that (and best case talk to the bully). No good trainer would insist you to do such a sparring.

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

@@whoknows8223 Thank you

[@CJ-vj7pm]

Question: should clinch work be done with 🥊🥊 on (to replicate fight conditions) or without as seen in the video? Thanks

[@dvldgz6306]

Whatever the rule set you think you'll compete in should dictate what you do. I never did clinchwork in gloves and my sparring suffered because of it

[@jangrajewski1017]

Look at pro MT gyms, they never do clinch work in gloves.

[@sanjayhanglimboo1227]

Sir Could you please make same list for people learning at home please

[@azeemrs4612]

Make a video on intermidate level brother...

[@rubiacampisoares5315]

Why I can’t get the link for the video you mention at the end 😢

[@Lol-kn6fr]

8. Padwork 7. Clinch 6. S & C 5. Defence 4. Heavy bag 3. Foot work 2. Shadowbox 1. Technique

[@nazimhammiche4384]

Thanks for this Guide ! One question though: any way to know (when training alone) when you got one priority handled enough so you can move to the next one?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

I think you can video tape yourself and be aware of your level of confidence with each level . It's harder without a coach but you can still improve fast.

[@nazimhammiche4384]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial Thank you so much Gabriel !

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

I hope Gabriel see that. Gabriel we want tips for teaching kids and how to start with them etc..

[@HAYAOLEONE]

Kids are not robots and they should not seriously learn to deliver damaging strikes. Different cultures I suppose..

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

@@HAYAOLEONE I didn't mean to let them hit each other... Just teach them the mechanics of boxing and introduce them to the boxing because those kids going to be adults who are going to use there body and become fitter... To be honest I want to hold pads for the kids a way to help them reach fitness goals and even teaching them basics of fighting. Gabriel him self is teaching the kids now not adults in his gym...

[@HAYAOLEONE]

@@ahmedalhamadi1231 Teach them basic judo or wrestling instead. I get it, you want to 'teach' kids how to punch other kids in the face. Stay awesome.

[@eshan100]

what about flexibility?

[@izzygarcialionibabaloipici6293]

Coach i have about 30ish hours in my gym, i've been there for a little over a month. When can i start sparring, should i just leave it up to my coach or is there gonna be a time where I'm just gonna know i'm. I have very little confidence in my striking ability

[@whoknows8223]

For your reference in our boxing gym I was allowed to spar after 3 months. Don't rush it. Get your conditioning and technique in until then as best as possible. And don't be discouraged in the beginning. Just tell your partner you just started out and to go light on you. Most people will respect that. Try out things like moving, keeping your hands up, throwing with right technique instead of trying to hurt your sparring partner. Also what I found out comparing two gyms that I have been to is: The best way to get better at sparring is sparring. Meaning I have been in a gym with litttle sparring rounds for 2,5 years and skyrocketed in the next gym in 6 months because we sparred there a sh1tton.

[@HAYAOLEONE]

Proper sparring is useless and even bad as long as you don't have a clear and calm vision of the spaces, angles and possible offensive actions of your opponent, as well as a solid 'footwork' & 'defense' foundation. It takes time and reps to get enough 'ease' moving freely and 'reading' what is happening (instead of chasing shadows and being controlled by impulses & dreams of striking). Lots of things are to consider. I'd say you need at least 150 hours of good/smart training before doing proper light and short sparring (with well defined goals). Some very serious gyms won't let people fight for a full year at least. They know what they're doing.. Learning defense and getting into the pressure zone plus taking body shots from a calm advanced partner teaches a lot. Learn a few combos. Try to apply them at 25% to 45% max intensity on a semi-defensive/escaping partner alternating max passivity and good active defense. Slow to medium pace. FOCUS ON YOUR SHARPNESS AND STABILITY plus your ability to 'not freeze' if you're neutralized/countered. BREATHE. Be patient.

[@Malaestro]

@@whoknows8223 meanwhile I was sparring in my first week…

[@lonneydmz]

I love you bro

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Thanks my friend 🙏🙏🙏 I appreciate the love ❤

[@lonneydmz]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial BRO THANK YOU SO MUCH I DIDN'T EXPECT U TO ANSWER I WANT TO BE LIKE U SOMEDAY BRO THANK YOU

[@jackiej2347]

Why no sparring?

[@pghmartinez]

Probably so ur not building bad habits off rip. Drill until basic offense and defense is a reaction and then spar

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Exactly Joao

[@Ash__Adler]

Also, beginners are more likely to either lose control or get sloppy and expose themselves and their partners to a higher risk of injury. An experienced person working with a beginner can see that happening and help protect the beginner, but if it's 2 beginners working together, they may not recognize it and break to reset before someone gets hurt.

[@whoknows8223]

@@Ash__Adler exactly my thought. Rather an advanced sparring with a beginner while holding back. No risk in ego lifting because both know the experienced guy is advanced.

[@rolandotillit2867]

Stair climbing is superior to running for cardio. Just walking up stairs is like jogging, running up stairs burns the same energy as sprinting, and really forces you to be efficient with your breathing.

[@byronsmith1982]

Great tip 👍🏽

[@zachjette5216]

I find running hills get you the best of both worlds and is the ultimate form of conditioning

[@rolandotillit2867]

@@zachjette5216 Lot of respect for enduro riders. People think it's easy because it's on a motorcycle, but there's some sections you're basically carrying the bike.

[@abigaillybert549]

how do you define your levels? I have been doing Muay Thai for about 3 and a half years now.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Hmmm. Good question. I look mostly at skill as opposed to time. Hard to write it all out here.

[@abigaillybert549]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial Yeah I would agree with that I was just trying to get a general idea. I have never fought so it is hard for me to gauge my skill. I do spar once a week though.

[@oj6286]

Hi Gab, I started sparring last month and, even though I got Better at It, I still struggle to get inside my opponent and impose the rythm, everytime I try I got punched in the face... Even Wien I cut angle too! Any tips? P.S. I do boxing, so no kick allowed

[@sityloveuniversity69]

🔥🔥🔥🏁🏁🏁

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

Sparring and bad partners make me hate the gym and want to avoid it

[@PingoX]

You will get nowhere without sparring and a good gym, if you are at the point that you need to start aplying things in sparring sessions just look for another gym with a better enviroment and better sparring philosophy. Otherwise if you are a beginner just keep training alone, you can do so much if you are smart and *deep study* the techniques and correct your own mistakes

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

@@PingoX Many thanks alberto :) Il work on my self and keep learning from videos many thanks..

[@whoknows8223]

I feel you I had some bad partners too and a lot of nose bleeds in my first year in boxing. But I wanted it so bad that I pushed through. Try to communicate with you sparring partner to go light on you plus getting better as fast as possible. Now with several years experience I can't even remember last time I had my nose bleeding because my offense and defense got so much better.

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

@@whoknows8223 Many Thanks.. Now I am in A different situation because Now I will train in my University in a different enviornment. Many Thanks for the support and sharing your nice experience.

[@johnnybarrosjr]

Flexibility?

[@forlorn916]

Hi sir, thank you for your contribution. But I have a question. I train in a gym which is too small and I the only one practising in my shift (because of my working schedule), that leads me to the consequence that I can only train cardio, bagwork and shadowboxing. Actually I did get in the ring twice with gymers, I won the matches but it wasn't as easy as I thought. What should I do to improve myself?

[@jackiej2347]

So starting out in striking with personal classes with a coach on pads (mitts) is a bad idea?

[@izo_kei]

I guess a coach won't expect combos or press against you if you're a beginner, you'll probably work on your basic techniques. The pads will add a nice feeling to the punches. With a good coach you'll probably get better quite quick at least in terms of technique, you'll probably have to do some homework too (cardio and strength training).

[@KelpWolf]

I second that. If the coach is taking it slow and teaching technique with the pads, then I agree that you could progress very quickly. In my experience, some coaches have gone too fast for me, asking for combinations before I'm comfortable with basic technique. Don't be afraid to ask your coach to review our repeat things when it's not feeling right yet. Your strikes should feel smooth, relaxed, and stable. Quickness comes after those three.

[@adventurefamily3220]

Starting out with a (good) coach will allow you to progress much faster.

[@srplayer8230]

The rules of kickboxing in my country is different than ur rules we don't have knees at all and also no clinch work and no spinning back fists

[@zenfae8373]

Would 4-5 months of striking be considered beginner?

[@llkingjames]

you're entering the intermediate level

[@adventurefamily3220]

Depends how many hours per week and if it's in a quality gym. At least 3 days per week with good pad work and drilling you can make big progress.

[@whoknows8223]

I'd say yes. +1 year might be intermediate.

[@HAYAOLEONE]

Yes.

[@JHernandezIII]

Do you purposely ''Had to do it to em'' at the first frame of every video?

[@regocyrus]

Amen 🙏

[@regocyrus]

Greetings Gabriel, how Long should I train each module? Thanks GOD BLESS