Posting some regularly asked questions here so we can direct new members to some common answers.

Q: How do I start?

A: Joining a gym is the best way to start. Go on your gym's website and look at their class schedule. Start slow and slowly build up to training 5-6 days a week.

Q: How do I find the right gym?

A: Look for gyms that have active fighters in them. Almost every legitimate gym will let you try it out for a class or a week for free before you sign up. Try all the ones close to you, then make a decision.

Q: How can I tell a good gym from a bad one?

A: Good gyms have active fighters and regular sparring. They will have actual MMA classes in their schedule.

Q: How do I find active fighters?

A: You can check on for the gyms near you. One of the more interesting ways is to attend some local MMA amateur fights and listen for the affiliations when each fighter's name is being called.

Q: What equipment do I need?

A: Ask your gym, sometimes they have equipment you can borrow for a bit and the requirements change based on the class. For my gym's MMA class you'll need 16oz gloves, 6oz mma gloves, mouth guard, shin guards and you'll probably want a cup. Avoid the cheapest equipment you find on amazon, it falls apart quickly. Also, don't use your shin guards on heavy bags, you want to toughen your shins up.

Q: Should I do highschool/college wrestling or join a gym?

A: Wrestling, 100%. In the off season you can join a gym or when you're done with school transition to add striking.

Q: Should I learn striking or grappling first?

A: Grappling. In general striking is easier to add to a grappler's fighting style than grappling is to a striker. Jiu Jitsu or wrestling take longer to learn than kickboxing or muay thai.

Q: Am I too old to start?

A: No. I have seen fighters that started in their 40s win local amateur fights. They may not make it to the UFC, but they're definitely competitors.

Q: Am I too young to start?

A: Most gyms will have some rules around youth striking, you may be limited to grappling at first. Learning grappling younger will make everything else easier for you.

Q: I don't have an MMA gym near me, can I join a boxing gym instead?

A: If it's your only option, but to learn MMA you really have to practice MMA. If I only had a boxing gym near me I would become a boxer.

Helpful Resources:

- Stronglifts 5x5 is a great beginner lifting program. Compound movements, starts easy and gets you on a regular schedule.

Please help me improve this list, correct and expand on my answers. I will edit in the better responses.

The plan is to sticky this or a similar post instead of the monthly Q&A thread if it looks like we can get some useful information. I'd also appriciate filling this list up with helpful links.