So this pro gym is packed full of guys who can really do it all really well. It didn't help that I am in absolutely horrific shape right now. I ended up sparring with two UFC fighters, an EFC champion and another pro fighter. It was insane how amazing they all were at grappling. The whole intensity was something I wasn't used to. This has seriously motivated me to get into way better shape. If I want to keep up with them I need to improve outside of training as much as when I'm there.
Sounds motivating! I've been completely outgrappled by two cage warriors champions in the past and it was very humbling. I've also been massively outstruck by BAMMA and FCC fighters. Both skill and workrate was a huge eye opener as was aggression/intensity. Sometimes it's been motivating and other times it's made me just want to get fat and old. Right now I'm somewhere in the middle. Hope you stick with the former!!
If this makes you feel better, here's a pic of me being played with by Josh Barnett. Now I know what real top pressure feels like and been working on it since! Glad you learned loads from your (already hefty) experience!
Yeah. I've been a bit of a big fish - small pond situation in terms of striking, but was very surprised at the level of grappling, and specifically MMA grappling.
One time I had Ian Freeman (after his UFC run) demo something on me at a charity MA seminar and it was like having a large sentient wardrobe on me. Cannot even imagine the intensity of pro-fighters.
when you work along side the elite in any field, you really do begin to see how far ahead people can get with their training. Stick with it! I had a few months in a similar situation, it was during that time that I realized how much I needed figure out rest cycles, and strength and conditioning plans. The work rate is fantastic to be part of, and it can be encouraging to push yourself to the maximum to keep up. Listen to your body as you go along and plan recovery after those intense sessions so you're fresh for the next time
There's a famous quote that goes something like, "You are the product of the 5 people you spend most time with." Surrounding yourself with people better than yourself is scary, it's frustrating, but it's also how you get damn good at something. If you want any free advice for programming your training or sports injury prevention/rehab, tailored specifically to you, drop me a PM.
