Apr 2, 2020

A Guide To Building A Martial Arts Gym At Home

The COVID-19 pandemic may have shut down your local martial arts gym, but that does not mean you have to shut down your training routine.

Plenty of ONE Championship athletes have taken their gym routines home during this outbreak, and you can do the same.

Here are some ideas on what you need to build a martial arts gym at home.

A Dedicated Place To Train At Home

Nong-O Gaiyanghadao VS Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE EDGE OF GREATNESS

If you plan to build yourself a home gym to do some workouts, then you can use your garage, porch, or basement.

A garage would make the most sense.

Garages give you a lot of space to work with and it will most likely be separated from your living space, so you do not have to worry about bothering the people you live with when you let out your winning scream like ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.

But if you do not have a garage, then you can use your front or back porch. A porch is usually enclosed, which means you will be out of the elements. Also, it is not located directly inside your living space either.

If neither of the two options above suits you, then consider turning your basement into a gym. Basements are perfect for home gyms because they are durable and give you privacy.

The Right Equipment For Your Martial Art

ONE Championship superstar and multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Sagetdao Petpayathai

In an ideal world, your home gym would look just like Evolve MMA. However, since you are not likely to have access to all of that equipment, here are the basics to get you started.

No matter which martial art you train in, you are going to need mats – good quality mats. But because you will not have to deck-out your entire floor in pads, you will only need a few when you build a martial arts gym at home.

You also want to get yourself a jump rope. At times, you may not be able to go outside for a run, so the next best way to build up your cardio is by jumping rope.

Next on your list is a heavy bag. For most striking arts like Muay Thai and kickboxing, you are going to need something to hit. Get a bag that fits in the space you plan to train in.

For example, if you plan to train in your garage or basement and the rafters are exposed, then you can get a hanging bag. If you are going to train on your porch, then your best choice would be to get a bag and stand.

But what if you grapple? In this case, you can invest in a grappling dummy. This would give you the chance to practice both submissions and some ground and pound.

A Little Improvising, If Necessary

ONE Women's Strawweight World Champion Xiong Jing Nan wraps her hands

You might not have all the equipment you need to build a martial arts gym at home, but you can always work with what you have.

For instance, you can use tape to mark the floor and practice footwork drills. If you do not have access to mats, then you can use an old yoga mat or outdoor carpeting if you have any lying around.

If you plan to train Muay Thai or another striking art at home, then you will need something to help you with shadowboxing. That is where an extra mirror will come in handy.

Look around your house and see what you can use to build your martial arts gym at home, but always remember to train safely.