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Is it possible to start training at a high level alone, from home?

To fight then in UFC? It would be easy to reply “no” but in reality, the answer to this question is not that simple: the reason is that everything depends on the premises we are going to discuss.

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

What really makes the difference?

Let’s start with a crucial consideration: the (impossible) concept of “perfect preparation” is ideally made by the cure of all the possible details; in other words, every aspect of martial preparation is important but each time we decide to give more space to something, we are certainly sacrificing something other.

What weshould ask ourselves is instead “what is the most important aspect? The one that truly makes the difference between failure and success?”:

It is not the place where we train (a gym, a garage, etc., read also Online learning and martial arts: is it possible?)
It is not the quality of our training tools (DIY, professional, etc.)
Beyond a certain level, it is not even the quality of our instructor (and someone will think this is blasphemy)
…

Let’s be clear, we are not saying that all of this is useless but that the winning keyword is another: dedication.

The power of dedication

Dedication can transform success into a matter of time:

If we have the open-mindedness to ask the right questions
If we have the patience to study in depth, to go beyond the surface
If we have the intelligence to verify the quality of everything we do
If we have the humility to admit our errors to learn from them (read Measure ourselves with errors)
If we have the courage to suffer, to fail (again and again)
…

The initial question: are there pro fighters who have started studying alone?

Yes, some at the beginning, some totally, some in part (and many of them are the best ones):

Jon Jones
Rich Franklin
Evan Tanner
Mirko Filipović
Roy Nelson
Dave Herman
Uriah Hall
Bas Rutten
James Thompson
Jim Miller
Dan Miller
Matthew Riddle
Anderson Silva
Ben Askren
Jon Fitch
Pat Miletich
Forrest Griffin
Gegard Mousasi (boxing)
Max Holloway
Dominick Cruz
Darren Till
Kimbo Slice
…

The 2 characteristics that make these fighters so special

These people are not necessarily born with special talents (read Natural talent and martial arts), the only winning characteristics they have all in common are two:

The first is self-discipline (read Motivation: from passion to self-discipline, Having discipline: do not contradict ourselves and Discipline is the key to freedom)
The second crucial peculiarity, that made most of these martial artists so strong, is the fact that they have not been uniformed by a standardized knowledge (or better, not before having the occasion to express their personal capabilities)

A note by Master Kongling – What we are trying to say is that no one can become the best only by repeating what others already did or know, it is a contradiction and it is precisely on this principle that 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s method is based (read 6 Dragons Kung Fu: the difference with other martial arts).

Is it possible to proficiently study martial arts alone, from home?

We have to leave those mainstream thoughts, too many times sent forward by instructors who are simply afraid of losing students (read Recognize a good / bad master: 5 characteristics).

If we do not skip the fundamentals of realistic combat training (an expert guide, sparring, periodical group training, daily practice, etc., read 5 effective ways to find a training partner), it works, it simply works: how could it be otherwise (read Learn Kung Fu online: why it is better and when)?

It doesn’t matter if:

We live in the North or South Pole
Our instructor is from Australia, China or Bangladesh
We learn from a videotape, a book, etc.
We cannot afford private lessons with famous trainers
…

If we have:

A reliable source of knowledge
Someone expert to check our progress
Someone to seriously spar with
Time, space and will to train
…

What could stop us (read How to start practicing from scratch)?

Final notes

A few conclusive thoughts:

The point is that those who think they cannot start a serious workout from home, simply cannot do it even in a gym; if we have ever attended a martial arts course we already know that most of the people we find there (often instructors included) are hobbyists, the ideal people to rapidly water down the quality of our preparation (read Group VS solo training: which is better?)
The real discriminating factor for success (in reality in any field) is the dedication we are willing to put in (everything else is just excuses); those who reach the goal are those who reject to postpone, shortcuts and prejudices
If we aim at a serious martial path, building a basic personal experience (cleared by an expert eye of the grossest errors but free of external influences) is the best thing we can imagine, a unique treasure which after is almost impossible to access
Last but not least, an absolute beginner (having no terms of comparison) will always have the feeling of having found the right person on the first attempt; the truth is that is very rare to have the fortune to find a high-level instructor right away and starting with someone that could be totally wrong can seriously affect our martial development (read Is your instructor harming your martial growth?)
…

In the next articles of this series, we will continue with the topic of home-study martial preparation and then we will deepen some of the stories of the mentioned fighters.

In-depth video courses

Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu exercises – The correct exercises to build a combat-oriented martial body
Advanced speed and reflexes training – A video course about how to build high-level reactivity
Mind self-control hacks – How to improve and exploit the capabilities of our mind to reach our goals
Worst combat errors to avoid – The mistakes that make our martial skills useless
How to build strong self-discipline – The key for all the life doors (martial excellence included)
DIY training tools for martial arts – How to build our own training tools for martial arts
Basic free hand fighting techniques – All the core combat techniques of 6 Dragons Kung Fu

In-depth articles

MMA vs Tai Chi 10 seconds knock out: an explanation – The difference between sparring and no sparring
Hand to hand combat: elite soldiers in MMA / UFC? – Why if elite soldiers are so good, they do not compete in UFC?

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

Who told you that it is impossible to learn martial arts from your home?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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