Mixed martial arts is a hard sport to get into, due in part to the price of training and the physical requirements. Most people do not have the drive nor determination to really push themselves to train conditioning or MMA. You can expect to spend about four hours a week training in order to reach a competitive level, so MMA is not something to engage in if you don't have the time.

One of the most important tips I can give you is to create a good schedule and training pattern Working out at the same time each day will get you into a habit, decreasing the chance that you'll miss workouts. As you get advanced, it may benefit you to switch things up, but a beginner should always stick to his plan and schedule -- it's the only sure way to benefit.

Start with light weight so that you can get the form down. Acquiring good form takes time and practice, so I suggest that you start out at a low weight. There's nothing wrong with starting your squat at 85 pounds, and then working up once you get the form. While you may be able to do more, you may injure yourself if the exercise is performed incorrectly.

Another good tip is to stick to compound lifts early on. This will create a strong foundation, from which you fine-tune your abilities and conditioning. Depending on your physique, starting out with a high volume of aerobic training may also be beneficial. This only applies if you're a meso or endomorph, as you'll already have a moderately powerful base. Note that mesomorphs can use either compound lifts or aerobic training.