Mon Jan 28 Choosing a weight class for beginners

Some of the most common questions circulated, and not always answered, in the gym revolved around the concept of weight classes. First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that weight class decisions are competition issues. Really, this is the only time you MUST make a limit. As a beginning student, or one that is in it for the exercise and fun, one should not make a problem out of this whole matter. The best thing to do is to eat right, exercise regularly, and train hard. As you progress you'll find it's natural to watch what you eat-- in particular to reduce your fatty/oily foods before heading to the gym. This alone will get you to lean up over time.

As for actually making a weight, I would only suggest to try to "weigh what you will feel best." Forget goal weights in terms of weight classes and focus on what you find is a healthy weight for you. After all, weight classes formats change even from one event to another. Remember that as your body builds muscle and you learn to hydrate properly, you may even weigh MORE than before, so don't see a higher number as necessarily a bad thing. Use common sense in your diet and that will often be enough.

Many complications will come from forcing your weight down. It's unfortunately routine to see athletes torturing themselves through a workout just to fool the scale. Most common is the misuse of sauna suits and skipping of meals--which in the end is weight that will come right back when you eat and drink. Just remember your training will suffer by not being in condition to train.

ONLY after training properly for a good deal of time should the issue resurface as to what weight one should compete in. Competition and amateur level fighters will slowly find what weight works best for them and begin understanding the process of weight classification. With proper experience there, professionals are really the only fighters that should take the risk of "making weight."