Everyone starts somewhere. If you’ve been searching for “martial arts close to me” and are new to Muay Thai or self-defense training, it’s normal to feel excited, motivated, and maybe even a little unsure. At Burke’s Martial Arts in Providence, we’ve worked with students of all backgrounds since 1995. Over the years, we’ve seen the same beginner mistakes show up time and time again. The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
1. Skipping theWarmup
Warmups aren’t optional. They’re the first step in preparing your body to move, strike, block, and think clearly. When students skip warmups or arrive late, they’re more likely to pull a muscle, gas out quickly, or feel lost during drills. A good warmup raises your heart rate, loosens up your joints, and gets your brain ready to learn. At Burke’s Martial Arts, we always begin with structured warmups to help prevent injury and improve performance.
2. Forgetting to Breathe
This one’s more common than you’d think. New students often hold their breath when they’re hitting pads, sparring, or moving fast. Holding your breath drains energy and makes you tired faster. Learning to breathe properly helps you stay calm and in control. In Muay Thai, breathing is part of the rhythm. Exhaling during strikes and staying relaxed during drills will help you last longer and move better
3. Thinking Too Much
It’s easy to overthink technique, especially when you’re new. Some students want every strike to be perfect before they feel ready to move on. But that kind of thinking slows down your progress. In martial arts, repetition is how you learn. Focus on the drill, do it again, and let your body start to learn the movement. You don’t have to be perfect. You just need to keep showing up.
4. Staying Too Tense
Tension is your enemy. New students often hold their hands too tight, clench their jaw, or keep their shoulders stiff. This slows down your strikes and makes you tired fast. Learning to stay loose and relaxed helps your power and speed improve. The more relaxed you are, the better your flow, timing, and reaction will be.
5. Comparing Yourself to Others
Everyone in class is at a different point in their training. Some have been doing Muay Thai for years, others just started. Comparing yourself to others will only distract you from your own growth. Progress is personal. Focus on where you are now and where you want to be. Celebrate small wins and build from there.
6. Ignoring the Basics
It’s tempting to try flashy moves or techniques you saw online, but in Muay Thai and self-defense, the basics are what keep you safe and make you effective. Stance, guard, footwork, and clean strikes matter more than spinning kicks or fancy combos. The fighters who win are the ones with strong fundamentals. Our classes are designed to build that foundation.
7. Giving Up Too Soon
The first few weeks of martial arts training can feel hard. You’ll feel sore. You might get frustrated. You’ll forget a combo or get hit in sparring. That’s normal. But those who keep going start to notice something change. Their confidence goes up. Their fitness improves. Their mindset shifts. Stick with it and the hard parts become rewarding.
At Burke’s Martial Arts, we’re here to support you through all of it. From your first class to your hundredth, we’ll guide you with structure, encouragement, and real coaching. We’ve helped hundreds of people in Providence get stronger, learn real skills, and enjoy the process.
Ready to join a martial arts school that’s built for your progress? Call us at (401) 300-2647 or visit us at 880 Eddy St, Providence, RI. Check out burkesmartialarts.com to get started today.