Taking up Muay Thai can be a daunting experience!
If you have ever considered it, chances are you've gotten slightly nervous at the prospect of your first lesson.
After all, Muay Thai is a brutal looking sport: two guys (or girls) in a ring, pummeling the heck out of each other, and hoping to come out of it intact... And in a 16ft.x16ft. ring, there is not much room for hiding!
Even seasonned martial artists have been known to dread taking up Muay Thai, as the sport is renowned for its emphasis on hard sparring (as opposed to forms), and its demanding conditioning regime.
But, what is the reality? Read on...
For more information on Muay Thai, check out: http://muaythai.me
If you have ever considered it, chances are you've gotten slightly nervous at the prospect of your first lesson.
After all, Muay Thai is a brutal looking sport: two guys (or girls) in a ring, pummeling the heck out of each other, and hoping to come out of it intact... And in a 16ft.x16ft. ring, there is not much room for hiding!
Even seasonned martial artists have been known to dread taking up Muay Thai, as the sport is renowned for its emphasis on hard sparring (as opposed to forms), and its demanding conditioning regime.
But, what is the reality? Read on...
For more information on Muay Thai, check out: http://muaythai.me
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Signing UpStep 1: What to expect?
If there is a good muay thai gym near you, here's what you can expect on your first visit:
- Upon approaching the gym, you'll probably hear some hard thumping from a distance!
- you might even hear some loud grunting
- the great majority of fighters will be male, and under 40 (any decent gym will have separate children classes)
- a lot of fighters will be in superb shape
- a lot of sweat, and not a lot of talking
- fighters are likely to size you up quietly, and if you come in with an attitude, you might be quickly put back in your place. But don't worry, they'll very quickly recognize you for what you are: a beginner, and therefore not much of a target...
Sounds bad?
Don't despair, it's only a first impression... and after all, isn't that what you should expect from a good martial arts club? Read on, and you'll be one of these hard-as-rock fighters in a matter of months...
The reality is that as a newcomer, you'll most likely be made to feel welcome. You'll start by learning the basic techniques and working on the bags and pads. Also (and this is the bad part) you'll also be doing countless push-ups, sit-ups, squat thrusts, and various other body weight exercises designed to leave you a trembling wreck.
Will you have to spar?
Well, no one is going to throw you in the ring until you're ready... and even then, it'll be up to you: a lot of people take up muay thai for its health benefits, and spar very seldom... but more to come about sparring later...
- Upon approaching the gym, you'll probably hear some hard thumping from a distance!
- you might even hear some loud grunting
- the great majority of fighters will be male, and under 40 (any decent gym will have separate children classes)
- a lot of fighters will be in superb shape
- a lot of sweat, and not a lot of talking
- fighters are likely to size you up quietly, and if you come in with an attitude, you might be quickly put back in your place. But don't worry, they'll very quickly recognize you for what you are: a beginner, and therefore not much of a target...
Sounds bad?
Don't despair, it's only a first impression... and after all, isn't that what you should expect from a good martial arts club? Read on, and you'll be one of these hard-as-rock fighters in a matter of months...
The reality is that as a newcomer, you'll most likely be made to feel welcome. You'll start by learning the basic techniques and working on the bags and pads. Also (and this is the bad part) you'll also be doing countless push-ups, sit-ups, squat thrusts, and various other body weight exercises designed to leave you a trembling wreck.
Will you have to spar?
Well, no one is going to throw you in the ring until you're ready... and even then, it'll be up to you: a lot of people take up muay thai for its health benefits, and spar very seldom... but more to come about sparring later...
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Riyouku
says:
Aug 28, 2011. 10:26 AMReply
I was determined to go to a muai thai gym and just happened to come here, and let me tell you, you really sold it. :D
pfaria29
says:
Aug 9, 2011. 3:09 AMReply
This is really good, i practice bujinkan ninjutsu for a litlle while, and intending to enter krav maga next year, training is acctually quite tough, therefore, about body conditioning and etc, please start working out for some time and reserach on the basics of the m.a you plan practicing prior to stepping up the gym or dojo, and you will progress far better. Cheers.
supertoria12
says:
Mar 25, 2011. 4:21 PMReply
I practice kyokushin karate, and I must say, its very hardcore. I'm only a blue belt, and I started only a year and a half ago with no previous martial arts training. Therefore, I suggest that people should start training in a more basic style before practicing the martial arts mentioned here.
2
harley_rly
says:
Jan 31, 2009. 9:42 PMReply
As for FAQ number 6, in ancient times when it was more brutal, Thai fighters would have used rope for bandages and tied knots in the rope where the knuckles are.
4
iBurn
says:
Oct 18, 2008. 2:13 AMReply
I took up mui thai a few months ago. for the first month i was so sore...
1
DEFDOM DELTA
says:
Aug 27, 2008. 3:00 PMReply
Great Instructable! I've done some pad and bag work but nothing serious. The list of training gyms helps out a lot since I'm looking to take Muay Thai a bit more seriously. Thanks!
41
Weissensteinburg
says:
Aug 2, 2008. 8:57 PMReply
Great introduction! I've been wanting to take up Boxing...Muay Thai would work out well, too. The only problem is is the parents...don't want their little angel getting hurt.
2
sam noyoun (author)
in reply to Aug 2, 2008. 11:28 PMReply
Well, to be honest, in training at least, there are less chances of getting hurt in Muay Thai than in boxing... your head doesn't take such a pummelling... Boxing is good though... You know, my parents were the same with martial arts, but this is just them being somewhat ignorant: there are far less injuries in stand-up combat sports than there are in football or rugby... and the injuries are nowhere as serious either.
41
Weissensteinburg
in reply to Aug 3, 2008. 3:59 PMReply
Yeah...I had a friend who started going to a boxing gym that opened up near me. He said that they'll let you know when you're ready to try out sparring, and even then, it's up to you. But whatever...maybe i'll ask again some time.
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