How to get started in Muay Thai
Muay Thai is an excellent way to improve fitness, gain self-defence skills, and enhance mental discipline. If you’re eager to step into this uber fun world of Muay Thai, this guide will walk you through on how to get started, with an emphasis on finding the right coach, gym, goals, and obtaining the necessary equipment.
- Finding the Right Coach and Gym: Your Muay Thai journey lies in finding a knowledgeable and experienced coach as well as a reputable gym. Here’s how:
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- Research and Referrals: Start by researching gyms that offer Muay Thai classes. Look for online reviews (especially those with reviews that are specific in detail vs. paid reviews) and seek recommendations from friends, family, or other martial artists in your area.
- Trial Classes: Gyms usually offer trial classes for you to experience the classes first-hand. Take this opportunity to observe a class or two to get a feel for the coaching style, the atmosphere, and the camaraderie among students. A good coach should be approachable, skilled, and dedicated to their students’ progress.
- Coach’s Credentials: Inquire about the coach’s background and credentials in Muay Thai. An experienced coach who has trained fighters and fought in the sport will be better equipped to guide you effectively.
- Training Environment: Choose a gym that makes you feel comfortable and motivated during training. The coaches and training partners should provide a positive and supportive training environment.
- Setting Goals: Set clear goals to provide direction and purpose to your Muay Thai journey. Consider the following:
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- Identify Your Motivation: Determine your “why?”. Are you looking for fitness, self-defense, stress relief, competition, or personal growth? Understanding your motivation will help you tailor your training accordingly.
- Short-term and Long-term Goals: Set achievable short-term goals, such as learning specific techniques or improving your stamina. Simultaneously, establish long-term goals, like participating in hard sparring or tournaments. Most gyms do not have a belt or ranking system for Muay Thai. Seek the coach’s or peers’ opinions or record a video of your own form to measure progress. Long-term goals will keep you focused and driven.
- Progressive Approach: Remember that progress in Muay Thai is gradual. In order to improve, repetitive drills need to be done on a daily basis. Celebrate small victories along the way and appreciate the learning process.
- Essential Equipment: When starting, you may borrow equipment from the gym, but investing in your own gear will enhance your training experience (especially in the smell department). Here’s the equipment you’ll need:
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- Hand Wraps: Protect your hands and wrists with hand wraps during training. Use slightly elastic wraps for a more snug fit. At Rebel, we only use 4.5m Fairtex handwraps. The longer the better as it offers more protection when hitting pads or bags.
- Boxing Gloves: Watch out for counterfeit products online, these gloves do not offer enough protection. The last thing you want is to get injured and be out for months. Choose gloves that can provide enough protection for your knuckles and wrists.
- Shin Guards: When practicing partner drills or sparring, shin guards are essential for protecting your shins from injury. Hitting shin on knee is no laughing matter.
- Mouthguard: Invest in a good quality mouthguard. Find a mouthguard that allows you to clench your teeth and still provide a breathing gap at the front.
- Training Schedule: Consistency is key to progress in Muay Thai. Create a realistic training schedule that you can stick to:
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- Start Gradually: Start with a few classes per week and slowly increase the frequency as your fitness level and technique improve.
- Include Rest Days: Avoid overtraining by allowing your body time to recover. Rest days are vital for preventing injuries and maximizing performance.
In conclusion, embarking on your Muay Thai journey starts with the pre-requisites mentioned above. Approach training with a humble and respectful attitude. Muay Thai can become not just a sport but a life-changing pursuit that enhances your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It definitely kept me youthful since 2008. Give the sport a go, there is really nothing like kicking pads, the Muay Thai way.
– Coach Mel @melwillrebel
