WHAT IS MUAY THAI?

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is the most famous form of boxing in Thailand and it’s the country’s national sport Many different versions of the history of Muay Thai exist, but all sources can agree that Muay Thai was likely the main method of self-defence used by Thai warriors on the battlefields of various conflicts throughout history.

Often referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” Muay Thai makes use of 8 points of contact, namely punches, kicks, elbows and knees. This point of difference separates it from other stand-up combat sports such as boxing (2 points – fists), karate (4 points – fists and feet) and kickboxing (4 points – fists and legs).

Although Muay Thai is most commonly performed professionally, there are many benefits to doing Muay Thai recreationally. Below we will run through some of the Frequently Asked Questions about Muay Thai training including who can do it, its benefits and what to expect in your first class.

Is Muay Thai for beginners?

Muay Thai is a martial art that is known for its raw simplicity. Although it may seem quite intimidating to start with, Muay Thai is simple and easy to learn and suitable for beginners all the way through to advanced practitioners.

When you’re looking to start your Muay Thai journey, we’d recommend looking for a gym that ticks the following criteria:

• Quality instructors that are experienced, passionate and motivated.
• Clean and well-maintained facility.
• Convenient class times that suit your schedule.
• Location that’s close to home.
• Friendly and inspiring culture.

If you’re looking to incorporate a mixture of exercises into your regime along with Muay Thai, it’s worthwhile to research gyms that offer other additional training methods such as HIIT, yoga or Pilates.

Muay Thai benefits

What’s Muay Thai good for, and what can it do for you? Let us show you!

Improved fitness levels

Why is Muay Thai so effective in boosting fitness levels? Well, it’s designed to promote a level of fitness that prepares fighters to be competitive in the ring, and you can reap these same benefits even if you’re just doing it for fun. A combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, Muay Thai is an intense full body workout that uses a lot of important muscle groups. Plus, regularly training in a demanding martial art can help improve your stamina, strength, dexterity, and cardiovascular performance, which is how Muay Thai changes your body.

Stress relief

If you have had a stressful day at work or you’re feeling down, a Muay Thai workout is guaranteed to improve your mood and put a smile on your face. Nothing quite compares to the rush of endorphins you feel from exhausting yourself on the pads during a hard class and leaving the gym feeling accomplished and much more relaxed. You can work through any pent up emotions from your stressful and frustrating day as you strike the pads, letting it all out and leaving it on the mat Plus, because Muay Thai uses up all the energy in your body, your sleep quality will drastically improve which is a great way to reduce stress.

Self defence

Muay Thai is known for being one of the most effective martial arts systems for self-defence. Believed to have been created for military use, the techniques used in Muay Thai are proven to be practical, easy to learn, and effective.

With the use of knees, elbows, shins, hands, and limbs, fighters have a range of weapons at their disposal, ready to use the moment a situation demands it.

Builds mental strength

Muay Thai training is tough but rewarding as it pushes you to your limits. During your classes you may feel like you can’t go any further, but summoning your energy and driving through that barrier is what builds mental strength and keeps you raising the bar for yourself in each session. As you see your progress, your motivation will climb. This helps you build healthy habits and improves your self-discipline, which you carry into the rest of your life.

Connects you with others

Muay Thai gyms are one of the best places to build new friendships as you share a common interest with those around you. A lot of Muay Thai classes, including the ones at HIIT Station, are partnered, so there is always an opportunity for you to meet new people and strengthen the relationships you have with other members each time you train. Having strong friendships at the gym will also motivate you to keep showing up. Even on days when you don’t feel like training, you can keep yourself accountable by refusing to let down your friends and training partners.

What can I expect in my first Muay Thai class?

It’s completely normal to feel nervous before your first Muay Thai class. After all, you’re about to walk into an unfamiliar environment, with people you don’t know, to do something you’ve never done before.

Here at HIIT Station, we understand that learning Muay Thai can be a little daunting and that is why we offer a Beginners Muay Thai class every week. All HIIT Station Beginners Muay Thai sessions are completely free and involve our experienced trainers breaking down the basics to pad holding and combo techniques to a small group of clients. These classes are the perfect opportunity to learn the basics of Muay Thai before attending a proper class and all experience levels and fitness levels are welcome to attend.

Discover Muay Thai for yourself with HIIT Station

Ready to join in on the fun? You can book your first class with us by clicking here and selecting the HIIT Station closest to you. Your first 3 classes with us are absolutely free, so you’ve got nothing to lose!