How to Start Thai Boxing Training?

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is a sport and a cultural martial art that originates from Thailand. It is also referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs” because of its nature of using eight points of contact of the body. Are you interested in exploring your potential in this old sport of warriors? As a beginner, there are fundamentals you ought to understand for you to have a successful training.

As a beginner, it might be a moment full of anxiety. Here is a guide to help you kick start your journey in Thai Boxing training.

1. Discipline

Most martial art sports are conducted under specific rules that everyone should follow. As a beginner, you must take the initiative to learn and understand the rules of Muay Thai before you start training.

It will help you train well and professionally. Also, it is vital to embrace respect for your colleagues and trainers.

All this enhances a smooth, effective training period and paves the way for you to enjoy Muay Thai benefits.

• Prepare for your first lessons

Preparation is a very significant stage for any trainer. It entails consideration of several factors, such as:

1. Where will you train from? Home or a gym?
2. Do you have the right gear or equipment for the training?
3.  Is your body fit for the training?

If you have what it takes, you can opt to train at home. However, it is not usually the best decision for a beginner. Training at a gym is better and more effective. Depending on your training goals, you should choose a gym that will help you met your expectations. Research on a good gym near you with competent instructors, convenient schedules, and good facilities and equipments.

Secondly, invest in quality gear and equipments for your Thai Boxing training. Have the essentials such as the training gloves, hand-wraps, mouth guard, shin guard, groin guard, headgear, and a pair of Muay Thai shorts. They are critical in improving effective training.

Finally, you need to prepare your mental and physical fitness for the training. Be prepared to embrace and perform exercises such as running and jumprope to fuel up your body for training. It will also include other stretches, cardio, and warm-ups. Also, feed your mind that training won’t be easy, but you must keep going.

When all is ready at this phase, you can now proceed to the training’s major part.

3. Shadowboxing and Techniques (basics)

You practice shadowboxing at this stage, which entails sparring with an imaginary opponent as part of your training.  For your information, sparring is fun and an exciting moment while you train in a Muay Thai gym. Remember to keep moving around at different angles to enhance your sparring. Your trainer should guide you on how to do it.

Your rhythm is important as your balance in your training. Controlling your weight and movement should be a significant part of your training.

Besides, you should learn basic Muay Thai strikes such as the jab, cross, push-kick, teep-kick, round-kick, switch kick, punches, and spinning back elbow.

Learning some of these techniques might take some time and a lot of regular training as well.

• Bag Work

Bag work is essential as it helps you practice and sharpen some of the striking techniques highlighted above. Bag work is usually done in sets.

Also, it offers a chance to explore your power in striking.

• Thai Pad work

Pads are vital in training, whereby they impact a push-back impact to the one striking. The pad holder keeps the striker guessing to enhance adjustments while striking. It should be accompanied by different speeds, double strikes, power, and other combos for effective training.

• Partner drills

Unlike sparring, you only need to hit your partner at about 25% of your full power. Partner drills are of significance in training as come with much fun and challenges to handle. The technicality of different drills is what sharpens your training.

It may entail practicing round kicks that are well blocked and countered with switch kicks.

However, drills need you to have a good partner who is participating and challenges your techniques.

• Muay Thai clinching

If you are lucky, your trainer will introduce clinching to you after a few training sessions while others wait for a certain period. Muay Thai clinching is very technical, and it requires you to hold your opponents for you to launch an attack such as a knee strike.  How do I hold a partner? Both partners’ left hands go to the backside of the other partner’s neck connecting to the skull, while the right-hand goes to the partner’s bicep on the outer side. Your target is to control a partner’s movement. Proceed and reach out to the middle of his/her clinch and squeeze their elbow inwards.

Clinching needs a lot of attention; therefore, your instructor should probably guide you in practical training.

Final Thought

Thai Boxing training is an engaging activity that calls for dedication. With consistent training, you gradually level up your skills and techniques.

Also, you and the instructor should practice caution to avoid injuries. However, at times they unintentionally occur.