Study Kickboxing In Thailand

by AJ

Face- neon red. Legs- trembling. Toes- blistered. Body- soaked in sweat.

"I've got a horrible headache. I think I'm dehydrated......and my legs are killing me."

Kristin had completed her first Thai Kickboxing workout. For two gruelling hours she trained at Sorvorapin Gym, located in the heart of Bangkok's backpacker zone.

Sorvorapin Gym evokes the gyms of Stallone's Rocky films: Inside the open air structure, black mold creeps towards the tin roof. Sweaty feet shuffle back and forth on a ragged carpet. The "inscence" of body odor, pollution, and lemongrass hangs in the air as 70s disco (Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive") spins from overhead speakers.... punctuated by a cacophony of "hoomphs", thuds, grunts, and growls.

No saunas at Sorvorapin. No motivational posters. No snack bar. No chrome machines. No peppy personal trainers in spandex. No air fresheners, no air-conditioning, no stylish decor.

Old school.

FUN, FITNESS, FIGHTING

Muay Thai kickboxing is a popular international sport and a respected martial art.

While many people study for self defense benefits, large numbers of foreigners embrace the sport for its fitness, rather than its martial, qualities. Training delivers excellent health benefits- greater strength, fat loss, increased endurance, increased quickness, tremendous flexibility.

As the sport increases in popularity worldwide, a number of foreigners are flocking to Thailand to train in the sport's homeland. Some studyfor a week or two, while serious fighters may spend years honing their skills.

A number of gyms in the Kingdom welcome both serious fighters and those interested in a less intense experience. Gyms assign a personal trainer to each student- who works with them one on one for the entirety of their workout. Instructors tailor the routine to the individual goals of each fighter (fun, fitness, sport, or
professional).

A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

While the sport offers powerful self defense and health benefits, many cite cultural reasons as their prime motivation for studying Muay Thai in Thailand. Chris Moses spent two months in a gym in Chang Mai. He trained three times a week, but had no intention of entering the ring against an opponent.

Rather, he trained as a means to a deeper experience, and told me it was fascinating watching and talking with the Thai fighters- as Muay Thai is more than kickboxing, its a unique part of the country's culture. Through training, Chris met Thais he would never have met on the tourist trail.

Kristin trained for similar reasons, "Honestly, I hate to exercise. The thing I liked most was working with the Thai instructors, meeting other fighters, learning about the sport, and going to professional bouts. I got a deeper understanding of Thai culture by doing this... instead of just site-seeing like a typical tourist".

A deep cameraderie often develops between fighters at a gym. Social events facilitate this. Students attend professional matches together, and support fighters from their own gym when they face an opponent in the ring. These events offer opportunities to form lasting friendships.

A TYPICAL TRAINING REGIMENT

Most workouts consist of six, thirty minute segments: warmup, shadowboxing, bagwork, padwork, clenching, and conditioning.

Kristin's warmup began with 10 minutes of jump roping. She smiled and laughed through the routine.. stumbling and tripping as other fighters cut the air. Her trainer then led her through a series of callisthenics and stretches.

Step 2: Shadowboxing in front of mirrors. This is where students learn proper technique. Kristin's instructor, for example, taught her the basics of stance, jab, punch, front kick, knee kick, and roundhouse kick. For thirty minutes she practiced these in combination, in front of the mirror. As she did so, the trainer paused often to correct her technique, adjust her position, or demonstrate an important point.

After fine tuning basic techniques, the fighter moves to the third element of training--heavy bagwork. This is where the student learns to make contact.

After the bag comes pad work. The instructor dons long pads on his arms, chest and legs. As the instructor shouts out commands, he moves forward and back, left and right. Now the student learns to execute the techniques against a moving opponent.

Clenching practice is the next stage of the workout. In professional Muay Thai fights, a great deal of the action takes place when the fighters clench their arms together.

To simulate this, the trainer wears a thick chest protector. The student clenches arms with the teacher and practices knee kicks against the pad. Clenching is tiring work.

The workout wraps up with conditioning work. This consists of basic strengthening exercises such as crunches and push ups, followed by cool down stretches.

The average time for a full workout is three hours. However, most gyms caution new fighters to start slow and rest often. Kristin, for example, quit her workout after two hours. Enjoyment and safety, not machismo, are the driving tenants of most gyms.

GYMS

Muay Thai is popular throughout the Kingdom so gyms can be found in every town and city in Thailand.

Studying kickboxing in Thailand facilitates a deep cultural encounter- an opportunity to go beyond the typical tourist experience. To learn more about specific gyms, see the websites listed below.

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Many gyms throughout Thailand welcome foreigners. Most convenient is Sorvorapin Gym,
located in the Banglumpu section of Bangkok... five minutes from Khao San Road.

Sorvorapin charges 400 Baht ($10) for one workout, 3700 Baht for 2 weeks, and 7000 Baht for one month. Weekly and monthly rates include up to two (three hour) workouts per day.

For more information see Sorvorapin's website: http://www.thaiboxings.com

Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness Camp, on the outskirts of Bangkok, offers a more comfortable and upscale experience. Facilities look clean and modern.

The camp offers a variety of packages for foreigners: A shared room with fan plus full day training (two three-hour sessions) costs 963 Baht per day ($25). At the high end, a private aircon room plus full day training costs 1650 Baht per day ($45). A half day of training (one threehour session, morning or afternoon) costs 386 Baht ($10).

For more information, see the Fairtex website: http://www.fartexbkk.com

The Thonburi Boxing Training Camp, located on the western side of Bangkok, charges only 4000 Baht per month ($100).

Their website is at: http://www.smartthais.com/ST/TBx.html

In the south of Thailand, in close proximity to beaches and resorts, is the Phuket Muay Thai Gym. They charege 400 Baht per day and 2000 Baht per week (up to two workouts per day).

http://www.martialartsphuket.com/

For those who prefer the mountains in the north, Siam Number 1 Gym is located in Chang Mai. They charge 300 Baht per day, 1500 Baht per week, and 5500 Baht per month.

For more information, see: http://www.siamnumberone.com

A list of additional Muay Thai gyms in Thailand can be found at:
http://www.thaiwebsites.com/muaythai.asp

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