Muay Thai basics



Muay Thai basics: what's the best way to start Muay Thai training?



The best way is to start working out before you sign up for classes. Muay Thai is a physically demanding martial art. I would suggest that you start building up your stamina before you sign up for Muay Thai gym.

This way once you start regular training you will be able to focus on technical aspects of Muay Thai. You could start sparring with more advanced practitioners instead of spending valuable time in the gym to build up your stamina.


Basic info about Muay Thai: how to start training

Improve your stamina:


Start running. Start doing crunches to toughen your core. Do pull-ups and push-ups to make your arms stronger.
Do not waste valuable time in the Muay Thai gym trying to build up your stamina. Improve your cardio before you start paying for the class.


Get a proper Muay Thai gear:


You don't need a lot of expensive gear to start your training. All you need is to get is a pair of quality gloves, hand wraps, mouth guard, and obviously a pair of shorts and a vest. The rest of the equipment you will be provided by a good gym.

Once you get into Muay Thai, you will probably build your own small workout place with a heavy bag hanging in the corner of your room. Muay Thai can be addictive.



The benefits of training Muay Thai:

First and foremost: Muay Thai will keep you in great shape. The level of fitness that Thai boxing promotes and demands is unmatched.

The cornerstone of a Muay Thai training is a bag work/pad work and sparring - both are very physically demanding activities. Intense Thai boxing training holds a ring-ready level of fitness for a goal. Muay Thai is also a great tool for self-defense. It keeps you physically and mentally tough.


Read more about the benefits of Training Muay Thai

Learn basic Muay Thai combinations:

Muay Thai, also known as an art of 8 limbs, is known for its diverse striking. There are plenty of tools that an experienced fighter can use to control the fight. Let us take a look at basic combinations:

  • Jab [straight left] + Cross [straight right] + Left inside leg kick
  • Jab + [fake] Cross + right hook to the body + right hook to the head
  • Jab + Right outside leg kick

Read this list of Muay Thai combinations


Simple combinations are very often the most effective ones. Then when you are in a fight you do many things naturally, you don't analyze your every move but rather flow.

That's why it is so important to build muscle memory. It is good to practice routines and combos with a heavy bag and to incorporate them into your shadow boxing Thai pads routines. Do it until it comes naturally to use them in sparring.

Constantly analyzing your next move maybe not very effective in a fight. In some situations, you have to react quickly without thinking. That's when a training kicks in.

Muay Thai rules

The rules of Muay Thai vary slightly between different organizations, but some common ones include:

  • No headbutting, biting, or intentionally using elbows to the back of the head
  • No strikes to the back of the head, spine, or groin
  • No knee strikes to the head of a downed opponent

These rules may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of competition, such as amateur or professional.


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Check the links below to learn Muay Thai techniques and a list of combinations:




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