Who, why and how to try Thai boxing

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

You will get a strong and agile body and full zen after your workouts.

What is Muay Thai?

This martial art is native to Thailand. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was officially recognized in the world as a sport.

Muay Thai is called Sports science-based research on the sport of muay thai: A review of the literature the art of eight limbs, because it allows punches, kicks, knees and elbows.

You can hit in the head, body and legs, work in a clinch, when opponents interlock and try to reach each other with an elbow or knee. At the same time, strangulation, painful holds, high or amplitude throws are prohibited in Thai boxing, during which the opponent's legs are torn off the carpet, and the body is at the level of the thrower's chest.

There is no wrestling in the classical sense in Muay Thai, except for working in a clinch. If during the fight the opponent is on the floor, the referee stops the fight, giving the person the opportunity to stand up. If the participant is, of course, able to do this.

How is it better than other martial arts?

Many martial arts such as boxing, taekwondo or kickboxing involve punches and kicks only, which makes them less effective in real combat, especially at close range.

Muay Thai includes a combination of simple twists, carvings, throws and excellent striking techniques. This arsenal is the closest to real, applied hand-to-hand combat. Andrei Bolgov says that a blow from the elbow, even a weak one, can knock out an opponent, breaking his nose or jaw.

Muay Thai skills are something that can help out in a dangerous situation on the street.

Andrey Bolgov

Thai boxing is an integral part of the training of MMA fighters (mixed martial arts) - mixed martial arts. Many Thai boxers have successful careers in this spectacular sport.

I don’t fight like that in ordinary life. Why do I need Thai boxing?

Even if you do not admit the possibility that someday you will have to repel an attack, it is still worth trying Muay Thai. Thanks to him, you will pump:

• Endurance. You will learn to work longer at different intensities. Jogging when you're late or climbing the stairs to the ninth floor will be easy.
• Agility and coordination. You can't do Muay Thai and stay awkward. You will learn to feel your body well, movements will be more precise. You will stop dropping and touching everything, you will fall less in winter and, perhaps, you will be able to catch a glass on the fly.
• Muscle strength. Punching and wrestling will strengthen the arms, chest and shoulder girdle, kicks will strengthen the muscles of the lower body. Core engagement, pivots and protection will provide the glandular core muscles. At the same time, Muay Thai will not help you build up, so if you want a mountain of muscles, choose another sport.
• Flexibility. Without the mobility of your joints, especially your hip joints, you won't hit your knee in the head or even strike straight in the chest. Therefore, in each session, you will work on mobility until your body becomes flexible and obedient. Remember that this will save you from injury in your daily life.
• Self confidence. Many problems in life arise out of fear. Thai boxing teaches you not to be afraid to fight and be defeated.

Will you be able to lose weight with him?

Physiological responses and energy cost during a simulation of a Muay Thai boxing match is burned during the fight about 11 kcal per minute. Of course, you won't be able to maintain that pace for long, but Muay Thai isn't just about fighting.

Do not forget about warm-up, hitting and sparring. If you train intensely, you can burn at least 600 kcal per hour.

In combination with a diet, such a load will help you lose extra pounds and make your body beautiful and fit.

Are these all the benefits?

Martial arts require complete concentration: if you immerse yourself in your thoughts, you can get hit on the head. Therefore, in training, you work not only on coordination and strength, but also pump your awareness.

Both physical activity and mindfulness improve mental health, help manage depression and anxiety, and manage stress. Therefore, practicing muay thai regularly will make you calmer and increase your sense of life satisfaction.

In addition, such training helps to develop personality traits that are useful in everyday life.

Psychological preparation is the core of everything. Willpower, determination, perseverance, courage, determination, attention, quick thinking, motor memory, imagination … These are just some of the qualities that a Muay Thai athlete acquires.

Andrey Bolgov

How about injuries? Can I get it in the head?

In 58% of cases in Thai boxing, limbs are affected, the head gets less often: a small study of Epidemiology of Muay Thai fight-related injuries led to this conclusion. Most of the injuries were bruises and contusions (39%), as well as cuts (14%) from elbow strikes to the head.

However, this applies more to professional sports, where fights are held practically without protective equipment - only in gloves. Amateur competitions include protection for the head, elbows and lower legs, which reduces the risk of bruising and cutting.

At the same time, injuries are rarely serious: in 72% of cases, the fight continues, and injuries do not affect subsequent fights and training in any way.

Are women's fights somehow different from men's?

Women's Thai boxing differs from men's in more gentle conditions of the fight. For example, it can increase the rest time between rounds or shorten the minutes of the fight. As for the technique, all the elements are preserved, and the risk of getting a bruise or dissection is no less than that of men.

If you enjoy muay-thai but don't want to receive, learn to block try tai-bo. This is an intense form of fitness with elements of Muay Thai kicks, but without any sparring or punching bags.

Is it okay for me to do Muay Thai?

This sport is contraindicated for people with cardiovascular disorders, as well as for any diseases for which high-intensity training is not recommended.

For everyone who wants to practice Thai boxing, a certificate from a therapist about the absence of contraindications is required.

Andrey Bolgov

If you have old injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system, be sure to tell the coach about your problems in the first lesson.

Do you need to buy something for training?

For the first lessons, Thai shorts and boxing gloves are enough. Thai shorts differ in that they are very loose and allow you to safely deliver high kicks.

Andrey Bolgov

Often there are common gloves in the halls, but wearing them is unpleasant and unsafe - you can pick up a fungus. In the future, it is better to buy protective elements - shin and foot shields, elbow pads and a helmet.

What awaits me in the first lesson?

As a rule, training begins with a warm-up: running or jumping rope, as well as warming up movements. Then everything depends on the coach. You can work out the ligaments of two or three punches, practice on sandbags - boxing or Thai. The latter are longer to make it easier to work with your feet.

In addition, the workout sometimes includes Thai boxing, or Muay-Thai (Thai. มวยไทย) exercises with paws - small leather pads that are worn on the hands and allow you to practice punches in pairs. Also used are "Thai paws", or "pads" - rectangular flat cushions with a thickness of 6-12 centimeters, on which it is convenient to hone kicks and knees.

General physical fitness includes push-ups, pull-ups, neck and abs exercises. This usually occurs at the end of a workout, but often such exercises are performed in between hitting to train the endurance of the athletes.

Andrey Bolgov

You will learn the step-by-step lesson plan only at the training session itself. The only thing that can be said for sure is that you will not be released into the ring at the very first lesson. So there is nothing to be afraid of.

If you haven't found your favorite sport yet, be sure to try Thai boxing.