Muay Thai Rocks

Can someone please tell me what goes on in a Muay Thai class?

Tom Yum

Classes are usually an hour long, sometimes longer.

Classes start with a warm up, which may include stretching or light calisthenics.

Technique practice - throwing kicks, punches knees or elbows in front of a mirror (usually for beginners), also shadow boxing for more experienced practiioners.

Pad work - Kicking, kneeing, punching and elbowing thick pads that are held by a training partner. Think of them as heavy target. The pads are 'fed' to the practitioner to develop fitness, power, strategy and timing. More advanced practiioners can do pad sparring, which they are fed techniques and are kicked, punched back in the middle of their combination to develop defenses around different attacks.

The practioners are kicked & punched for real, but lightly without too much contact. The point is to understand that they will get hit back, keep their focus and fight back.

Sparring - getting into the ring, with protective gear to minimize injuries and free fighting, putting together what you know and making it work against someone doing the same. Beginners usually start out slow, with lighter contact.

Cool down - stretches and perhaps hanging out with your classmates.

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Derekwl

Well that pretty much says it all

My class is EXACTLY as Tom Yum described it except, just before cool down and after sparring, we do a little self defense. Now believe me when I say this isnt a McDojo by any means. We usually do ground work, i.e. what to do when someone is on top of you throwing a fury of punches at your face, that incorporate Ju Jitsu techniques.

Other then that, what Tom Yum describes is essentially the ideal lesson.

aseepish

There wasn't really a class per se where I was training, it was more like working out at a boxing gym. The individual fighter was responsible for doing their own running, skipping, shadow boxing, and bag work. There were trainers available for pad work, clinching, and sparring.

A typical session is described here http://lannamuaythai.com/cgi-bin/s?c...02851560100000

Derekwl, where is your school located?

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"It was about that time I realized that searching was my symbol, the emblem of those who go out at night with nothing in mind, the motives of a destroyer of compasses." -Cortázar

Derekwl

I'm in Victoria right now, but I go to UBC during the school year. It's called Peterec's Martial Arts.

Not to get off topic, but Aseepish, do you know of any good gyms near UBC (i.e. downtown vancouver) that teach Muay Thai?

That training session is nuts by the way!! THat would be quite difficult!

aseepish

The schedule IS difficult, but you go your own pace and gradually get used to it. My first couple of weeks I couldn't last more than 2 or 3 rounds on the Thai pads. And 10 km runs? Forget it.

I'm on the Sunshine Coast right now, gradually moving back to Vancouver - I'm also taking a course at UBC this fall. The only Muay Thai gym I know about is Gold Lion, located at 3070 Commercial Drive in Vancouver (604.876.6661). That's pretty far from UBC though. When I've been able to I've been taking classes at Cocoon http://cocoonathletics.com which is right downtown (Near the corner of Granville and W Hastings), but is more BJJ. They have boxing and kickboxing classes, but I've never participated. I'll give it a go once I get settled into my new place.

Let me know if you find any others!

Tony

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"It was about that time I realized that searching was my symbol, the emblem of those who go out at night with nothing in mind, the motives of a destroyer of compasses." -Cortázar

Derekwl

Thanks for the reply Aseepish.

That Cocoon place looks top notch for BJJ. Unfortunately I really want to dedicate myself entirely to Muay Thai for now, as I am looking to compete this year (I've only been doing Muay Thai for about 4 months).

There is a gym, Universal Martial Arts, which I'm afraid is quite the McDojo, I checked it out and found the instructor (for Muay Thai, the BJJ guy was great) was a bit of a down to business just out for the money type. There is another gym, Kel Lee's which is on Broadway, which I havent checked out but I have heard good things about it.

Hopefully that helps!

Derek

Muay Thai Guy

I dont mean to brag or nothin but Duane Ludwig is my trainer for Muay Thai and he is a K-1 max fighter and I am just 16. I still have a ways to go and I am determind to be a K-1 champion.

Python

LOL...actually you did just brag. This thread was not about everyone's aspirations, so what is your point exactly. Your ambitions are admirable, but we have heard about your uncle Duane training you, in a few different threads.

swisscom

It would sure kick ass to have Dekkers son (if he has one) on this message board.

"My dad beat up your dad"

*Just so this thread is somewhat 'on topic'
Nice fucking job explaining how the typical Muay Thai class is Tom Yum. It's so very true.

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Screamtruth

Aseepish,
When were you at Lanna? I was looking at going there around the spring time with my brother to train for a week or so, but it keeps getting pushed back with work and stuff. I don't think the training regime will be all that different from where I train now as far as skills, but the thought of training in Thailand, with their ways is all I need. I mean, it's like eating italian food here versus over in Italy. I would like some time over there before I fight next, but we'll see.

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KICKING you in the face, 'cause that's what we do!

aseepish

I was at Lanna this year from May to early July. Training in Thailand was one of the highlights of my MA experiences so far, and I recommend it to anyone interested in MT.

Derek - thanks for the info, I'll check those places out myself, but I'm more into BJJ at this point myself LOL.

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"It was about that time I realized that searching was my symbol, the emblem of those who go out at night with nothing in mind, the motives of a destroyer of compasses." -Cortázar

Tom Yum

Its hard to find a muay thai gym that teaches you how to really utilize the clinch, atleast as well as the Thai's do. Sure, you learn the clinch and how to use it, but some of the sweeps and takedowns that the Thai's do from the clinch are crazy.

Some muay thai gyms are a little more lax on their boxing work, in that they spend a little time on the jab & cross and will throw a hook now and then. The result being a guy that can throw a pretty fast 1-2, not too good a hook, no uppercuts, but is really trying to set it up so he can carpet bomb you with some explosive kicks and devastating knees.

If you've ever given/received a knee to the body alone at full contact, it'll sink your ship, but this rarely happens unless you are training with someone who is getting ready for a match.

I think in your regular muay thai training, you get some self-defense from just your regular training, but nothing is perfect. Groundwork is as important too, weapons etc.

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