First MT Training Experience - Is this Typical?

[roku]

First, a little background on my experience... my training to date has been a few years of wrestling, a few years of Aikido, and in my first year of BJJ. Of course, we practice weaponless strikes/atemi in Aikido and some in Jiu-Jitsu, but that is not their focus.

I've been out of town and away from training for a couple weeks, and I've kind of had training withdrawals. I've also been curious about Muay Thai, so yesterday, I went to a local gym that claims to have some champion instructors for a 2 hour Muay Thai class.

Few things I learned:

• I have been missing a lot of the details of practical striking technique in my other arts
• Muay Thai, at least this class, was very hard core -- training/sparring for 2hrs straight - one of the best workouts I've had in years
• While most people were fun to work with, the attitude of some people there seemed exactly what I don't enjoy in my training

As far as the actual training, I learned basic strikes w/body positioning, including typical jab, hook, uppercut / hands and elbows, low shin kicks, shin push kick, shin covering w/kicks, and body shin kicks. The training started with warm up then went to combinations, then various strikes / blocks / combinations with partner, then sparring. I definitely left w/bruised shins (not a complaint, but too much would reduce my ability to train often at first), but overall, I felt the training itself was physically good.

I had two problems with the class itself, and I would like to know if it is typical or school specific...

1. While some of my training partners seemed interested in both of us learning, which is the attitude I like in MA training, there were definitely some people there who seemed more focused on how much damage they could inflict on their partner and did not always stick to the format.

For example, in one exercise we were supposed to spar, but limit our target to body shots between belt and neck. My partner was experienced and seemed frustrated that he was having a tough time getting good shots into my body. He got a few shots in that didn't seem to be in the right spot, but I had a hard time understanding the spirit of his training due to a language barrier. While he might have been good as a partner from a physical and experience perspective, I did not have as much enjoyment from the spirit of this practice.

At one point, one of the people who was definitely very good (technique-wise) in the back started shouting out insults to the class in a manner that seemed quite drill instructor like. With all due respect to those who believe in this approach, I find this kind of motivation ineffective and immature. Maybe it's my age (I was likely the oldest in the class except possibly the instructor), but when I train, I'm there to learn as much as I can, help my partners learn, make my mistakes, and get a good workout. Of course, I can ignore that kind of thing, but it seems like it could be yet another sign of an environment that, IMO, takes the pure learning, respect, and enjoyment out of training.

So, I'm wondering how people would describe their Muay Thai training in terms of approach to training, respect for partners, need for people to prove something / inflict damage in training, and general positive or otherwise class environment.

If this is just the way it is, I may still train until I've learned what I feel is enough to really complement my other MA, but I would certainly love to learn the same stuff in a more enjoyable environment.

Opinions? Comments?

[Boxiados]

First, a little background on my experience... my training to date has been a few years of wrestling, a few years of Aikido, and in my first year of BJJ. Of course, we practice weaponless strikes/atemi in Aikido and some in Jiu-Jitsu, but that is not their focus.


So, I'm wondering how people would describe their Muay Thai training in terms of approach to training, respect for partners, need for people to prove something / inflict damage in training, and general positive or otherwise class environment.

If this is just the way it is, I may still train until I've learned what I feel is enough to really complement my other MA, but I would certainly love to learn the same stuff in a more enjoyable environment.

Opinions? Comments?

Hi Roku
This is actually a very good point that you brought up here.
In over 15 years of training MA, mostly combat sports like MT, Kickboxing and Savate, and also having at a certain stage my own class of MT and Kickboxing, I have seen all kind of attitudes and I must say that it depends where you go. Sometimes I happened to go to some schools where everyone is on competition mode, they must prove to them selves that they can kick anyone's ass and sadly even when their ass get kicked they don't change their behaviour.
I must say that most of the guys I met, and I am speaking about incredible athletes who won most of their fights on and off the ring, were amazing people, when we used to train, yes the training was tough and painful because that's just part of it, but never there was lack of respect especially towards the beginners, also from a business point of view, an instructor must watch those arrogant ones who try to show off and try to play the tough ones with who's just starting. A good school must make sure that when people come to try the first lessons should not get hurt or disrespected by some arrogant wannabes, they will simply never come back, which means two things, loss of profit and bad reputation for MT.
Coming to the insults then that's exeeding any limit, I suggest though you just ignore these things, ones you become quiet trained and advanced they will turn to respect you and the attitude will change. Untill then just have patience, it will pay off!

Later

[roku]

I suggest though you just ignore these things, ones you become quiet trained and advanced they will turn to respect you and the attitude will change. Untill then just have patience, it will pay off!

Thanks Boxiados.

Don't get me wrong, I've had my share of people trying to prove themselves in other schools/classes/seminars, etc. but it seemed like the "prove yourself superior" approach was more part of this class than in other places I've trained. I'm just curious if this is somehow more common in Muay Thai, since this was my first try with it. My guess, which seems to be what you're saying, is that it might be more specific to the place/group than the art. You take any beginner in either my Aikido class or Jiu Jitsu, even with other MA experience, and to inflict injury would be quite easy and pointless, so people just seem more focused on helping others get to the point where they can be good enough to present a real challenge.

I don't mind the hard workouts or taking hits. I also know that in spite of a positive spirit of training, people can get injured. I'd just prefer if my time practicing is focused on training and not an attempt to injure or prove. Also when the sparring stops, I like it when you can look on your partner as someone who has their own improvement and hopefully even yours in mind. With a couple guys in class, it was great. We'd get a good hit in, and move on, every once in a while checking that the other person was fine.

If the rest of it is normal in Muay Thai, which including the insults, sounds like it isn't, then I'll do exactly what you recommend. Since it seems like it may not be completely normal, I'll look around a little more before choosing a place to train. Where I am right now doesn't seem to have too many options, but I've heard of another to look into.

[Tom Yum]

Hey Roku, there are alot of different styles of gyms.

The one you went to probably has a few competitive fighters in it. I wouldn't take the drill sargeant thing personally; chances are, the trainer wants you to be tough and is trying to build up your mental toughness as well.


Good luck in your search for a MT gym.