Just getting back into things

[SteveC]

Hi guys,

I've just finally got settled in the USA after 2 years of frustration and aggravation, and now I want to get back to one of my old loves, Muay Thai. I've located the nearest instructor to my location and it's about 45 minutes away, but before I get back into actual Muay Thai training I'd like some advice.

I'm 29, and am pretty out of shape at the moment (by out of shape I mean weight in the upper 200s and even though I'm naturally stocky, at 6'3", 270-ish is a bit chubby ), I've let myself slip somewhat over the past few years but I am determined to get myself sorted out. I've trained Muay Thai before, back in my middle/upper teens and early 20s, under Master Sken (mastersken.com) back in Manchester, England, I also wrestled and boxed heavily throughout my teens, even going so far as to net myself an under-14s regional gold medal for boxing, so slogging it out to get the job done is not something that's beyond me.


What I'm looking for are the following, if you fine fellows here would be so kind:
1: Advice on exercise and conditioning to get back in shape
2: Advice on the gym/trainer I found (Ryan Blackorby at the Peoria Thai Boxing Club)

I've been thinking about getting a set of kettlebells, and also doing plyometric workouts, but I'm not sure precisely what is what. Would it be in my best interests to join a local gym for weight training and such or would I be better improvising?

Thanks in advance guys.

[Tom Yum]

Hi guys,

What I'm looking for are the following, if you fine fellows here would be so kind:
1: Advice on exercise and conditioning to get back in shape
2: Advice on the gym/trainer I found (Ryan Blackorby at the Peoria Thai Boxing Club)

I've been thinking about getting a set of kettlebells, and also doing plyometric workouts, but I'm not sure precisely what is what. Would it be in my best interests to join a local gym for weight training and such or would I be better improvising?

Thanks in advance guys.

Welcome here.

1. You might consider getting a physical check up from a doctor to find out how your health is, discuss your current condition and seek his advice. That set aside, check out crossfit.com

Its a program designed to get combat athletes, law enforcement and military folks in fighting shape.

2. If you're in Houston, TX - check out Tim Mousel, owner of this site. He trains folks in a number of arts (JKD, kickboxing, boxing, grappling & FMA) and has several excellent instructors with him. Another trainer to check out is Kru Pong from One to One fitness -- he's one of the best muay thai trainers here.

3. Mike Brewer is a moderator in the Rocky Mountain area and also instructs folks in boxing, JKD and other combat tactics.

4. Excessive Force, another moderator based in the South East, trains folks in Tae Kwon Do & Kickboxing.

Oh and many others here, like Khun Kao and Hardball who also teach and compete!

[Khun Kao]

Vote #2 for Crossfit!!!!!! That training is KICKASS!!!!

[SteveC]

First of all, thanks for the welcome Tom, though I think I should have been a bit more specific in where I am. I'm in rural midwestern Illinois, farmin' country.

I just had to take a physical exam a few months ago for my immigration application, and the doctor said that overall, I'm in relatively good health, just out of shape. I'll definitely check Crossfit out, I did a bit of reading on the forums last night before I registered and posted and that's something that cropped up numerous times as a good training regime.

I'd definitely check out your recommended trainers were I in those areas. Most of the trainers here I managed to find in Illinois were 200+ miles away and I just can't commute that far to train for both time and financial reasons, though if ever I decide to move elsewhere, finding a good Muay Thai trainer would be one of my main selling points.


Khun Kao: Thanks.


I wish I lived nearer to a larger city, because most of the trainers in Illinois are all clustered in Chicago, the same with kettlebell instructors.

[ne122]

"I'm 29, and am pretty out of shape at the moment (by out of shape I mean weight in the upper 200s and even though I'm naturally stocky, at 6'3", 270-ish is a bit chubby "),

6'3 270 is big. I'm 5'11 175, but I have a question to throw out there..I know there are weight classes, but how short is too short for muay thai? I recently started my training and the first thing I noticed is that there are a lot of guys bigger than me, I'm actually the smallest one. Does this put me at a disadvantage when it comes to sparring or am I just thinking about it too much and height really doesn't make a difference?

[bigboywasim]

I was the same build 6.3/275 when I started Muay Thai. You will be ok.

Since Muay Thai is a real contact sport there are some things to remember being a little guy. Light contact sparring against a much bigger guy is good. This will improve your game. You will have a feel of how to fight bigger guys. When you start Muay Thai it is light sparring.

If you are going to do med contact sparring against a much bigger guy then you should have at least one year of experience on him or else you will get KO quick. Plus a much bigger guy can really hurt you in MT. Most MT sparring is med contact once you get some experience.

I would not do an all out hard sparring against a much bigger opponent unless you got years on him.

A much bigger guy is 25+ pounds unless you are 250+ then you should be able to handle even a 300 pound guy .

Note there is a difference of 250 pounds of mostly fat and 250 pounds of muscle.

[Jace]

Some of the guys I train with and I do a body-weight workout to get in shape. We've been doing it for about two months now and its done wonders for us. The nice thing is that because it is all body-weight exercises, you don't need any gym membership or costly equipment.

You can find the routine at www.trainforstrength.com

goodluck with everything

[SteveC]

Yeah 270 is big, but my entire family is of naturally stocky build, predisposed toward thick muscle and broad shoulders (equal parts Irish Celt and Viking ancestry) so for the most part, the fat I carry is the gut, as opposed to elsewhere. I've been told I carry my weight well, and the doctor that passed me in my physical said I had a strong back.

I agree though that there is a definite difference betweel 250lbs of fat and 250lbs of muscle, and back when I was training MT in England there was a guy I was training with who had to be about 230lbs of solid muscle, and believe me, even through the pads, his kicks and knees were making truly remarkable impacts.

I also agree that smaller guys training with bigger guys helps the smaller guy out, breeding confidence and an understanding of how to get inside their considerable reach. I'd also go so far as to suggest that it helps the bigger guy too because he in turn learns how best to use his innate advantages, and learns how a smaller guy will attempt to defeat those advantages. I say this from personal experience because it helped me in numerous instances of having to defend myself back when I lived in England. However, I would hate to turn this into a discussion about self-defence when right now I want to get back into it for health and fitness reasons. Self-defence can be left for another discussion.

Also Jace, thanks for the link, I'll check that out because it'll be easiest for me to do a no-equipment workout given I don't have easy access to transport to a gym right now.

Next on my list is a dietary adjustment, I tend to eat once or twice a day, and while I'm aware that eating smaller meals throughout the day keeps the metabolism going (or so I've heard), I'm not sure where to look for specifics, and I can't spend a ton on fat burning supplements right now.

[Jace]

What kind of specifics are you looking for? I mean, the bottom line about eating is that people have a tendency to over eat and to eat the wrong things. You probably know what is good for you and what isn't. You have to make the choice to be healthy and its a tough one for some people.

Do you drink soda? How about eating fried foods? These are things you can have, but you can't have them every day, and if you want to drop the weight fast, you shouldn't have them at all. Also - make sure you drink lots of water. Drinking water is a key factor in any weight-loss program.

[..n..]

Steve,

Start doing some light cardio and slowly build it up as you get in better shape. If you do that, with Mt, and cut your calories to about 300-500 below what you need to maintain your target body mass you should start dropping weight at a fairly reasonable rate.

[Tom Yum]

6'3 270 is big. I'm 5'11 175, but I have a question to throw out there..I know there are weight classes, but how short is too short for muay thai? ?

One of my favorite muaythai fighters is Ramon Dekkers from the Netherlands.

He's about 5'6" and fought anywhere from 127-136 lbs but his kicks and punches are heavy. Koakkalai Kanneorsing is about 5'10" and 170 -- this guy has lightning reflexes, a stunning right cross and kicks like a mule.

You and I are approximately the same build; I spar with guys both smaller and larger than myself -- I wouldn't worry about it.

Another guy who I've worked out with and who competes alot (I think he'll eventually become a pro some day), is about 5'11" - 6'and 156 -- his kicks have knockout power and his boxing is pretty good.

I recently started my training and the first thing I noticed is that there are a lot of guys bigger than me, I'm actually the smallest one. Does this put me at a disadvantage when it comes to sparring or am I just thinking about it too much and height really doesn't make a difference?

Its going to teach you to fight differently.

Secondly, any size intimidation you may have had will be less of a factor after doing drills with and sparring with some of the big boys -- you're gonna get moved, but you'll fight smarter.

[Crutch]

Steve C

Steve,

you wrote:

Originally Posted by SteveC
Hi guys,

What I'm looking for are the following, if you fine fellows here would be so kind:
1: Advice on exercise and conditioning to get back in shape
2: Advice on the gym/trainer I found (Ryan Blackorby at the Peoria Thai Boxing Club)

Im over in Bloomington Illinois with Scott Petri.
Ryan Blackorby was in Dave Rogers Garage when I started back in the 90s and I have known him ever since. He is a stand up guy and one of the best Muay Thai instructors in Illinois. I strongly recomend him. By the way where are you located?


Terry Crutcher

https://www.jkd-concepts.com

[Tom Yum]

Ramon Dekkers

http://www.youtube.com/v/pIkd508B2M8

Koklai Kanneorsing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Khzf0J-fA

[the tick]

Ramon Dekkers

http://www.youtube.com/v/pIkd508B2M8

I prefer the iron live video. I'm about the same height as Dekkers. But I hold my own against taller opponents. I have to come at them more agressive, but once I'm in striking range they feel my fury.

[SteveC]

Steve,
Im over in Bloomington Illinois with Scott Petri.
Ryan Blackorby was in Dave Rogers Garage when I started back in the 90s and I have known him ever since. He is a stand up guy and one of the best Muay Thai instructors in Illinois. I strongly recomend him. By the way where are you located?


Terry Crutcher

www.jkd-concepts.com

I'm just outside of Knoxville, about 11 miles from Galesburg. I'm glad to hear that the instructor I found is a good guy. Thank you for your personal recommendation.

I also apologise for having not replied sooner, I was in South Carolina, attending my nephew's graduation from army basic training.

Yes my diet does have a good deal of pop/soda in it, also tea, but I do drink a lot of water as well. Changing that around won't be a problem, however my food intake is going to be reliant on me being successful getting the job I'm after, because right now I'm not the one paying the grocery bill, but once I get the job I'll be buying healthier foods for myself.

diet-wise, I'm an avid meat eater, and I know grilled meat is better than fried, and white meat is less fatty than red, so I've got that covered, I just need to start counting calories and figuring up acceptable sized meals at regular intervals rather than eating one large meal and one smaller one so I _do_ understand the fundamentals of dietary change. Low fat yogurts and fruit will probably start making up my snack selection.


I'm aiming to drop around 40 lbs and put about half that back on in muscle, so I'm going to fudge some figures here and guess about 1500 calories per day is what I'm going to need, along with cardio and such, right?