looking to train in Muay Thai

[initialfaust]

im from rochester NY and i have been searching for a Muay Thai trainer here and cant seem to find any. i have been training in judo for a while now and wanted to expand. i was wondering if anyone knew of any Muay Thai trainers in this area?

[george stando]

Doing a quick search on the internet, looks like alot of mma programs with some classes in boxing and muay thai. I dont know the area so I cant help but hopefully some people will come on with some suggestions.

[initialfaust]

i have found one MMA training facility that says that one of the guys is certified to train Muay Thai but it doesnt say on the page that they actualy train muay thai. I have sent them a message and am waiting for them to get back to me but my question is if i do go there to talk to them how would i tell if he would be teaching actual muay thai and not just adapted kickboxing? another question i have is switching from judo to muay thai what kind of training should i do to get ready until i find an instructor? im not a small guy and i know my flexibility is lacking.

[george stando]

Well, first you can check out the class, talk to the instructor, get a feel for him, maybe get who he trained with etc then you can come back on here and maybe share that with us. We can give you whatever feedback we can, maybe someone knows the instructor or his teacher, etc.

Switching from judo to muay thai, you are moving into the striking sector. Invest in a jump rope if you dont have one. Start working your flexibility. Maybe get a cheap yoga dvd or something like that to follow which sometimes help motivate working on that. Give yourself a break in period and dont get frustrated.

After your first few lessons, start working the hand techs and footwork. Start practicing the knees in the air, walking knees, try to get them easy and fluid. Lifting the knees and working knees helps alot in the kicking. The kicks are going to take some time and more intense personal instruction. Maybe spend a little time before class or after working the heavybag with the kicks once you get the hang of it.

If you need more help, just post some questions, alot of people on here have much knowledge to share, much more than mine.

I hope the teacher and the training works out for you! let us know.

[the tick]

As long as you don't try to learn stuff from youtube videos. They are, sometimes, good enough when you have experience. But they are realy a big no no for an absolute beginner.
Build up your stamina. Jogging/ sprint intervals. And some flexibility. Don't over do it with the stretching. Or you might end up tearing stuff.
And what is the link to that page you found?

[initialfaust]

The instructors name is Walter MacDonald (he trained with Duane Ludwig, and Ray Casal according to their website). He said that what he teaches is dutch style muay thai. He said its a combination of boxing and muay thai but that if i wanted we could focus more on muay thai. the thing i don't understand is the guy that is on the website as being certified to teach it is named Greg Walsh.

this is the website link
Welcome to Empire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness

[Wi Kali Group]

I am in no way affiliated with the school you put the link up for. You are right on what the site claims for certification. It's your time and money so you have to make the choice. But it doesn't say where he is certified in MT. He doesn't list any Muay Thai organization. For all you know it could just be a piece of paper. The real clue for me is they train people in the ring. People who expect to fight (not some hypothetical self defense they hope to avoid sometime maybe) and they guy with out the certification is the one they list as head striking coach. A certification is after all just a piece of paper. His ability may not be as you good as you want. But after putting people in the ring they are convinced it better than the guy with the paper.

Just food for thought.

[the tick]

I am in no way affiliated with the school you put the link up for. You are right on what the site claims for certification. It's your time and money so you have to make the choice. But it doesn't say where he is certified in MT. He doesn't list any Muay Thai organization. For all you know it could just be a piece of paper. The real clue for me is they train people in the ring. People who expect to fight (not some hypothetical self defense they hope to avoid sometime maybe) and they guy with out the certification is the one they list as head striking coach. A certification is after all just a piece of paper. His ability may not be as you good as you want. But after putting people in the ring they are convinced it better than the guy with the paper.

Just food for thought.

Indeed. Certification doesn't mean shit. All it says is he was able to do whatever it was he was supposed to do to get that rag. But you won't know how good a trainer someone is unless you are able to compare him with other trainers. But them putting up some pics of their students training in a ring doesn't say much of anything either. All it says is that they can afford one and have the space to put it up.