Okay I`m serious to know this...

[kh_s]

Do you need to be STRONG to start learning Muay Thai ?

[Brokenmace]

No. But every little bit helps.

[Sifu]

Strength will come with training and refinement of skill. You will gain more strength if you do a little weight training also.

[DJ Coldfusion]

I think the ability (mostly aerobic) to go a hard 3+ rounds is more important than what you bench press. For example, I can military press over 300pnds but I'd get my a$$ handed to me in the ring if I didn't KO my opponent quickly (which is why I run and no longer eat donuts by the gross . . . sob ).

[Edge]

No, Speed once developed will have power in the strikes executed. Practice will help develope strenght,speed ,coordination all importantant factors. Calistenics, isometrics, & swimming are good strenghtening exercices to go along with training in techniques & wieght training. Also be sure to strech.
---Edge---

[DJ Coldfusion]

Edge,

I don't believe I've seen any study backing isometrics that is less than 30 years old. In my honest opinion, isometrics is a waste of time.

Now, pylometrics is another story. The stretch reflex benefits possible through the proper implementation os a pylometric training program is incredible. Most professional and Olympic level athletes use pylometrics to increase strength, explosiveness, and endurance, even if they also lift weights. Stretch reflex, for those who haven't heard the term before, refers to a dynamic stretch to inluence an increased recruitment of the number of muscle fibers that contract for a given movement . . . which increases the speed and overall explosiveness for the movement.

Honestly, a major key to strength, endurance, atc. is working the targeted limb/limbs throughout their full range of motion, pylometrics allows you to do that and isometrics doesn't.

[terry]

Re: Okay I`m serious to know this...

Originally posted by kh_s
Do you need to be STRONG to start learning Muay Thai ?

I think a bit of mental strength of intestinal fortitude helps a lot when taking Muay Thai at any level. It is not so much that they will inflict pain on you. Rather, they are going to stress your cardio-vascular system until you are ready to throw up. If you don't want to push your own limits then Muay Thai will be too intense an experience for you.

T

[crazyjoe380]

^^^^

OH MY

THE FIRST TIME I DID MUAY THAI I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE!
THE CARDIO PAIN!!

I DIDN'T RETURN FOR 2 WEEKS THEN I DESIDED TO BE A MAN..

[mushinmaster]

Isometrics are valuable, but not really for MT. More for grappling. The exercises you do should reflect what you're doing, so do exercises for developing explosive power and aerobic conditioning. Good examples are plyometrics and running.

[mike]

a little strength never hurt anyone.

and I have noticed that physical strength is a secondary requirement to the strength of your desire. for example I am not very strong but I really enjoy Muay Thai and my desire is what keeps me going after I puke, pull every muscle in my legs and blister both feet.


Thanks,

Mike

[mushinmaster]

DAMN STRAIGHT - HEART IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT!

[Edge]

DJ coldfusion

not attempting to tell anyone how to train just a few suggestions, use what is useful forget what isn't(parapharsing big time). To all on the board the way to learn what works for you (as individuals) is to experiment with a variety of exercise techniques. Train to enhance what will help in your personal fighting Skill/ability.
I personal enhance myself by;swimming, calistenics, isometrics, weight training, (high reps low weight ,different muscle group every other day), bycicling, heavy bag, speed bag, jumping rope 3-5 min 6 days a week) shadow boxing ( with kicks, knees, & elbows ofcourse) & sparring. about a month ago I was introduced to polymetric exercices which I been doing since that time.
---Edge---

[Edge]

Terry,

Very,very true!!!

[terry]

Hey, Edge. By plyometrics do you mean rubber bands?

T

[Edge]

Terry,

I was not introduced to plyometrics with rubberbands. This personal trainer I know suggested I do this to start then build 1 more rep of ten after about 1-2 weeks; push ups 3 reps of 10 alternating arm on medicineball, jumping onto & off a step with as much power & speed as possible,using wrist/ankle weights to practice hand strikes & kicks in 2 phases. phase 1 from onguard strike /kick heavy bag relax arm or leg instead of bringing it back. phase 2 put your hand/foot on heavy bag then bring it to your onguard position relax.
He stated this will help explosiveness in ones strikes & kicks.
Something I've done on my own for years is practice hand strikes kicks & a few favourite techniques for about 1/2 hour in a swimming pool every other day ( presently I'm doing this only 2 times a week).
I'll research more on plyometrics this week. peace,
---Edge---