Getting Fit with Muay Thai
It’s October and my cousin tells me he’s been going to a local muay Thai gym. He says he loves it and I should come out with him. He tells me there is a free 2 weeks to see if you like it. I had been doing typical weight lifting gym routine, and it was starting to become really repetitive. I took my cousin up on the offer, went to my first class and I was hooked. Sweating having fun, doing a lot of cardio, learning what you need to defend yourself and attack in the traditional muay Thai style.
The local muay Thai gym, Melbrook Martial Arts Academy was an awesome place to begin my training Friendly, helpful staff and plenty of classes to satisfy the itch I had after falling in love with the full contact sport.
The classes started at beginning level, 3 days a week. Which is perfect for someone who wants to learn an amazing skill set and get fit at the same time. Then I found myself craving more so I signed up for the full membership which allowed me to go six days a week with specialty classes focusing on technical skills training combined with rigorous conditioning. This was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Learning to punch and kick with proper technique is a huge advantage for self-defense.
Movies make it look so easy but when you have a chance to test your skill, muay Thai can really show you how unskilled you really might be. Classes can be a mix of bag work, hitting pads with a partner, skipping, running and strength conditioning work. As someone who has done the typical weight lifting thing, I can promise you an awesome workout if you bring your A-game to a muay Thai class.
Melbrook staff and students become like a second family. The best part is that they got you covered at all levels. Parents can train while the kids are under a supervision. Beginners can learn from more experienced members and those who wish to take it to the next level can train to fight and compete. It is a great experience, that would benefit anyone who tries it. It’s an incredible mix of cardio and strength conditioning. All packaged up with the fun of learning to punch kick knee and elbow while melting off the pounds.
And here is some interview questions with my Kru(mauy thai teacher):
What is muay Thai?
Muay Thai is often lost in translation and gets confused with Kickboxing. Even I sometimes say “Kickboxing” in a situation where I need the conversation to move quickly. Muay Thai is a stand up martial art also known as the Science of 8 Limbs and is the National Sport of Thailand (where the art originates). The 8 Limbs refers to the utilization of 8 weapons: 2 punches, 2 elbows, 2 knees, and 2 kicks. Muay Thai also includes various clinch (stand up wrestling) techniques that allow combatants to land knees and elbows (and sometimes kicks and punches) from close range, giving Muay Thai 3 ranges of combat; kicking, punching, and clinching range.
Muay Thai also emphasizes heavily on low kicks (leg kicks) where Kickboxing traditionally only allowed strikes (kicks and punches only) to land above the waist of an opponent. In recent years the sport of Kickboxing has evolved to reflect the efficiency ofMuay Thai by allowing kicks to the legs and in some cases also allow knee strikes.
Benefits of recreational muay Thai training?
The benefits of training Muay Thai are endless, and it should be said that the sport stands alone in comparison with other (stand up) Martial Arts. Some of the benefits include: increased strength and stamina, weight loss, flexibility, and an overall greater sense of well-being.
Let the “Yeah Butting” begin…
People reading this might say, “yeah but you can get all of those benefits from Karate, or TKD, or (insert another Martial Art).” What makes Muay Thai so beneficial is the intensityof the training. For those with competitions on the horizon, and depending what the stakes involved are, the intensity of the training can be grueling (but fun). Running, skipping, bag work, pad work, clinch work, sparring, and conditioning drills. A Muay Thai workout is 2nd to none.
Students moving from beginner to intermediate levels are expected to run regularly, skip longer, do more push ups and sit ups ect.
Doing the work builds confidence!
Benefits for children who train muay Thai?
The main benefit to kids is discipline and fun. It’s a great outlet for their energy.
What do you need to start muay Thai?
Shorts, t-shirt, gloves, and water bottle!
How many years have you been training?
16 years
What do you love the most about muay Thai?
There is a lot of joy in my line of work. I love hearing students tell me they lost 50lbs and found a new outlook on life. Seeing people who once thought “I can’t” start to believe they “can” and eventually “Do”. Seeing a student go from knowing nothing at all about the sport to teaching a class is awesome. Watching someone step into the ring for the first time is one of the best feelings! The journey is incredible.
How and where can people go to reach you or come take a class?
Best way to get started is to grab our web special for $19.99 – The gym is located in Downtown Sudbury behind Pasta e Vino!
Recommended Posts
SUDBURY COMMUTER CHALLENGE IS UNDERWAY
June 02, 2019
Eats & Asana with Selina Rose
May 24, 2018
Top Five Fitness Classes: Melbrook Martial Arts
May 11, 2018