If you’re considering taking up Thai boxing, it’s important to understand what the sport entails before making the commitment to train. A good place to start is by learning about the history of Muay Thai, and how it evolved into one of the most exciting combat sports in the world today. Then, once you’ve got a better understanding of the roots of this ancient martial art, you can take steps to learn it for yourself.
In the early days, fighters were often resourceful in their approach to training. They didn’t have the equipment that is available to us today, but they were able to develop their skills using what was at hand. For example, a fighter might hang a coconut from a tree branch to practice their knee and elbow strikes. Or they might use a ring of bricks to perfect their footwork. These methods might seem a bit unorthodox, but they helped produce some of the best fighters in history.
One of the things that set Muay Thai apart from other fighting disciplines is its emphasis on footwork and body movement. Whether you’re punching, kicking or clinching, it’s vital that you have solid balance. This is especially true if you’re training with someone who has a different size and speed than you. Try to find a training partner that will challenge you in the same way, and that can push you to your limits.
Another crucial part of your Träning thaiboxning is heavy bag work. This allows you to develop a sense of rhythm and cadence, and it’s also great for building endurance. When you’re doing heavy bag training, it’s helpful to have a partner to help spot your form and give you feedback. It’s also a good idea to practice shadow boxing, which can help you develop the reflexes and coordination that will be critical in sparring matches.
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of Thai boxing, it’s time to move on to the next level. Fusion’s Master Class will refine the techniques that you learned in the R&R Classes, and offer more opportunities for sparring and pad work.
The minimum age to compete in a professional fight varies from country to country, but is typically around 15. Many professional fighters are quite young when they make the transition to the professional ranks. Amateur fights can be much younger, but the rules may prohibit certain types of strikes to the head and require additional protective gear such as a padded vest or elbow pads.
In the 1920’s, King Rama VII pushed for codified rules for Muay Thai to be regulated like established sports. It was at this point that Thailand’s first boxing stadium was built at Suan Khoolab. Muay Thai also began to see more western influences and techniques, with gloves and hard groin protectors being introduced in the 1930’s. Traditionally, the hands of a Muay Thai fighter were bound with rope to create hardened and dangerous striking weapons. This tradition, called khat chueak, is still practiced in some gyms.