advise about private lessons in Thailand

[shu80]

Starting this thread got my r/ profile suspended :| (I also started another thread and woke up next day to see them gone)

The last thread about this was 7 years ago , so starting a new thread and I am not spamming anything.

I am looking to move to Thailand by the summer end (work location is flexible but hours are variable ) for a year soon . I am looking to take private lessons in MT for around 6 months because at my age I can use a customized education to makie sure I am using proper form and avoiding moves that are inapproprate . I am thinking of

- three lessons of 1:30 hours per week (2 with 1 instructor with light sparring and 1 with 1 instructor focussed on light sparring to cross check my progress and fight style)
- three days putting 30 mins doing pad work at leisure time with weight training for 1 more hour without an instructor

Can you please advise on few things ?

- what are disadvantages of private lessons at least in first part of your training ?
- is the routine going to be rigorous for a middle aged man to still work 30 hours a week ?
- can you please recommend some tutors that can assist in the three major cities (I need transportation and robust internet for my work which is a must so I need a big city) ?
- how insulting it is for me to ask the instructors to drop by my condo and do the training at least twice a week in the fitness center PROVIDED I pay them twice and explain my work hours?

The last part is important - I am warry of making disgruntled instructors given there will be other people coming to train in Thailand and they will pay for my impetulence.

 

[Trabaho]

Why private lessons and not normal classes at a gym ?

 

[Doctor Grudge]

I wouldnt start just exclusively doing private lessons. You can oly absorb so much information at once when you start something anyway. You can do group classes and do like a private section a week for the first month you're there.

As for your other questions

There are many digital nomads in Thailand, so finding a place to work isnt that hard. I spent a month in Phuket last year and it was fine. Not a lot of great cafes for that type of stuff in the part of Phuket I was in, but certainly could find internet. Bangkok and Chiang Mai have a lot of places you can work as they are proper cities.

I dont know what you mean by transportation. In Bangkok you can get around using its metro line. The other cities are not well connected and you will have to take a grab (their uber). If you drive, then you can do that too of course, its not expensive to get a scooter or whatever. I never drove in Bangkok and got around very easily. Phuket I needed to use a grab, which is not expensive by developed country standards.

If you're asking if doing three days of Muay Thai per week is too much for a middle aged man, then no, it is not. You'll be able to do that and lift weights...at least if you cant, it isn't because of your age.

Though it's rather ambitious to start off with that much if you never trained before.

 

[Ara tech]

Would it be wiser to be in a great shape before arriving to Thailande ?

What's the point of training in Thailand if it's not to train like a thai, twice a days, and living the dream. If you are not aiming to compete that's something else.

Train Muay-thai 3 times a week and train conditiong 3 times a week, and sunday will be rest day. Warm-up for 30 minutes and train for 90 minutes for each session. One day muay thai, one day conditioning (abs, calistenics, gym weights)

I don't know what to advise you, just find what's work-out for you and enjoy life in Thailand.

 

[shu80]

Why private lessons and not normal classes at a gym ?

Because my time will vary even within a span of a week.
The first 6 months I can do with a dedicated eye to correct my form to prevent stupid muscle pulls.

 

[shu80]

I wouldnt start just exclusively doing private lessons. You can oly absorb so much information at once when you start something anyway. You can do group classes and do like a private section a week for the first month you're there.

As for your other questions

There are many digital nomads in Thailand, so finding a place to work isnt that hard. I spent a month in Phuket last year and it was fine. Not a lot of great cafes for that type of stuff in the part of Phuket I was in, but certainly could find internet. Bangkok and Chiang Mai have a lot of places you can work as they are proper cities.

I dont know what you mean by transportation. In Bangkok you can get around using its metro line. The other cities are not well connected and you will have to take a grab (their uber). If you drive, then you can do that too of course, its not expensive to get a scooter or whatever. I never drove in Bangkok and got around very easily. Phuket I needed to use a grab, which is not expensive by developed country standards.

If you're asking if doing three days of Muay Thai per week is too much for a middle aged man, then no, it is not. You'll be able to do that and lift weights...at least if you cant, it isn't because of your age.

Though it's rather ambitious to start off with that much if you never trained before.

If I asked a basic question that means I am complete noob I knew it was ambitious but wanted some confirmation that it was still possible.

I am glad to know the metro service is reliable in Bangkok. I had problems with bus in LA and metro was pretty unsavory company around.

I want to start with private lessons to get the basic form correct and get my very own weaknesses monitored more carefully. Also, I will prefer to have an arrangement with the trainer so that if I have to cancel a class in the morning and reschedule in evening or next day, I am able to do that because private lessons pay more and it will be doable.
I am not sure of my schedule for first 6 months so the 3 days and time will be little unpredictable although not very variable.

Once I am in a more consistent schedule, and also can know how to move and hit more confidently on my own, i can move to group lessons in a schedule that will stay similar for at least 3 more months.

 

[shu80]

Would it be wiser to be in a great shape before arriving to Thailande ?

What's the point of training in Thailand if it's not to train like a thai, twice a days, and living the dream. If you are not aiming to compete that's something else.

Train Muay-thai 3 times a week and train conditiong 3 times a week, and sunday will be rest day. Warm-up for 30 minutes and train for 90 minutes for each session. One day muay thai, one day conditioning (abs, calistenics, gym weights)

I don't know what to advise you, just find what's work-out for you and enjoy life in Thailand.

Thanks for the very nice model and believe me it is similar to what I had in mind. Although
- I am unsure of the times and dates I will be available for Muay Thai
- I am planning first 3 months to make it 30 mins and 60 mins and then add 30 mins once I am in better condition to continue.

and I definitely plan to get in a more straight and less ropund shape before going there.

 

[shu80]

Apologies for delayed asnwers. I will be out of home for weekend.

 

[Stoic1]

Take group classes and supplement with privates if/when necessary.

A lot of gyms cater to westerners trying muay thai in Thailand for street cred.

Be honest, you don't want to be embarrassed in the group setting.

 

[Trabaho]

If I asked a basic question that means I am complete noob I knew it was ambitious but wanted some confirmation that it was still possible.

I am glad to know the metro service is reliable in Bangkok. I had problems with bus in LA and metro was pretty unsavory company around.

I want to start with private lessons to get the basic form correct and get my very own weaknesses monitored more carefully. similar for at least 3 more months.

You don't know nothing about sports and fighting. You don't need special treatement. You don't got weaknesses, you are starting at zero, everything is a weakness.

You should humbly join class and work like everyone else.

There is nothing special about you getting private lessons.

You just need to be at the gym. Move and learn.

It's effort, will and having fun. Not hey I am a westerner I pay for vip treatement and want a whole trainer just for me.

The gym is gonna teach you faster. With other practicioners.

 

[Trabaho]

Because my time will vary even within a span of a week.

Where will you train ? With the teacher at the gym ? Might as well take the regular classes there. If you work and miss it, just work on your own at the gym hitting bags lifting weights. Than have some private lessons.

You can not pay to be a athlete. Noone can make you

 

[shu80]

You don't know nothing about sports and fighting. You don't need special treatement. You don't got weaknesses, you are starting at zero, everything is a weakness.

You should humbly join class and work like everyone else.

There is nothing special about you getting private lessons.

You just need to be at the gym. Move and learn.

It's effort, will and having fun. Not hey I am a westerner I pay for vip treatement and want a whole trainer just for me.

The gym is gonna teach you faster. With other practicioners.

I am not from west I agree about nevetrything a weakness for a beginner.
Thanks for the philosophy and life lessons. I know my needs a little better and that transcends a hobby.

The gym is gonna teach you faster.
That is helpful and so I need to set goals with longer timeline if I am taking private lessons.






To all, I only get to know my MOST LIKELY work schedule for the week at start ofd the week, and that is all I can share. And my training needs to be when my work allows, NOT when the tutor asks me.

So, any class that has a fixed routine means it can hamper my work. That is the reason I am looking for private lessons. I will only be in Thailand for a year and half, so it seems like a better option for maximizing my allocated time.

 

[Trabaho]

Yes, since group classes happen at fixed time, and a private tutor can accomodate at my free time even if it is a little off the normal routine - I can pay to buy a flexible schedule

Thanks

Wait you work in such hours that.you can't catch neither the morning or evening class ? So you are going to train first thing in the moring or very late ? Private lessons at a gym near by ?

 

[shu80]

Wait you work in such hours that.you can't catch neither the morning or evening class ? So you are going to train first thing in the moring or very late ? Private lessons at a gym near by ?

Morning at Thailand is work time somewhere
Late at Thailand is work time somewhere else.
(I am scaling up my venture acorss multiple timezones and for the time in Thailand, I prefer to do most of the work myself before I zero in on the best zones and set up personel and infrastructure there and delegate there )

Say my training may look like

mostly 2:30- 4:30 PM at one week,
mostly 11:00 - 1:00PM later week,
mostly 6:00PM - 7:30 PM, the later week

with say 1 or 2 day cancelled at a day's warning. So, it is better if I can arrange lessons on demand for 4 sessions a week, and skip 1 of them if there is any change in my routine of work.

And since you quoted me before I could reply, I was also planning to get an apartment with a good fitness studio --- BUT I am not sure if that works.

 

[shu80]

Take group classes and supplement with privates if/when necessary.

A lot of gyms cater to westerners trying muay thai in Thailand for street cred.

Be honest, you don't want to be embarrassed in the group setting.

At 44 I care less about being embarassed. I was broke twice in life in USA , and fired twice at my job

I am NOT a westerner, I spent 15 years there though

The initial necessity is what is forcing me to make a tailored schedule upfront.



In fact, after 6 months I plan to take group lessons and hardly mind making it to 1 class per week and being on my own twice or thrice, like someone here suggested. The difference is, I will have uch clearer goals and plan to work on even on my own and with the gym staff there. But for first few months, I will be completely clueless, and doing everything wrong.

 

[Trabaho]

At 44 I care less about being embarassed. I was broke twice in life in USA , and fired twice at my job

I am NOT a westerner, I spent 15 years there though

The initial necessity is what is forcing me to make a tailored schedule upfront.



In fact, after 6 months I plan to take group lessons and hardly mind making it to 1 class per week and being on my own twice or thrice, like someone here suggested. The difference is, I will have uch clearer goals and plan to work on even on my own and with the gym staff there. But for first few months, I will be completely clueless, and doing everything wrong.

It doesn't matter. You can be the worst boxer in the country. Just smile and be nice and people will respect you.

 

[rollthedice]

You don't know nothing about sports and fighting. You don't need special treatement. You don't got weaknesses, you are starting at zero, everything is a weakness.

You should humbly join class and work like everyone else.

There is nothing special about you getting private lessons.

You just need to be at the gym. Move and learn.

It's effort, will and having fun. Not hey I am a westerner I pay for vip treatement and want a whole trainer just for me.

The gym is gonna teach you faster. With other practicioners.

This is the best answer, don't waste $$ on 'fancy' 1 on 1 PTs, you learn better in a group environment, everyone has a little some different they can show you. It sounds stupid, but I'm a PT and teach muay thai, boxing etc, I'm happy to help if you come to NZ but seriously, just jump into classes, enjoy the culture and the friends you make along the way, you'll miss out on so much of what muay thai really is if you only do it via 1 on 1 sessions

 

[Trabaho]

This is the best answer, don't waste $$ on 'fancy' 1 on 1 PTs, you learn better in a group environment, everyone has a little some different they can show you. It sounds stupid, but I'm a PT and teach muay thai, boxing etc, I'm happy to help if you come to NZ but seriously, just jump into classes, enjoy the culture and the friends you make along the way, you'll miss out on so much of what muay thai really is if you only do it via 1 on 1 sessions

In the end the trainer is not gonna teach him anything special, he´ll literally hold the pads for him most of the session. Like our TS just needs to get going, sniff the Muay Thai Air and move around. He doesn´t need specific fine tuning. Maybe he is shy to go to a crowded gym and prefers to be alone with a trainer.

 

[Rallarsvingare]

Do the group classes, there isnt much different from a 1 on 1 anyways unless we're talking proffessional training for pro fights. In group classes you will have a thai trainer supervising you through shadowboxing, bagwork and holding pads for you.

 

[shu80]

thanks all