Gym/Training Muay Thai Gym Q&A

[Ryukyu Damashi]

Reliable source?

Yeah, me...

 

[RedGladiator]

QUOTE=eddymotto;83077909]PBG is 500/session, 800/day, 3000/week and 10,000/month. So drop in classes are pricy but I think pretty normal for Phuket (or at least Patong and area).

While PBG is not in the middle of nowhere (it is on the hill between Patong and Karon), there isn't a ton of stuff immediately around it. It is one of its charms but isn't so good if you don't have a motorcycle. In terms of accommodations within walking distance, you basically have Secret Cliff (which have a high priced hotel across the street from the gym and slightly cheaper bungalows right above the gym) or On the Hill Resort (about 500m down the road. Where I have always stayed and I love it). Same places have restaurants.

I don't want to talk down "my own gym" but I would say that it isn't great for people who aren't going to rent their own motorcycles. You are either going to take a tuk tuk back and forth to training (200 - 300 baht each way. It's not far but Phuket tuk tuks are crazy expensive) or stay near the gym and pay to go into town. If 3 of you are sharing, it is not a lot of money. I just don't know if you want the hassle if you already like where you are at.

Of course, with motorcycle it is awesome because you train overlooking the ocean, you are away from the bustle, and you can get to Patong or Karon/Kata in 5-10 minutes.

If you are looking to try a different gym right in Patong, you might consider Maximum. "New Maximum" is right on the beach. You can google it. From where you are now, you take the street right by the hospital / police station straight down to the beach. Maximum is just to the right on the road which runs along the beach. On the second floor.

I haven't trained there but I know people who do and they like it. Only complaint I have heard is that it is really hot (based on how the gym is set up, not location). On the flip side it apparently has a full on, western style gym in addition to Muay Thai and Cross Fit classes.

Glad that you are having fun and enjoying your training.[/QUOTE]

We have yet to use a tuk tuk as everything we need is walking distance. I've heard decent stuff about maximum but i'm delighted with psg so will be staying. My mates want to see different areas of the island which is the only reason we are looking for another gym. My mates are already asking me about coming back to psg next year or maybe end of this year.

We're looking for location walking distance from beach, cheap resturants and a massage place. Obv good gym too.

Do you know how affordable the massages are at secret cliff for daily massages?

Made it to this morning's session, taped up my feet. The tape around the ball of my feet slid down, not really sure how to get it to stay. Still walking like a cripple fuck my life. Training 6 people today. My mate went off with the aussie chick aftertraining...
Training was awesome again. Lot's of bruising on my shins (the good kind). After training, shower, change, 2 of our trainers took me and one of my mates on their motorbikes to the local pharmacy to get stuff for our blisters/injuries and explained exactly what happend etc and took us back to gym. Really cool of them to do that. Going to rest up, see how my feet hold up, will try for afternoon session. Another thing to note, once you start training you kinda forget about the heat. You sweat buckets, there's free water bottles in the fridge at the gym. Not a complaint for me or my mates.

Well this is turning into some blog. Open new thread? Or update here?

 

[eddymotto]

I don't know for sure about massages at Secret Cliff but I would be confident that they are expensive. the place sells itself as a 5 Star Resort. While I am not sure that is really true, it is an upscale place and I am sure that the spa is expensive compared to the normal massage place in Phuket

IMO there are 3 "Muay Thai clusters" in Phuket: Patong, Chalong, and Rawai. If you are looking for another place to meet your criteria (close to beach, cheap restaurants, etc.), Rawai would be the right fit. I have never trained at any of those gyms and I have only been to the area a handful of times so I don't have any other details to share.

Alternatively, you could consider going to one of the island like Ko Samui. There are at least a couple of gyms there and it would meet your criteria I think. I have never trained there but I have a friend who did and he really liked it. If you consider going, let me know and I will dig up the gym name for you.

cheers

 

[RedGladiator]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll just post a review at the end. I'll leave this thread for what it's mean to be, Q&A not blogging. Might go sinbi, not sure yet. Ryukyu Damashi do you know how busy they are this time of year for the next 3 weeks? Or anyone else?

 

[gotobread]

I'm at Sinbi right now. I've only been doing mornings and they haven't been crowded at all. Maybe 20 people? Totally manageable and most people are able to head straight into pad work without waiting for a trainer.

They just put up brand new Fairtex bags across the gym yesterday or the day before. A nice variety.

 

[RedGladiator]

I'm at Sinbi right now. I've only been doing mornings and they haven't been crowded at all. Maybe 20 people? Totally manageable and most people are able to head straight into pad work without waiting for a trainer.

They just put up brand new Fairtex bags across the gym yesterday or the day before. A nice variety.

Where are you staying at the moment? We might be going on sunday. Do you know if they have accomodation on site availble for 3 people? Or anywhere else. Looking for cheap as possible with ac. Obv nearer the better. Any tips? (Sorry i know it's been asked before just want uptodate current info)

 

[Deathstriker]

Naiya Buree is not too far down the street or you can call/email Sinbi would be the best option.

 

[RedGladiator]

Naiya Buree is not too far down the street or you can call/email Sinbi would be the best option.

How's your planning going? What are you doing for phuket?

Thanks will check it out. We might stay another week at psg afterall.

 

[RedGladiator]

What's a standard tip for trainer? Do you guys tip weekly or just once at the end?

 

[Ryukyu Damashi]

What's a standard tip for trainer? Do you guys tip weekly or just once at the end?

Tipping a trainer?

 

[kingkokong]

I would recommend that you check with the Thai consulate as opposed to listening too much of what a travel agent says.

While it is entirely possible that there has been some recent rule change, I can tell you that I am in Thailand right now and using a triple entry tourist visa. Each entry is good for 2 months in the country. It cost me about $80 and took 24 hours to get (I dropped off my completed application form in person at the consulate and picked up my visa the next day).

So... to stay 6 months you have to temporarily leave Thailand and get your passport stamped on re-entry.

Rules may be different for different nationalities, rules may have changed recently,... etc.

Hey Eddymotto,

Just wanted to say you were right bro thanks. Travel Agents don't know squat!! Called the Royal Thai Generals office, told me what I need to do. And now I'm waiting on a 1year visa, which should arrive by next week. My flight to Samui is in 2 weeks :icon_chee

By the way, I'll be at the WMC Lamai Camp from June 10th onwards, if any of you boys make the trip up.....drop a line

 

[Deathstriker]

How's your planning going? What are you doing for phuket?

Thanks will check it out. We might stay another week at psg afterall.

I leave next week, getting nervous. I will head to Koh Phangan first get acclimated and get use to the training 1st for June. Beginning July I will head to Phuket and aim to train at Sinbi for a month so I will miss you.

 

[eddymotto]

Hey Eddymotto,

Just wanted to say you were right bro thanks. Travel Agents don't know squat!! Called the Royal Thai Generals office, told me what I need to do. And now I'm waiting on a 1year visa, which should arrive by next week. My flight to Samui is in 2 weeks :icon_chee

By the way, I'll be at the WMC Lamai Camp from June 10th onwards, if any of you boys make the trip up.....drop a line

I am just glad that things have worked out for you. Have a blast and I hope that everything goes great. Please write us up a review when you are done.

Great that you got a one year visa. Did you get the gym to write a letter for you that you will be training there?

Stay healthy and have fun!

 

[eddymotto]

What's a standard tip for trainer? Do you guys tip weekly or just once at the end?

I tip trainers. I am not sure what other people do.

In my case, I have always trained at gyms (well, only 2 gyms) where I had a dedicated trainer who worked with me everyday.

I think that there is a lot of variability in this. My impression is that a lot of people don't tip at all. I know other guys who always give their fight purse to their trainer (in Phuket, that would be about 5,000 baht). Other guys just make sure to pick up a few meals, massages, drinks, etc for the trainers.

If I don't see the trainer outside of the gym for a week, I usually give a tip on Saturday afternoon. I like to tip weekly so that they get a little boost on a regular basis.

Again, to each their own. Just keep in mind that these guys don't make much money, they work hard and, in my experience, really go the extra mile to train shitty fighters like me. So I am happy to give them a little monetary love.

 

[RedGladiator]

Tipping a trainer?

Kru

 

[gotobread]

Where are you staying at the moment? We might be going on sunday. Do you know if they have accomodation on site availble for 3 people? Or anywhere else. Looking for cheap as possible with ac. Obv nearer the better. Any tips? (Sorry i know it's been asked before just want uptodate current info)

I'm renting a nice three bedroom house with some friends.

I have no idea how many people are staying at the gym at the moment. Afternoon classes look pretty big, so it may be pretty full. Sing just opened up some apartments, but I don't know how close they are to the gym or how much they run. Naiya Buree is okay, but I think a little overpriced. There's a place right next door to Naiya Buree called Phuket Riviera Villas. They're a little cheaper (and like five feet closer). You should be able to find some deals as it's low season. Our house was half off.

 

[RedGladiator]

If I don't see the trainer outside of the gym for a week, I usually give a tip on Saturday afternoon. I like to tip weekly so that they get a little boost on a regular basis.

Again, to each their own. Just keep in mind that these guys don't make much money, they work hard and, in my experience, really go the extra mile to train shitty fighters like me. So I am happy to give them a little monetary love.

How much? I don't see my trainner outside training, except once where he took me to the pharmacy and back.

 

[8 Weapons]

Hi Guys
I've always wanted to go to a camp in Thailand but never managed to get my act together (injuries, time, other priorities, etc etc). My only opportunity for a while is going to be end of July this year. I wanted to go to Sinbi for about 10-14 days.

How's the weather going to be like? Is it a really bad time to go? Will I pass out from heat exhaustion?

 

[RedGladiator]

Hi Guys
I've always wanted to go to a camp in Thailand but never managed to get my act together (injuries, time, other priorities, etc etc). My only opportunity for a while is going to be end of July this year. I wanted to go to Sinbi for about 10-14 days.

How's the weather going to be like? Is it a really bad time to go? Will I pass out from heat exhaustion?

I expect it will be cooler in july. Right now it's hot and humid (all year round i think), rained most days (few hours here and there) but sunshine in between. Just drink loads of water and you will be fine. During training you will forget about the heat. One of my mates has low tolerance for heat and was very unfit. He made 10/12 sessions. I've made 5/12 due to blisters/other small injuries. I did my groin in fuck my life. Will test it out tomorrow and see how it goes.


Try to stay at least a month. Time really flys by. If you can only do 10-14 days definately do 14. Hopefully you stay away from injuries.

Just book your flight, you won't regret it.

Anyone know any good places to buy gear near patong? Been to fightHQ and phuket-fight-store. Both weren't well stocked at all. Phuket-fight-store still has topking shinguards, fightHQ waiting for a shipment. I'm not overly impressed with fightHQ prices, they say bangkok pricing, i don't think they are.

I really wanted some boon equipment.

 

[RedGladiator]

I'm renting a nice three bedroom house with some friends.

I have no idea how many people are staying at the gym at the moment. Afternoon classes look pretty big, so it may be pretty full. Sing just opened up some apartments, but I don't know how close they are to the gym or how much they run. Naiya Buree is okay, but I think a little overpriced. There's a place right next door to Naiya Buree called Phuket Riviera Villas. They're a little cheaper (and like five feet closer). You should be able to find some deals as it's low season. Our house was half off.

Thanks mate.i've looked at the sinbi apartments website. Can't find a mention of the gym anywhere. Been looking at your google map too, really helpful. It should be on the first page IMO. Going to the beach now, hopefully it doesn't rain