Thought I would put up my review on a gym that I trained at in Thailand.
Tiger Muay Thai.
Muay Thai, MMA & Thai Boxing training Camp Phuket Thailand - Welcome to Tiger Muay Thai
My situation ..
Was wanting a training trip over there with some good time spent on learning technique and developing me skills that I already had (I have much room for improvement lol ). However, going over to spend a month there, I also wanted a quick 5 days on the drink, and partying before I started my training, which is why I ended up in Phuket.
…. Anyway… on to the gym . lol
My First days..
In the first hour of my training I was put up straight away to the intermediate classes, as the seen I had some experience. This is a good thing, as aleast they recognized that I had training behind me, and I didn’t get stuck in a beginners group for weeks.
Next day, was put into the advanced(fighters group). Here, the next two days were and experience. For two days, I was head hunted by a couple of the Thai instructors who, at the time, seemed hell bent in knocking me out. Luckily for me, they did not, although, I was rocked HARDD! On many occasions. Those few days, if your not a understanding person, could have broken me, or for someone who was training there and possibly walked. I still believe that it was kinda like an initiation, or possible that someone had worded them up about someone advancing quickly. Still not sure.
Either way, I survived the onslaught, and seemed to earned respect as the days after that, the instructors warmed to me.
This is an experience, you and and only you, can make your own opinion of. I am just telling you how it happened.
3 Weeks…
I was finding it to be a very liner training starting at this point. Its probly my only major bone to pick with this place, but ill get to that later. Technique was being instructed, but as it was a group session of about 4-8 fighters each time, it was not really shared around. Instructing was more of a choir at the time it seemed, FOR SOME INSTUCTORS, not all.
I was very lucky at this time though, as one of the instructors/fighters seemed to warm to me and take me under his wing. This was great, as he took the time to concentrate on me, and really help me out with technique and get me right. This right here was the best part for me, as I couldn’t afford personal training all that often, and only ended up having 3 personals over the time I was there.
4th Week..
I was asked to fight at patong stadium. I would have loved to taken the opportunity, but I was leaving at the end of the week, so I declined. There, the offer came for a smoker fight (amateur bout) that they held, and I took it and fought (and won
After that, I just recovered for 2 days, before I went home.
Summery……
The Good…..
1. They offer smoker or amateur fights for a lot of people there. Anyone who has not fought, or is looking for a quick kick, or a taste of the atmosphere for a fight can get a go. I think its good they offer it.
2. Accommodation is every where around it. From shitty rooms there to nicer rooms they offer, to a nice few places with pools across the road and up the street.
3. Generally, everyone there, seems to be of tolerance, and you don’t meet to many foreign people, that you just want to smash in there face for there arrogance. Lots of levels of ability, which means lots of different types there, so it makes for good atmosphere and good conversation.
4. Plenty of room there to move around and train. (now that they have done there extension there)
5. Location of the place is in a quite area, and set in a forest of rubber trees, so its nice and clean air.
6. If you want to get fit, you bloody will!
The Bad….
1. The place kida felt like it was just about turnover of people. I kinda don’t blame them, because I can imagine getting so many different foreigners and types coming to try and prove themselves, or just getting hard to please tourists, that it is hard to focus and help Individuals.
2. Outbreak of Staff while I was there. Not sure how you would handle that one though, or if you could prevent it.
3. Talked to the owner on the net about prices. When I got there (1 month later) the prices had gone up some how?????? …….. even after taking the printed email to them just in case for this purpose.. :/
So.. would I go back??
Yeh, I would. However, I will try else where as well when I do go back to Thailand. I would do it different though, I would not book in advance, and I would not get an accommodation till I get there. Prices can be negotiated, just like everything there.
I still think that when I do go back, I will try a few more quite places, where the guys can focus on you more and not just pump out sessions.
I have no regrets going to Tiger, and I would suggest it to anyone, who has NOT traveled there and is looking for some training, as you will find a companion of some sorts in all the others training there as well. If you’re a great fighter with lots of experience, hmmmm…. In not sure if its for you.. but I know they could set a few fights up for you easily
All in all I would give it an 7.5 out of 10.
Anyway, sorry if this bores you. I am just trying to help as the topic started did. You might not agree on some of the above, or you might think bad of me for some of the above, well so be it. But im just trying to give an experience and help people out.
Peace