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Gym/Training Muay Thai Gym Q&A

If you are don't want to spend much, don't go to Tiger, don't even go to Phuket.

Watcharachai gym in Bangkok is brand new and very cheap. A month training is only 8000 baht. You can live at the camp and train for 15,000 baht a month.
 
If you are don't want to spend much, don't go to Tiger, don't even go to Phuket.

Watcharachai gym in Bangkok is brand new and very cheap. A month training is only 8000 baht. You can live at the camp and train for 15,000 baht a month.

i cant find much on that gym. hows the English speaking?
 
Narupol Fairtex was a trainer there for a while, he still might be...
Heard its good for MMA, but i doubt it can be any better than U.S gyms.

They have a sick line up of Thai trainers. But it is extremely expensive. If you are going all the way to Singapore, you should just go to Thailand. If you really need to train MMA and for some reason don't want to train in the US, go to Phuket Top Team or Tiger, but IMO your wasting a trip to Thailand by training MMA or BJJ.
 
First of all I'm new to this forum, so hey, and great thread!

I'm planning on going to Thailand later this year (probably november/dec) for a month or two, longer if I can afford it.

I was originally going to head to tiger but heard a few too many negatives, saying that i will probably go for a session whilst I'm out there to see what it's like. Is tiger mainly geared towards mma? As I am going out there solely to train muay thai. I like the sound of sinbi, but the accommodation looks pretty expensive, any tips on a hotel/room nearby? Is sinbi crowded?

I'll be a first timer to Thailand, so will no doubt be asking a few more questions haha!

cheers, and once again, nice thread!
 
I'm looking for a gym that isn't pricy, and very affordable with living accommodation, and intense training. I want to be with excellent fighters, I'm looking to train heavily.

I have a good wrestling background and I'm looking to spend a year at whatever gym I go to in order to develop a stand-up.

Any suggestions?
 
First of all I'm new to this forum, so hey, and great thread!

I'm planning on going to Thailand later this year (probably november/dec) for a month or two, longer if I can afford it.

I was originally going to head to tiger but heard a few too many negatives, saying that i will probably go for a session whilst I'm out there to see what it's like. Is tiger mainly geared towards mma? As I am going out there solely to train muay thai. I like the sound of sinbi, but the accommodation looks pretty expensive, any tips on a hotel/room nearby? Is sinbi crowded?

I'll be a first timer to Thailand, so will no doubt be asking a few more questions haha!

cheers, and once again, nice thread!

Tiger is geared towards money and how much they can squeeze out of you. It's basically a Goodlife or Baileys fitness type gym with muay thai/mma tagged on to the title
 
First of all I'm new to this forum, so hey, and great thread!

I'm planning on going to Thailand later this year (probably november/dec) for a month or two, longer if I can afford it.

I was originally going to head to tiger but heard a few too many negatives, saying that i will probably go for a session whilst I'm out there to see what it's like. Is tiger mainly geared towards mma? As I am going out there solely to train muay thai. I like the sound of sinbi, but the accommodation looks pretty expensive, any tips on a hotel/room nearby? Is sinbi crowded?

I'll be a first timer to Thailand, so will no doubt be asking a few more questions haha!

cheers, and once again, nice thread!

welcome and good luck. I just got back from my first trip to Thailand.

I mainly trained at Patong Boxing Gym (Phuket) and I really liked it. It is where I will go back next time, assuming no changes in their set up.

I only trained at 2 gyms but my advice is just this - go! I learned more in 3 months then I would in a year or more at home. Every gym has people who love them and hate them. It's like Tripadvisor.

All the gyms follow the same basic structure. The differences for individuals are mostly:

1. Location -- think about what you want to do when you are not training. Everyone says that they are "only about the training" but I don't see why anyone wants to go to Thailand and not have any fun. I don't drink alcohol and I didn't whore it up - but I still liked having stuff to do when I wasn't training. Location also drives cost (food, accommodation, transport).

2. Group vs Private sessions. Some gyms like Fairtex Pattaya and Patong Boxing Gym do all private lessons. That's just their basic structure. I liked it at PBG because I always got a lot of focus from my trainer (and it's less crowded because the training is effectively staggered). Most places do group sessions where you do a lot of (supervised) work as a group and then get called over to do padwork when the instructors have time. Both are fine. In theory it should all work out the same. I just liked having a dedicated trainer.

3. Atmosphere & how you get on with the trainers -- this is completely individual and it is the real wildcard for anyone going to a camp. I loved my trainer at PBG and got on with the other trainers there as well. On the other hand, I was at another camp and I just didn't hit it off with the trainers. They were nice guys, extremely knowledgeable, etc. We just didn't click and, while I learned a lot, I really didn't like going to the gym every day. All you can do on this front is pick a place with good reviews, don't book too long in advance, and be willing to change if you don't mesh with the camp.

Lot's of guys on this forum have a lot more experience then me in Thailand. But if you have any totally n00b questions, let me know. I still remember my first day training in Muay Thai as it wasn't so long ago...
 
welcome and good luck. I just got back from my first trip to Thailand.

I mainly trained at Patong Boxing Gym (Phuket) and I really liked it. It is where I will go back next time, assuming no changes in their set up.

I only trained at 2 gyms but my advice is just this - go! I learned more in 3 months then I would in a year or more at home. Every gym has people who love them and hate them. It's like Tripadvisor.

All the gyms follow the same basic structure. The differences for individuals are mostly:

1. Location -- think about what you want to do when you are not training. Everyone says that they are "only about the training" but I don't see why anyone wants to go to Thailand and not have any fun. I don't drink alcohol and I didn't whore it up - but I still liked having stuff to do when I wasn't training. Location also drives cost (food, accommodation, transport).

2. Group vs Private sessions. Some gyms like Fairtex Pattaya and Patong Boxing Gym do all private lessons. That's just their basic structure. I liked it at PBG because I always got a lot of focus from my trainer (and it's less crowded because the training is effectively staggered). Most places do group sessions where you do a lot of (supervised) work as a group and then get called over to do padwork when the instructors have time. Both are fine. In theory it should all work out the same. I just liked having a dedicated trainer.

3. Atmosphere & how you get on with the trainers -- this is completely individual and it is the real wildcard for anyone going to a camp. I loved my trainer at PBG and got on with the other trainers there as well. On the other hand, I was at another camp and I just didn't hit it off with the trainers. They were nice guys, extremely knowledgeable, etc. We just didn't click and, while I learned a lot, I really didn't like going to the gym every day. All you can do on this front is pick a place with good reviews, don't book too long in advance, and be willing to change if you don't mesh with the camp.

Lot's of guys on this forum have a lot more experience then me in Thailand. But if you have any totally n00b questions, let me know. I still remember my first day training in Muay Thai as it wasn't so long ago...

I was at Fairtex Pattaya in early 2010, and it's a bit more structured than how I believe PBG is set up. It's not as group oriented as the Phuket gyms I've been to, but you're still expected to show up at a certain time, do cardio, shadowbox, and hit the bags.
 
I was at Fairtex Pattaya in early 2010, and it's a bit more structured than how I believe PBG is set up. It's not as group oriented as the Phuket gyms I've been to, but you're still expected to show up at a certain time, do cardio, shadowbox, and hit the bags.

I trained both places during my last trip (Fairtex Pattaya only for 1 week).

The only real difference I noticed is that Fairtex had set times in the morning & afternoon when everyone showed up (although every time I walked through the gym at other times there were people training. They must have paid for "true privates"). At PBG, they allocate you an hour with your trainer (8, 9 10 in morning. 4, 5, 6 in afternoon). So at PGB you get more of a staggered training effect. There are people at PBG that I met socially that I had never even seen in the gym because we were always there at different times.

but both places I felt that the onus was on me to run on my own (I prefer to run by myself. it is not hard to get a group of runners together if you prefer running in a group). Then I had about an hour with the trainer and then some "supervised" bagwork and floor exercises.

So I am not sure if we just have different takes on how those gyms operate or if Fairtex has changed a little since you were there (it was also super slow when I was there)

I think that the term "private session" means different things to different people and so I hope that I have not accidently misled anyone.

Cheers
 
Hey guys, right now im a a HUGE predicament. There are three different schools that I can learn Muay Thai at, I need help choosing. First, there is Coopers Gym USA. It is the closest to my house, but the website doesnt say the price, or instructor. The only thing I know is it is the closest and it is "authentic" Muay Thai. But, I've heard some good reviews on it. Second, is East West Martial Arts. It is the second closest, and the instructor was trained by Matee Jedeepitak. Do not know price. And the third, is the farthest. The price is 75 dollars a month, and the instructor IS Matee Jedeepitak. If anyone knows any information about any of these gyms, please share.
 
hi everyone :) first time poster, tho have been lurking getting lots of info from the forums the last couple of weeks...

Im going to be at sinbi in april (fingers crossed!) for about three / three and a half weeks...im 99% decided on sinbi, it sounds like exactly the kind of gym I want to train at with great trainers, and have got lots of recommendations for it, including from people who have trained there, but Ill probably not pre book any training till i get there, (or just book one weeks training).....anyways, this will be my first time in thailand and im travelling by myself.

Has anyone got any recommendations on places to stay close to the gym, maybe where other people attending the gym might usually stay and are nice but also cheap enough? as im going on my own (and a girl :) ), priorities are safety and also not being too isolated :) Or is the onsite accommodation the best bet, even initially for a week while i orientate myself....

bit worried about the heat and humidity since its apparently the hottest month ( and im coming from ireland lol) so going to be having lots of dioralyte etc, but steerage on aclimatising might be another thread question :-)

Any recommendations at all on accommodation, or any tips on anything general really would be greatly appreciated....really really excited about going, just want to make sure i think of all options so as im properly prepared :D

thanks a mill!! Love the forums btw..
 
I'm heading to Thailand next week. I arrive in Koh Tao Thursday if I can get through Bangkok fast enough. My gloves were stolen at my gym last week so I need to stop in BKK and do some shopping :)

Anyone have any recommendation for training in Koh Samui? I'm planning on going to Island Muay Thai when in Koh Tao but I'm sure I'll do some island hopping.

I leave March 14th so if anybody is around lemme know.
 
hi everyone :) first time poster, tho have been lurking getting lots of info from the forums the last couple of weeks...

Im going to be at sinbi in april (fingers crossed!) for about three / three and a half weeks...im 99% decided on sinbi, it sounds like exactly the kind of gym I want to train at with great trainers, and have got lots of recommendations for it, including from people who have trained there, but Ill probably not pre book any training till i get there, (or just book one weeks training).....anyways, this will be my first time in thailand and im travelling by myself.

Has anyone got any recommendations on places to stay close to the gym, maybe where other people attending the gym might usually stay and are nice but also cheap enough? as im going on my own (and a girl :) ), priorities are safety and also not being too isolated :) Or is the onsite accommodation the best bet, even initially for a week while i orientate myself....

bit worried about the heat and humidity since its apparently the hottest month ( and im coming from ireland lol) so going to be having lots of dioralyte etc, but steerage on aclimatising might be another thread question :-)

Any recommendations at all on accommodation, or any tips on anything general really would be greatly appreciated....really really excited about going, just want to make sure i think of all options so as im properly prepared :D

thanks a mill!! Love the forums btw..

Phuket Riviera Villas - Nai Harn Beach

This is right around the corner from the gym and very nice. I stayed there last April for 1000 baht a night.
 
I'm heading to Thailand next week. I arrive in Koh Tao Thursday if I can get through Bangkok fast enough. My gloves were stolen at my gym last week so I need to stop in BKK and do some shopping :)

Anyone have any recommendation for training in Koh Samui? I'm planning on going to Island Muay Thai when in Koh Tao but I'm sure I'll do some island hopping.

I leave March 14th so if anybody is around lemme know.

I'll be arriving on the 13th of March and I highly recommend WMC Lamai. (been twice before)

Lamai Muay Thai Camp: Sanctioned by the World Muay Thai Council

A couple of ex Lumpini champs for trainers such as Nokweed Davy 7x and Padang 2x (I believe)

If you have ever watched the Contender Asia series or the newly Mauy Thai Challenger series, you'll recognise the trainers and some of the fighters still train at the camp (Zidov, Ilya, the Handsome Hero and Tum Mardsua) andyou may get the occasional other big names

http://youtu.be/

http://youtu.be/

Check it out, I highly recommend it.. might see you around :icon_evil :cool: :)
 
Thanks kingkokong. I'll probably go there when I'm on Samui!
Unfortunately I'm planning on heading back to BKK on the 13th (fly out the 14th) so I can catch fights at Lumpinee!

Hope I can find some decent gloves on Samui because I don't want to spend a day in BKK at the beginning of my trip. I'm sure I'll spend more $ but oh well. Convenience will be worth it.
 
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