Gym/Training Muay Thai Gym Q&A

[Harukaze]

Thanks Harukaze, I suppose that does make sense!

My main training is obviously going to be Muay Thai, I was just thinking if training twice a day starting getting to much injury wise, I could do one session and a little grappling for day or two. Then back to Mauy Thai twice a day.

Where would you recommend?

Thanks.

If your heart is set on Phuket and you decide to pursue straight Muay Thai, Singpatong Sitnumnoi is probably the highest-level gym on the island. It produces the most famous and successful nak muay from the island (Penake, Damien, Penthai); Sinbi is also a great place from what I hear -- they have a very decorated ex-champ in Chalee Sor Chaitamin there (I'm sure Deathstriker and RyukyuDamashii can tell you more about Sinbi than I can).

Hi, guys. I have a couple of questions regarding muay thai study in Thailand. Firstly, I'm completely new to muai thai and have no martial arts training whatsoever. Is it a good idea to start my training in Thailand or it is better to have some basic training locally?

Another question I have is about getting a visa. As far as I understand I have to choose the muay thai school, apply for the admission and then apply for the student visa. Is that right? Maybe someone could provide the exact steps?

Thanks!

Basic training locally is a double-edged sword: it will give you a foundation that the Thai instructors can work on refining, but it can also teach you bad habits that need to be corrected. However, if you go to Thailand with zero experience, it may also be a bit of a waste of the opportunity as you'll be learning things that can be readily learned outside of Thai camps, instead of learning higher level stuff that you could probably only get from a legit Thai camp.

My personal opinion is that you should start training locally at the most reputable gym you can find in your area, and maybe get about a 3-6 months in before heading to Thailand. That amount of training should give you enough fundamentals to keep your balance and understand how all the fundamentals should work, but your style isn't yet set and you can still modify your technique easily. Too little, and you'll spend your time in Thailand just learning how to stand properly probably; too much, and you might have some bad habits ingrained in you that will take time and effort to correct. My 2 cents.

 

[onthescopes]

Hey all, great information in this thread. I'm at the tail end of recovering from spinal fractures from a motorcycle accident (narrowly escaped paralysis), planning an epic year, to include 5 months in Thailand I'd like to dedicate to getting fit again and Muay Thai. I have zero experience with Muay Thai, so I'd like to get an excellent foundation for my time there. Being pushed to a high state of fitness is also a top priority (I'm a bit soft from wearing a brace for 12 weeks), so I'd really like to find a gym where regimens are top notch (maybe even styled like CrossFit, if that's somehow any better than what most gyms do). It seems like people do opt to change gyms, which sounds nice for a change of pace, but I'm willing to remain disciplined and stay at one school for the duration if that's the best course. Thanks for any recommendations you can provide.

 

[RedGladiator]

If your heart is set on Phuket and you decide to pursue straight Muay Thai, Singpatong Sitnumnoi is probably the highest-level gym on the island. It produces the most famous and successful nak muay from the island (Penake, Damien, Penthai); Sinbi is also a great place from what I hear -- they have a very decorated ex-champ in Chalee Sor Chaitamin there (I'm sure Deathstriker and RyukyuDamashii can tell you more about Sinbi than I can).


Basic training locally is a double-edged sword: it will give you a foundation that the Thai instructors can work on refining, but it can also teach you bad habits that need to be corrected. However, if you go to Thailand with zero experience, it may also be a bit of a waste of the opportunity as you'll be learning things that can be readily learned outside of Thai camps, instead of learning higher level stuff that you could probably only get from a legit Thai camp.

My personal opinion is that you should start training locally at the most reputable gym you can find in your area, and maybe get about a 3-6 months in before heading to Thailand. That amount of training should give you enough fundamentals to keep your balance and understand how all the fundamentals should work, but your style isn't yet set and you can still modify your technique easily. Too little, and you'll spend your time in Thailand just learning how to stand properly probably; too much, and you might have some bad habits ingrained in you that will take time and effort to correct. My 2 cents.

there are loads of good gyms in phuket. depending on your needs, budget location size etc. list your requirements and someone will be able to help better. do not restrict yourself if possible. singpatong may not suit everyone.
i've seen complete beginners look like a "seasoned" trainer after 3-4 weeks. 3months you are ready to fight. i would recommend a beginner to concentrate on cardio (running/skipping) and maybe some neck work, situps pressups, they will teach you the rest. just explain to them you are new. ideally i agree about training locally before headign out.

 

[RedGladiator]

Hey all, great information in this thread. I'm at the tail end of recovering from spinal fractures from a motorcycle accident (narrowly escaped paralysis), planning an epic year, to include 5 months in Thailand I'd like to dedicate to getting fit again and Muay Thai. I have zero experience with Muay Thai, so I'd like to get an excellent foundation for my time there. Being pushed to a high state of fitness is also a top priority (I'm a bit soft from wearing a brace for 12 weeks), so I'd really like to find a gym where regimens are top notch (maybe even styled like CrossFit, if that's somehow any better than what most gyms do). It seems like people do opt to change gyms, which sounds nice for a change of pace, but I'm willing to remain disciplined and stay at one school for the duration if that's the best course. Thanks for any recommendations you can provide.

unless you can get a substantial discount for 5 months, i wouldn't commit to one gym. you may take time off for breaks/ injuries/ sight seeing/ illness and the dreaded food poison. you may just get bored and want to see if other gyms can teach you something new/different. if i had the time,i think i'd follow deathstrikers intinerary or something similar, just to see more of thailand. for me, it;s my vacation too.

 

[Ryukyu Damashi]

unless you can get a substantial discount for 5 months, i wouldn't commit to one gym. you may take time off for breaks/ injuries/ sight seeing/ illness and the dreaded food poison. you may just get bored and want to see if other gyms can teach you something new/different. if i had the time,i think i'd follow deathstrikers intinerary or something similar, just to see more of thailand. for me, it;s my vacation too.

For sure. Start off paying for one session, then if you like it buy a week, then if the trainers are still motivated, maybe a month.

 

[Harukaze]

i've seen complete beginners look like a "seasoned" trainer after 3-4 weeks. 3months you are ready to fight.

I'm skeptical about that one. I've seen people say that they're ready after that amount of time, but I'd be embarrassed to step into the ring with the skillset they present. Then again, if their opponent is paid to take a fall at Bangla Stadium anyway, even 3 weeks ought to be sufficient. Of course, there are those who come as fresh rookies but are in great athletic shape, plus they train like a pro (2 sessions/day, 6 days/week) -- those folks could definitely be ready in 3 months. But they're the exception rather than the norm, especially in the Western world.

Maybe my standards for "fight ready" are too high (thinking semi-pro level as opposed to weekend interclub level), or maybe I just see too many clumsy, obese folks from my part of the world claim to be "fight-ready" when they're far from it.

Agree to disagree. :icon_chee

 

[RedGladiator]

Matt are there any decent hotels near 96P? the more i read about this place the more i want to go.

 

[Ryukyu Damashi]

Matt are there any decent hotels near 96P? the more i read about this place the more i want to go.

I stay at the S. Sukhumvit Suites on Asoke. It it right at the junction of the subway and the sky train. Makes it very easy to get around the gym is 10-15 minutes away depending on how the trains are running.

 

[RedGladiator]

I'm skeptical about that one. I've seen people say that they're ready after that amount of time, but I'd be embarrassed to step into the ring with the skillset they present. Then again, if their opponent is paid to take a fall at Bangla Stadium anyway, even 3 weeks ought to be sufficient. Of course, there are those who come as fresh rookies but are in great athletic shape, plus they train like a pro (2 sessions/day, 6 days/week) -- those folks could definitely be ready in 3 months. But they're the exception rather than the norm, especially in the Western world.

Maybe my standards for "fight ready" are too high (thinking semi-pro level as opposed to weekend interclub level), or maybe I just see too many clumsy, obese folks from my part of the world claim to be "fight-ready" when they're far from it.

Agree to disagree. :icon_chee

the fight organisers should match you up with someone with similar experience. if you have your heart set on having a fight your mindset during training will be different. of course 3 months is not the "rule" and certainly not for everyone. i can see your point and agree with you for the most part.

 

[RedGladiator]

I stay at the S. Sukhumvit Suites on Asoke. It it right at the junction of the subway and the sky train. Makes it very easy to get around the gym is 10-15 minutes away depending on how the trains are running.

http://www.ssukhumvitsuites.com/ ? looks damn nice. one train from the hotel? i read somewhere you have to take a taxi when you get out of the station?

 

[Ryukyu Damashi]

http://www.ssukhumvitsuites.com/ ? looks damn nice. one train from the hotel? i read somewhere you have to take a taxi when you get out of the station?

The hotel is nice, but the picture make it look better than it is. One good thing is it is a block away from Soi Cowboy. So among other things you are going to get outstanding som tam and moo ping. Isaan girls won't put up with shit food. lol

Yes a motorbike taxi. A taxi car will not know where to take you. The gym is deep in the slums.

Just say Kaimuay Kaowsip Hok Peenang to the motorbike taxi and they will know where to take you.

 

[Harukaze]

the fight organisers should match you up with someone with similar experience. if you have your heart set on having a fight your mindset during training will be different. of course 3 months is not the "rule" and certainly not for everyone. i can see your point and agree with you for the most part.

That's a great point too: a good matchmaker is indeed vital. Right on!

 

[RedGladiator]

The hotel is nice, but the picture make it look better than it is. One good thing is it is a block away from Soi Cowboy. So among other things you are going to get outstanding som tam and moo ping. Isaan girls won't put up with shit food. lol

Yes a motorbike taxi. A taxi car will not know where to take you. The gym is deep in the slums.

Just say Kaimuay Kaowsip Hok Peenang to the motorbike taxi and they will know where to take you.

thanks mate. i'm looking to go early september.
i understand it's only 1 main session there with running/light drills in the morning (from one of your threads) did you ever make the morning sessions? do they do privates in the morning? I got used to the x2 daily sessions in phuket.

Sorry for all the dumb questions, might as well make the most of it seeing you're online now

 

[Ryukyu Damashi]

thanks mate. i'm looking to go early september.
i understand it's only 1 main session there with running/light drills in the morning (from one of your threads) did you ever make the morning sessions? do they do privates in the morning? I got used to the x2 daily sessions in phuket.

Sorry for all the dumb questions, might as well make the most of it seeing you're online now

I don't go in the mornings. They do privates though. I normally do a 0 minute private before the afternoon session.

 

[RedGladiator]

i don't go in the mornings. They do privates though. I normally do a 30 minute private before the afternoon session.

fyp

Edit: any particular reason you don't train in the morning?

 

[Phaiym]

has anyone here ever trained at Sangtiennoi's gym in Pathumthani?? most of the people from my gym go there when in Thailand. i know JWP trained there for several years as well...i checked out the pictures my gym mates posted and it looks nice and fun...almost too nice...like the Fairtex gym. there's also a 3000 seat stadium right next to it

just wondering what outsider opinions are of that place

 

[Siilk]

You can start your training in Thailand or at home. If you go to Thailand without training at home, less mistakes to correct.

To get a visa you will want a tourist visa from the thai embassy in your country for anything less than a year. 1 year Educational visas are very complicated and will require you to take a thai language class in Thailand or something.

You also need to give us more info like how long you plan on staying and if you have any preference in the area you are training in.

Yeah, I guess tourist visa could work for me just fine, as I plan to stay in Thailand for 2-3 months. As for preferred area, I was thinking about Phuket, but nothing is set in stone yet.

BTW, can you guys recommend me a good workout routine to prepare myself for the training? I'm reasonably fit(I cycle quite a lot) but feel that I lack upper body strength.

 

[Harukaze]

Yeah, I guess tourist visa could work for me just fine, as I plan to stay in Thailand for 2-3 months. As for preferred area, I was thinking about Phuket, but nothing is set in stone yet.

BTW, can you guys recommend me a good workout routine to prepare myself for the training? I'm reasonably fit(I cycle quite a lot) but feel that I lack upper body strength.

Cardio is your number one concern. If you're cardio is good and you can maintain a high work rate, your strength will develop very quickly. On the flip side, if you have lousy cardio, you'll be stopping and taking too many breaks to build up your strength as quickly. Keep up your cardio and the strength will come!

In the meantime, if you really want to, do push-ups/press-ups and also "Hindu push-ups" if you can (look them up) to work on your upper body.

 

[Cr3do]

Hey guys,

Is it advisable to book accommodation at a camp (Phuket Top Team) for 7 months in advance? I would not pay for training until I got there.

I'm just thinking to reserve my place, incase it sells out in the mean time?

Thanks!

 

[in10sive]

Matt are there any decent hotels near 96P? the more i read about this place the more i want to go.

Rompo Mansion is about 5min walking from Penang.
2mins From Big C and Tesco.