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Muay Thai F.A.Q.
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1.What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai (literally meaning, Thai boxing), is a traditional Thai martial art characterized, notably, by its use of elbows and knees. Muay Thai is thus often referred to as the 'art of eight limbs', as opposed to other styles which tend to focus primarily on hands and feet.
It is a sport-oriented art, the modern rules of which have been influenced by Western boxing, and it is enjoying an impressive recent worldwide growth due to its popularity as a base art with Mixed Martial Artists.
2.I've heard Muay Thai was the deadliest martial art out there. Is that true?
Here are a few reasons why Muay Thai is an effective martial art (in no particular order):
- little or no emphasis on forms, high emphasis on sparring
- has proved itself in the ring
- complete as a stand up art (elbows, knees, shins, as well as hands and feet
- outstanding clinch work and basic throws
- high emphasis on conditioning
- can be picked up fairly quickly
- does not require amazing flexibility
- powerful and distinctive kicks (no chambering)
- hand techniques heavily influenced by western boxing (which has also done its proof in the ring)
- strong record of Thai fighters against other martial artists (statistical evidence)
- defensively very sound
- competitive rule set favoring relatively realistic training
- suits most body types
There are other stand-up martial arts that fare very well against muay thai (sanda, kyokushin karate, and -to a lesser extent perhaps- western boxing), but you cannot go very wrong with any of these...
3.What's the difference between Muay Thai and kickboxing?
Kickboxing is a 20th century sport originating mostly from Japan and America, as the rules of karate contests were adapted to the ring. In contrast, Muay Thai is centuries old and deeply rooted in the social and cultural heritage of Thailand.
4.I want to learn Muay Thai; where do I start?
First of all, you'll need to find out where the nearest club or school is. Give them a ring -or go there in person- and ask if you can attend a taster session. You can usually opt to just watch the class, or take part if you feel like it. All you will need is a pair of loose fitting shorts (or trousers). If you do not enjoy it, or do not get on with the people there, then it is probably not the best choice for you. Remember, there are many martial arts out there, and choosing one you actually enjoy is far more important than choosing one on the basis of its reputation...
5.Can everyone learn Muay Thai?
In short, yes. Muay Thai is suitable for children, and men and women alike. There are even a few gyms where you will find the occasional senior citizen!
6.Is Muay Thai an expensive sport?
The cost of lessons varies from gym to gym, but it is usually very reasonable. In terms of equipment, you need very little to start off with as your club will probably lend you everything you need. In the long run, you will probably end up buying Muay Thai shorts, bag gloves and sparring gloves, shin pads, a groin guard, handwraps, and a mouth guard. A very modest investment compared to most other sports.
7.Will I be asked to remember strange foreign names for all the techniques we learn?
In all likelihood you won't, as most clubs and schools simply refer to the techniques by their english names (jab, hook, roundhouse kick... etc). However, if you really enjoy the sport, and consider training in Thailand for some time, finding out more about the sport's heritage and learning some of the language will go a long way towards making you feel accepted.
8.I've heard Thai fighters fought with broken glass on the bandages on their hands... is that true?
Whilst it is true fighters did wear bandages on their hands, it is hard to establish whether they did attach broken glass to these with wax: in fact, it may be no more than a myth. However, it is also true ancient Muay Thai was much more violent than it is nowadays. The introduction of gloves and modern rules have made it a relatively safe sport... For instance, in Britain, there are far more rugby related injuries proportionally, than there are due to Muay Thai.
9.Does Muay Thai training involve kicking trees?
It certainly did in ancient times, before the introduction of modern training equipment, notably heavy bags. Thai fighters used to condition their shins by kicking banana trees. Nowadays, the practice is almost never heard of, apart from a few foreigners who have been watching too many Jean-Caude Van Damme movies.
10.Will I get hurt in training or competition?
Whilst the risk of injury can never be excluded, it is worth remembering that your instructors will always take every precaution to make the sport as safe as possible... Thai fighters make their living out of the sport (and they do have to fight frequently!), and they take great care in training not to jeopardize their future fights. There is a higher risk of injuries in contests, but for most this will be limited to some bruising and the occasional black eye!
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1.What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai (literally meaning, Thai boxing), is a traditional Thai martial art characterized, notably, by its use of elbows and knees. Muay Thai is thus often referred to as the 'art of eight limbs', as opposed to other styles which tend to focus primarily on hands and feet.
It is a sport-oriented art, the modern rules of which have been influenced by Western boxing, and it is enjoying an impressive recent worldwide growth due to its popularity as a base art with Mixed Martial Artists.
2.I've heard Muay Thai was the deadliest martial art out there. Is that true?
Here are a few reasons why Muay Thai is an effective martial art (in no particular order):
- little or no emphasis on forms, high emphasis on sparring
- has proved itself in the ring
- complete as a stand up art (elbows, knees, shins, as well as hands and feet
- outstanding clinch work and basic throws
- high emphasis on conditioning
- can be picked up fairly quickly
- does not require amazing flexibility
- powerful and distinctive kicks (no chambering)
- hand techniques heavily influenced by western boxing (which has also done its proof in the ring)
- strong record of Thai fighters against other martial artists (statistical evidence)
- defensively very sound
- competitive rule set favoring relatively realistic training
- suits most body types
There are other stand-up martial arts that fare very well against muay thai (sanda, kyokushin karate, and -to a lesser extent perhaps- western boxing), but you cannot go very wrong with any of these...
3.What's the difference between Muay Thai and kickboxing?
Kickboxing is a 20th century sport originating mostly from Japan and America, as the rules of karate contests were adapted to the ring. In contrast, Muay Thai is centuries old and deeply rooted in the social and cultural heritage of Thailand.
4.I want to learn Muay Thai; where do I start?
First of all, you'll need to find out where the nearest club or school is. Give them a ring -or go there in person- and ask if you can attend a taster session. You can usually opt to just watch the class, or take part if you feel like it. All you will need is a pair of loose fitting shorts (or trousers). If you do not enjoy it, or do not get on with the people there, then it is probably not the best choice for you. Remember, there are many martial arts out there, and choosing one you actually enjoy is far more important than choosing one on the basis of its reputation...
5.Can everyone learn Muay Thai?
In short, yes. Muay Thai is suitable for children, and men and women alike. There are even a few gyms where you will find the occasional senior citizen!
6.Is Muay Thai an expensive sport?
The cost of lessons varies from gym to gym, but it is usually very reasonable. In terms of equipment, you need very little to start off with as your club will probably lend you everything you need. In the long run, you will probably end up buying Muay Thai shorts, bag gloves and sparring gloves, shin pads, a groin guard, handwraps, and a mouth guard. A very modest investment compared to most other sports.
7.Will I be asked to remember strange foreign names for all the techniques we learn?
In all likelihood you won't, as most clubs and schools simply refer to the techniques by their english names (jab, hook, roundhouse kick... etc). However, if you really enjoy the sport, and consider training in Thailand for some time, finding out more about the sport's heritage and learning some of the language will go a long way towards making you feel accepted.
8.I've heard Thai fighters fought with broken glass on the bandages on their hands... is that true?
Whilst it is true fighters did wear bandages on their hands, it is hard to establish whether they did attach broken glass to these with wax: in fact, it may be no more than a myth. However, it is also true ancient Muay Thai was much more violent than it is nowadays. The introduction of gloves and modern rules have made it a relatively safe sport... For instance, in Britain, there are far more rugby related injuries proportionally, than there are due to Muay Thai.
9.Does Muay Thai training involve kicking trees?
It certainly did in ancient times, before the introduction of modern training equipment, notably heavy bags. Thai fighters used to condition their shins by kicking banana trees. Nowadays, the practice is almost never heard of, apart from a few foreigners who have been watching too many Jean-Caude Van Damme movies.
10.Will I get hurt in training or competition?
Whilst the risk of injury can never be excluded, it is worth remembering that your instructors will always take every precaution to make the sport as safe as possible... Thai fighters make their living out of the sport (and they do have to fight frequently!), and they take great care in training not to jeopardize their future fights. There is a higher risk of injuries in contests, but for most this will be limited to some bruising and the occasional black eye!
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