Ready to Sweat? Muay Thai Is the Answer

If you’re looking for a good workout that combines a fast pace and effective self-defense, look no further than the art of Muay Thai. Muay Thai is a form of kickboxing originating in Asia and perfected in Thailand. It is a system of striking that teaches confidence, balance, and strength, while delivering a complete body workout.

Muay Thai is widely recognized as one of the most effective striking arts due to its efficient techniques and eight points of attack. Many traditional martial arts train only for striking with four points – both hands and both feet. Muay Thai adds elbow and knee strikes to the martial artist’s repertoire, allowing for a diversity of techniques for competition.

For the Muay Thai student, taking up the art means an opportunity to improve cardiovascular conditioning, and develop the ability to strike effectively in competition or self-defense. It’s also a great way to lose a few pounds and tone your muscles – Muay Thai practitioners tend to have great physiques!

Another distinguishing feature of Muay Thai is the “clinch.” Most martial arts train for punching and kicking range, while others train for takedowns and ground fighting. However, Muay Thai is one of only a few arts that work the clinch.

The clinch is the closest stand-up range. Competitors are too close together to deliver effective kicks, and punching techniques are also limited. But Muay Thai practitioners are prepared not only to use knees and elbows in this range, but to control their opponents neck by using the clinch technique. This involves grabbing hold of the back of an opponent’s neck with both hands, thus controlling much of their body movement and equilibrium.

The clinch is a very effective technique and advantageous range to fight in because few other martial artists are familiar with it. Working the clinch and related drills in training also provides a unique workout, one that builds upper body and core strength as well as cardio endurance.

Muay Thai students enjoy drills involving kicking and punching, as well as clinch grappling. Practitioners develop their technique on heavy bags as well as with partners.

One example of a typical Muay Thai drill calls for a student to practice a punching, kicking, kneeing, or elbowing technique (or combination of these) by striking focus mitts held by a training partner. The drills used to develop Muay Thai skills call for an increased level of cardiovascular stamina, as well as focus and concentration. These are helpful qualities for life outside the gym as well, whether at school, in business, or social situations.

Some of the most famous and successful fighters in the world have studied Muay Thai techniques and incorporate them in competition. These include Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Ernesto Hoost, Badr Hari, and Revolution’s own Kultar “Black Mamba” Gill.

Stop by Revolution today and check out a class. You’ll immediately enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, a clear and focused mind, and the rewarding promise of improved fitness in Revolution’s Muay Thai classes.