Someone has te be the BEST at MUAY THAI...
Will that be YOU?
Are you ready to become the best at the Art of 8 limbs?
Is your hunger for greatness stronger than your excuses?
Hakan Yildiz PT Studio is open and ready to take you to the next level.
But, what is Muay Thai exactly?
“Muay” translates to mean “boxing” in Thai, so Muay Thai is literally Thai boxing. Taking elements from Muay Boran, the traditional Thai martial arts, Muay Thai as a modern combat sport was first formalized in the early 20th century.
The sport was influenced by British boxing where codified rules and the boxing ring were put in place. During this period, fighters also ditched wrapping hands with ropes (“Kard Chuek”) and began wearing boxing gloves in competitions.
Muay Thai is a stand-up striking sport, with two competitors in the ring throwing punches, elbows, knees, and kicks at each other. Clinching, sweeps and throws are also allowed.
Besides the 8-point contact, a key difference between Muay Thai and many other stand-up combat sports is its emphasis on traditional elements such as the pre-fight dance ritual known as Wai Kru Ram Muay, the headdress (Mongkon), and the Sarama music that accompanies each fight.
CHOK
Punch
Punches are the most commonly used weapons in Muay Thai. The main punch techniques include the straight lead punch (jab), straight rear punch (cross), uppercut, hook, overhead punch, and spinning back fist. Punching power is generated with speed from the feet up, through shifting of weight, and rotation of the hip and shoulders.
FANSOK
Elbow
The elbow is one of the hardest parts of the human body. There are many different ways to throw an elbow: sideways to the head, from the top down, reverse to the chin, flying elbow from the top down, and spinning back elbow. Elbow strikes can knock out an opponent or inflict deep cuts that can end fights.
TEH
Kick
Besides the standard roundhouse side kick, Muay Thai kicks can be delivered in a variety of ways such as jumping kicks, spinning back kicks, axe kicks (top-down with heel landing on the opponent’s head), and the acrobatic cartwheel kick. Kicks can be thrown to the opponent’s legs, body, arms, and head.
KAO
Knee
Knees are typically close-range weapons used during clinching. They are often thrown to the body, especially the ribcage but also on thighs and directly to the head. Jumping knee strikes can also be devastating if landed. When used effectively like other weapons of Muay Thai, knees can end fights by knockouts.
TEEP
Push
The push kick can be used both defensively or offensively. It can be used as a technique to keep opponents at a distance and disrupt an advance or as a strike if delivered with power and accuracy. Teeps can also be thrown as a side kick with the rear leg or jumping front kick for even more power.
YOK
Clinch
Clinching is a close-range fighting style that requires many years of practice to master. Takedowns, or tripping the opponent to the ground are also allowed and performed during clinching. When used to the right effect, clinching can help fighters outscore their opponents and win fights.
Muay Thai, can we crack the code?
There is no shortcut to becoming good at Muay Thai. Professional fighters in Thailand train twice daily, six days a week, and compete almost every month. Many of them accumulate hundreds of fights on their record over their career as they started training as young as four or five.
Muay Thai techniques are simple and it is all about drilling; grinding the same techniques over and over again on a daily basis until they become second nature. Besides working on techniques, cardio and strength are important elements to becoming good in Muay Thai.
This is why running and strength training exercises are also done every day in a fighter training program.
Trainers are addressed as “Kru” in Muay Thai which means teacher. Krus are respected and always trusted for doing what is best for a fighter. Be it that push during training or the advice given, students must always give 100% trust as the Kru knows what is best. Even fighters with many titles to their names listen to their trainers.
Most importantly, giving your best during every training is the way to progress. Push yourself and give all you have got. In short, show up and train as regularly and frequently as you can.
What are the benefits of Muay Thai?
Although it remains to be a full-contact sport, the times have changed with more and more people taking up Muay Thai for a variety of reasons. While many continue to compete in the ring, there is an increasing population training Muay Thai for fitness and recreational reasons. Today, Muay Thai is embraced by practitioners of all ages all over the world.
Here we have some of the benefits you can have by practicing Muay Thai:
It’s all about burning those extra calories and Muay Thai training does it exceptionally effectively. Each Muay Thai session lasts about 1-2 hours and consists of warm-up, shadow boxing, drilling techniques, heavy bag work, and pad work, before finishing off with strength training exercises. One 2-hour session can burn 1000 calories, making it a great and fun way to lose weight.
Muay Thai consists of both attacking and defense techniques. As a combat art originating in military warfare, Muay Thai was designed to inflict pain to the enemy while protecting the user from physical harm. Its range of weapons like the elbow strike, knee strike and push kick can be used to disarm an attack. It is a great self-defense skill, making it ideal for everyone to learn especially kids and women.
Muay Thai consists of both attacking and defense techniques. As a combat art originating in military warfare, Muay Thai was designed to inflict pain to the enemy while protecting the user from physical harm. Its range of weapons like the elbow strike, knee strike and push kick can be used to disarm an attack. It is a great self-defense skill, making it ideal for everyone to learn especially kids and women.
Training Muay Thai makes one leaner and gets one into a better shape. And when a person feels good about the way he/she looks, the more confidence they exude. At the same time if one makes the effort to train Muay Thai regularly, he/she will get better at it and seeing that improvement over time has a direct effect in the growth of self-confidence.
Endorphins are a group of chemicals secreted within the brain and nervous system. The release of endorphins in the body are known to promote a sense of comfort and well-being which can help in stress management. Endorphin rush refers to this state which is experienced after a workout which is almost guaranteed with each Muay Thai training session.
Muay Thai training is tough. Each session lasts from 1 to 2 hours and incorporates multiple rounds of shadow boxing, heavy bagwork, padwork, strength training and conditioning exercises. A traditional training for fighters will even include a 3-5km run as a warm-up. A sore body today is a strong body tomorrow. Clearly, training in Muay Thai regularly will improve overall fitness and strengthen the body .
Cardiovascular illness is the number 1 cause of death globally. One of the most common heart diseases is hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications like stroke and heart failure. The first step to reducing the risk of developing heart disease is to make positive changes by engaging in regular cardiovascular exercises. As a cardio-intensive sport, regular training in Muay Thai can reduce blood pressure and strengthen the heart. Being healthy isn’t a fad or a trend, it is a lifestyle and Muay Thai can help to achieve it.
There is always a strong sense of comradeship at every Muay Thai gym. There is a common interest in learning Muay Thai; everyone is working towards the shared goal of self-betterment; blood and sweat are shed during training; and this is how the deepest friendships are forged. Friends who slay together, stay together.
Unlike many martial arts that focus on katas (or forms), Muay Thai is straightforward and to the point. There is no elaborate or detailed choreography and the moves are not designed to be performed for entertainment purposes. Muay Thai is a stand-up striking style that was developed to hurt the opponent in the most efficient way. They are effective yet instinctive enough to be picked up easily. No need for memorizing fancy, complicated movements. Easy as 1-2-3.
For all fitness enthusiasts who are sick of running on the treadmill or lifting the same old weights, Muay Thai is the antidote. Besides learning different techniques and combos, modern Muay Thai training incorporate a variety of exercises that makes training fun and effective at the same time. When the activity is interesting, there is more motivation and incentive to train. Whether for recreation or fitness, Muay Thai is an ideal activity that is fun and fulfilling.