Top 10 Tips For Training Muay Thai in Bangkok
Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world. For fans of martial arts and combat sports, Thailand holds a special place as the motherland of Muay Thai.
The majority of visitors to Thailand arrive via the country’s main gateway and capital city of Bangkok. Bangkok is not only the capital of Thailand but also the Mecca of the Muay Thai sport. It is home to many of the best Muay Thai camps as well as the most prestigious Muay Thai arenas in the world.
With a wide range of Thai boxing-related activities and world-famous attractions, Bangkok is the ideal travel and training destination for all Muay Thai fans.
Top 10 Tips for Training Muay Thai in Bangkok
Muay Thai vacationers in Bangkok often stay for weeks and months. To make the best out of your Muay Thai vacation and go the distance, here are our top 10 tips for training Muay Thai in Bangkok.
Leave Your Gear at Home
Leave your bulky boxing gloves and old shin guards at home. You will find the best and most affordable Muay Thai gear in shops around Bangkok city. All the latest models, the most extensive range, all at the most attractive prices. This is a great opportunity to stock up on a new set of Muay Thai gear to bring home.
Find the Right Gym
Whether you will be training for one day, one month or even longer, it is important to find the right gym. It depends on your objective and what you are hoping to get out of your training. Research online before your trip and read what others have to say about a gym. The first Thai gym may not always work out so expect to visit and train at a few gyms before making a commitment if you plan to be training long term.
Some factors to look out for include good trainers who can push and motivate, a fight team to train with and learn from, and clean environment with well-maintained equipment.
Go Easy
If you have never been to Thailand or the surrounding region, the heat and humidity can be overwhelming. No matter how fit you are, your first training session will be unlike anything you have experienced before. Muay Thai training in Thailand goes for around 2 hours and can be more intense than what you are used to.
Our advice is to go easy on the first week or at least the first few days. Try to acclimatize and go for one session per day rather than two, before ramping up to twice-a-day training six days in a row.
Private Sessions
Private sessions with a dedicated trainer or world champion offer lots of benefits over group sessions. With full attention from a trainer, you can learn and accomplish more within an hour of a private session than in 2 hours of a group session. Private sessions with most Thai trainers are very affordable in Thailand, costing from 800-1200 THB per hour.
Massage
No trip to Thailand is complete without experiencing some authentic Thai massage. There are plenty of massage spas and are highly affordable too. Massages can help to relieve muscle soreness and support faster recovery after Muay Thai training.
Getting Around
The quickest way to travel within Bangkok is to use public transport. Getting around Bangkok is easy, thanks to its expanding network of skytrains and subways. Bangkok traffic is infamous and can grind to a halt during rush hour. Whenever or wherever possible, skytrains and subways are the modes of transportation which also happen to be very cheap.
Taxis are recommended for places that are outside of central Bangkok and not accessible by trains but always be prepared for some degree of traffic jam throughout the day. Motorbike taxis are ideal for getting around in a traffic jam but are recommended for short distances as there are always safety concerns. Car or bike rentals are possible options but not recommended for those new to the city.
Eating Well
Thai food is among the most flavorful and beloved cuisines in the world. They can be found everywhere in Thailand (of course) and prices are extremely affordable. A plate of stir fried noodles can cost around a dollar and you can have a satisfying meal for less than five dollars. However, Thai street food isn’t always the most healthy option as they can be too greasy or salty.
The good news is that there are more and more healthy food options popping up in Bangkok. From poke bowls to vegan and organic food restaurants, it is worth going clean now and then for long-term health and the best training performance.
Hydrate
Overtraining and the intense heat in Thailand can lead to dehydration if proper hydration is not maintained. Always drink 3 liters or more of water per day in Thailand when you are training. You may also consider adding electrolytes to your water to replace mineral loss from the constant perspiration.
Find the Right Accommodation
Rest and recovery are crucial after a hard training session and a full day of sightseeing under the Thai heat. Besides comfort, other factors to consider when booking accommodation include accessibility to skytrain or metro, accessibility, amenities, restaurants, and proximity to your Muay Thai gym. Imagine spending over an hour to get back to your hotel after every hard training session.
Take time to shop around and read the reviews online or check fellow travellers at your gym. There are lots of hotel options all over Bangkok so there is sure to be the best one for your budget.
Sightseeing
Training is great but don’t forget to take time off to enjoy the rest of what Bangkok has to offer. There’s enough sightseeing, eating, shopping, and plenty of entertainment to keep you busy for weeks and months in Bangkok.
There are historical tourist attractions to visit in the old city, beautiful temples, iconic landmarks, river cruises, sky bars, floating markets, bustling night markets and more. Remember to attend daily Muay Thai fights that take place around the city.
YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok
If you are planning a Muay Thai vacation to Bangkok, remember to check out YOKKAO Training Center. Our gym is located conveniently in downtown Bangkok, minutes away from the nearest skytrain and metro stations.
We offer authentic Muay Thai training in a pleasant environment with well-maintained equipment, all under the instruction of our champion trainers. You will also get to train alongside world-famous Muay Thai fighters like Saenchai or Singdam, and even learn Muay Thai directly from them in private sessions.
Head over to YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok section for more information.
