The ultimate guide to Thai boxing for beginners
Muay Thai, or “Thai Boxing,” is a combat sport developed in Thailand which uses a lot of strikes and kicks. It requires the use of all body parts like fists, shins, knees, and elbows. Muay Thai is an excellent US combat sport and a great self-defence martial art as well. Here is a short guide if you want to start training.
Protective gear
Since Muay Thai involves full use of the body, there is a greater chance for injury. In order to prevent injury, you will need some equipment. According to industry experts at US Combat Sports, the right equipment is fundamental to any contact sport.
Here is a list of equipment to help ensure your safety:
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Headgear – Your head will need protection so that there is less chance of superficial injuries like nose injuries or cuts. You want to make sure you buy headgear that won’t compromise your ability to see, is lightweight, and fits you well.
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Groin guard Since Muay Thai requires a lot of full body contact, it’s important to keep the groin area protected.
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Mouthguard – Reduces jaw injuries and head trauma.
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Boxing gloves – These are padded gloves which help strengthen your strikes, protect your hands and fingers, and also protect your sparring partner to lessen the impact of a punch.
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Shin guards – This padded guard absorbs impact when striking with your legs. It decreases the chance for injury.
The Right Training
As a combat sport, the right training is critical. There are many places to find experts providing classes online or even personal trainers via Zoom to make sure you are learning the right positions, rules, and ways to protect your body while engaging in Muay Thai.
Don’t just click on your first video instead do your research and make sure you have chosen a reliable trainer with years of experience that can train you based on your skillset.
Clothing
Although Thai boxing doesn’t allow for much clothing, the clothing you are allowed to wear is essential and should meet all of the following conditions.
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Durability Buy clothing that won’t rip when you’re in the ring. Polyester and micro-fiber are good durable materials.
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Comfort -You want to be comfortable and should find material that feels nice against your skin. Some people opt for material like satin-polyester because it feels smooth on the skin.
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Light-weight and wicking -wear clothes that wick sweat to stay cooler and more comfortable
When choosing your boxing shorts you will want to look for pairs that have a side-leg cut to allow for extra movement. Sometimes it’s not enough to just have an elastic band waist. Many prefer to wear shorts that have an internal drawstring for a more customized fit.Roomy groin area for a groin guard. Groin guards take up room, so you want to find shorts that will have enough room for a groin guard and still allow free movement.
Takeaway
If you want to try out something new, training in Muay Thai is a good idea. There are so many online options now, so now is the time to get started. Since Muay Thai uses your whole body, it’s also great exercise, which is something most people can use today.