Muay Thai sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "Art of eight limbs", as it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins. Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the late 20th to 21st century, when Westernised practitioners from Thailand began competing in kickboxing and mixed-rules matches as well as matches under Muay Thai rules around the world.
Muay Thai boxers are renowned as the finest conditioned athletes in the world because of their intense training. The MT circuit involves Footwork, Skipping, Shadow Boxing, Weight Training, Medicine Ball, Sand Bags, Chin Ups, Sit-Ups, and Jumps.
The first official Muay Thai ring was built in Thailand in 1921 but the art form goes back much further than the early 1900s. The “art of eight limbs” began in the 16th century as a peace-time Martial Art utilized by the king’s soldiers. Over time, it became a practical fighting system that was used in actual war and a sport people watched for fun.
Muay Thai has continued to grow in popularity over time with organized competition popping up around the world. Today, there are close to 4,000 Muay Thai gyms in the world with people of all skill levels and abilities learning the art.
There are many reasons why you should learn the “art of eight limbs”. These reasons are what keep people training and why individuals all around the world have fallen in love with Muay Thai. For this blog post, we’ll be focusing on the top 10 benefits you can receive from learning Muay Thai:
Picking up a new skillset provides you with several mental benefits. These benefits include greater brain health and memory. Learning new skills helps you make new neural connections in your brain which greatly helps in all aspects of your life. You’ll also be able to improve your problem-solving abilities as you learn Muay Thai.
This is one of the top reasons why people keep training when the going gets tough. The friends you’ll make as you learn Muay Thai are some of the most encouraging people you’ll ever meet. Your teammates at Combat Galaxy want you to succeed and will help you stay motivated as you put in the work.
Whether you’ve already learned a Martial Art in the past or are new to Martial Arts, Muay Thai will give you great tools for self-defense situations. Regular Muay Thai training empowers you to be more comfortable in physical conflict. Training consistently helps you understand fighting fundamentals like footwork, defense, and head movement.
Every Muay Thai class will be a full-body workout. You’ll regularly engage all of your body from your core to your arms to your legs. Each workout will help you strengthen your posterior chain. You’ll feel yourself move more efficiently as you punch, kick, knee, and elbow your target.
Along with better overall strength, your cardio will improve. Muay Thai pushes your body to stay engaged the entire time you’re in class. This will push your heart rate and sustain a consistent work rate. Your capacity to do more will grow as you continue to work on your striking skills.
From having more friends to being able to defend yourself, your self-confidence will improve. You can be confident in your ability to push yourself both physically and mentally. Our coaches will help you grow and be the best version of yourself you’re capable of becoming.
Muay Thai will help you improve your range of motion. You’ll be more flexible as you work on your different tools like head kicks. All of the Muay Thai classes at Combat Galaxy utilize dynamic movements to help you move smoothly.
Striking arts such as Muay Thai are one of the best ways to shed those extra pounds. Muay Thai helps your body become lean and strong. You could potentially burn at least 500 calories in each class session as you do everything involved in a regular class such as warm-ups, pad work, and bag work.
Being surrounded by your friends as you train is a great feeling! You’ll enjoy your time in the gym as you put in the work and increase your Muay Thai knowledge. It’s always a good time as you learn and grow with your Combat Galaxy teammates. There’s also a high level of satisfaction you receive at the end of each class because you know you’ve challenged yourself and have grown because of it.
Everyone who participates in Muay Thai classes at Combat Galaxy has different goals and reasons for why they train. Some of our students do it for the health benefits that come with learning Muay Thai. They want to stay on track with their fitness goals and have found Muay Thai as the perfect way to meet those needs. Other Combat Galaxy students train because they compete either on the amateur level or professional level. Regardless of what your goals are, we’re here for you every step of the way!