Dallas Fitness Kickboxing, Now Offering In-Person Classes!

5 ELEMENTS MUAY THAI KICKBOXING & CONDITIONING

Muay Thai, which translates to “Thai Boxing”, is the national sport of Thailand. It is a martial art with roots originating from military use dating back to around the 13th century during the time of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

Muay Thai is known as the “Art of 8 limbs” because it makes use of 8 points of contact namely, punches, elbows, knees and kicks. This differs it from other stand-up combat sports such as boxing (2 points – fists) and karate (4 points – fists and feet).

Today, Muay Thai is practiced and competed not only in Thailand, but also all around the world.

What is Muay Thai or Thai Boxing?

“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 head dress (Mongkon) and the Sarama music that accompanies each fight.

5 Elements Muay Thai Kickboxing & Conditioning

Our classes introduce the traditional aspects of Muay Thai kickboxing, along with K-1 kickboxing and boxing elements, in order for our students to have a well rounded understanding and skill set to defend themselves and thoroughly enjoy the program.  In addition, we do tons of fitness conditioning drills to improve our student fitness levels and be able to handle the rigors of this training program. 

We welcome beginners and seasoned practitioners alike; our instructors are very experienced both as competitors and teachers, and can help you achieve all of your fitness, martial arts and self-defense goals, all the while getting you in great fitness shape.

When coming to class:

1. Come on time
2. Hygiene is a must; clean feet, we do this practice barefoot, trimmed toenails& nails is mandatory
3. Boxing gloves, hand wraps and shin guards
4. Come hydrated and ready to sweat and workout hard
5. Let the teacher know if you have any physical limitations or if you need to go at your own pace as you build your stamina
6. Have fun and enjoy the process!

Ten benefits of 5 Elements Muay Thai Kickboxing & Conditioning:

Calorie Burner

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, 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.

Self-defense

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.

Mental Toughness

Training Muay Thai helps to build mental fortitude by challenging limits both physically and mentally as it takes perseverance. So Muay Thai strengthens not only the body, but also the mind. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Being mentally tough enables a person to succeed in the face of uncertainty and adversity.

Self-Confidence

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.

Endorphin Rush

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.

Strengthens The Body

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 .

Widens Social Circle

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.

Fun

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.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Cardiovascular illness is the number 1 cause of death globally. One of the most common heart disease 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 diseases 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.

Easy to learn

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.

Muay Thai Techniques

Muay Thai techniques can be generally classed into attack, defense, and counter technique. To become adept in Muay Thai requires constant practise, drilling the techniques over and over until they form part of muscle memory.

Muay Thai training begins with learning the basic stance and movement. With the chin tucked in, the body is kept upright and hands in guard position to protect the head, and feet are kept roughly shoulder-width apart. Right-handers keep their left foot a little to the front while keeping their right feet roughly 45 degrees to the outside. Left-handers (Southpaws) do it in reverse with their right foot in front. This posture allows the fighter to be in balance and ready to strike or defend when appropriate.

Attacking techniques consist of punches, elbow strikes, knee strikes, kicks, push kicks and clinches. Defense techniques consist of blocks, lean backs, deflections, leg catches and dodges. These techniques mix and match to combine into combinations(combo) that can be used for attack or counter. An example of a combo that is often taught and used is the jab-cross-low kick. Each attacking technique includes a series of variations.

Here is a look at the various attacking technique and variations:

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.

Elbow

The elbow is one of the hardest parts of the human body, making them an effective weapon in Muay Thai. 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. When executed properly, elbow strikes can knock out an opponent or inflict deep cuts that can end fights via stoppages.

Kick

The Muay Thai kick is a devastating weapon delivered via the shins. The kick is delivered from the outside, with the arm swung backwards along with the inside rotation of the hip to generate force. Kicks can be thrown to the opponent’s legs (known as low kick or leg kick), body, arms, the back or the head.

Beside the standard roundhouse side kick, Muay Thai kicks can be delivered in a variety of ways such as jumping kick, spinning back kick, axe kicks (top down with heel landing on opponent’s head), and the acrobatic cartwheel kick as popularized by Muay Thai legend, Saenchai.

Knee

Knees in Muay Thai 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.

Knees are thrown with the rear leg to generate more force. They can be thrown straight or diagonally with clinching to keep the opponent within striking distance. They can also be delivered to the opponent’s head by jumping. 

Teep

The push kick, referred to as “teep” in Muay Thai, can be used as both defensively or offensively. It can be used as a technique to keep opponents at a distance and disrupting an advance or as a strike if delivered with power and accuracy.

There are a few ways to use the teep including the straightforward front push kick which can be delivered to the solar plexus, the lead leg, or even the face as a show of dominance. Teeps can also be thrown as a side kick with the rear leg, or jumping front kick for even more power.

Clinch

Clinching in Muay Thai is a grappling technique usually used in combination with knee and elbow strikes. 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.

What to Wear for Muay Thai Training?

Dress code:

At 5 Elements Studio, we have MMA shorts, t-shirts and rash guards available for sale.  Exercise tank tops or t-shirt for both men and women are acceptable attire.

Training Gear:

12, 14 or 16 oz. gloves with velcro closures (hook-and-loop) are used for day-to-day training and sparring.  In addition, we encourage hand wraps for maximum protection in your hands and wrists.  Shin guards are required in order to perform partner drills and understand the defense aspect of this craft as well as protecting the shins and feet from heavy bruising when kicking.

Accessories:

Other than gloves and shorts, hand wraps and ankle guards are two important gear in Muay Thai. Hand wraps provide wrist and hand support, helping to minimize hand injuries during boxing. Reusable, washable hand wraps are used for training while bandages are used in competition for wrapping hands.

As for ankle guards, they are not always worn but many fighters train or fight with them for additional support. Ankle guards provide warmth and additional support to the ankles which may help in balance and minimize ankle injuries.

Muay Thai vs Boxing

Muay Thai is a completely different sport from traditional boxing as known in the West. While classic boxing uses only punches, Thai boxing involves a wider range of techniques including elbows, knees, kicks, sweeps, and elaborate use of clinching.

Kicks provide Muay Thai with a longer range of striking which can be an advantage against a boxer with no training in kicking. Boxing tends to focus on punches, defense and footwork. Boxers tend to have more power in their punches compared to most Muay Thai fighters. However, some renowned Thai fighters have competed with much success in both sports. Anuwat Kaewsamrit is a well-known Muay Thai fighter famous for his heavy hands and high KO rate. Somrak Khamsing, a golden age fighter, is an Olympic gold-medalist in boxing.

In terms of effectiveness in self-defense or street fights, both boxing and Muay Thai are ideal skills to possess.

Muay Thai vs MMA

The most distinct difference between Muay Thai and MMA (mixed martial arts) is the latter’s inclusion of ground fighting. Generally speaking, MMA fighters train in several disciplines that include striking as well as a grappling martial art, while Muay Thai in itself is a striking art. Due to its effectiveness, Muay Thai is a popular choice of striking for many MMA fighters.

When pitted against each other, the Muay Thai fighter will do everything to avoid taking the fight to the ground. A MMA fighter proficient in a grappling skill like wrestling or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will likely not fare as well in a full stand-up face-off. When the chance presents itself, he will attempt to bring the fight to the ground.

In a study, it was shown that 7 out of 10 street fights ended up on the ground. The person with the ground fighting experience will often prevail in such situations simply due to familiarity and possessing the right skills.

Muay Thai Vs Jiu-Jitsu/BJJ/Submission Grappling

Muay Thai is widely recognized as the most effective stand-up striking martial art while Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is acknowledged as the most dominant grappling, ground fighting martial art. Both are fundamentally different as a combat sport with one focusing on striking while the other on submissions. Both martial arts are also widely favored by mixed martial artists.

Like many combat sports, both Muay Thai and BJJ can be effective as self-defense skills in real-life situations. With the right amount of training, these martial arts can deter the aggressor and disarm the situation.

Supporters of Muay Thai believe that a well-trained Nak Muay will KO the BJJ guy to sleep easily. Likewise, BJJ fans are confident of strangling the Muay Thai fighter into submission once the fight is taken to the ground.

In a hypothetical face-off, it boils down to the level of proficiency of the individual martial artist more than the art itself. A highly skilled Muay Thai fighter will be able to knock out his opponent while a high level Jiu Jitsu practitioner is capable of taking down his opponent and finishing with a lock or choke.

Muay Thai vs Kickboxing

Kickboxing is an umbrella term for stand-up striking sports based on punching and kicking. Muay Thai is one of the most well-known kickboxing sports along with Kyokushin Karate and kickboxing fought under K-1 rules.

In the 1990s to early 2000s, K-1 was the pre-eminent international stand-up combat sports promotion. Competitors from a variety of martial arts backgrounds around the world came together to prove themselves on a world stage, necessitating the need for unified rules.

K-1 made modifications to its rules over the years, differing from Muay Thai most notably in the absence of elbows and limiting the use of clinching. Due to its popularity, many kickboxing promotions today continue to apply the same rules.

Other than that, the two sports are similar enough that many Muay Thai and kickboxing fighters often compete and hold titles in both sports. Generally speaking, kickboxers focus more on footwork and punches while Muay Thai fighters focus on all weapons along with clinching with an emphasis on kicks which score more.

All in all, 5 Elements Kickboxing & Conditioning Program will ensure you learn professional grade technique, you will develop amazing fitness, you will establish lasting friendships and you will have a great time!