Average:Your rating: None* Warm up / Cool down* Running* Skipping* Shadow Boxing* Free weights* Bag ...

1. 10 Steps to be Muay Thai fighter
Average:
Your rating: None
* Warm up / Cool down
* Running
* Skipping
* Shadow Boxing
* Free weights
* Bag Work
* Pad Work
* Speed ball
* Sparring
* Clinch work
Warm up / Cool down
It is important to run, skip or bounce on old truck tires (which is helps improve balance) for at least
15 minutes as a warm up to begin every Muay Thai training session. The idea is to build up a sweat
and prepare your body for the vigorous exercise to follow. It is not necessary to spend an excessive
amount of time in stretching during Muay Thai training unless you are trying to achieve an extreme
level of flexibility or are unusually stiff as a result of a sedentary lifestyle. A suitable routine of
around 15 minutes will prepare your muscles for training. And don't forget to do some gentle warm
down exercises at the end of each Muay Thai training session. This will help your joints to remain
supple. A proper warm up and cool down routine will protect you from injury.
Running
Running is essential to develop stamina and toughen the legs. Running is best done in the early
morning and should vary in distance day by day. At least one day a week should be a rest day. Try to
avoid running on concrete roads or pavements, though it is not the end of the world if this is your
only option. Be careful when running on uneven surfaces and wear good shoes. Running on sand and
in shallow water can be good occasionally. Steadily increase the distance you run each day. If you
are not fit enough to run, then begin with a brisk walk and steadily build up. Don't use a lack of
fitness to delay your start on Muay Thai training. Joining a club will help with motivation.
Skipping

2. Skipping is an integral part of Muay Thai training, it is an excellent way to warm up the body if you
are not running, and also helps develop stamina and co-ordination. Skip by rounds, keep your mind
relaxed and alert. When skipping hop from one foot to the other - don't bounce on two feet.
Shadow Boxing
Shadow boxing is essential to learning the proper Muay Thai technique. Shadow boxing in front of a
mirror allows you to observe and correct your movements. When shadow boxing do not shorten the
punch or kick, remember to use your full range of movement. Even top level Muay Thai fighters
begin their training routine with a shadow boxing warm-up.
Free weights
Incorporate the use of dumb-bells into your Muay Thai training routine. It will help to build strength.
Lighter weights with many repetitions is best. Free weights work better than fixed weight training
machines as they do not limit your range of movement, but you need to train carefully to avoid
injury. Training with very heavy weights is good for body building competitions, but not the best way
to train for a Muay Thai fight. Normally Thai boxers do not want to increase their body weight.
Bag Work
Working on the hanging bags will build power and
stamina into your kicks and punches as well as
toughen your body. Kicking the bags often is the
only sensible way to condition (that is DE-sensitize)
your shins. Aggressive methods of training such as
using bottles or other very Muaythai-training hard
objects to condition the shins is not recommended,
and also not necessary. This kind of training may
cause unnecessary injury to the bones in your legs.
At Horizon Thai Boxing camp we fill our bags with
scraps of cloth, not sand which is very hard, though
still expect some bruising (girls especially) if you are
a novice.
Pad Work
As you progress in the art of Muay Thai boxing, you will learn to use the strikes learn against Thai
Pads. Your Muay Thai trainer wears a set of Thai pads, a stomach pad and shin guards which allows
you to attack him as if he were an opponent. Full power striking of the Thai Pads is a tough part of
Muay Thai training and an amazing workout. Pad work will develop your footwork, co-ordination and
spatial awareness. Pad work is a very distinctive and essential part of Muay Thai training.
Speed ball
Use of the speed and punching balls will increase your co-ordination, and will help to build your
shoulders necessary to maintain a strong guard.
Sparring

3. Once you have a comprehensive foundation in place you will be ready to participate in controlled
sparring. This will form the major part of your Muay Thai training routine. At Horizon Thai Boxing
Camp we have full protective gear available for use during Muay Thai training sessions.
Clinch work
After demonstrating proficiency during Thai pads training, stand-up grappling techniques practiced
with a partner provides the final step between sparring and fighting. During this part of Muay Thai
training you will learn to control your opponent by trying to lock his arms or neck in a clinch. From
this position it is possible to deliver the knees, or knock your opponent to the floor. This is a very
tough aspect of Muay Thai training. These drills are done at the end of each Muay Thai training
session prior to the final shadow boxing warm down.
Author's Bio:
Travis S. Lutter is an American mixed martial artist who won the The Ultimate Fighter 4 reality
show. His UFC record, not including his exhibition wins on The Ultimate Fighter 4, is 2-4. He is a
black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Machado. http://teamlutternews.com