I'm New! Starting Muay Thai?? Advice?

LoveAlwaysAlisa

I've been looking into learning a martial art or sport fighting skills and Muay Thai has been the one to stand out to me the most. I contacted an athletic club that teaches Muay Thai, Boxing, Jiujitsu (sp?) and MMA. They offered to let me come to a few classes for free to get a feel for it and see if I want to join. First class is next week.

I'm excited but nervous. At the moment I am about 179 lbs and 5'5" and worried that I'm not in good enough shape. I have struggled with my self confidence and anxiety since high school and was recommended to try martial arts to help build confidence and relieve stress. Also, I had a situation recently that involved a physical altercation with someone that made me realize that I am not able to defend myself as well as I thought. Is Muay Thai good for self defense as well??

jesusHchris

Muay Thai is great for kicking the living *kitten* out of people. In my opinion, that's the best self defense there is. You'll also learn how to deflect strikes and grabs, and what to do if someone grabs you.

I LOVE Muay Thai and find it much more exciting and realistic than most other martial arts. This is just my opinion.

Don't worry about being "in good enough shape". Everyone starts as a beginner. I would recommend at least one private lesson if you can or maybe one every few months if that is possible. Once you get into a class situation, you can sometimes be lost in the crowd and spend a lot longer getting your form down properly. Either way, you'll have a blast and get a great workout.

LoveAlwaysAlisa

Muay Thai is great for kicking the living *kitten* out of people. In my opinion, that's the best self defense there is. You'll also learn how to deflect strikes and grabs, and what to do if someone grabs you.

I LOVE Muay Thai and find it much more exciting and realistic than most other martial arts. This is just my opinion.

Don't worry about being "in good enough shape". Everyone starts as a beginner. I would recommend at least one private lesson if you can or maybe one every few months if that is possible. Once you get into a class situation, you can sometimes be lost in the crowd and spend a lot longer getting your form down properly. Either way, you'll have a blast and get a great workout.

Thanks. That makes me feel a lot better! The private lesson idea is a good one. I thought the classes would be enough but you make a good point. I'll have to check into when I start ( and if I like it enough to continue it)

RobynLB

If you aren't confident starting your first class because of your overall fitness, don't worry too much, everyone starts out somewhere. Everyone will understand that you are new, and fighting is an exceptionally demanding sport, and it takes a few months to build the conditioning for it. I'd suggest running 2-3 miles every other day this week to prepare, and stretching a lot. The running will up your cardio conditioning, and the stretching should help your legs be flexible enough to kick with proper form. Fighting, in any discipline, is a great sport, and you should find everyone really welcoming.

kendrafallon

I'll agree with the comments already made on fitness level - I started Tae Kwon Do at over 200lbs and VERY unfit. We all have to start somewhere and if you continue after your initial free class(es) you will improve over time.

grover0ca

I don't do Muay Thai..but when I started TKD I was well over 200 pounds.. but like the other posters everyone has to start somewhere and it is a great fun way to get in shape!.

IzzyBooNZ1

I just had my first Muay Thai class on friday ! really enjoyed it even though my kicks were lame, lol, but hey I am a beginner. Fun and oh man did I sweat !

my boyfriend also started with me so we are going to go together which is good. We will go once a week at this stage. He struggled more than me cos he is quite unfit , which is one of the reasons why he wants to do Muay Thai

One of the instructors demonstrated the kicks and holy crap it sounded like a baseball bat was hitting the pad ! Fascinating to watch.

LoveAlwaysAlisa

If you aren't confident starting your first class because of your overall fitness, don't worry too much, everyone starts out somewhere. Everyone will understand that you are new, and fighting is an exceptionally demanding sport, and it takes a few months to build the conditioning for it. I'd suggest running 2-3 miles every other day this week to prepare, and stretching a lot. The running will up your cardio conditioning, and the stretching should help your legs be flexible enough to kick with proper form. Fighting, in any discipline, is a great sport, and you should find everyone really welcoming.

Thanks. I use to run 5 days a week back when i was in shape a few yrs ago and am trying to incorporate it back into my life. I have seen that flexibility is important so i will start with the stretching as well ( i'm horrible at stretching before and after workouts). Glad to hear they will most likely be welcoming. I was nervous about that as well since you mostly see MEN doing this type of sport/martial art. Hopefully I will see some women as well!

LoveAlwaysAlisa

I'll agree with the comments already made on fitness level - I started Tae Kwon Do at over 200lbs and VERY unfit. We all have to start somewhere and if you continue after your initial free class(es) you will improve over time.

Thanks for the encouragement.

LoveAlwaysAlisa

I don't do Muay Thai..but when I started TKD I was well over 200 pounds.. but like the other posters everyone has to start somewhere and it is a great fun way to get in shape!.

That is encouraging to know. You are right that everyone starts somewhere. From the look of some of most of the people there I can tell it will be a great way to get back into and stay in shape.

LoveAlwaysAlisa

I just had my first Muay Thai class on friday ! really enjoyed it even though my kicks were lame, lol, but hey I am a beginner. Fun and oh man did I sweat !

my boyfriend also started with me so we are going to go together which is good. We will go once a week at this stage. He struggled more than me cos he is quite unfit , which is one of the reasons why he wants to do Muay Thai

One of the instructors demonstrated the kicks and holy crap it sounded like a baseball bat was hitting the pad ! Fascinating to watch.

Glad your first experience with it was fun! I hope i will enjoy it as much as you and your boyfriend. Yes, I am in awe of the power that those kicks have. Excited to start!

IzzyBooNZ1

let us know how you get on ! I am so looking forward to fridays class. My class is a beginners one, aimed at learning the technique . Did a lot of sit ups and push ups , holy crap my sit ups sick ! haha.

IzzyBooNZ1

OP did you start up Muay Thai?

I have a question that I hope some of you experienced people can help with

I have a bit of a struggle with doing the roundhouse kick , using my right leg to kick. I can look at how it done & I understand, but for some reason I just find it hard to make my body do it correctly
So I am in my stance, left leg more forward than my right.
Step foward on an angle with my left foot so I am on the ball of that foot. Then you pivot on that foor and swing right leg around from the hip to have the shin hit the pad like you are trying to kick through it/

I have the problem with putting this together, I feel so unbalanced and unco. Esp the actual kick part.

Oddly kicking from my left leg ( I am right handed) is a lot easier for me

My instructor does try to help ( it is a busy class ) and I end up doing a couple that are not too bad but I feel like a bit of a failure as I seem to struggle with this. Like other people seem to be able to do it no worries so why can't I?

Any tips or pointers? would some extra exercises help? I still wanna do it. I do not want to quit. thanks !

jesusHchris

I have a question that I hope some of you experienced people can help with

It's really just a matter of practice. I still don't feel 100% about my kicks a lot of the time, and I'm almost a year and a half in.

If you can, set up a camera on a tripod or have someone video you. Seeing exactly what you are doing right and wrong can be helpful. Also, try practicing at home on a bag or someone you don't like.

IzzyBooNZ1

I have a question that I hope some of you experienced people can help with

It's really just a matter of practice. I still don't feel 100% about my kicks a lot of the time, and I'm almost a year and a half in.

If you can, set up a camera on a tripod or have someone video you. Seeing exactly what you are doing right and wrong can be helpful. Also, try practicing at home on a bag or someone you don't like.

thanks!! Good idea on having someone film me. My partner is also doing this with me so he can help me. Otherwise I can practise on him

hinsaru

Hey guys new poster here..

I've been doing Muay Thai for two years now and I've had the opportunity to have couple of fights under my belt. Any contact sport will require a crazy amount of fitness, but that develops overtime especially your technique.

My advice is to listen to your instructor, be very disciplined, and definitely go at an intense pace, but not to the point where you kill yourself.

You don't need a video camera to tape yourself and review your wrongdoings especially if you are new. Eventually things tend to just "click" as long as you are listening to your training partner and instructor.

As a beginner your learning curve will be high and definitely be able to pick things up at a rapid rate. Eventually when you get to the advanced sections, thats when means of taping yourself probably be a good idea to review every little possible mistake you do.
For example: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152396253425144&set=vb.631445143&type=3 This is my most recent video of me hitting Thai Pads. I noticed that I tend to cross my legs sometimes and I swing my hands side to side. Things like that are very unnoticeable to the unexperienced...

The first time you step in the ring and get cracked will be a huge learning curve for you as well hahaha.

But good luck! You don't need any extra physical exercises throughout the day. Just make sure you are consistent with your training, hydrating constantly, and eating as clean as you can.. please don't give yourself an excuse to pig out at McDonalds after a hard day's work. Discipline is probably one of the biggest key in any martial arts and your instructor will play a huge role in shaping you as a Martial Artist.

Hope this helps!