The beginner's guide to starting Kickboxing/Muay Thai!

In this guide, our team will give you firsthand information & knowledge as to why Kickboxing & Muay Thai are amazing martial arts, why you should start & what you need to get started!

Why should you start Kickboxing/Muay Thai?

Kickboxing & Muay Thai are fantastic martial arts for so many reasons, their benefits complement your physical, psychological, social, and many other aspects of life in a positive manner.
From learning new skills, relieving stress to gaining new friendships, these sports are a thrill to be a part of.
Whether you've decided you want to compete, burn some extra calories, or looking for a new skill to gain,
Kickboxing & Muay Thai caters to all of the above!

Which gym or club should I join?

Step 1. Do your research!
Like any sport, the vibe from the people around you is the crucial step to your enjoyment of an activity.
If the club you just entered doesn't fit your needs or personality, you should branch out & review other locations for a better fit.
For example,
If you're looking to compete, joining a gym that is catered towards fighters should be your first thought.
However, if you're looking to train for your health & wellbeing, finding classes that cater towards fitness-based kickboxing/Muay Thai is key.
With so many gyms incorporating a wide variety of training styles into their syllabuses,
There has never been a better time to start kickboxing &/or Muay Thai training.

Once you have found your club,
It's time to move your attention to the equipment you will require.

What gear should a beginner use for Kickboxing/Muay Thai?

As each sport contains a few variations of training elements,
Below is a quick summary of the equipment you will most likely need for the 3 key aspects of kickboxing/Muay Thai training.

1. Boxing Bag training ( This includes training on any type of boxing bag, light, heavy, floor to ceiling, etc. )
   a. Boxing Gloves, Bag Gloves, or Bag Mitts. ( Protection should be your first priority, features being your second! )
   b. Boxing Wraps. ( To wick sweat away from your boxing gloves & add stability & support to your hands & wrists )
2. Pad/Mitt Training ( Hitting pads with your training partner, instructor, coach etc. )
   a. Boxing Gloves, Bag Gloves or Bag Mitts.
   b. Boxing Wraps.
   c. "Optional" Shin Guards or Mouth Guard ( Depending on the coaches intentions of the drills )
   d. "Optional" Pad holding equipment ( Focus pads, Thai pads, belly pads, etc. As hygiene is becoming more important than ever, it may be a good idea to bring your own mitts/pads. )
3. Sparring ( Contact drills or simulation of fighting with your training partners. )
   a. Sparring Gloves ( Designed specifically for sparring, such as the Armadillo Boxing Gloves, preferably 16oz with decent knuckle padding and support to protect yourself & partner. )
   b. Shin Guards/Protectors ( Designed to protect the user's legs & partners body, ensure your shin guards cover the majority of the shin & foot to ensure no accidental clashes! )
   c. Groin Guard ( No explanation needed, regardless of gender, having a cup will minimize accidental groin strikes! )
   d. Mouth Guard ( There is no need for a trip to the dentist! )

How many days a week should you train?

Listening to your body is key here,
If you jump in head first, expect to have a headache!
Gradually increasing your load of sessions is a smarter strategy for a beginner than jumping into 7 days a week at the gym!
Managing recovery and injuries is the key to longevity in this sport.
Start slow & enjoy the process!

Benefits of Kickboxing/Muay Thai

What does kickboxing/Muay Thai do for the body?

Kickboxing & Muay Thai provides substantial physical benefits for your entire body,
From improving your balance by learning specific stances and utilizing different strikes, co-ordination from striking moving targets,
flexibility from repetitive use of techniques, cardio, lean muscle, endurance, agility, power, the list goes on & on!
There are certainly more benefits than just simply losing some extra weight!

Does Kickboxing/Muay Thai help lose belly fat/weight?

Absolutely, any type of resistance training requires energy to expend, Kickboxing & Thai boxing are no exception & can be a sure way to lose those love handles!
Striking requires a great deal of energy in order to throw powerful techniques or complete 10 rounds of pad work.
Another great reason to choose these sports as your workout choice is that they require high levels of concentration which helps you focus on the task in front of you,
rather than the constant feeling of fatigue while staring at a screen on a treadmill!

What does Kickboxing/Muay Thai do for the mind?

Kickboxing & Muay Thai does as much if not more for the mind,
From gaining confidence after a hard session of sparring, releasing the added stress from unleashing your inner beast on a boxing bag after a hard day at the office,
The effects of training on the mind can carry over for many hours after a good training session.
Also, remember that the comradery from training with other people with like-minded interests and goals is a serious motivator and can have a very positive influence on your mindset.

If you're looking at improving your overall mood in-&-out of the gym, Kickboxing & Muay Thai are great forms of training.

We hope this blog has helped you decide whether these sports are for you,
Muay Thai & Kickboxing are so much more than simply combat sports.
If you have any further questions regarding the above,
Message us via our live chat app!