The popularity of Muay Thai has skyrocketed since the beginning of the 21st century, particularly in the last decade.
One of the many reasons for its acceptance across the globe is the fact that it is a comprehensive mind-body workout that offers immense health benefits.
Muay Thai is a national sport of Thailand known as the “art of eight limbs.”
Over the years, there has been a steady rise in Muay Thai camps in Thailand to train people in this challenging yet amazing sport.
One question that naturally comes to mind is whether Muay Thai is a dangerous sport.
The answer is an emphatic yes and no.
If you train yourself as a professional Muay Thai fighter and intend to enter Thailand Fight Camp for actual sport, the injuries can be gruesome and serious. However, if your objective is to be fit and you are doing it for fun as a casual student with all your pads and safety gear on, then you are at a minimum risk.
There has been a spurt in tourism, too, as foreign nationals are joining Muay Thai schools in Thailand to come out as healthier, fitter, and stronger. Aside from these benefits, you can also build self-confidence and mental focus.
As more and more people are gravitating towards a healthy lifestyle, Muay Thai can be one of the enjoyable sports that can be undertaken to serve many purposes simultaneously.
1. Learn Self Defense
We live in a world where walking down the street late at night can be threatening for anyone. If you happen to be a woman, the likelihood of trouble increases, no matter which city you are in.
Muay Thai training helps you develop necessary self-defense tactics to help you face real-life encounters. With the strategic use of 8 limbs and body strength, you can give your enemy tough competition and might be able to catch him off-guard by your presence of mind and quick response.
Though it is generally considered a strike-based technique, the tactics you learn as a Muay Thai student can be used to pin down an opponent with various clinch techniques, where the techniques are pretty easy to learn. According to experts, an average person will learn the required skills to defend oneself within six months of training.
2. Improve Cardiovascular Health
Being a mix of aerobic and anaerobic workouts, Muay Thai is a type of martial art that offers strength and endurance.
On the one hand, you undergo running, jumping rope, and shadowboxing, which gives you a dash of aerobic activity. On the other hand, you train yourself for anaerobic exercises like punching, kicking, elbowing, and kneeing.
The aerobic element helps increase the overall cardiovascular performance of the body. This develops stamina and strength required for the optimal functioning of the human body.
3. Enjoy Stress Relief
The more sweat you sweat during your Muay Thai training in Thailand, the more chances you have of feeling relaxed. This is because working out is directly linked to the body’s stress hormones.
Studies prove that when one exercise, the stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol witness a drop in their levels, and at the same time, our body begins to produce endorphin – a known mood elevator. Regular exercising is recommended for those facing stress and depression in their lives.
As mentioned above, Muay Thai is a perfect combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises; it ultimately helps improve your body’s metabolism and uplifts your spirit to make you feel good.
4. Overall Physical Condition
Here is good news for those wishing to flaunt a six-pack someday.
When training muay Thai regularly, one of the benefits you are likely to get is a well-toned abs.
Why?
Since Muay Thai is all about twisting, using kicks, and making good use of your knees and shins, it is natural that you will develop your abdominal muscles.
In a typical session, you will do shadow boxing, kick on the bag, jab-cross combos, skip knees, and clinch your partner. All of these movements will tone up your abdomen.
Besides, as you strike hard on the pads and bags, you develop quick fibers that burn fat and build the abdominal muscles. If you control your diet, you see the result relatively quickly compared to other ways of getting great abs.
5. Stay Consistent
Have you ever wondered why many fail to be consistent with their workout?
Why would most join a gym or carve out a workout schedule but fail to continue it for over a week or two?
Yes, it is true that as the going gets tough, only the tough gets going.
But another less talked about reason is the monotonousness associated with the workout. Walking on a cross-trainer, lifting weights, or elemental cycling loses its sheen within a week for an average person.
However, as Muay Thai is a combat sport, you get to learn about self-defense tactics, get in an incredible workout, and if you visit Bangkok, get the chance to watch live Muay Thai fights!
Usually, each Muay Thai fight consists of 5 rounds, each lasting for 3 minutes.
6. Build Confidence
Strongly believing in oneself is what makes the core of confidence.
When you start believing in yourself, you tend to exhibit significant levels of confidence.
Muay Thai gives you all the necessary boosts to make you feel good about yourself.
You will have learned self-defense techniques, reduced stress and anxiety levels, be physically more in shape than before, and become a true Spartan – what else do you need to make your confidence level reach the sky?
As Muay Thai trains your body and mind, you will develop spontaneity, both in reflexes and in decisions, and become the best version of yourself. This naturally makes you brimming with confidence no matter where or who you are.
7. Understand Muay Thai Culture
Believe it or not, knowing the ways and styles of others make us grow as an individual.
The great travelers in the past were people of extraordinary wisdom because of their understanding of different cultures that existed during that period.
Being rooted in Thai culture, Muay Thai gives you a peek into the psyche and belief system of the people of Thailand. The fundamental act of praying before the fight and wearing the Mongkok (headpiece) can give you an insight into the Buddhist culture.
Thai culture holds its teachers and elders with the utmost respect, and Muay Thai emphasizes that with its Wai Khru Ritual.
Muay Thai lessons in Thailand may also help you make new friends. Undoubtedly, our lives get busier as we grow, and such opportunities to meet new people may become a source of joy.
When you attend a Muay Thai camp, you’ll train with like-minded individuals.
Final Thoughts
Muay Thai is not just a sport but a comprehensive workout that will significantly impact your health and life.
Enrolling in Muay Thai may be a game-changer for your health, and if you are planning for it, don’t wait further to take the plunge.
Consider booking one of our Train & Stay Packages today!
