One of the great aspects of training Muay Thai is the level of fitness that can be achieved if training on a regular basis. Most sports done in a routine fashion will make you stronger, faster, and generally healthier. However, Muay Thai has consistently been proven to be a top martial art for those looking to lose weight fast, and to build a physique that is wanted by many: lean, muscular yet not large, and with a focus on core and lower body strength. The following four benefits are what Khongsittha Muay Thai aims to improve with every customer using Muay Thai to achieve their fitness goals.
Increase in Overall Core Strength
Core strength exercises strengthen your core muscles, including your abdominal muscles, back muscles and the muscles around the pelvis. Strong core muscles make it easier to do many physical activities. What many beginners to bodybuilding, sports, and martial arts tend to think about core strength is that it is the training of abdominal muscles only. The sport of Muay Thai and the nature of movement within it requires rotational and repetitive movements in order to become better. The muscles that are activated when performing strikes, defensive movements, clinching, and conditioning exercises all contribute to a strong and high-performing core.
Increase in Leg Strength
The heavily utilized muscle groups when training Muay Thai are the leg muscles. Virtually every muscle in your lower body can be improved upon by doing the multitude of different kicks and footwork drills that are happening in a typical Muay Thai training session. Muscle endurance will increase through all the leg drills, force production will increase, your agility and footwork will increase, and aesthetically your leg muscles will be firmer. Everyone has seen the premiere fighters in the Muay Thai world and their calves. This comes from the years of training they have received.
Cardiovascular Conditioning
The level of conditioning that Muay Thai offers for people training regularly are incredible. Muay Thai is both an aerobic and anaerobic activity — the martial art places a ton of stress on your cardiopulmonary systems. The reason that Muay Thai fighters are able to go 3-5 rounds without tiring is from a strong cardiovascular endurance training. Your body is constantly put into stress to adapt to the needs of the sport. Keep this in mind when it comes time to do those extra 100 jump ropes; it will pay off in the end.
Hip Mobility Improvement
One often overlooked benefit of training Muay Thai that can help you later in life is an increase in hip mobility. Studies have shown that people who don’t participate in sports or exercise regularly will have a high chance of developing serious pain or medical conditions later in life. The kicking and kneeing movements and the rotation of these muscles will increase the mobility of your hips, and will save you from a load of pain in the future. As with all martial arts, in order to not become injured, a strong post-workout routine revolving around stretching is key to staying healthy.
Muay Thai as a competitive sport is thrilling, exciting, but also violent. As more people become acquainted to the sport, more people will realize the huge fitness benefits that come with training Muay Thai as a fitness activity. After all, not everyone who trains Muay Thai has to fight.
As with all sports, do the necessary research beforehand to determine if the sport is right for you, and consult with a healthcare professional if you have previous injuries or are unsure if Muay Thai is suitable for you.
