How Muay Thai Kickboxing improves my body and mind

When I retired on July 1, 2009, I committed to learn a new skill. I have always wanted to be active so when my youngest daughter asked me to join her in Muay Thai, I decided to take a look at the gym – Evolve Mixed Martial Arts. Both of us went for a trial the next day and I decided to sign up despite my fragile lower back. I thought it may actually help my lower back.

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts

Since then, I have been taking Muay Thai for about 3.5 months. Initially, I was going for training twice a week. I found that my hand, elbow, knee and leg movement was not coordinated. Still, I persevered. It has so far been an amazingly awesome experience for me. There is no doubt that the workouts are intense. I thought I was fit before joining Muay Thai. However, I found that since joining Evolve, my fitness has risen to a new level.

Each time when I do Muay Thai, sweat pours as if I were exercising in a hot sauna room. My t-shirt and shorts were wet through and through. And my whole body aches from areas that I don’t know I have muscles. I have since lost 22 pounds and reduced by 3 sizes so far. I am so impressed by my new found fitness and size that I went for training 6 times a week. I reduced my weight training to twice a week. I substitute the rest of the week with Muay Thai. It is not getting easier and my coordination, while better, still has a long way to go. Still, I enjoy each session.

Let me give you an example of how each training session is conducted by the professional Thai instructor.

Instructors at Evolve

We started each session by lining up in the gym facing our teacher, Kru. Typically, there are 3 instructors. Some days, there are as many as 5. All are warriors – world champions who are now instructors as well. They are certified to teach Muay Thai and do CPR – just in case. Each instructor is wonderfully humble, friendly and extremely willing to share their skills and experience. And as professional and world champions, they are extremely deadly and powerful in their technical execution of Muay Thai.

As we bow to the instructors, they bow back, welcoming us to the training. We then start by running round the gym a few rounds. After that, we skip rope. Skipping is an essential part of Muay Thai training as it helps to build stamina, coordination and strength for the legs. After 5 mins of skipping and 3 mins of standby-guard, we do stretching exercises. There is a fix routine on stretching which prepares the body for the next 45 mins of tough workout.

Initially, I was exhausted by this initial 15 mins. Skipping after running was extremely challenging. “Standby guard” after skipping is worse. My calves beg for mercy. The skipping ropes were made of hard plastic and I am barefooted. So, if my arms and jumping leg coordination is not good, the hard plastic smack on my toes and it really hurts.

I watched the fitter and more experienced students jump rope and I just tried to keep up. Sometimes, I could go 40 jumps in a row before the ropes hit my toes. However, after one month, I found I could easily jump 3 to 4 hundred within 4 mins without the ropes hitting my toes. I am proud of this. Skipping helps me to tone and reduce my weight. The sweat starts to pour out during skipping.

We are constantly reminded of time. 3 or 5 mins of routine followed by 1 min of “drink water”. This is help us realize how long 3 or 5 mins is and drinking water is important to keep us hydrated. This is consistent with us in the fighting ring.

After this initial 15 mins of “wake you up” routine, we revise on simple basic level Muay Thai stance, 1-2 punch, 1-2-3-4 punch, elbow, knee kick, push kick, low, mid and sometimes high kicks. This session takes about 10 to 15 mins. To make this part of the training interesting, our experienced Kru will introduce kicks, elbows, punch, knee and push-kick combination. The routines and combination is different each time. So, I get to enjoy the variety and keeps the training from getting stale.

Heavy punching bags at Evolve

The 2nd half hour of each training session is always with kick pads or punch bags. This is where we feel the pain. We execute all the skills we learn with real contacts on heavy bags or kick pads. Sweat pours out more profusely. We work our fists, elbow, sides, legs, knees until they hurts. Yet, we don’t really feel the pain. Somehow the body can take the workout better than I expect. Our Krus are always nearby shouting “use your hips!”, “stand on ball of your toes!”, “chins down!”, “punch straight!”, “more power!!”. We do this round after round. Yet, we could always do better, faster, more accurately, more powerfully. We are pushed to do better than the last time. And we did get better. But there is still more to learn.

The training ends with 50 secs of continuous knee kicks to the heavy bags, or 20 left and 20 right mid kicks, or 30 secs of continuous punching. These last routine sucks the wind out of your lungs. This must be the best cardio (and less boring) I have ever gotten each session. I never get bored with this last routine. I yearned for it. I love it. The 50 secs must be the longest 50 secs in the world. I wonder if the sec hand ever moved.

Once the last routine is completed, we are all down for at least 50 sit ups followed by 30 push ups. Then, we line up again, and bow to our Kru who bows back saying: “Thank you for training, Sawadee Krub”. What a way to end our wonderful workout. It is hard training and we are raining perspirations. Yet, I feel accomplished. I feel energized. I feel motivated. I feel strong, confident. I feel I am young again not the 56 years’ old that I am. The best thing is, I look forward for the whole day and the next training. I love it.

Like I said, Muay Thai is a great activity. I am getting the best shape of my life. While I am not into competitive Muay Thai, I felt I am better disciplined, humbled and calm. This is what Muay Thai has done for me.

Why do I do Muay Thai? I chose to. It is my choice to get fitter and learn a new skill. I got both and more. I learn an ancient art of defence. I make new friends. I learn that being a tough warrior must be humble. There is always something else to learn or someone is better than you. And surprisingly, these same warriors who are fearless in the ring, are excellent and patient instructors who want to impart their knowledge and skill to the next generation. I found a new code of living I have not experienced before in the business world. Unbelievable.

I encourage everyone regardless of age to try out Muay Thai. Look for a reputed gym to train in. Evolve MMA is a great gym with the best committed instructors. No, I am not paid to advertise. I am speaking from the bottom of my heart and from someone who is actually training there. I am one of the oldest trainees there. Yet, no one can make you feel your age. I feel great and young at heart!!