Joining a Muay Thai class can be pretty daunting, especially since it does require a bit of commitment. But when you think about the perks of regularly doing Muay Thai, it’s very easy to see that it’s worth the time and effort you invest.

Exercise, in general, keeps us healthy. It improves cardiovascular health, regulates blood pressure, and helps regulate weight. Aside from that, Muay Thai, in particular, does a superb job of keeping you flexible and sharpening your reflexes. The fact that it’s fun to do is a fantastic upside as well!

So if you’re looking to embark on your martial arts journey, why not consider Muay Thai as a starting point?

• What is Muay Thai

  Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. People also call it the art of eight limbs because it uses eight points of contact: fists, elbows, knees, and legs. It’s a self-defence system that focuses on dealing damage to an opponent.

  While it’s popular as a spectator sport, Muay Thai is gaining a reputation for being one of the best workouts to lose weight. The high-intensity movements are great for conditioning, functional body movement, and excellent weight control. In fact, it’s got an incredible calorie-torching capability, burning around 600 calories per session on average!

  

  We could go on and on about why we think Muay Thai is the bee’s knees. You can also just click here to read 6 reasons why Muay Thai is so popular.

  If you’re interested in trying Muay Thai, you’ve probably got  a few burning questions. Let’s answer some of them and explore what’s involved in joining a Muay Thai class in 2022.

• Are Muay Thai and Kickboxing the same thing

  Short answer: yes and no. 

  Wait, what kind of answer is that?

  Here’s the thing: technically, kickboxing is an umbrella term encompassing all martial arts systems that use both arms and legs. Muay Thai is one of the many forms of kickboxing, but there’s a unique aspect to it. (Namely, the Muay Thai clinch, which is an upright form of grappling exclusive to Muay Thai.)

  American Kickboxing is another form of kickboxing. But who wants to keep saying such a mouthful, right? People tend to cut it short and simply call it kickboxing. So if you have to blame anyone for the confusion between Muay Thai vs Kickboxing, blame those who can’t be bothered to say the whole thing.

• Where can I train Muay Thai in Australia

  The Fight Centre is one of your best options! Muay Thai is a very technical sport, so you want to make sure you’re learning from people who actually know what they’re doing. Take our Head Coach Ben Johnston, for example. 

  

  Ben “The Blade” Johnston has 13 years of experience in Muay Thai and counting! He is a two-time World Muay Thai Champion, and he and all of our highly competent coaches are ready to teach you the ins and outs of Muay Thai. There’s no question about it – Ben will ensure you have an incredible experience learning Muay Thai. 

  You can read about the best gym in Brisbane, but don’t take our word for it! Sign up for our free trial classes and experience the TFC magic for yourself.

• What do I wear to my first Muay Thai class

  One of the struggles of joining a Muay Thai class is figuring out how to dress appropriately. We don’t expect you to come in full training gear right off the bat. Wear comfortable clothes that you can move around in, and make sure not to wear scratchy material that can chafe your skin. 

  

  Wear bottoms with a bit of stretch or spats if you have them. You can wear a cotton shirt, but a polyester shirt is bound to be lighter and more breathable. You’ll be barefoot on the mats, so don’t stress too much about footwear. Don’t forget to bring a towel, too – you’ll be sweating buckets in your Muay Thai class.

• Do I need to be fit to join a class

  Some people put off trying Muay Thai because they think they need to lose weight first or be a bit more fit. But the truth is that you can start any time, especially since we aim to help you achieve your desired fitness through martial arts. 

  

  If you worry about the difficulty or that you may be unable to execute the techniques, that’s fine. Our coaches can modify training programs and make them more accessible for you. Our goal is to help you become the best version of yourself you can be. So if we can’t help an unathletic person become more athletic, what good are we?

  If you want to try out a few private sessions to get a feel for things before you join the class, that’s fine too! Just let us know, and we’ll arrange something for you.

• Do I have to fight if I train Muay Thai

  Muay Thai has built a worldwide reputation for being a competitive sport, but it can also be a hobby, or you can train to learn self-defence. It is definitely a fulfilling experience to fight competitively, but no pressure! Unless you want it, there is no need for you to enter the ring and compete. You can just have fun with it!

• How long is a Muay Thai class

  How regularly can you fit a Muay Thai class into your routine? Won’t it eat up too much of your time? You’ll be pleased to learn that a class only runs for about 45 minutes. Just one short hour to get dressed for class, train, and get dressed again to get on with your day. We also run classes all day long, so you can pick the schedule that works best for you.

  

• What should I expect in my first Muay Thai Class

  Expect to be challenged in a good way! We admit it might be a bit intimidating. (After all, the first step is always the hardest.) But we’ll make sure you’ll have fun in class. You’ll find friendly coaches, a solid support system, and a well-equipped gym facility to make you more comfortable in your fitness journey. 

• Final thoughts

  The decision to start your martial arts journey isn’t easy, and we get it. It’s a big commitment to make. Hopefully, this article gives you a good overview of what to expect when you start Muay Thai. 

  Whether you want to do Muay Thai for fitness or compete further down the road, we got you. We want you to feel part of a team in The Fight Centre. With the right community, each Muay Thai class will be amazing. We’ll help you find success in your Muay Thai training and become your best self.

  

  If you liked this article, check out…

  The Definitive Guide for Beginners Starting Muay Thai

  Muay Thai Belt Ranking System: Is There Such Thing?

  A Good Muay Thai Heavy Bag Workout Might Be Just What You Need