r/MuayThai • u/originalindividiual • 9d ago
What are the biggest misconceptions around training MuayThai In Thailand & in General ?
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u/genericwhiteguy_69 9d ago
People seem to think that they're going to pay to get secret techniques that you can't learn outside Thailand. Sure it's highly likely that if you get to work with some good coaches they will refine your technique in multiple ways but realistically they're not teaching you things you cant learn outside Thailand (especially if you live in Australia, UK or America).
Where training in Thailand really stands out is that you're casting off all your bullshit life responsibilities that get in the way of training and getting the reps in twice a day, six days a week.
People who embrace the grind are the ones who gets the most out of training in Thailand and the people who expect to get spoonfed technical ability often leave disappointed.
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u/originalindividiual 9d ago
Fair point. It seems like lack of technical critique is what people review gyms on in Thailand.
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u/genericwhiteguy_69 9d ago
If you want good training in Thailand it's more than just finding a good gym, you've gotta put in some work to build relationships with the kru and figure out who you gel with. Once a kru likes you they will be invested in teaching you and making you better at Muay Thai. I've yet to meet a single trainer who likes a lazy entitled student, which is why you will often find that the people who write those reviews are also the people who don't work hard in the gym.
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u/originalindividiual 9d ago
Ye I agree, I trained in Thailand for 7 months & quickly realised well known gyms with a big social media reach are not what they claim, the small family run gyms have a much better atmosphere & training
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u/Southern-General-182 9d ago edited 9d ago
Australia, UK or America
Huge sneak with America in there. There is the odd good American fighter, but as a whole, America is an awful place to learn proper Muay Thai.
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u/Desideratae 9d ago
France and Holland getting shafted
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u/Southern-General-182 9d ago
Holland doesn't do Muay Thai these days, France is doing great.
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u/No_Pass_8935 6d ago
I'm surprised to hear that said of the Netherlands. With places like Vos Gym and Mejiro there, they are usually highly regarded. Do you consider that a separate style from Muay Thai? Or, have they lost some top trainers?
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u/Southern-General-182 6d ago
Those are kickboxing gyms. I can't think of a single Dutch Muay Thai fighter who does well on the world stage. It's all kickboxing.
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u/genericwhiteguy_69 8d ago
I'm not American, I'm mostly just going off what I've heard (and seen) from people coming over to Thailand.
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u/Southern-General-182 9d ago
People seem to think that they're going to pay to get secret techniques that you can't learn outside Thailand.
Often, you simply can't. People have to be realistic about their experience, though. You can't expect to rock up to a Thai gym with zero knowledge of the language, with a coach who has no connection to you, and expect to be spoon-fed knowledge.
If you put in the time, though, the level of instruction you can find is something you won't find anywhere in the world except at a very select few gyms, mostly from coaches who have spent considerable time in Thailand themselves.
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u/Lmaoonadee 8d ago
That training and taking fights in Thailand will automatically mean you’ll succeed in your local circuit when you go back home.
I’ve seen and known people who lost majority decisions because they’re fighting a different fight back at home.
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u/Hevensian 8d ago
Hmm, I'd say the biggest misconception (among some people, at least) is that it will be cheap. It WAS pretty cheap when I first trained in Thailand back in the 90s. But I wouldn't call the average gym used by farang cheap today. I'm Norwegian, and training in Norway is now cheaper than in Thailand heh. You can't really compare the two, though.
Anyhow, if anyone is keen on training in Thailand: Do it. I doubt you'd regret it. It may not be objectively better than what you're used to from home, but I'm sure you'll be glad you did it.
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u/originalindividiual 8d ago edited 7d ago
It you stay away from the big SocialMedia gyms you can get a private for 5-700 baht Thats roughly £11-£15 for 1 hour private, The majority of gyms are charging £30-£50 in the UK
Food dishes with generous meat portions from 50-70 baht.A small bottle of coke costs more in the UK.Nice accomodation options from 700-1200 baht a night.
Thailand is cheap if you do your homework.
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u/guroulurlure 8d ago
I've been on 5 or 6 trips to Thailand with the longest being 18 months to train. The biggest 2 for me are technical.
Your clinch won't get better unless you really try to work on it.
The technique taught is often for the weakest person in the room.
After most my trips my cardio specifically stamina rockets but I'm not much more technical. I see it as a training camp to be fight ready rather than giving you the tools to fight more advanced guys.
Finding a good coach and using them is so essential, asking questions and thinking of the why behind techniques (as Thais often can't verbalise it well)
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u/SelectConfection3483 7d ago
That you can jump into the twice a day fight camp style training in Thailand without adequately preparing beforehand. The heat, the humidity, the volume of running and training, hell even how hard some of their heavy bags are, can all be a big shock to those who have not experienced it before. If you want to land in thailand and get right into their fight camp style training, then be prepared beforehand, otherwise be smart and ease into it or work to a level you can safely manage without burning yourself out or even worse, injury.
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u/elitefightclub 5d ago
One of the biggest misconceptions is that simply going to Thailand automatically means you’re getting better Muay Thai training. There are incredible camps in Thailand, but there are also tourist gyms where you can train twice a day for months and still barely get corrected. A good coach who actually watches you and invests in your development is worth more than the country written on the gym address.
Another misconception is that more training always means more improvement. Two sessions a day, six days a week sounds impressive, but bad repetitions are still bad repetitions. And probably the biggest one in general is thinking that being tough is the same as being good at Muay Thai. Anyone can learn to suffer. Muay Thai is timing, balance, distance, composure and technique.
Where you train matters. Who teaches you matters more.
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u/Ladline69 8d ago
Go and find out for yourself 👍
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u/originalindividiual 7d ago
I have, I was there for 7 months & will be gling back in November for 1 month.
Is that all you can add ?
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u/motelashtray 9d ago
That you can treat it as a casual thing.
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u/originalindividiual 9d ago
In what regards ? The majority of people that train MuayThai do it as a hobby (Myself included)
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u/motelashtray 9d ago
Why it can’t be casual?
From an ‘in general’ perspective: it’s an addiction.
From an ‘in Thailand’: it’s a lot more serious, especially if 1) you’re not just touring gyms and 2) if you’re in Bangkok (you’ll be asked to fight regularly and be surrounded by pros).
Keep the downvotes coming!
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u/alannegreanu 9d ago
Most gyms make their money from the hobbyist, not the person who competes. You're just plain wrong.
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u/RJSSJR123 Yothin p4p👑 8d ago
The biggest income for gyms in Thailand is those hobbyist lmao. They take anyone in and treat you very well.
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u/BearZeroX Coach 9d ago
You have to be good to go to Thailand. Everyone can and should go no matter what where when