Things You'll Need:
- boxing hand tape
- boxing gloves
- comfortable clothing
-
Step 1
If you're serious about training in Muay Thai (MT) kickboxing, you must first find a good place to train. If you're fortunate to live in a big city, find a boxing gym and see if they have a boxing instructor that specifically coaches in Muay Thai Kickboxing. If your boxing gyms don't have a MT kickboxing coach, look for a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym. They usually have a Muay Thai boxing instructor. You can either train with a coach one-on-one or in a small group or in a class. Whatever you do, make sure it's a Muay Thai kickboxing class and NOT a cardio kickboxing class.
-
Step 2
Once you find a place, go to class for a week and see how you like it. It's important not to overdo it this first week. MT kickboxing is very intense and you don't want to burn out at the beginning. Remember, the hardest part is the first two weeks!
-
Step 3
At the beginning, you'll be getting familiar with kicks and you want to focus on your technique rather than strength at the beginning. This means, taking it a little slower and making sure your form is correct. If you learn bad technique, it's hard to unlearn it.
-
Step 4
Train, train, train. Train once, twice, or three times a week--whatever works best for you in your schedule and priorities. The important thing is to be consistent and train somewhat regularly. There is such a thing as "muscle memory" and the more you train, the easier the moves in MT boxing become so you can focus on better things such as fight strategy and strength.
-
Step 5
Crosstrain: Flexibility helps a lot in MT kickboxing. Strecth after any workout, especially your legs--you want to be able to roundhouse kick high. Strengthen your core--that means abdominal exercises! Strength your arms and shoulders with push-ups, playing with a medicine ball, and pull-ups. Any other workouts outside of MT boxing will surely help your cardio and stamina--the last thing you want during a fight is to gas out (get out of breath).
-
Step 6
Remember that learning any martial art is a long process and takes time. Train consistently at your boxing gym, even if no one else is and you're the only one in class--it'll pay off.
-
Step 7
Get plenty of rest so your body can recover from training. Also, make eating healthy a lifestyle. Things you do outside of MT kickboxing class are just as important as the training in MT kickboxing itself.
