MUAY what? If you haven’t heard about Muay Thai/Thai boxing by now, you will soon as it could be coming to a gym near you. It’s the latest in fitness that’s taking the world by storm.
More people are turning to Muay Thai as a way to keep fit.
Interest in Muay Thai worldwide was first sparked by Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the 1990s. Muay Thai is just one of the fighting styles used in MMA, which also borrows moves from jiujitsu, boxing, wrestling and other martial arts.
Today, thanks to increased publicity from television shows, interest in Muay Thai is red-hot.
Reality television shows such as The Contender Asia, produced by Mark Burnett (Survivor), has done wonders for Muay Thai. Just as successful as its predecessor, The Contender, which focused on boxing, The Contender Asia saw 16 of the world’s best Muay Thai fighters pit their skills against each other for the title of Contender Champion and a prize sum of US$250,000 (RM875,000). It was a monster hit that has inspired youths and children worldwide to embrace the sport.
So what exactly is Muay Thai? Regarded as the national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai was first used by Siamese soldiers in the 13th century. Unlike Western-style boxing (which has two body contact points and where all targets are above waist level), Muay Thai’s eight body contact points and use of the hands, elbows, knees and feet in fights earned it the nickname of “the science of the eight limbs”.
And it’s not just the guys who are flipping over it. Its benefits as an effective aerobic workout has not been lost on women. More and more women are signing up for Muay Thai workouts because of their health benefits.
Aside from being a great overall fat-burning, cardiovascular workout, it improves the muscle tone of jiggly underarms, flabby legs and droopy bottoms. Add to that the unexpected but welcome benefit of Muay Thai as a form of stress relief. Feeling pressured? Just hit a striking pad or punching bag.
Like all sports, Muay Thai builds up physical strength and stamina. Fighters are expected to last for five to six three-minute long rounds of sparring in competitions.
To be fighting fit, Muay Thai fighters are put through a rigorous workout that includes running, jumping rope and shadow-boxing, said LEE, who has been a Muay Thai instructor for four years and has taught in Singapore and Thailand. Apart from his own classes at Sunway Pyramid, Lee as he prefers to be called, also teaches Muay Thai at the Celebrity Fitness gym in the area.
“It’s an intense workout. So if you’ve been inactive for a while expect stiff limbs after your first session,” said Lee. He has been practising the art for seven years.
Of Malaysian-Thai parentage, he is also skilled in the martial arts of Kendo, and Taekwando.
In Malaysia, Lee said Muay Thai has been slowly gaining popularity in the last four years, especially in the states bordering Thailand such as Kedah and Kelantan where the sport is known as tomoi.
Thanks to more awareness of Muay Thai from television shows, people from all walks of life in Malaysia are turning to Muay Thai as way to keep fit. His Muay Thai workout class in Sunway Pyramid has people of all ages from teens to 60-year-olds.
Interest is also increasing because more gyms in the country are starting to offer it as a workout option.
“You don’t need to buy expensive equipment and your whole body also gets an intense workout. It’s flexible and fast to pick up.
“You can learn basic Muay Thai steps in three months.
“For those keen on competing, if you have confidence, within seven months you can be ready for the ring.”
It is unfortunate, he said, that people have the wrong impression about Muay Thai and that there is a misconception that it will encourage fighting and aggressive behaviour in youths.
His view of Muay Thai, which he had previously regarded as just a sport, changed when he went to Chiang Mai, Thailand to study the martial art.
“I realised it was more than that. It teaches self-awareness, confidence and discipline. A Muay Thai student has to have courage and not abuse his knowledge of the martial art. It is not meant for starting fights but for self-protection.
“Think of it this way: Muay Thai is to the Thais’ what silat is to Malaysians.”
