Ahh, Thailand, the land of smiles, temples, Pad Thai and incredible tropical island sunsets. While all of these things are sure to send most travelers into a backpack-stuffing frenzy, what if you’re after a more unconventional travel experience?
Well, in that case, are you ready to put aside the long island ice teas, get dangerously sweaty and immerse yourself in authentic Thai culture? If so, let’s find out why a Muay Thai holiday might just be your next favorite travel experience to date!
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What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is known as the art of eight limbs. It’s a form of martial arts developed hundreds of years ago and is now the most popular sport in Thailand.
Muay Thai involves using eight points of contact, namely your fists, elbows, knees, and shins to strike your opponent. Muay Thai is a whole-body sport, and therefore is a great workout, suitable to experienced martial artists and also beginners.
Since Thailand is the birthplace of Muay Thai, many people flock from all over the globe to experience a “Muay Thai holiday”, get fit and have a great time. Read more: 23 Fun Facts About Thailand – The Land of Smiles
Reasons why you should consider the trip
In my opinion, a trip to Thailand is incomplete if you don’t at least try the art of Muay Thai. After spending several trips training and fighting Muay Thai in Thailand, here are some of my favorite takeaways.
- You get seriously fit;
- You learn to protect yourself with one of the best self-defense techniques in the world;
- You get to mingle with current and former Muay Thai champions;
- You will dive into real and authentic Thai culture;
- Experience healthy and delicious Thai cuisine,
- Enjoy beaches, hikes and, the best of Thailand on your days off!
What it’s like training Muay Thai in Thailand
At first thought, spending your vacation sweating it out on the mats might not sound like the most relaxing experience.
While I will admit that the first few days can be grueling, the experience is incredibly rewarding for both the mind and the body.
So, what does Muay Thai holiday involve?
Typically, you’ll be training twice a day, six days a week, for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each session. These sessions are fast-paced and very challenging.
I know what you’re thinking, it does sound like a lot. However, Thai gyms are very flexible, and most offer monthly training packages whereby you can choose your own schedule.
This means that if you’re feeling sore from the hard morning pad session, skip the afternoon training and enjoy a poolside massage instead!
The training
Most Muay Thai holiday camps in Thailand follow a similar schedule. A typical session involves learning Muay Thai technique, hitting the bag, group bodyweight exercise circuits, stretching, and pad rounds.
For those who don’t know, the latter is where professional trainers will guide you through timed rounds of pad training, which simulates a fight and teaches you technique.
I don’t believe that anyone has ever associated training Muay Thai in Thailand with the word “easy”.
Still, if you’re up for one of the most rewarding challenges you’ll ever undertake, then that’s exactly what you’ll get from a Muay Thai training camp.
But, What if I’m a beginner?
Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport and the Thai people are incredibly proud of their art. The privilege to share the sport with the world is something that Thai trainers and fighters cherish greatly.
Therefore, nearly all Muay Thai holiday camps that cater to foreigners are beginner-friendly.
Of course, it can be daunting to wander into the birthplace of one of the most brutal combat sports in the world, let alone join in!
Understandably, most beginners are a little anxious, to say the least. However, the warm, welcoming Thai smile will soon reassure you that you are in good hands.
I’ll even hedge my bets that you won’t be the only first-timer in the gym!
How Much Does it Cost to train Muay Thai in Thailand?
The answer is that like most holiday tours and packages, there are many offerings for varying budgets.
Typically, open, flexible Muay Thai Training packages range from $250 to $350 USD per person, per month.
Additionally, most gyms offer all-inclusive Muay Thai holiday packages which also cover your accommodation, meals, and sometimes even massages.
One of the most popular Muay Thai holiday gyms in Thailand, and the one I trained and fought at offers similar all-inclusive packages starting at less than $300 per week.
When it comes down to it, spending your holiday training Muay Thai in Thailand can be considerably more affordable than a typical booze-binging vacation.
So, not only will your body and mind thank you, your wallet will too!
How do I book a Muay Thai Holiday?
Your first step in booking a Muay Thai holiday training camp is by choosing your destination in Thailand.
Muay Thai is extremely popular in Thailand, so you’ll find training camps in all the tourist hotspots.
Generally, travelers visit Chiang Mai in the North for jungles, hikes, and waterfalls. If you’d rather palm-lined beaches, then Phuket, Khao Lak, or the many Thai islands are also a great choice.
For the city-lover, Bangkok is a crazy city that is also known to have the highest quality Muay Thai training in the world.
So, research your destination, Google the most popular gyms and reach out!
Embrace the world of Muay Thai
It’s easy to see why Thailand is ranked as the number one most popular holiday destination in South East Asia.
With a growing interest in health-focused vacations, taking on a Muay Thai Holiday it is another reason to add Thailand to the ever-growing bucket list!
Are you thinking about a Muay Thai training vacation in Thailand and have some questions?
Ask Olly and join in on the discussion below by leaving a comment.
Olly is the creator of We Seek Travel. Follow him on Instagram: Pinterest and see his full bio below.
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