Muay Thai Training: What to Expect
All Muay Thai classes are semi-private (small groups 8-10 people). Doors open 5 minutes before class. Here is what to expect when preparing for class at KES Fitness: before, during, and after Muay Thai.
Before Muay Thai
Come in Healthy
As courtesy to others, only come when you are well past the contagion stage of a cold or flu to not spread bacteria or virus to others.
Come in Clean
Martial arts are contacts sports that require close contract. As a courtesy to others, if you have had an active day, please bathe before you come in.
Eat Light Before Class
It’s best not to come to class with an empty stomach or an overfull stomach. A light meal 45-60 minutes before class is best. Spicy food prior to class, or the night before class, is not recommended.
No Shoes on the MMA Mats
No shoes on the MMA mats. No shoes of any kind on the dojo floor. Muay Thai is a barefoot art — we train with bare feet, no exceptions. No bare feet off of the MMA mats.
Bring a Towel
You’ll need a small absorbent towel for wiping sweat and keeping the area around you dry for other students.
Bring a Water Bottle
Stay hydrated! Water is essential to keeping your body functioning well.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
There is no uniform. Sweat pants and loose shorts are best.
During Muay Thai
High Impact Curriculum
Muay Thai is a high impact class that requires lots of bouncing. Jumping rope is part of our warm-up curriculum. Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before — we will teach you how. It sucks to learn, but once you get it, it’s easy.
No Hitting on the First Day
If you’ve never trained martial arts, you are not hitting anything on the first day. Most beginners will not spar until their second year. Trust me, that’s a kindness!
Muay Thai Gear
Eventually you will need hand wraps, mouth pieces, head gear, gloves, shin pads, groin protection. However, none of that is necessary on your first day. Besides hand wraps and gloves, none of that is necessary for your first 6 months.
After Muay Thai
Stretch
Recovery, stretch, repeat. Do the initial warm up routine and stretches that you learned in class.
Nutrition
Be sure to have fruit or a shake ready immediately after class to help keep your blood glucose levels up and prevent your body from feeding upon itself for energy.
Soreness
Muay Thai is a combative art, so plan to be sore and bruised. Though there are aspects of health within the system, there is very little about learning to incapacitate another human with punches, kicks, knees, and elbows that is healthy for your own body.
