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The word Muay derives from the Sanskrit mavya and Thai comes from the word Tai. Muay
Thai is referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it makes
use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight
"points of contact", as opposed to "two points"
(fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (hands and
feet) used in most sport-oriented martial arts. A practitioner of Muay Thai is known as a nak
muay.
Muay Thai is specifically
designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for
ring competition. Training regimens include rope jumping,
shadowboxing, body weight resistance exercises, heavy bag, speed bag,
medicine ball and abdominal exercises.
Thai pad training is a cornerstone of Muay Thai conditioning which involves practicing
punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a coach wearing thick
pads which cover the forearms and hands. The coach will also wear a
belly pad around the abdominal area so that the fighter can attack
with straight kicks or knees to the body at anytime during the round.
Sorbunnum’s class training includes
many rounds 3-5 minute periods broken up by a 1 minute rest of these
various methods of practice.
Starting in the 1990s, Muay
Thai has enjoyed a boost in popularity worldwide as it has been very
effective in mixed martial arts training and competition. However
most people practise martial arts for fitness and self defence, at Sorbunnum Gym we ensure that everyone is welcome
whether they want to train for fitness or to compete.
 
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