7 Reasons why Muay Thai is the Most Powerful Martial Art
Most martial arts were originally developed for warfare and have evolved over time into a way of life. Today, martial arts are practised all over the world by the young and old for fitness, self-defense, law enforcement and competitive purposes.
Among the growing popularity of martial arts is Muay Thai, the art of 8 limbs. Many consider the Thai martial art to be one of the most effective striking styles in the world. Let’s check out top 7 reasons why Muay Thai is the most powerful martial art:
Battle-Tested
Muay Thai is a battle-tested martial art. It was created for combat on the battlefields in ancient Thailand. Muay Thai was not created to impress. The techniques are simple and designed to inflict pain in the quickest and easiest way. Each strike is delivered to the point with no unnecessary movement for flamboyance.
The art of 8 limbs has evolved and been refined over time through countless battles on the battlefields and boxing rings. This isn’t a history that all martial arts can lay claim to.
King of Kickboxing
Since the 70’s, there have been many international competitions where kickboxers of different styles came together to determine which is the most effective. Some of the most notable and historical fights featured Muay Thai asserting its dominance over other styles including Changpuek Kiatsongrit’s low destruction of Rick Rufus in 1988,
Even when stripped of its brutal elbow strikes and technical clinch, Muay Thai fighters have been able to best kickboxers of other styles on international kickboxing promotions of the highest prestige. Some of the most successful Thai fighters on the international kickboxing circuit include Buakaw Banchamek, Superbon Banchamek and Petpanomrung Kiatmoo9.
Striking Base for MMA
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is the fastest growing sport of the last decade. MMA allows fighters from different martial arts backgrounds to compete under a set of rules. The most successful MMA athletes often combine a striking style with a grappling art.
Many successful MMA athletes have been able to achieve success by choosing Muay Thai as their striking base. Utilizing Muay Thai’s elbows along with acute clinch-knee fighting style, fighters like Anderson Silva, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, and Valentina Shevchenko have been able to clinch championship titles in the hyper-competitive UFC.
Calorie Burner
Conditioning is pivotal in Muay Thai due to the high-intensity and physical demand of the competition. Muay Thai athletes train twice a day, six days a week with each training session lasting 2 hours or more.
If you want to lose weight, Muay Thai training will put you on track in the best way. Coupled with a balanced diet, regular Muay Thai training will help to burn the calories more effectively than cardio-based exercises like running or spinning. If you want proof, just look at any competitive Muay Thai fighter.
Self-Defense
Men and women can all stand to benefit by equipping themselves with Muay Thai for self-defense. Muay Thai techniques consist of both attack and defense for long-range and close-range combat.
For example, the Muay Thai elbow strike can be thrown in close-range with the ability to finish a threatening confrontation fast. The teep push kick can be used defensively to push off an attack. A clinch and knee combination is a powerful technique in close-contact struggle.
Strengthens the Body
Besides burning all that fats and calories, Muay Thai is an excellent strengthening and conditioning exercise. You not only look better, but get stronger when you train Muay Thai.
Each session kicks off with a warm-up, followed by shadow boxing, drills, heavy bag training, padwork, some sparring and clinching for more advanced practitioners, then ending off with strengthening exercises. With such intense sessions, it’s only a matter of time that you improve your fitness and get stronger.
Builds Mental Strength
Nothing worth doing is ever easy. A full-fledged Muay Thai training session will leave you gasping for air and your body sore the next day. It is not only physically demanding but also mentally challenging.
Muay Thai trainers will continue to push you to your limits to bring out your best. Training never gets easier but you get stronger over time, both physically and mentally. This mental toughness will help you to steer through any challenge that you may face in life.
