Muay Thai Benefits

Over the years, more and more people are taking up Muay Thai. For a sport that is commonly perceived to be brutal and dangerous, it has come to be embraced by practitioners of all ages, from kids to elders, and every age in between. So what is it about Muay Thai that makes it such an alluring sport and exercise? For anyone thinking about taking up Muay Thai, here are 10 benefits that Muay Thai training has to offer:

1) Burns Calories Effectively

Health and wellness are the main reasons to take up exercising. As the saying goes in fitness circles, “abs are made in the kitchen”. In order to achieve the ideal body goal, a well-balanced, healthy and nutritious diet is the most important factor. That said, the right exercise routine can make the job easier. For anyone looking to lose fat, the key is to burn those calories and there are very few sports that do it as powerfully as Muay Thai. One hour of Muay Thai training burns around 690 calories. Just take one look at any Muay Thai fighter’s body: there is hardly an ounce of fat. Enough said.

2) Strengthens The Body

Let’s be honest here: Muay Thai training is tough. Each session lasts from 1 to 2 hours and incorporates multiple rounds of shadow boxing, heavy bagwork, padwork, strength training and conditioning exercises. A traditional training for fighters will even include a 3-5km run as a warm-up. A sore body today is a strong body tomorrow. Clearly, training Muay Thai regularly will improve overall fitness and strengthen the body.

3) Widens Social Circle

There is always a strong sense of comradeship at every Muay Thai gym. There is a common interest in learning Muay Thai; everyone is working towards the shared goal of self-betterment; blood and sweat are shed during training; and this is how the deepest friendships are forged. Friends who slay together, stay together.

4) Fun

For all fitness enthusiasts who are sick of running on the treadmill or lifting the same old weights, Muay Thai is the antidote. Besides learning different techniques and combos, modern Muay Thai training incorporates a variety of exercises that makes training fun and effective at the same time. When the activity is interesting, there is more motivation and incentive to train. Whether for recreation or fitness, Muay Thai is an ideal activity that is fun and fulfilling.

5) Improves Self-Confidence

One of the most commonly cited benefits of training Muay Thai is that it improves self-confidence. This can happen for various reasons. Training Muay Thai makes you leaner and gets you in a better shape. And when a person feels good about the way they look, the more confidence they ooze. Secondly, if one makes an effort to train Muay Thai regularly, he/she will get better at it and so will their confidence grow. Self-confidence is the most beautiful outfit.

6) Lowers Blood Pressure

Cardiovascular illness is the number 1 cause of death globally. One of the most common heart diseases is hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications like stroke and heart failure. The first step to reducing the risk of developing heart diseases is to make positive changes by engaging in regular cardiovascular exercises. As a cardio-intensive sport, regular training in Muay Thai can reduce blood pressure and strengthen the heart. Being healthy isn’t a fad or a trend, it is a lifestyle and Muay Thai can help to achieve it.

7) Easy to learn

Unlike many martial arts that focus on katas (or forms), Muay Thai is straightforward and to the point. There is no elaborate or detailed choreography and the moves are not designed to be performed for entertainment purposes. Muay Thai is a stand-up striking style that was developed to hurt the opponent in the most efficient way. They are effective yet instinctive enough to be picked up easily. No need for memorizing fancy, complicated movements. Easy as 1-2-3.

8) Self-defence

The Muay Thai elbow strike is one of the most dangerous and effective weapons to possess. In the ring, this one technique has ended countless fights, often via bloody technical knockout. Another one of Muay Thai’s effective techniques is that of the teep, or push kick, that can disrupt and stop an offending attack. These, and other Muay Thai techniques can translate to powerful self-defence skills in real life. Nobody wants to be in any threatening situations but being armed with martial arts skills like Muay Thai can’t hurt. Men, and especially women, can definitely benefit from learning Muay Thai.

9) Builds Mental Toughness

Training Muay Thai, one is often pushed to the limits and beyond, physically and mentally. The physical demands of the training simply requires a lot of mental perseverance. So Muay Thai strengthens not only the body, but also the mind. The beginning is always the hardest but if you push yourself, and the mind will get stronger too. Regardless of what you do, mental toughness can help you handle and manage any challenges in life.

10) Get an Endorphin Rush

Nothing beats the natural high from a good, intensive workout. Scientifically speaking, this feeling of pleasure comes from the release of endorphins, which are a group of chemicals secreted within the brain and nervous system. Endorphins are known to block pain, and promote a sense of comfort and well-being which can help in stress management. Additionally, endorphins are a natural relaxant and can help one to sleep better. The intense workout of Muay Thai training is guaranteed to give one an endorphin rush.

With so many benefits, it’s no longer surprising why more and more people are taking up Muay Thai. Head over to YOKKAO Training Center and experience the wonderful benefits of Muay Thai today!