How do Muay Thai fighters in Thailand manage to train 6 days a week without feeling exhausted or sore, while for me, regularly training Muay Thai and boxing 5 days a week makes me feel drained and sore?
The daily routine of Muay Thai fighters in Thailand
Muay Thai fighters in Thailand train 6 days a week twice a day. They wake up at 6 a.m. to run 6-10 km, then go to their gym and start with jump rope and stretching, do some shadow boxing exercises, before doing a few rounds with pads and bags. A solid two-hour training session. And that’s just the morning.
In the evening, they usually have playful technical sparring where they focus more on flow and technique, with some rounds on the bags and with their trainer on the pads. Then there’s strength and conditioning and freestyle clinching, without a timer. This means it can last 10-20 minutes non-stop.
How do they do it?
That’s the question you’re probably asking yourself. Well, it’s not their first time. They have been doing this since a young age and their bodies have naturally adapted to the physical demands of the training. It became the norm. They are also more accustomed to the hot climate and humidity, unlike Westerners from another hemisphere – so for them, breathing is much easier and they don’t get exhausted as quickly.
Muay Thai fighters don’t feel sore or sluggish because when you train Muay Thai, you need to get regular massages so your muscles don’t become painful and recover faster. Regular massages relieve tension and ensure better energy flow throughout your body, so this helps. They rub tiger balm oil on their bodies before training to make sure the muscles are warm and ready to work, which prevents injuries and extends the longevity of their training.
Age makes a difference
Age is also a factor. You can’t train intensively for too long – at one point or another your body will inevitably break down, we are not superhumans. That’s why their careers rarely go beyond 30 years. They start young and finish relatively young. These are their best years when their bodies are at their strongest and they are at the peak of their physical abilities – which is probably why they can sustain such training.
Thailand is known for its rich martial arts history and has produced several legendary Thai fighters. Here are some of the most famous legendary Thai fighters.
Legendary Muay Thai fighters from Thailand
- Nai Khanom Tom: He is considered one of the founders of Muay Thai and is known for his undefeated record as a prisoner in the Burmese war in the 18th century.
- Samart Payakaroon: He is often regarded as the greatest Muay Thai fighter of all time. Samart was known for his exceptional technique, speed, and agility.
- Apidej Sit-Hirun: He was a very versatile fighter and is considered a pioneer in the use of kicks in Muay Thai. Apidej was also known for his powerful knees and elbows.
- Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn: He is known for his dominant clinch technique and is considered one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters in history.
- Buakaw Banchamek: Although Buakaw is still active, he is already considered a legendary Thai fighter. He has won numerous championships and is popular for his explosive style and powerful kicks.
- Sakmongkol Sithchuchok: Sakmongkol was a champion in the nineties, considered the Muay Thai "Golden Era". He is known for his devastating left kicks and tough body that can endure a lot while still being able to continue fighting.
Currently, many talented Thai fighters are active in the Muay Thai world. Here are some of the prominent names:
Active Muay Thai fighters from Thailand
- Saenchai: He is considered one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of the moment. Saenchai is known for his incredible technique, agility, and skill in the ring.
- Yodsanklai Fairtex: He is a former multiple world champion and is known for his powerful punches and kicks. Yodsanklai has fought against some of the best fighters in the world.
- Superlek Kiatmoo9: He is an emerging star in the Muay Thai world and has already impressed with his technique and speed. Superlek has achieved important victories in various weight classes.
- Rodtang Jitmuangnon: He is an aggressive and entertaining fighter known for his relentless style. Rodtang has a strong martial arts background and has won multiple championships.
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