MUAY THAI CLASSES IN BOURNEMOUTH
HISTORY OF MUAY THAI
Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is one of the most effective martial arts in the world. This physical and mental discipline includes combat on foot and is known as “the art of eight limbs” because it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins and feet.
The history of Muay Thai goes back to 1238 when the first Thai Army was created in the Thai capital Siam. The army was created to protect the government and its inhabitants within the city and surrounding areas. The soldiers were taught hand to hand combat and the use of weapons, one being their own body. Many years later, Muay Thai started to gain international recognition and exposure. Muay Thai fighters are known for their hard skin, conditioned body and ability to ignore the pain and injuries.
Before being replaced by more modern equipment like heavy bags and agility balls popular conditioning methods included:
- kicking banana trees (ideal for practising leg kicks and knee strikes)
- using coconut trees to contract thigh muscles, harden feet and toughen elbows,
- digging a pit from knee to waist deep and jumping in and out of it for legs conditioning
- throwing water in the face whilst keeping eyes open ( ideal for training the eyes to stay open even when being hit in the face)
- Muay Thai Circle – group of fighters in the circle with one fighter in the middle training with each person in the circle for a selected period of time.
RULES
Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is one of the most effective martial arts in the world. This physical and mental discipline includes combat on foot and is known as “the art of eight limbs” because it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins and feet.
The history of Muay Thai goes back to 1238 when the first Thai Army was created in the Thai capital Siam. The army was created to protect the government and its inhabitants within the city and surrounding areas. The soldiers were taught hand to hand combat and the use of weapons, one being their own body. Many years later, Muay Thai started to gain international recognition and exposure. Muay Thai fighters are known for their hard skin, conditioned body and ability to ignore the pain and injuries.
Gloves usage should correspond to the following weight divisions:
| Weight division | Glove Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Flyweight – Junior Featherweight | 6 ounce (132 grams) | ||
| Featherweight – Welterweight | 8 ounce (227 grams) | ||
| Junior Middleweights and upwards | 10 ounce (284 grams) | ||
THAI BOXING WEIGHT DIVISIONS
| No. | Weight division | Glove Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mini Flyweight | 105 lbs (47.727 kg) | ||
| 2 | Junior Flyweight | 108 lbs (48.988 kg) | ||
| 3 | Flyweight | 112 lbs (50.802 kg) | ||
| 4 | Junior Bantamweight | 115 lbs (52.163 kg) | ||
| 5 | Bantamweight | 118 lbs (53.524 kg) | ||
| 6 | Junior Featherweight | 122 lbs (55.338 kg) | ||
| 7 | Featherweight | 126 lbs (57.153 kg) | ||
| 8 | Junior Lightweight | 130 lbs (58.967 kg) | ||
| 9 | Lightweight | 135 lbs (61.235 kg) | ||
| 10 | Junior Welterweight | 140 lbs (63.503 kg) | ||
| 11 | Middleweight | 147 lbs (66.638 kg) | ||
| 12 | Junior Middleweight | 154 lbs (69.853 kg) | ||
| 13 | Middleweight | 160 lbs (71.575 kg) | ||
| 14 | Super Middleweight | 168 lbs (76.363 kg) | ||
| 15 | Light Heavyweight | 175 lbs (79.379 kg) | ||
| 16 | Cruiseweight | 190 lbs (86.183 kg) | ||
| 17 | Heavyweight | 190 lbs+ (86.183 kg+) | ||
| 18 | Super Heavyweight | 209 lbs+ (95 kg+) | ||
THE STANDARD SCORING PRACTICE IS AS FOLLOWS:
A strike either by a punch, kick, knee or elbow.
SCORING FROM A STRIKE
- Points will be awarded for a correct Thai Boxing style, combined with hard and accurate strikes.
- Points will be awarded for aggressive and dominating Muay Thai skill.
- Points will be awarded for a fighter actively dominating his opponent.
- Points will be awarded for the use of a traditional Thai style of defence and counter-attack.
- Points will be deducted from a boxer who fouls or breaks the rules.
NON SCORING STRIKES
- A strike which is against the rules.
- A strike in defence against the leg or irm of an opponent.
- A weak strike.
FOULS
- The judges will deduct points for any foul as directed by the referee. Fouls include biting, eye gouging, spitting, or head butting, wrestling, deliberately falling on his opponent, holding the ropes for any reason, swearing, knocking out or injuring the opponent deliberately after the referee has ordered the match to stop for any reason., deliberately striking the groin area.
- Any foul observed by the judges but not by the referee, will be penalised accordingly.
METHOD OF SCORING
- The maximum score for each round is 10 points, the loser scoring either 9, 8 or 7.
- A drawn round will be scored as 10 points for both boxers.
- The winner and loser in an indecisive round, will score 10:9 respectively.
- The winner and loser in a decisive round will score 10:8 respectively.
- The winner and loser in an indecisive round with a single count, will score 10:8 respectively.
- The winner and loser in a decisive round with a single count, will score 10:7 respectively.
- The boxer scoring 2 counts against his opponent will score 10:7.
- Any boxer who commits a foul will have points deducted from his score.
REASONS TO TRAIN MUAY THAI
There are many benefits of Muay Thai training including:
- increased cardiovascular conditioning,
- leg strength,
- core strength,
- increased hip mobility,
- boosted confidence levels,
- better posture
- improved coordination
Muay Thai works to build up stamina and endurance and makes a person courageous and fearless but at the same time honest and compassionate.
EQUIPMENT
You’ll need shorts and a t-shirt, wraps, gloves, shin pads and a mouth guard.
We currently don’t lend out equipment due to coronavirus. We want to minimise the spread as much as possible.
CLASS INFORMATION
At Ippon Gym we believe that hard work and strict policy bring the best results. Our classes are taught in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere so that your time training is both enjoyable and productive.
Our trainers, Bernie Mendieta, Harry Baker and Sally McCarthy are one of the best and the most experienced Muay Thai Fighters in the area and passionate about teaching the most effective techniques and building an army of fighters.
Monday and Wednesday classes focus on drilling thai boxing technique and sparring (optional).
Drilling with another person simulates real combat and gives you the ability to improve all the skills incorporated in Muay Thai by practicing timing, distance, proper cadence, and accuracy, to name a few.
Friday sessions are sparring only.
TRIAL LESSONS
Potential students are welcome to try out one of our classes for free. Just complete the ‘Free Class’ form below with your contact details and let us know when you’d like to come down.
*You cannot attend a trial lesson without completing an online form.
FAQs
Not only will Muay Thai be an exciting new sport for you to get stuck into, but we recognise everyone has a different goal.
This sport will help improve your fitness, strength, flexibility, and confidence.
Whether your goal is to compete one day, or just to learn self-defence, we provide a great atmosphere, support, and the opportunity to try something new.
Bring a water bottle and towel – it gets sweaty.
You can train in normal gym gear – loose fitting shorts or leggings and a t-shirt.
You’ll need wraps, gloves, shin pads and a mouth guard (gym shield).
Due to Covid 19 and to minimise the risk , we don’t currently lend out spare gloves and shin pads.
We recommend getting your own pair.
The most important aspects you should look out for when buying boxing gloves is quality of materials, and appropriate size and weight. 12 -14 oz is a good weight to start and provide enough protection if you choose to spar.
We usually recommend Twins, Fairtex and Sandy but there are plenty of other, cheaper brands you can try. You will be able to purchase shin pads from the same brand.
We don’t sell equipment at the gym.
If you are just starting out, you could just buy one of the bite and boil mouthguards. They are available in all sports shops or online.
For more serious students, we recommend getting a good quality, custom made mouthguard. They can be purchased from your dentist (although they may charge you more) or a specific shop. Good custom-made mouthguard brands include Opro and Gumz.
We don’t sell gym shields at the gym.
Muay Thai membership is £65 per month and covers 3 sessions per week. We also have beginner-friendly classes – please contact us for more details.
Yes, you do. Once you have signed up as a member, we will give a link to Team Up. You can create an account, download their app and book you sessions in advance.
Your instructor will encourage to begin with light sparring when they think you are ready. This will depend on your skills, technique, and ability to demonstrate control.
It takes around 3-6 month to become proficient at the Muay Thai basics such as stance, footwork, pad work and some defense. The time is takes to be ready to spar differs from person to person. Your instructor will be able to advise you.
Yes, we charge £15 per class. Bear in mind we are a membership based gym and if the class if full you may be turned away.