If you’ve never trained Muay Thai before, it’s easy to think you need to get everything right before you start.
Should you get fit first?
Do you need private classes?
Do you need your own gloves?
How many times a week should you train?
And probably the biggest one, does it actually matter which gym you choose?
So rather than us sitting down and writing another guide telling beginners what they should do, we asked our coaches.
And as you’ll see in the video, they don’t always agree.
That’s probably a good thing.
Do beginners need private Muay Thai classes?
Private training can make a massive difference, especially at the beginning.
You’ve got a coach watching only you. They can pick up on things you might not even realise you’re doing wrong, your stance, balance, guard, how you’re turning your hip, where your hands are going.
You can get a lot done in an hour.
But does that mean you have to take private classes before joining a group?
No.
A good group class should still be suitable for somebody walking into a Muay Thai gym for the first time.
We get complete beginners training alongside people who have been doing Muay Thai for years. The job of the coach is to understand who is standing in front of them and coach them accordingly.
Privates can speed things up. They can build confidence. They’re great if there’s something specific you want to work on.
But you don’t need to disappear for ten private sessions before you’re “good enough” to join everyone else.
You’re a beginner. You’re allowed to be a beginner.
Do you need to be fit before starting Muay Thai?
This one comes up all the time.
“I want to try Muay Thai, but I’m going to get fit first.”
Why?
Muay Thai will get you fit.
Nobody expects you to arrive on your first day able to smash pads for five rounds without getting tired.
You’ll probably get tired. That’s normal.
Your fitness builds as you train.
The same goes for flexibility, coordination and balance. Some people pick things up quickly, some don’t. It doesn’t really matter.
Just start. Check our schedule here for ideas of how many classes run a day
How often should a beginner train?
There’s no magic number.
If you’re here on holiday and you’ve only got a week, you might want to train every day.
If you live here and you’re fitting Muay Thai around work and normal life, two or three sessions a week might be perfect.
Consistency matters more than going crazy for your first week, destroying yourself, and then not coming back for ten days.
Your body needs a bit of time to adapt as well.
Does equipment matter?
You don’t need to turn up on day one looking like a professional fighter.
Basic training gear is enough.
As you start training regularly, then yes, it’s worth getting decent gloves and equipment that fits properly and that you actually like using.
But don’t let not owning all the gear become another excuse for not starting.
Does choosing the right Muay Thai gym matter?
For us, this is probably the big one.
Especially for a beginner.
Your first experience of Muay Thai can shape how you see the sport.
A beginner doesn’t need watered-down Muay Thai. They need proper Muay Thai taught at a level they can understand.
There’s a difference.
You want coaches who will correct you, explain things, and actually teach technique rather than just trying to make you exhausted.
You also want somewhere you feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes.
Because you will make mistakes.
Everyone does.
That’s training.
You don’t need to arrive fit.
So what is actually important?
You don’t need to know how to fight.
You don’t need perfect equipment.
You don’t even need to know what you’re doing.
Find a good gym. Listen to your coaches. Learn the technique properly. Train consistently.
Everything else comes.
And if you’re thinking about trying Muay Thai for the first time in Phuket, come and train with us.
Complete beginners are welcome.
Phuket King Muay Thai, not just another gym
‘Work hard, fight easy’
