Traditional Muay Thai v Boutique Muay Thai

TRADITIONAL MUAY THAI V BOUTIQUE MUAY THAI

Dana VanPamelen

Muay Thai translates to “Thai Boxing" and is also referred to as the "Art of 8 Limbs." Muay Thai is the combat sport of Thailand, allowing stand-up striking and and clinching. Different than other forms of martial arts because it allows you to use additional strikes (in addition to punching, you can also kick, knee and elbow). 

Typically, if you are interested in the practice, you can visit a traditional Muay Thai fight gym. Instead of sparring with a partner or pad work with a personal trainer, you can beat up Bishop at Hit House: a low-impact heavy bag created by the studio’s owner (and my husband), Tyler Scott, and Century Martial Arts to eliminate swing back, injury and bruising. Class includes a warm-up, introduction to strikes, multiple combinations, abs, and a cool-down, set to curated, custom playlists. This class is good for all levels. 

I had no idea what Muay Thai was, honestly, until I landed a gig as round card girl for Friday Night Fights. Once I saw the action and excitement in the ring, I knew I had to get in on it. My first few lessons and classes were at a traditional gym, surrounded by fighters in training camp. The workout is really intense and fun, but I found striking a traditional heavy bag very difficult (it hurts your knuckles, wrists and shins). As a beginner, I was not skilled or quick enough for mitt or pad work with a partner. Plus, I couldn't show up to work with a black eye! 

I am a boutique fitness enthusiast, if you will - I love trying different workouts and studios. When I took Tyler to Soul Cycle back in 2014, it finally clicked for us - Hey, we can DO this. We can teach other fitness enthusiasts a skill and provide a challenging workout in a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Tyler created our exclusive heavy bag, Bishop, that allows people of all levels to properly strike a bag without pain and bruising (if you've ever cracked your foot open from incorrectly throwing a rear kick, you know what I mean). In our studio, no one needs to hold pads for half of the class or get paired up against someone twice your size. 

I think the popularity of and press surrounding women in the UFC - at least in part by Dana White signing Ronda Rousey in 2012, after he was notoriously quoted for saying women would "never" fight in the UFC in May 2011 - brought attention to boxing and martial arts. There's nothing sexier than a girl that's sweet out of the ring and bad AF in the ring. Females popular in the media (just to name a few of my favorites: ring-girl turned fighter Paige VanZant, body activist and avid trainer Mia Kang, and swimsuit model and bantamweight boxer Avril Mathie) encourage other females not to be intimidating (and are super motivating). 

Muay Thai is a challenging workout great for all levels, great for increasing cardio levels (and getting ripped obliques), so I'm happy more and more people are interested in and appreciative of the combat sport. It's a simple as: punching and kicking stuff is REALLY fun, and people are catching on to this!

These past few years has marked the beginning of combat fitness classes are being offered in a boutique setting and women are less intimidated to try out a typical "men's sport." It comes down to the fact that Muay Thai is a challenging, rewarding and FUN workout! It's a great compliment to yoga, strength training, etc. and a great way to increase cardio. 

I think Muay Thai is half mental - you are learning a new skill while remembering combinations. Instructors focus on striking form for so many reasons; one of which is learning and understanding how and when the strikes should be used and being able to apply it to real-life situations (for example, what happens if someone's invading your space and you need to get away?). Knowing strikes that can be used as self-defense should make women (and men, and everyone) feel confident and strong. Striking is such an awesome way to relieve stress, release aggression and let go of all of those small. day-to-day annoyances (great for mental health and overall well-being)! 

As one class members said, “Learn a new skill and get a damn good sweat.” 

At Hit House, we hope everyone walks out of the space feeling strong, self-confident and empowered.