Thai Kickboxing Training

Thai kickboxing, or Muay Thai, has become popular because of the success of Jony Jaa's martial arts movies featuring the art. The "Science of Eight Limbs," as it's called, uses legs, arms, elbows and knees to deliver powerful blows to the opponent. Though modern competition in the West has added safety rules, Muay Thai has been practiced in Thailand for more than 500 years.

Traditional Training

Practiced since pre-technological times and by a people without much financial resource, Muay Thai training relies on body weight exercises and natural training tools. According to the martial arts documentary "Fight Quest," traditional Muay Thai features partner sparring, traditional forms and striking drills practiced on banana trees, bamboo and other medium-soft wood.

Modern Equipment

Starting in the 20th century, Muay Thai training in the West began using tools, which later migrated to Thailand as the tools became affordable. These include standard combat sports equipment such as hanging bags, focus mitts, jump ropes and medicine balls as well as banana bags and Thai kick pads made specially for Muay Thai training.

Cardio Training

Muay Thai requires a high level of cardiovascular endurance in order to keep fighting round after round. Muay Thai fighters engage in jogging, cycling, jumping rope and similar aerobic workouts to build basic cardio. They also practice controlled breathing so that being struck in the ring won't interrupt their breathing flow.

Strength Training

Full body strength is important to success in Muay Thai, especially the larger muscles in the legs, arms and back. Practitioners in the West use weight training and calisthenics to develop muscle strength, while many Thai practitioners prefer to use body weight exercises and yoga to do so.

Techniques

The weapons of Muay Thai are the punch, kick, knee strike and elbow strike. Thai kickboxers practice each of these weapons in four formats. They practice in isolation to develop basic technique, then practice on a bag, tree or other striking surface to develop conditioning and power. Third, they practice techniques in combination with other techniques. Finally, they practice the techniques in partner sparring to develop the timing and rhythm necessary for successful competition.