*Corrected audio version here!!* ruclips.net/video/7a0s6qW5m6w/видео.html ***_Apologies for having to re-upload this episode! I completely messed up the audio with the background music on this original... Doh! 🤦♂ A huge thanks to everyone who provided feedback-it really helps me improve these episodes._***
Was shocked that the shuttle run burned out the Pro Thai fighters but your reasoning makes total sense. Lifelong trainer and Thai hobbyist and this is top notch information
They pretty much all train the same, a simple change in variables and they got sore for days, even if they run all these km's every weeks for years.. I know trainers/fighters who are not even able to do simple movement like Lunges ( cant even do 1) because of week knees, they never train full range of motion
I trained Muay Thai a year ago. During my first month, I trained 2-3 times a week because I was only trying out to see how it is. During my second month, I paid for the everyday training, so I trained 5-6 times a week. After 2 weeks of training almost everyday, my quality of sleep became so much worse. There are times that I only get 3 hours of sleep and it was beginning to worry me. It's like my body was overstimulated by the high intensity of the training, that even when I'm doing nothing my body still thinks I'm at the gym training Muay Thai. I trained Taekwondo rigorously back in high school, 3 times a week. It never affected any of my health nor my sleep. It made me realize that training everyday was a bad idea. Never gonna do that again.
Yes, you only need so much training to improve, and pushing it further than that yields a poor return on investment or ultimately negatively affects you. What's appropriate is individual to you, and depends on what's going on in your life too. More on that in this video... ruclips.net/video/QJb3gxQ_vGc/видео.html This video may be of interest too... ruclips.net/video/_KP_tzNG-tw/видео.html
From 11 till 15 I skateboarded everyday at least 2 hours. Practising the same tricks over and over. I tried skateboarding again in my late twenties and I was in agony after a single day of skating and doing the same tricks. Interesting to experience how the body loses its adaptation to a specific excercise.
Yes, that progressive build up to tolerate both the combined relative intensity and amount of activity makes so much difference! Here’s another video you might find interesting, deep diving into DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) ruclips.net/video/2WHDs1SBxFM/видео.html
Completely agree …Some Dutch clubs have a similar approach to training…IMO, you should go at a high intensity for short periods or a moderate intensity for long periods. High intensity for long periods often leads to injury and burnout.
You've got it! What many don't realise is that moderate intensity training should still be a level that produces enough (developmental) stimulus to trigger improvement. It's not so low it does nothing. And high intensity training only needs "pulling out of the bag" to trigger improvement when progress has either stalled, or will stall.
I trained in Thailand for months and we never did high intensity for long periods. It was all relaxed until a week or two before your fight. It was also relaxed 1-2 days directly before the fight.
As a teen, i adapted to this training in a week or 2. Basically we spent all our free time (10 am to 3pm, then 9 pm to 5 am) sleeping, and when i had adapted, i often skipped the afternoon nap because i was bored and wanted to walk around. That said, i felt that the sameness and repetitiveness of the training prevented me from developing speed or explosiveness, only technique and efficiency. That said, i should point out that my trainer actually suggested skipping the second session till i was better adapted, so im surprised at trainors and harissons accounts. As i also wanted to see the city a bit, i also took sundays off, while the pros at the gym only did the morning session. I never got any flak for that. Guess i was lucky. I totally agree that natural selection plays a role, but i dont know if it is really just the training that weeds out the weaker people. Id say the frequent weight cutting does it too. I roomed with a 29 yo guy who was a year from retirement, but he was still fighting once a month and had to cut 7 kg each time, while increasing his training volume and intensity. It was crushing to see him spend his last week of training eating only an apple and drinking a 200 ml carton of milk twice a day while training more than ever.
Thanks for sharing your experience, really helpful. Yes, although the majority of Thai gyms operate in traditional ways, there are always some that are using a more personalised approach. And good shouts regarding weight cutting too... that's really stressful on the body, and adds to the overall loading in addition to the training.
@Aryan Toon mental strength can get you thru pretty much anything, but i think it is a matter of your conscious and unconscious priorities and neuroses that really differentiate the people who will or wont go the extra mile. Look at bas rutten - even he wont train if he doesnt enjoy it due to injury. But he was an mma pioneer and scared the crap out of his whole generation, and had other skills and ambitions. Comparatively, ramon dekkers famously took any fight anytime anywhere regardless of injury or preparedness. That helped shape his legend, but he would never be to kickboxing what bas was to mma.
I forgot his name but one Muay Thai master said "You don't rest in real fights. You're out of air? You can't say to him "wait, time out don't kill me yet." That's why we train like this"
Thanks for sharing that. Yes, there's certainly a need to push training hard enough to not only build the endurance needed, but also the psychological grit needed too. The problem comes when there's not enough balance between training stimulus and recovery in a program. That takes a little more finesse, and where things can fall down.
Super interesting to hear someone talk about this. I recently held a workshop for the sone Pro Fighters and teachers in Hong Kong (where I live and train) trying to introduce principles of cycling, progressive overlad etc. I've also just started an experiment on Muay Thai specific plyometrics using myself and some of the fighters as test subjects. In general, it's a hard balance between: A daily routine/practice probably has its place in the life of an athlete, however, like you said, if it's a light enough stressor that you can do it every day, it's probably not causing a change and if it's a heavy enough stressor to cause a change, you probably shouldn't be doing it every day. I really liked your video and I'm looking forward to more content from you! I only have one question: I wasn't at all that confused that the Thai fighters got fatigues and doms from the intervals, since their adaptations to their training will be highly specific - like all adaptations. Thoughts?
Great to hear your thoughts! And yes, with hindsight it makes sense that even 5mins of shuttle turns could cause that amount of soreness in a full time pro fighter in Thailand because their work is so unvaried and constant. I assumed (incorrectly) that the volume of steady running and and explosive kicking for hours every week would afford them enough protection for 5mins shuttle running. It just goes to show how adapted the Thais are to their typical schedule (meaning it no longer changes them), and how they could improve their training by being more adaptable.
Highly agree. I'm almost always injured, as I train hard af. Now I'm taking a step back. Wrists, knees, ankles. A lot of impact when you're doing hundreds of kicks and punches a day. You will burn out. Basrutin explained why he only trains the amount of time as a fight.
Getting older means you have to become more efficient with your training time and less wasteful. However, that’s not to say just because you don’t break as easily when you’re younger, that you shouldn’t still be as efficient then too! 😜👊
I workout five days per week: four days of heavy bag stuff (two days focused more on basic mechanics, basic combinations, & full-body power/strength training & two days focused primarily on cardio & practicing longer, more complex sequences) & one recovery/mobility day sandwiched right in the middle of the week where I do an hour-long Muay Thai-oriented yoga workout created by Sean Fagan's (Muay Thai Guy) & his wife. Most of my strength-training exercises are calisthenic-based; weightlifting for more than 1-2 exercises causes me to bulk more than I'd like because my genetics make me especially prone to hypertrophy in most areas. It was great for when I was interested in bodybuilding, but not as useful now lol. In addition to enhancing flexibility & core function, the yoga also seems to help with my strength in unique ways. I'm glad I decided to give it a chance.
Learn, practice, and test the basics. This includes footwork, stance, and striking techniques. Honing your skill/technique, training both body and mind, and gaining experience will make into you a great fighter. You don't need fancy moves and you don't need many skills. Work with what you have and improve it.
Superb video. When I was in Thailand I saw burn out all the time! I believe we were in the 1st group of foreigners to train at Chuwattana, their training was BRUTAL. It's pure survivor bias to think this is the best way to train people.
Cool video, as a 43yo life-long athlete, I totally agree. I feel that I don't need to do nearly as much training to maintain a performance target than I thought when I was much younger. I also have lower performance targets now, but I'm injured much less. I think it's a good trade-off
Plus at our age, we train for different things. I loved fighting but how I just train to be agile and keep my mobility. Less hard training and more smart training.
This is so true. Very good advice. The male ego drives us to keep going but we overtrain the muscles and is detrimental. People need to listen to this guy
Very interesting topic I was wondering about this a long time. Watching at Damien Trainor and other European fighters winning over Thai fighters shows simply more volume does not equal better training results. Train smart then hard. Edit: liked and subscribed! I do Muay Thai as a hobby for +4 years and fell in love with it, so your content amazes me.
Thank you, I really appreciate it. And yes, you've hit the nail on the head... Once you hit the minimum required threshold of training for your intended level, the quality of training counts significantly more than the quantity.
And because they are fighting with Kickboxing rules and many thais fight foreigners with massive weight difference. There's a reason why there is almost little few farang champion in thailand and we're talking about Muay Thai declining era there. During Golden Era some Farangs became champions only to be beaten by another Thai.
In my experience, @Reo Sho is making a valid observation… Because of how Thais typically train, they aren’t powerful, they’re efficient. I’ve written about this here: heatrick.com/2019/10/03/thais-arent-powerful-theyre-efficient/
The statement by Lynne Miller about Thais being resistant to new philosophies is so true. I went for a trial session to be a Muay Thai Coach at a respected gym where I am. Being a Certified Personal Trainer, Exercise & Strength & Conditioning Specialist with Further Advanced Training in Rehab & Corrective Exercise. I was told straight off the bat that my "...new gym stuff..." was not welcome and under no circumstances was I to mix or implement any of my training with theirs, that their traditional-oldschool training & conditioning was superior in every way, shape and form... Needless say, I didn't continue with them. Even Ramsey Dewey talked about it in 1 of his vids saying he strongly felt (which I wholeheartedly agree with) that **WAAAY** too much unnecessarily-long roadwork and endurance-oriented cardio is used by many fighters and coaches. In plenty of other fields as well, but I digress. Similar stuff was said by Frank Shamrock and Eric Wong as well. You don't need anywhere near the amount of cardio they're doing and it's not helping at al, in fact it's wholly detrimental. Every single cardio-training factor-variable can be trained with HIIT-based training, save for **1** and only 1 that requires lower, longer-duration training...
Fascinating to hear your experience of this too, thank you for sharing. And I agree with everything you’ve said there. It’s certainly an uphill struggle to introduce anything “new” in a traditional Thai culture, even if the benefit is proven. Being a great technical and tactical Muay Thai coach doesn’t mean you naturally have the same ability or understanding of performance physiology or psychology. It’s a shame the distinction isn’t recognised… Fighters could be performing even better and staying in the game longer. 🙏
@@heatrick Yup, I strongly believe you can get 5-10 more elite competitive years from a fighter with proper strength & conditioning programme, but it's as you say, an uphill battle (literally) being listened to when you have all the nonsensical, unimaginative Bodybuilding, P90-rip-off & Crossfit-devotees (who have no business training elite athletes whatsoever) doing anything but functional & beneficiall training for their clients/athletes...
Your guest’s testament hit home and was super validating. I live in Thailand and train/fight out of a very traditional camp. If you rest, expect to be shunned. It is what it is. I just come back better at the next training to show (through my work) that the rest was effective. Thanks for this video
Overtraining is a real issue for many people who train. From beginner to professional athlete. Most people will overtrain at some point. And very few people are aware of it or the effects on the body.
They can get away with it because trad thai does not have much footwork. Also u don't get many old fighters, they burn out pretty quick and don't have long careers.
Great video! Train hard, but as smart as possible. As a nearly 40 year old who does judo for 1 year now i can tell you that sometimes less is more, especially at an older age. There is absolutely no reason to completely empty your tank every time and increase the risk of getting hurt and worsening your sleep. Martial Arts depend and so much more than just strength and endurance, like you said technical skill is one big part, but also flexibility and to be able to train safe and consistant.
ive taken part in a muay thai bootcamp in thailand for 3 weeks, training twice a day like this guy says here. Basically i went from no training and no stamina to grinding my body for 3 weeks. The first 3-4 days i could only train once a day, as my body just could not handle it and i had muscle soreness and everything hurt and could not move anymore. afterwards it began to be easier and i adapted to the training regime managing to do it twice a day but eventually got my ankle and wrists hurt because i did not know how to kick and punch so i had to take 3 days of break and then trained once a day until the end. coming back to my hometwon and decided to join a muay thai gym and the training was so much easier than in thailand, it seemed like a joke in comparison. but for what it was, it was still a demanding, tough training that left me on the floor searching for air at some point. just barely two weeks break between thailand and my hometown training and i was already out of shape. we adapt incredibly fast to all scenarios, but we must also be caareful not to stupidly injure ourselves. what the thai trainers always said was "no force, just balance!"
Great video clip mate. Well done. I have been to Thai gyms many times and they have no idea on what 'over training', or even 'over stretching 'is all about.
This is a very insightful video and I learnt a lot in terms of training management and the necessity of both progressive overload and making (gradual) changes to your training regiment to grow as a fighter. We develop best when we have adequate rest, have a sense of progression, and constantly face different types of stimuli.
I'm 43 and train at the camp 7am to 10am Monday to Saturday and i feel like I'm progressing fast . And really enjoy it . Yes somedays I'm more tired then others but i always push myself and love it best way to start my day . 2 to 3 hours a day 6 days a week should be doable for most people. Just eat healthy and get good sleep
I’m glad I watched this. Hearing Liam Harrison and Damien trainor corroborate what I already believed and knew. I’m gonna be less hard on myself, and realise the ones who shoot you the looks, are really the uneducated ones after all, and maybe if they were, they could get more out of their own training, and be better training partners
Hey man, im new to your chanel and i have to say, your videos are top quality. I am new to muay thai and your videos are helpful. I think you deserve alot more recognition and subscribers.
Everyone is built different. Modern sports science is great and it should always be adhered to studied but the old traditional muay Thai training puts steel in your soul. The greatest feats of humankind sometimes are unexplainable by science and logic. It's true for even fighting. Heart and spirit are hard to teach
6:59 You do not challenge or question a person who is older than you out of respect for their age and life experience. In some cases I agree with this but not every person who is older than you will always make the right decision, treat you right and knows more than you. When you need to answer back even if it angers them YOU ANSWER BACK that is if you know that you are right! Old people can also disrespect you as a young one.
I turn 40 tomorrow and am retired. I didn't want to sit around doing nothing and wanted to get into good shape so I found muay thai. I've been doing 1 hour private sessions 5 days a week for 3 months now(also 1 hour jiu-jitsu every day) and have been progressively increasing the intensity. Being 40 I am well aware I'll never been a world class fighter and probably shouldn't even try to train like that if I want to avoid injuries. I'm still going to Thailand and going to train for 3 months starting next April but I am going to take private sessions just like I do now and do my own stretching, warm ups, etc. I'll use them for the techniques, tactics and sparring experience.
Same here. Started in the beginning of January turning 43 this year. Been wanting to try for years and now came to the point that every year I don’t start I will just regret it more.
veeeery interesting! I started in Thailand the thai way, injuries within the month, now 6 months later i'm still here but do it my way and its going great!
just gettin back into muay thai/boxing again and gonna try out BJJ. i last hit the mits around 2015 i think, law school took some time away and i broke my clavicle in 2019 and it was hard ever since. now i am an attorney i do not want to let my work eat me up and i wanna go back to that growth i missed years back (even though i am 29 now). this video has been helpful, i do overtime alot since cases have just been raining and have been lucky to see this video just now cause i just paid for a gym membership minutes before i got home and saw this. i intend to just do muay thai for 1 to 2 hrs ever tths around the evening then mwf just jogging for 5k on a fast pace to get home early and do work continuously. I hope that i don't kill myself in the process, i want the pain from muay thai be an escape from the pain of office dues and client complaints. 🤢
You might find these articles/videos helpful too… heatrick.com/2023/01/06/scheduling-your-weekly-training-plan-for-fighters-part-1/ heatrick.com/2023/01/13/scheduling-your-weekly-training-plan-for-fighters-part-2/ heatrick.com/2023/02/03/balancing-your-work-life-and-fight-life/
I was training 4 to 6 hours a day shin striking the heavy bag well over 50 times every day after getting off of my construction job. After abkut two and a half months got a very small fracture in my shin from doing light shin checks with a sparing partner. Was out of the game for 8 months limping around in agonising pain. Also got a really bad cold before the fracture. Training way to hard consistently will break you.
Thanks for sharing, and sorry to hear you’ve had that happen. Here’s another article/video you may find helpful: heatrick.com/2022/07/01/without-burnout-or-blowout-planning-long-term-fight-performance-training/
It happens because unless other sports u can't measure your performance like running. Without measurements you can't tell whether your volume is getting poorer in quality. I used to train everyday but all I felt was being tired everyday. By measuring things like speed, you can see if u r over training if it's causing u to run slower.
i did bodbuilding for 10 years and now started Muay Thai. Now i do 3x Full body (Suqatt, Bench, Deadlift, each 5 x 10 and then target some of my weakes muscels for 2-3 Sets) i do muay thai 3 x 1h. So faar it s going great and i am learning a lot, but my main fokus is still body building. I know from Bodybuilding how important rest is! sleeping 8h each night and low consumption of alcahol is key.
High intensity intervals have their place in a training phase (closer to a fight, or at the end of a the phase), and I don’t focus too much on time under tension when fighters are lifting weights… That’s approach is more concerned with gaining muscle mass rather than increasing athletic power to weight ratio. For fighters competing in weight classes, increasing strength and power without gaining weight is the priority for the vast majority.
@@heatrick Thanks Don just watched it. Super helpful. So in conclusion there isnt much added benefit to increasing muscle density in the hands and forearms. Its more about movement efficiency.
@@stanostv Tightening the fists on impact will improve the transfer of "effective mass" into the target, but it doesn't generate more power in the first place. Driving from the floor, through the hips, core and onto the shoulder will make the biggest difference to your punching power. Standard grip training in your resistance training sessions (deadlifts, chin up , rows, etc.) is sufficient for strikers.
Great video. As quite an old guy doing combat sports and training for people with a day job. My objective is always how can I get the best performance for the least time investment. I've developed some great training methods but constantly learning and also adapting to different people.
Glad it was helpful. Here are some other resources I think will help… heatrick.com/2023/01/06/scheduling-your-weekly-training-plan-for-fighters-part-1/ heatrick.com/2023/01/13/scheduling-your-weekly-training-plan-for-fighters-part-2/ heatrick.com/2022/07/01/without-burnout-or-blowout-planning-long-term-fight-performance-training/ heatrick.com/2021/04/21/fighting-father-time-remaining-a-muay-thai-badass/
This is a great video, the advice is spot on, you simply cannot keep going to the well every day and expect the bucket to be full. Keep up the great work 👌
@@heatrick i turn 61 this week and i go to Thailand in December and pre covid i was there 3 years running for 18 days at a time. But as much as i would love to smash out the 2 daily fight gym sessions a day i found half way through my stay i was burnt out, then it dawned on me i am not a Thai fighter but a mature student and that is a massive difference ha ha ha... Keep up your inspirational videos... They are fantastic and help us aficionados ! สู้ๆ su su
another way to present said query would be determining how much mt's required for AN MMA MATCH. depending on who's consulting whom,only a certain % actually carries over to the octagon. and since techniques from other sources will inevitably be utilized,is it even practical EXCESSIVELY TRAINING in mt?
Yes, Muay Thai is only one of disciplines an MMA fighter must be proficient in. The training mix depends on the fighter - where their current technical strengths and weaknesses are, and the style of fighter they are too. 👍
True...i myself spent almost 5 yrs in thailand as a fighter in my early 20s. Trained hard twice per day for ard 2 to 3hrs.it was go hard or go home mentality.as yrs goes by and now in my late 30s with more knowledge on fitness performance, think back i would do it differently.sustainablity and proper programs are important.
Thanks for sharing your experience there. A bit of honest reflection is a powerful thing, and there are certainly many ways to improve performance - some with much less wear and tear than others.
OG Muay Thai is literally the most important skill for modern MMA competition... trouble is we don't have OG Muay Thai anymore because they quit using throws, takedowns and slams trying to appeal to American and European athletic Commissions!
Perhaps so, but Thai fighters still seem to be better conditioned than many Western kickboxers. They don't get rocked as easily, stay calm when under pressure, have larger gas tanks and have an incredible balance due to powerful core and leg muscles.
Yes, this is due to great aerobic base training, and a huge volume of skill practice which makes Thais incredibly efficient with their technique. I’ll do another video looking into how skill equals power through coordination without training for neuromuscular power. Training for both would result in the most power possible. 👌👊
What should I do to prepare/do training in Thailand? I run and train almost every day, but I still feel intimidated by the prospect of how hard the training there is, and I don't want to be alienated from not doing as much/be injured by overtraining.
I've written a guide 'Training in Thailand', with some recommendations in section 5 on how to prepare here: heatrick.com/2019/10/10/thailand-training-guide/#5
@Aryan Toon Not all gyms in Thailand are the best but the best Muay Thai gyms are in Thailand. Of course there are great Muay Thai gyms all over the world but it’s Muay Thai for a reason, not just Muay. I believe F.A. Group in particular is known for being the absolute best clinchers in the world, clinch being an area of my game I would really like to get stronger in.
Just do it train in sauna get ya fluids right diet clean happy days ,nothing can compare to the cardio you will endure your body clock and endurance will all change on ground injuries are conditioning your mind is your biggest enemy if your doing it for yourself then success is in consistency and listening more than speaking just do it 👍
Very interesting study and I really do agree with spreading awareness to people who keep comparing themselves to the genetically blessed .. E.g One fighter in my country dominated the local competitions within just 2 years, he started at 24 years old.. Found it boring and left the fighting scene
thank you Don for informing us , personally i had a big argument with a Thai coach , because my body was injured from over training and he was calling me lazy , quick question you did not mention what is exactly you think is labelled as over training? and when do fighters should take a rest ?
You’re welcome! And great question… I’ll need to put together another video on this. In the meantime, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/_KP_tzNG-tw/видео.html
0:13 I think it was Gabriel Vargas channel that pointed out that lots of thai fighters have shot knees and it is the ones who do not run so much that actually become successful fighters in the, uhm, long run..
All of the best that we've seen have had ridiculously high work volumes: Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Bulgarian weightlifting team, Thai fighters, etc...
Exactly, each individual needs their own program. And there are ways to handle that, basing training intensity on personally tested exercise maximums, and using suitable exercise/drill regressions or progressions etc.
Separating those sessions between different days, or having a at least a few hours between them would increase how productive those two sessions would be. However, sometimes it's just not possible and you simply must go with the flow! ;)
There's a ton of detail on this in the Optimal Fight Camp Blueprint download here: heatrick.com/12-week-fight-camp/ And I also disuss my recommended session quantities in this vide here: ruclips.net/video/tWb2J7i92xc/видео.html
Been training for 18 years in the West. To get rapid progress 3-4 times a week is great. While preparing for a fight you may train even more often. But rest and change of exercise are essential. You can literally feel overtraining in your body. If you only train two times a week you can get visible progresa, too. Especially in terms of movement and technique. But it's usually not enough for the optimal conditioning of the bones.
I have recently started training Muay Thai. Due to studying and work commitments I can only get to my Muay Thai gym 3x per week. Is this enough time to become a good Muay Thai fighter? I’m looking into things ivv be an do from home In addition to this? Do you have any advice?
Don, why in training is there such a big focus in most drills to shin block, but in actual fights I never see anyone doing it, so what's the point of learning it?
Shin blocks is a skill you need to prevent someone just hacking your legs off. If your opponent discovers you aren't able to shin block, you're in trouble. If you can shin block effectively, after a few exploratory attempts, an opponent stops throwing low kicks at the same frequency - instead opting for less self-damaging techniques!
Yeah this is definitely an issue lol. My age and being an ex-monk gave me enough social gravitas in the gym to tweak my training schedule in away that worked. If I’d been in my 20s it would have been a different story.
What would be the best way to prepare for training in Thailand?, I am planning to live and train Muay Thai in Thailand for one year via Ed visa! I am a novice nak muay!
The one tiny thing I did when I was there training was take off Saturday (Sunday is already off). I was made fun of but it was all in good fun. Some gyms won't let you fight if you don't commit to the full schedule though. A few of the more foreigner oriented gyms do things a little more like he says you should in the video but they also cost a lot more. You can find a random place that doesn't even have Facebook in any random town by asking locals and they will guide you to the back of a temple where there's a gym. Super traditional training but it's usually very cheap if not free. They do like to watch foreigners throw up though lol, at least that's what I assumed when I trained at this place in Chachoengsao (not Bakauw's old gym) and people came to watch the dumb white guy puke lol
100%. I figured out early enough that Thai camp/training life was an exercise in natural selection mixed with financial need. And the training , although exceptional, was all passed down without evolution or question. At the time there was no strength/explosive accessory work, no mobility. Rehab' and sprints for conditioning was unheard of. It was jump rope, padwork, plaam and run run run. You had to learn by repetition but few people knew how to teach from a biomechanical standpoint. . My trainer explained this to me early on and when I went to Thailand they all told me-You dont run miles before we train you here, so when you get there..do NOT go run with them before training. Keep things as similar as you can. I have talked about this to a few but this is the first person in have seen put it out in public. Good points
I personally don't like fighters wearing them all the time, as it takes away from the need to stabilise and strengthen ankle control. I don't like fighters to become dependant on them for stability. If there's an injury to rehab, then fine. And I also encourage using them in a fight to provide some extra stability and protection against boney clashes!
They usually work out six days a week. I think every three days just take a recovery day and you’ll be fine. Wat the right foods and sleep. Sleeping is important if sleep the time I have till the night training. Gotta remember this is their job compared to us in America who do it for fun or amateur competition and work jobs this is all they do. It’s all about work ethic they literally work six hours a day only if you think about it.
It’ll be a fantastic opportunity to level up! Check out my Thailand Training Guide for some more ideas: heatrick.com/2019/10/10/thailand-training-guide/
can you explain how thais manage such long careers without CTE? I think the fact that they dont have to cut so much weight plays a huge role in preserving neurons.
Most Thai fighters are done before 30. And Im sure many end up with CTE. But Muay Thai is too big..there's too much money in the betting/mafia. Theyre not going to stop it. And the fighters are treated like race horses.
*Corrected audio version here!!* ruclips.net/video/7a0s6qW5m6w/видео.html
***_Apologies for having to re-upload this episode! I completely messed up the audio with the background music on this original... Doh! 🤦♂ A huge thanks to everyone who provided feedback-it really helps me improve these episodes._***
Was shocked that the shuttle run burned out the Pro Thai fighters but your reasoning makes total sense. Lifelong trainer and Thai hobbyist and this is top notch information
It totally surprised me too! And thank you, glad you've found this helpful. :)
They pretty much all train the same, a simple change in variables and they got sore for days, even if they run all these km's every weeks for years.. I know trainers/fighters who are not even able to do simple movement like Lunges ( cant even do 1) because of week knees, they never train full range of motion
I trained Muay Thai a year ago. During my first month, I trained 2-3 times a week because I was only trying out to see how it is. During my second month, I paid for the everyday training, so I trained 5-6 times a week.
After 2 weeks of training almost everyday, my quality of sleep became so much worse. There are times that I only get 3 hours of sleep and it was beginning to worry me. It's like my body was overstimulated by the high intensity of the training, that even when I'm doing nothing my body still thinks I'm at the gym training Muay Thai.
I trained Taekwondo rigorously back in high school, 3 times a week. It never affected any of my health nor my sleep. It made me realize that training everyday was a bad idea. Never gonna do that again.
Yes, you only need so much training to improve, and pushing it further than that yields a poor return on investment or ultimately negatively affects you. What's appropriate is individual to you, and depends on what's going on in your life too. More on that in this video... ruclips.net/video/QJb3gxQ_vGc/видео.html
This video may be of interest too... ruclips.net/video/_KP_tzNG-tw/видео.html
training every day is fine, just on some days do a deload
@@chrishayes5755 6 days yes I dont care who the person Is everyone needs one full day rest for the nerva system witch is the center of everything!
From 11 till 15 I skateboarded everyday at least 2 hours. Practising the same tricks over and over. I tried skateboarding again in my late twenties and I was in agony after a single day of skating and doing the same tricks. Interesting to experience how the body loses its adaptation to a specific excercise.
Yes, that progressive build up to tolerate both the combined relative intensity and amount of activity makes so much difference!
Here’s another video you might find interesting, deep diving into DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) ruclips.net/video/2WHDs1SBxFM/видео.html
@@heatrick That's great thank you. I have been watching your videos during my lunch break. More knowledge to absorb 🤓💪
it didnt lose it, you were(are?) to lazy to keep your body healthy. In turn your body could not respond.
@@SkreltNL still lost it regardless of how
First couple times practicing the last couple days started at 6:30 running teeps kicks guard etc and it’s now 10:30 still got work to do
Completely agree …Some Dutch clubs have a similar approach to training…IMO, you should go at a high intensity for short periods or a moderate intensity for long periods. High intensity for long periods often leads to injury and burnout.
You've got it! What many don't realise is that moderate intensity training should still be a level that produces enough (developmental) stimulus to trigger improvement. It's not so low it does nothing. And high intensity training only needs "pulling out of the bag" to trigger improvement when progress has either stalled, or will stall.
It takes time to adapt, otherwise you actually get worse due to fatigue. It is backward concept of always more means better.
I trained in Thailand for months and we never did high intensity for long periods. It was all relaxed until a week or two before your fight. It was also relaxed 1-2 days directly before the fight.
As a teen, i adapted to this training in a week or 2. Basically we spent all our free time (10 am to 3pm, then 9 pm to 5 am) sleeping, and when i had adapted, i often skipped the afternoon nap because i was bored and wanted to walk around. That said, i felt that the sameness and repetitiveness of the training prevented me from developing speed or explosiveness, only technique and efficiency. That said, i should point out that my trainer actually suggested skipping the second session till i was better adapted, so im surprised at trainors and harissons accounts. As i also wanted to see the city a bit, i also took sundays off, while the pros at the gym only did the morning session. I never got any flak for that. Guess i was lucky.
I totally agree that natural selection plays a role, but i dont know if it is really just the training that weeds out the weaker people. Id say the frequent weight cutting does it too. I roomed with a 29 yo guy who was a year from retirement, but he was still fighting once a month and had to cut 7 kg each time, while increasing his training volume and intensity. It was crushing to see him spend his last week of training eating only an apple and drinking a 200 ml carton of milk twice a day while training more than ever.
Thanks for sharing your experience, really helpful. Yes, although the majority of Thai gyms operate in traditional ways, there are always some that are using a more personalised approach. And good shouts regarding weight cutting too... that's really stressful on the body, and adds to the overall loading in addition to the training.
@@heatrick i guess i really was very lucky then! I used to think they were all the same.
Thanks for answering, thats so rare these days.
@@antondelacruz9362 🙂👍
@Aryan Toon mental strength can get you thru pretty much anything, but i think it is a matter of your conscious and unconscious priorities and neuroses that really differentiate the people who will or wont go the extra mile.
Look at bas rutten - even he wont train if he doesnt enjoy it due to injury. But he was an mma pioneer and scared the crap out of his whole generation, and had other skills and ambitions.
Comparatively, ramon dekkers famously took any fight anytime anywhere regardless of injury or preparedness. That helped shape his legend, but he would never be to kickboxing what bas was to mma.
Do u mind me asking which camp u went to?
I forgot his name but one Muay Thai master said
"You don't rest in real fights. You're out of air? You can't say to him "wait, time out don't kill me yet." That's why we train like this"
Thanks for sharing that. Yes, there's certainly a need to push training hard enough to not only build the endurance needed, but also the psychological grit needed too. The problem comes when there's not enough balance between training stimulus and recovery in a program. That takes a little more finesse, and where things can fall down.
Super interesting to hear someone talk about this. I recently held a workshop for the sone Pro Fighters and teachers in Hong Kong (where I live and train) trying to introduce principles of cycling, progressive overlad etc. I've also just started an experiment on Muay Thai specific plyometrics using myself and some of the fighters as test subjects. In general, it's a hard balance between: A daily routine/practice probably has its place in the life of an athlete, however, like you said, if it's a light enough stressor that you can do it every day, it's probably not causing a change and if it's a heavy enough stressor to cause a change, you probably shouldn't be doing it every day. I really liked your video and I'm looking forward to more content from you! I only have one question: I wasn't at all that confused that the Thai fighters got fatigues and doms from the intervals, since their adaptations to their training will be highly specific - like all adaptations. Thoughts?
Great to hear your thoughts! And yes, with hindsight it makes sense that even 5mins of shuttle turns could cause that amount of soreness in a full time pro fighter in Thailand because their work is so unvaried and constant.
I assumed (incorrectly) that the volume of steady running and and explosive kicking for hours every week would afford them enough protection for 5mins shuttle running.
It just goes to show how adapted the Thais are to their typical schedule (meaning it no longer changes them), and how they could improve their training by being more adaptable.
Are you coaching in HK? I live there too
Thais, do you do parkour?
You are nothing less than amazing and you deserve talking to world wide audience
Wow! That’s amazing feedback, thank you! 😁🙏
Highly agree.
I'm almost always injured, as I train hard af. Now I'm taking a step back. Wrists, knees, ankles. A lot of impact when you're doing hundreds of kicks and punches a day. You will burn out. Basrutin explained why he only trains the amount of time as a fight.
Getting older means you have to become more efficient with your training time and less wasteful.
However, that’s not to say just because you don’t break as easily when you’re younger, that you shouldn’t still be as efficient then too! 😜👊
This needs to be said. Too many people blame themselves, when they don't know the science. Excellent insight 👏
Thanks for sharing. Yes, too many fighters blame themselves... And too many coaches blame their fighters. :/
I workout five days per week: four days of heavy bag stuff (two days focused more on basic mechanics, basic combinations, & full-body power/strength training & two days focused primarily on cardio & practicing longer, more complex sequences) & one recovery/mobility day sandwiched right in the middle of the week where I do an hour-long Muay Thai-oriented yoga workout created by Sean Fagan's (Muay Thai Guy) & his wife. Most of my strength-training exercises are calisthenic-based; weightlifting for more than 1-2 exercises causes me to bulk more than I'd like because my genetics make me especially prone to hypertrophy in most areas. It was great for when I was interested in bodybuilding, but not as useful now lol. In addition to enhancing flexibility & core function, the yoga also seems to help with my strength in unique ways. I'm glad I decided to give it a chance.
Learn, practice, and test the basics. This includes footwork, stance, and striking techniques. Honing your skill/technique, training both body and mind, and gaining experience will make into you a great fighter. You don't need fancy moves and you don't need many skills. Work with what you have and improve it.
Superb video. When I was in Thailand I saw burn out all the time! I believe we were in the 1st group of foreigners to train at Chuwattana, their training was BRUTAL. It's pure survivor bias to think this is the best way to train people.
Thank you, and thanks for sharing your experience there too! :)
Cool video, as a 43yo life-long athlete, I totally agree. I feel that I don't need to do nearly as much training to maintain a performance target than I thought when I was much younger. I also have lower performance targets now, but I'm injured much less. I think it's a good trade-off
Perfect! Yes, steady progression beats the boom and bust mentality, especially as you get older.
Plus at our age, we train for different things. I loved fighting but how I just train to be agile and keep my mobility. Less hard training and more smart training.
I like the idea of relentless training to build toughness especially in the mind. For the body however, it’s not sustainable.
This is so true. Very good advice. The male ego drives us to keep going but we overtrain the muscles and is detrimental. People need to listen to this guy
Very interesting topic I was wondering about this a long time. Watching at Damien Trainor and other European fighters winning over Thai fighters shows simply more volume does not equal better training results.
Train smart then hard.
Edit: liked and subscribed! I do Muay Thai as a hobby for +4 years and fell in love with it, so your content amazes me.
Thank you, I really appreciate it. And yes, you've hit the nail on the head... Once you hit the minimum required threshold of training for your intended level, the quality of training counts significantly more than the quantity.
And because they are fighting with Kickboxing rules and many thais fight foreigners with massive weight difference. There's a reason why there is almost little few farang champion in thailand and we're talking about Muay Thai declining era there. During Golden Era some Farangs became champions only to be beaten by another Thai.
@Reo Sho i think you never went to thailand?or maybe dont see it all there? Even golden era thais are explosive.
In my experience, @Reo Sho is making a valid observation…
Because of how Thais typically train, they aren’t powerful, they’re efficient.
I’ve written about this here: heatrick.com/2019/10/03/thais-arent-powerful-theyre-efficient/
@Reo Sho yes, that matches my experience too. It is very much a cultural thing.
The statement by Lynne Miller about Thais being resistant to new philosophies is so true. I went for a trial session to be a Muay Thai Coach at a respected gym where I am. Being a Certified Personal Trainer, Exercise & Strength & Conditioning Specialist with Further Advanced Training in Rehab & Corrective Exercise. I was told straight off the bat that my "...new gym stuff..." was not welcome and under no circumstances was I to mix or implement any of my training with theirs, that their traditional-oldschool training & conditioning was superior in every way, shape and form... Needless say, I didn't continue with them. Even Ramsey Dewey talked about it in 1 of his vids saying he strongly felt (which I wholeheartedly agree with) that **WAAAY** too much unnecessarily-long roadwork and endurance-oriented cardio is used by many fighters and coaches. In plenty of other fields as well, but I digress. Similar stuff was said by Frank Shamrock and Eric Wong as well. You don't need anywhere near the amount of cardio they're doing and it's not helping at al, in fact it's wholly detrimental. Every single cardio-training factor-variable can be trained with HIIT-based training, save for **1** and only 1 that requires lower, longer-duration training...
Fascinating to hear your experience of this too, thank you for sharing. And I agree with everything you’ve said there. It’s certainly an uphill struggle to introduce anything “new” in a traditional Thai culture, even if the benefit is proven. Being a great technical and tactical Muay Thai coach doesn’t mean you naturally have the same ability or understanding of performance physiology or psychology. It’s a shame the distinction isn’t recognised… Fighters could be performing even better and staying in the game longer. 🙏
@@heatrick
Yup, I strongly believe you can get 5-10 more elite competitive years from a fighter with proper strength & conditioning programme, but it's as you say, an uphill battle (literally) being listened to when you have all the nonsensical, unimaginative Bodybuilding, P90-rip-off & Crossfit-devotees (who have no business training elite athletes whatsoever) doing anything but functional & beneficiall training for their clients/athletes...
Your guest’s testament hit home and was super validating. I live in Thailand and train/fight out of a very traditional camp. If you rest, expect to be shunned. It is what it is. I just come back better at the next training to show (through my work) that the rest was effective. Thanks for this video
Awesome! The goal is progress, not needless grind (devoid of progress). 👊
Overtraining is a real issue for many people who train. From beginner to professional athlete. Most people will overtrain at some point. And very few people are aware of it or the effects on the body.
They can get away with it because trad thai does not have much footwork. Also u don't get many old fighters, they burn out pretty quick and don't have long careers.
What would you consider over training? 1 hr a day 🤔
The recovery period is crucial allowing your body to rest well and repair itself is important and may prevent injuries.
Truth! :)
Great video! Train hard, but as smart as possible. As a nearly 40 year old who does judo for 1 year now i can tell you that sometimes less is more, especially at an older age. There is absolutely no reason to completely empty your tank every time and increase the risk of getting hurt and worsening your sleep. Martial Arts depend and so much more than just strength and endurance, like you said technical skill is one big part, but also flexibility and to be able to train safe and consistant.
Well said!
ive taken part in a muay thai bootcamp in thailand for 3 weeks, training twice a day like this guy says here. Basically i went from no training and no stamina to grinding my body for 3 weeks. The first 3-4 days i could only train once a day, as my body just could not handle it and i had muscle soreness and everything hurt and could not move anymore. afterwards it began to be easier and i adapted to the training regime managing to do it twice a day but eventually got my ankle and wrists hurt because i did not know how to kick and punch so i had to take 3 days of break and then trained once a day until the end. coming back to my hometwon and decided to join a muay thai gym and the training was so much easier than in thailand, it seemed like a joke in comparison. but for what it was, it was still a demanding, tough training that left me on the floor searching for air at some point. just barely two weeks break between thailand and my hometown training and i was already out of shape. we adapt incredibly fast to all scenarios, but we must also be caareful not to stupidly injure ourselves. what the thai trainers always said was "no force, just balance!"
Just out of curiosity, which Thai gym did you go ? I am planning on going but don't know which one would be good for me
@@lemire1596 battle conquer
After those 3 weeks, how much fitter did you feel?
This is really wonderful content and knowledge being shared Don! Hope to catch up again one day.
Thanks Lawrence! Very much appreciated.
Great video clip mate. Well done. I have been to Thai gyms many times and they have no idea on what 'over training', or even 'over stretching 'is all about.
This is a very insightful video and I learnt a lot in terms of training management and the necessity of both progressive overload and making (gradual) changes to your training regiment to grow as a fighter. We develop best when we have adequate rest, have a sense of progression, and constantly face different types of stimuli.
Thank you... And you've nailed it there! :)
I'm 43 and train at the camp 7am to 10am Monday to Saturday and i feel like I'm progressing fast . And really enjoy it . Yes somedays I'm more tired then others but i always push myself and love it best way to start my day . 2 to 3 hours a day 6 days a week should be doable for most people. Just eat healthy and get good sleep
training without rest leads to destruction
I’m glad I watched this. Hearing Liam Harrison and Damien trainor corroborate what I already believed and knew. I’m gonna be less hard on myself, and realise the ones who shoot you the looks, are really the uneducated ones after all, and maybe if they were, they could get more out of their own training, and be better training partners
🙌🙌👊🙏
Hey man, im new to your chanel and i have to say, your videos are top quality. I am new to muay thai and your videos are helpful. I think you deserve alot more recognition and subscribers.
Thanks for that, and it’s great to hear the videos are helping you out on your Muay Thai journey! 😁🙏
Everyone is built different. Modern sports science is great and it should always be adhered to studied but the old traditional muay Thai training puts steel in your soul. The greatest feats of humankind sometimes are unexplainable by science and logic. It's true for even fighting. Heart and spirit are hard to teach
Truth
6:59 You do not challenge or question a person who is older than you out of respect for their age and life experience. In some cases I agree with this but not every person who is older than you will always make the right decision, treat you right and knows more than you. When you need to answer back even if it angers them YOU ANSWER BACK that is if you know that you are right! Old people can also disrespect you as a young one.
I turn 40 tomorrow and am retired. I didn't want to sit around doing nothing and wanted to get into good shape so I found muay thai. I've been doing 1 hour private sessions 5 days a week for 3 months now(also 1 hour jiu-jitsu every day) and have been progressively increasing the intensity. Being 40 I am well aware I'll never been a world class fighter and probably shouldn't even try to train like that if I want to avoid injuries. I'm still going to Thailand and going to train for 3 months starting next April but I am going to take private sessions just like I do now and do my own stretching, warm ups, etc. I'll use them for the techniques, tactics and sparring experience.
It sounds like you've got a sustainable training strategy there. Nice! And enjoy your time in Thailand in April!
I’m about your age and I’m considering starting Muay Thai training. Would you recommend it? Any advice before I begin?
@MRSOUL doesn't matter how old are you, you should start for sure, it's fun and really Good.
@@mrsoul4231 I started last year at 42, love it! Just respect your body and ease into it.
Same here. Started in the beginning of January turning 43 this year. Been wanting to try for years and now came to the point that every year I don’t start I will just regret it more.
Congrats on the 8k followers, great content as always.
Thank you, I really appreciate it 😁🙏
Really lucid analysis, contextual and insightful. Thank you!
My pleasure!
veeeery interesting! I started in Thailand the thai way, injuries within the month, now 6 months later i'm still here but do it my way and its going great!
just gettin back into muay thai/boxing again and gonna try out BJJ. i last hit the mits around 2015 i think, law school took some time away and i broke my clavicle in 2019 and it was hard ever since. now i am an attorney i do not want to let my work eat me up and i wanna go back to that growth i missed years back (even though i am 29 now).
this video has been helpful, i do overtime alot since cases have just been raining and have been lucky to see this video just now cause i just paid for a gym membership minutes before i got home and saw this.
i intend to just do muay thai for 1 to 2 hrs ever tths around the evening then mwf just jogging for 5k on a fast pace to get home early and do work continuously.
I hope that i don't kill myself in the process, i want the pain from muay thai be an escape from the pain of office dues and client complaints. 🤢
You might find these articles/videos helpful too…
heatrick.com/2023/01/06/scheduling-your-weekly-training-plan-for-fighters-part-1/
heatrick.com/2023/01/13/scheduling-your-weekly-training-plan-for-fighters-part-2/
heatrick.com/2023/02/03/balancing-your-work-life-and-fight-life/
I was training 4 to 6 hours a day shin striking the heavy bag well over 50 times every day after getting off of my construction job. After abkut two and a half months got a very small fracture in my shin from doing light shin checks with a sparing partner. Was out of the game for 8 months limping around in agonising pain. Also got a really bad cold before the fracture. Training way to hard consistently will break you.
Thanks for sharing, and sorry to hear you’ve had that happen.
Here’s another article/video you may find helpful: heatrick.com/2022/07/01/without-burnout-or-blowout-planning-long-term-fight-performance-training/
It happens because unless other sports u can't measure your performance like running. Without measurements you can't tell whether your volume is getting poorer in quality. I used to train everyday but all I felt was being tired everyday. By measuring things like speed, you can see if u r over training if it's causing u to run slower.
Thanks for the video it was really insightful. Can't wait to check out the S&C program too
Glad it was helpful! :)
i did bodbuilding for 10 years and now started Muay Thai. Now i do 3x Full body (Suqatt, Bench, Deadlift, each 5 x 10 and then target some of my weakes muscels for 2-3 Sets)
i do muay thai 3 x 1h. So faar it s going great and i am learning a lot, but my main fokus is still body building. I know from Bodybuilding how important rest is! sleeping 8h each night and low consumption of alcahol is key.
Same 3x full body sessions
Great stuff man. What are your thoughts on High Intensity Training and focusing on time under tension when lifting weights?
High intensity intervals have their place in a training phase (closer to a fight, or at the end of a the phase), and I don’t focus too much on time under tension when fighters are lifting weights…
That’s approach is more concerned with gaining muscle mass rather than increasing athletic power to weight ratio.
For fighters competing in weight classes, increasing strength and power without gaining weight is the priority for the vast majority.
@@heatrick Thanks for the reply Don. One last question: would grippers help with punches jn terms of power/strength?
@@stanostv Grip strength isn't something that'll improve punching power. Lower body and core strength will do... Check these out:
heatrick.com/2018/01/18/muay-thai-movement-efficiency/
heatrick.com/2018/11/29/muay-thai-elbow-mechanics/
@@heatrick Thanks Don just watched it. Super helpful. So in conclusion there isnt much added benefit to increasing muscle density in the hands and forearms. Its more about movement efficiency.
@@stanostv Tightening the fists on impact will improve the transfer of "effective mass" into the target, but it doesn't generate more power in the first place. Driving from the floor, through the hips, core and onto the shoulder will make the biggest difference to your punching power.
Standard grip training in your resistance training sessions (deadlifts, chin up , rows, etc.) is sufficient for strikers.
Great video. As quite an old guy doing combat sports and training for people with a day job. My objective is always how can I get the best performance for the least time investment. I've developed some great training methods but constantly learning and also adapting to different people.
Glad it was helpful. Here are some other resources I think will help…
heatrick.com/2023/01/06/scheduling-your-weekly-training-plan-for-fighters-part-1/
heatrick.com/2023/01/13/scheduling-your-weekly-training-plan-for-fighters-part-2/
heatrick.com/2022/07/01/without-burnout-or-blowout-planning-long-term-fight-performance-training/
heatrick.com/2021/04/21/fighting-father-time-remaining-a-muay-thai-badass/
@@heatrick these many Thai fighters need to watch this video
This is a great video, the advice is spot on, you simply cannot keep going to the well every day and expect the bucket to be full. Keep up the great work 👌
Thank you. And love that analogy! :D
@@heatrick i turn 61 this week and i go to Thailand in December and pre covid i was there 3 years running for 18 days at a time. But as much as i would love to smash out the 2 daily fight gym sessions a day i found half way through my stay i was burnt out, then it dawned on me i am not a Thai fighter but a mature student and that is a massive difference ha ha ha... Keep up your inspirational videos... They are fantastic and help us aficionados ! สู้ๆ su su
Thanks for the information Heatrick, very insightfull escpecially on the implementation of science into Muay thai training.
You're welcome! I'm happy it's proving useful to you. 😄👊
Awesome video thanks very much for opening up my eyes to what really goes on
😁🙏
Just subscribed to the podcast too, great video 🔥🙏😃
Thanks Brian! 😁👊
Great video Don!! Keep up with the good work 💪😎
Thanks mate 😁🙏
This was really eye-opening and extremely well explained. Thanks. ...New sub!
Awesome, thank you!
Damn that was an eye opening video! Bravo buddy 👏🏻🙏🏻👊
glad that my first impression that the training is a filter. weed out those that can't adapt to it quickly
I hope you can still answer this question for me, so on average how many kicks does a fighter throw during a training day?
Looking at the training regimes of the succesful Thai boxers is a great example of survivor bias. Great video!
Survivor bias... Exactly that! 👌👊
another way to present said query would be determining how much mt's required for AN MMA MATCH. depending on who's consulting whom,only a certain % actually carries over to the octagon. and since techniques from other sources will inevitably be utilized,is it even practical EXCESSIVELY TRAINING in mt?
Yes, Muay Thai is only one of disciplines an MMA fighter must be proficient in. The training mix depends on the fighter - where their current technical strengths and weaknesses are, and the style of fighter they are too. 👍
True...i myself spent almost 5 yrs in thailand as a fighter in my early 20s. Trained hard twice per day for ard 2 to 3hrs.it was go hard or go home mentality.as yrs goes by and now in my late 30s with more knowledge on fitness performance, think back i would do it differently.sustainablity and proper programs are important.
Thanks for sharing your experience there. A bit of honest reflection is a powerful thing, and there are certainly many ways to improve performance - some with much less wear and tear than others.
What would you recommend with your knowledge now?
OG Muay Thai is literally the most important skill for modern MMA competition... trouble is we don't have OG Muay Thai anymore because they quit using throws, takedowns and slams trying to appeal to American and European athletic Commissions!
Perhaps so, but Thai fighters still seem to be better conditioned than many Western kickboxers. They don't get rocked as easily, stay calm when under pressure, have larger gas tanks and have an incredible balance due to powerful core and leg muscles.
Yes, this is due to great aerobic base training, and a huge volume of skill practice which makes Thais incredibly efficient with their technique.
I’ll do another video looking into how skill equals power through coordination without training for neuromuscular power. Training for both would result in the most power possible. 👌👊
Tyson Fury and Naoya Inoue are good examples of having enough rest, yet performing well on their fights.
Tyson Fury got rekt by Ngannou
Mate, this is a fantastic breakdown, phenomenally articulated
Much appreciated! :)
What should I do to prepare/do training in Thailand? I run and train almost every day, but I still feel intimidated by the prospect of how hard the training there is, and I don't want to be alienated from not doing as much/be injured by overtraining.
I've written a guide 'Training in Thailand', with some recommendations in section 5 on how to prepare here: heatrick.com/2019/10/10/thailand-training-guide/#5
@@heatrick Thanks bro!
@Aryan Toon But I do need to go there to get the best! Train smart, and hard
@Aryan Toon Not all gyms in Thailand are the best but the best Muay Thai gyms are in Thailand. Of course there are great Muay Thai gyms all over the world but it’s Muay Thai for a reason, not just Muay. I believe F.A. Group in particular is known for being the absolute best clinchers in the world, clinch being an area of my game I would really like to get stronger in.
Just do it train in sauna get ya fluids right diet clean happy days ,nothing can compare to the cardio you will endure your body clock and endurance will all change on ground injuries are conditioning your mind is your biggest enemy if your doing it for yourself then success is in consistency and listening more than speaking just do it 👍
Very interesting study and I really do agree with spreading awareness to people who keep comparing themselves to the genetically blessed .. E.g One fighter in my country dominated the local competitions within just 2 years, he started at 24 years old.. Found it boring and left the fighting scene
thank you Don for informing us , personally i had a big argument with a Thai coach , because my body was injured from over training and he was calling me lazy , quick question you did not mention what is exactly you think is labelled as over training? and when do fighters should take a rest ?
You’re welcome! And great question… I’ll need to put together another video on this. In the meantime, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/_KP_tzNG-tw/видео.html
@@heatrick i appreciate it Don 🙏🙏🙏
0:13 I think it was Gabriel Vargas channel that pointed out that lots of thai fighters have shot knees and it is the ones who do not run so much that actually become successful fighters in the, uhm, long run..
😂👌
All of the best that we've seen have had ridiculously high work volumes: Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Bulgarian weightlifting team, Thai fighters, etc...
Love the video, but the music was a bit nerve racking ^^
Thank you for your feedback, I appreciate it. I'll make sure it's not so distracting next time!
@@heatrick I think it's just a question of volume, sometimes it got over your voice. :)
Very interesting perspective.. good to know going in.
Glad it’s helpful 😁👍
Cant believe i didnt find your channel earlier. This information is great
Thanks Alex! Great to have you here. :)
In my opinion In order to do progressive training, you must be individualized each athlete and its hard
Exactly, each individual needs their own program. And there are ways to handle that, basing training intensity on personally tested exercise maximums, and using suitable exercise/drill regressions or progressions etc.
I do Muay Thai 2 times a week but I have two sessions back to back on those days
Separating those sessions between different days, or having a at least a few hours between them would increase how productive those two sessions would be. However, sometimes it's just not possible and you simply must go with the flow! ;)
Do you have any videos on exactly how many muay thai sessions, cardio, gym sessions per week exactly is the most optimal?
There's a ton of detail on this in the Optimal Fight Camp Blueprint download here: heatrick.com/12-week-fight-camp/
And I also disuss my recommended session quantities in this vide here: ruclips.net/video/tWb2J7i92xc/видео.html
id say work more days than you rest . so 4 days minimum a week of training will get you right my boy
@@slysoulja1861 Will that sort me out nicely
@@chompsterlol yeah 3-4 days of training a week any less is no good
Been training for 18 years in the West. To get rapid progress 3-4 times a week is great. While preparing for a fight you may train even more often. But rest and change of exercise are essential. You can literally feel overtraining in your body. If you only train two times a week you can get visible progresa, too. Especially in terms of movement and technique. But it's usually not enough for the optimal conditioning of the bones.
Wow! This guy used the background music from TDP4 at the end. Nostalgia.
So true! Great video!
Thank you, glad it rings true. 😁🙏
I have recently started training Muay Thai.
Due to studying and work commitments I can only get to my Muay Thai gym 3x per week.
Is this enough time to become a good Muay Thai fighter?
I’m looking into things ivv be an do from home In addition to this?
Do you have any advice?
How about MUAY THAI'S Nutrition, What foods do they eat?
Usually rice and meat (pork or chicken… sometimes rat!) 🤣 not joking!
Don, why in training is there such a big focus in most drills to shin block, but in actual fights I never see anyone doing it, so what's the point of learning it?
Shin blocks is a skill you need to prevent someone just hacking your legs off. If your opponent discovers you aren't able to shin block, you're in trouble.
If you can shin block effectively, after a few exploratory attempts, an opponent stops throwing low kicks at the same frequency - instead opting for less self-damaging techniques!
Smart info, big ups...
Much appreciated. :)
Excellent content sir 🙏
Sincerest thanks! 😁🙏
Is 90 min 3x a week enough to be good at it (not a pro, but skilled)? The only muay thai gym at my city is like that.
Love this training wisdom!!
Much appreciated! 😁🙏
💥30 minutes is enough to train and kick ass....2 times a week of training will give you the body you want
Yeah this is definitely an issue lol. My age and being an ex-monk gave me enough social gravitas in the gym to tweak my training schedule in away that worked. If I’d been in my 20s it would have been a different story.
Fascinating! Ex-monk kudos! Thanks for sharing . :)
great information as usual sir
😁👊
What would be the best way to prepare for training in Thailand?, I am planning to live and train Muay Thai in Thailand for one year via Ed visa! I am a novice nak muay!
Awesome, go for it! :)
This guide here will help you out: heatrick.com/2019/10/10/thailand-training-guide/
@@heatrick great article mate!
The one tiny thing I did when I was there training was take off Saturday (Sunday is already off). I was made fun of but it was all in good fun. Some gyms won't let you fight if you don't commit to the full schedule though. A few of the more foreigner oriented gyms do things a little more like he says you should in the video but they also cost a lot more. You can find a random place that doesn't even have Facebook in any random town by asking locals and they will guide you to the back of a temple where there's a gym. Super traditional training but it's usually very cheap if not free. They do like to watch foreigners throw up though lol, at least that's what I assumed when I trained at this place in Chachoengsao (not Bakauw's old gym) and people came to watch the dumb white guy puke lol
Haha! All valid points, and thanks for sharing your observations. :)
Hey🙏 can you tell me what was the gym you went? Thats my gf’s village and I want to visit oldschool Thai gym next time
100%. I figured out early enough that Thai camp/training life was an exercise in natural selection mixed with financial need. And the training , although exceptional, was all passed down without evolution or question. At the time there was no strength/explosive accessory work, no mobility. Rehab' and sprints for conditioning was unheard of. It was jump rope, padwork, plaam and run run run. You had to learn by repetition but few people knew how to teach from a biomechanical standpoint. . My trainer explained this to me early on and when I went to Thailand they all told me-You dont run miles before we train you here, so when you get there..do NOT go run with them before training. Keep things as similar as you can. I have talked about this to a few but this is the first person in have seen put it out in public. Good points
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences too. :)
Thank you, very interesting considerations.
You're very welcome :)
Do you need to wear ankle supports during every trainning sessions of muay thai or can i not wear them to condition my bones?
I personally don't like fighters wearing them all the time, as it takes away from the need to stabilise and strengthen ankle control. I don't like fighters to become dependant on them for stability. If there's an injury to rehab, then fine. And I also encourage using them in a fight to provide some extra stability and protection against boney clashes!
that's why they say there's levels to the fight game.
Very good points
When you think you have done enough. It's only the beginning
Very informative!
They usually work out six days a week. I think every three days just take a recovery day and you’ll be fine. Wat the right foods and sleep. Sleeping is important if sleep the time I have till the night training. Gotta remember this is their job compared to us in America who do it for fun or amateur competition and work jobs this is all they do. It’s all about work ethic they literally work six hours a day only if you think about it.
Very interesting...My son is a uk number junior in thai boxing coming up to 16 years old...He wants to have a trip to Thailand to train.
It’ll be a fantastic opportunity to level up! Check out my Thailand Training Guide for some more ideas: heatrick.com/2019/10/10/thailand-training-guide/
i have been going gym for 2 years consistently, im stronger and more athletic than the average person but my first muay thai session was hell
What an excellent video!
Much appreciated 😁👊
Too true. I know so many who have surgeries and joint damage
It's a stealthy "rot" for sure!
Great video! But please turn the music down next time. It distracts from the content
Roger that! :D
One of the best videos ive seen
Awesome, thank you! :)
Very informative. Awe from Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬
can you explain how thais manage such long careers without CTE? I think the fact that they dont have to cut so much weight plays a huge role in preserving neurons.
Punishment is evenly distributed to the entire body ( legs torso shoulders head) unlike boxing where it’s 90% to the head
Most Thai fighters are done before 30. And Im sure many end up with CTE. But Muay Thai is too big..there's too much money in the betting/mafia. Theyre not going to stop it. And the fighters are treated like race horses.