Something extra to add to my training....?

Flaker · 03-03-2014 04:49PM #1

So I train in Muay Thai. I've had a few non-decision fights and want to have a proper amatuer fight this year. I'm also trying drop some weight so I can fight in as low a class as I can! I'd just like to ask if anyone could suggest something extra to add into my training regime, which is as follows.....

I have class twice a week. 2 hours long which consists of about a half hour of conditioning (ski jumps, press-ups, crunches etc.etc) and then about an hours of technique and practice, then about a half hour sparring at the end.

I also go to the gym twice a week. I run for about 20 mins to half an hour, due weights and strength stuff for another half hour or 40 minutes, then I try to practice stuff we've done in class for about 40 mins on the punch bags or pads if I can someone to hold for me.

I'd like to do something else on another day - can anyone suggest something?

RoboRat · 03-03-2014 05:04PM

If you're looking to cut weight, get up 40 mins earlier and go for a 30 min walk before breakfast. Just a decent pace - this burns fat really well.

Flaker · 03-03-2014 05:12PM

God no - I love me bed!! It's not just to lose weight (although that would be a big consideration) it's to get better cardio, get stronger, more flexible. Everything really.

But yes, maybe just go in and run on the treadmill for an extra 40 mins or so would be something I would consider. But in the evening!

Peetrik · 03-03-2014 05:12PM

If you're serious about fighting then you need to take a big step up in your regime. Once a day 2 times a week is no where near enough for Thai.
You need to train twice a day 5-6 days a week for 6-8 weeks before you fight. If your gym is only open 2 days a week then get a gym mate/coach to meet you the other day to at the very least hold pads for you. Invest in the kick pads if you have to.

Everyone is different so everyone, with the best of intentions, is going to recommend different specifics (what works best for them). You need to figure out what works best of you... more pad work, more sprints, more long runs etc.
The one thing that should remain the same though is minimum twice a day 5-6 days a week.

What works best for me is...
Either padwork or running in the morning (mix of long runs/fast runs/sprints), phazing out long runs in favor of extra sprints the closer you get to fight day. Conditioning after running or padwork.
Padwork in the evening, lots of sparring, lots of clinch. Try get your clinch in before sparring some days.

Again that's just what works for me, what works for you could well be different.

Best of luck with it either way

Flaker · 03-03-2014 05:28PM

Peetrik, I get the impression from other stuff you've written that you are someone who fights at a pretty high level and I probably would never get to anywhere near that. Firstly cos I'm too old (mid thirties), secondly, I only started training 2.5 years ago and thirdly, as a woman, it's really hard to get someone appropriate in size/strength to train with. I also don't think I could fit in training 2 times a day with work and everything else. I certainly could manage 5-6 days a week though.

Your advice is probably spot on though. I need to train Muay Thai a lot more. My coach only does 2 classes a week. He does do private sessions as well, but I couldn't really afford them to be honest. I suppose I could train in someone else's classes on other days, but different people have different ways of teaching, different styles etc and I really like the style I'm taught in now. My coach is really into kicking and clinch. Boxing not so much so that could be something I could work on outside of class. I'll see if I can persuade someone to come to the gym with me so we can do some extra pad work and maybe a bit of extra sparring.

Thanks for your advice. I shall take all on board and try and figure something out.

Peetrik · 03-03-2014 05:47PM

Your training should be the same regardless of what level you compete at IMO although I have been accused of being overly competitive.

If you are representing your club your coach shouldn't really be charging you for extra coaching sessions as long as you're willing to work with his schedule. You winning fights while representing the club is worth far more as an advertisement than an extra couple of quid he might get out of you for coaching. That's a grey area I suppose though, if you are serious about competing though I'm sure you can work something out with him or a club mate.
Also size is no issue. Sparring and being padded by people bigger than you is an advantage not a disadvantage.

You are at a big advantage if your coach likes clinch. I'd focus on that first and foremost. A lot of club coaches come from boxing or kickboxing backgrounds, they prefer to fight on the outside and neglect clinch (although this is becoming less so as the sport progresses in Ireland).
If you get good at clinch you will win fights as most people neglect it, simple as that.

Doug Cartel · 04-03-2014 10:04AM

What does doing weights stuff mean?

I think that this is something you need to plan properly if you're going to get a real benefit that crosses over to your fighting ability.

Flaker · 04-03-2014 10:15AM

Press-ups, squats and lunges with dumbells, planking, I use some machines I don't know the names of..... I'm a novice at this stuff as all I would have really done at the gym before was cardio (bike, cross-trainer, treadmill).

But I asked the personal trainer to do a programme specific to what I was aiming for. Whether he did or not is another story I suppose but I am seeing results already after 4 weeks. I've got another session with him next week to review and do up another set of exercises. I was actually speaking to him last night and he suggested a Crossfit class or 2 a week. They'd be free as part of my gym memebership so I might try them and see what I think.

Flaker · 04-03-2014 01:02PM

Ha! I emailed him re: the crossfit and I took it up all wrong. Cos i'm a memebr of the gym I can do a trail class to see what I think. After that it's crazy money a month. Back the drawing board.......

MagicIRL · 04-03-2014 05:05PM

Where are you living and training? It seems you could swap gyms to something more MMA/Fighting orientated? I've just joined SBG for the BJJ and the place is hopping from 6.30am every single day.

I think, once you sign up to their fighters programme, you pretty much get unlimited access to everything for a set fee, although you'll want to clarify that with an actual employee!

Peetrik · 04-03-2014 05:10PM

In fairness Magic... the OP asked for training tips for Muay Thai. It's hardly an opener for suggesting they pack in the Thai and do BJJ instead.

Flaker · 04-03-2014 05:32PM

Peetrik wrote: »

In fairness Magic... the OP asked for training tips for Muay Thai. It's hardly an opener for suggesting they pack in the Thai and do BJJ instead.

And I don't live in Dublin....:o

Mellor · 05-03-2014 12:11AM

If you have time for one more session per week. then the best way to spend it is another Muay thai session.

I'd also get soembody to look at your strength and conditioning work. Based on the fact the guy was trying to wrangle you into crossfit, its likely that he gave you "generic womens program" and not in any way MT specific.

Flaker · 05-03-2014 10:46AM

Mellor wrote: »

If you have time for one more session per week. then the best way to spend it is another Muay thai session.

I'd also get soembody to look at your strength and conditioning work. Based on the fact the guy was trying to wrangle you into crossfit, its likely that he gave you "generic womens program" and not in any way MT specific.

Yes you're probably right. He gave me a sheet with what I'm supposed to do on it and it does just look like something he has saved on his computer and fires out whenever. There are things like hip thrusts on it which I reckon probably won't make a huge difference for what I want (but I could be wrong) but for someone who just wants to shape up, they are probably great.

I'll get him to look at what I'm doing more closely and try to tailor it a bit more specificaly to Muay Thai. and I am trying to organise more practice.

MagicIRL · 05-03-2014 04:43PM

Peetrik wrote: »

In fairness Magic... the OP asked for training tips for Muay Thai. It's hardly an opener for suggesting they pack in the Thai and do BJJ instead.

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I joined for BJJ, but OP would join for MT. My point was its a dedicated MMA gym, so would appeal more to OP's needs seeing as OP's gym is closed regularly when s/he wants to train. Alas it's no help as s/he doesn't live in Dublin.

Peetrik · 05-03-2014 04:52PM

Fair enough, there has been a trend of people asking about karate classes or whatever and people directing them to BJJ.

Anyway, SBG only do 2 MT classes in the evenings during the week. OP would be in the exact same position as in their current gym.

Something extra to add to my training....?

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