Muay Thai in mass media is often painted as a violent and bloody sport. However, in these past few years, it has become trendy and Muay Thai gyms have been mushrooming everywhere. Muay Thai fighters are predominantly lean and muscular which has inspired people to take on their training in order to lose weight or tone up their bodies.
Muay Thai is also known as the ‘art of eight limbs’ because it involves the fists, legs, knees and elbows, all of which adds up to eight ‘limbs’ to strike with. Training is usually a mix of cardio, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and also bodyweight exercises. Depending on the gym and trainer, there may be more emphasis on one of these aspects. Cardio aspects during training can include running or skipping rope to improve your oxygen intake and endurance. Bodyweight exercises such as push ups and planks are also employed which helps strengthen the body while improving your balance and flexibility.
We speak to Wang Muay Thai Fitness’ gym manager, Tara Lee on Muay Thai, fitness and why it’s for everyone!
1Twenty80: Could you tell us more about Wang Muay Thai Fitness?
Tara Lee: We are a Muay Thai gym that offers Muay Thai and also Yoga classes to our members. Our Head Trainer, Wangwiset Lookbanyai and Trainer, Kwantong Skindiew Gym hails from Thailand and have been competing in Muay Thai fights since they were very young. At the gym, they are known as Kru Su and Kru Yai respectively. Kru means ‘teacher’ and their longer names are actually the names they use when they fight. It’s a combination of their fight name (Wangwiset, Kwantong) and their gym’s name (Lookbanyai, Skindiew Gym) respectively.
We were established in November 2018 and have been steadily gaining students!
1Twenty80: So what inspired you to start this gym?
Lee: Mainly due to our love for Muay Thai and that we wanted to share it with everyone! Our Head Trainer, Kru Su wanted to come and teach Muay Thai in Malaysia after coaching in China for three years. He decided to come to Malaysia, join Wang Muay Thai and teach Muay Thai to the general public here. Kru Su believes that it’s a martial art and defence skill that is suitable for everyone and not to mention, a great way to keep fit!
1Twenty80: How are your Muay Thai classes structured?
Lee: Our Muay Thai training sessions are usually one hour long which starts with a warm up session that involves light stretching and HIIT drills such as mountain climbers, bicycle crunches, burpees and lunges. After working up a light sweat, there’ll be a short break for hand wrapping. Hand wraps ensure that our hands are protected and padded during the boxing parts of the workout. Bagwork is next where our trainer will teach you combinations of punches, kicks, knees and elbow strikes. This is the cardio portion of the workout. Later it will be the padwork portion where each trainer will hold pads for the students to strike. This is a one to one three minute session where the trainer will be paired up with a student and they’ll be taught techniques on how to punch, kick, elbow and knee their opponent. After padwork, it’ll be another short cardio session with bagwork and then, cool down with stretching.
Sidebar: Flash this article and pay only RM 30 for a Muay Thai trial class or RM 20 for a Yoga trial class at Wang Muay Thai.*
*Kindly call Wang Muay Thai Fitness prior to attending a trial class.
1Twenty80: What kind of misconceptions would you like to clear up about Muay Thai?
Lee: We want to shout it out that Muay Thai is for everyone! Our Thai trainers will be guiding you through the whole training session and there’s no need to be afraid because they have over 30 years of experience. They have been fighting since they were very young and Muay Thai is a huge part of their life and they are more than happy to share this precious art with anyone and everyone.
1Twenty80: Could you tell us more about your yoga lessons?
Lee: At the moment, we have one slot a week for yoga but if there is a demand for more classes, we are more than happy to arrange it for you! An experienced yoga instructor will
come and guide the class through a yoga session that’s usually for beginners, but all are welcome. The sessions are an hour long and I also encourage our Muay Thai students to join
in because the deep stretching exercises can help increase their range of motion.
Sidebox: Wang Muay Thai Fitness
Find them at: 37-1 First Floor, Jalan SS20/11, Damansara Utama, 47400 Selangor
WhatsApp or call: +6011-3909 9103 Opening hours: 10am – 9.30pm For more information on schedules and other updates, follow them on Facebook by searching ‘Wang Muay Thai Fitness’ in the search bar or on Instagram at @wangmuaythai
