Best products from r/MuayThai

Welcome to muay thai! I'm 26, female, 5'4", and have been training for approx. 3 years. I'm not an expert by any means but I've seen some things and met some great fighters! This is an amazing sport and it will teach you so much about yourself and what you can handle, both physically and mentally. So happy to see more women embracing it ! Just wanted to send a quick applause to you!

Regarding glove size, I'd advise you talk to your gym about the size they want their fighters to train with. Are you hitting heavy bags? Thai pads? Each other? A combination of all the above?
16 oz. is pretty commonly mandatory and I've found many gyms prefer this in the event you spar a lot since it involves the most amount of padding. I train with 14oz. My 2 girlfriends (both the same size and height as me) train with 12oz. We primarily do dutch style kickboxing, hit thai pads, and spar. If your gym is fine with any weight, then it's your preference as to how much bulk you feel you need. Don't worry, your hands will be pretty protected anywhere from 16-10oz. Slimmer weights then that and now you're getting into professional fight training level.

As far as glove brand...many muay thai people love Fairtex and Twins, which I'm sure you've seen. You can't go wrong with that brand - they're very solid options for you especially as a beginner. I happen to think their price point is pretty good as well! I have Raja (linked above), which I like, but I have really small hands and sometimes I feel that they float a little too much in my gloves. I would buy Raja again but I'd figure out some way to try them on first. Both of my friends have Superare (linked above) and they love their gloves. They are snug on your hands (again, we're all small like you), really well made, and a good price point. If I needed new gloves I'd absolutely consider these.

Venum is a nice brand - I have Venum shinguards - but I'm not sure how their gloves are. From my perspective Venum is definitely flashy and pushing their advertising, and maybe more focused on promoting their overall MMA gear versus boxing/muay thai. I've met people with Venum gloves and they seem happy enough with them. They also don't go out of their way to sing their praises. I'm not sure what brand of glove your gym is promoting. They could be a great option for you since they shouldn't want to promote poor gear to their fighters - is there a reason why you don't like them?

I find that I cannot train without hand wraps, so I'd advise that you get several wraps. They're not expensive. Ringside 180" wraps are my tried and true, and I've used several brands. There are many different ways to wrap your hands - my advice is to find a tutorial on youtube that focuses more on padding your knuckles than your wrists. You might find that with all the training your knuckles aren't used to that level of impact. It's normal, your hands won't break....sometimes adding a little extra gauze can help with the impact.

Drink water, listen to your instructor, and go kick some ass! Hopefully this helps you out. Happy to answer any other questions if they come up!

In general you don't want to use the same gloves for heavy bag work and for sparring because you will compress the material over time and risk injuring a partner. For heavy bag gloves I would go with 14-16oz for your size and as far as brand, a bit depends on your body type and preference.

Some people like harder gloves that have less give and others prefer ones that may be softer and less responsive but easier on your hands. Also, I would recommend that no matter which gloves you get, make sure they have adequate wrist support (thicker wrist straps made of leather instead of elastic and straps that double back will be the most secure).The brands you named all have quality gloves but there are two others I would recommend:

Title Gel Bag gloves $99:
These are fantastic gloves that will hold up and can take a beating. They have great wrist support and are really easy on your hands.

RDX Bag Gloves $69: These are a bit more dense and have a more snug fit but if you prefer harder gloves these are a good option. Wrist support is good and once you break them in they really form to your hands.

I figure someone is going to ask about my experience with the equipment that I started out with. Keep in mind I don't have much frame of reference, so I can't compare my gear with anything from Twins, Top King, Fairtex, etc...

Venum Challenger 2.0 Boxing Gloves ($48) - These have been my only pair of gloves, and I've been running them a about 4 hours a week. I like that they're longer than some of the other gloves I looked at, which seems to keep my wrists aligned with my fists, and keeps everything supported. The only wear that I've noticed is that a few days ago, I found a small tear in the lining of one of my gloves. I think these gloves are great for someone new to MT, and especially for someone that isn't training a lot. I'm happy with these gloves, and I think they'll last me a year (especially if I pick up a pair of bag gloves). I'm religious about spraying disinfectant on my gear and drying it out between uses, so that may be a factor)

Venum "Kontact" Shin and Instep Guards ($29) - The elastic is still tight after 5 months, and the foam is contouring to my shin nicely. These seem to do thejob, although two days ago I took a hit from an elbow or a knee, and the impact seemed to have penetrated through the foam. My shin feels a little brutalized, so my opinions might be changing about these things. At some point I want to upgrade to the Top King shin guards.

Shock Doctor Gel Nano Convertible Mouthguard ($14) - The guard seems a little bulky. It covers the top teeth, but partially forms to portions of your bottom teeth, so it seems to keep the jaw stable. I still have all my teeth, so that's good.

Ringside Mexican-Style Boxing Handwraps , 180-inch ($7) - I initially bought super cheap, shorter, cotton, Everlast handwraps that were garbage. When I started sweating the Everlast wraps loosened up, and didn't seem to do the trick. My Ringside wraps are awesome. I now have two pairs, and I think I'll sneak a few more into my Amazon basket, the next time my wife wants me to order _____ for the home (certain colors of wraps are an Amazon add-on item, where you need to spend $25 to get free shipping)

(I also recently bought some MT shorts from amazon. I like them well enough, and they're a huge improvement over working out in standard workout shorts. My only problem is that these shorts don't exhibit a competitive level of flair and are completely deficient in dragons and tassels.)

Maybe two things: rope length and / or how you are holding your arms. I personally prefer a shorter rope, but a lot of people use longer ropes. From what I've seen, when people use longer ropes, in order to compensate for the length and avoid the rope bouncing off the ground they often hold their arms higher and too far out from their body. They also seem to hold their arms stiff and straight. This results in your shoulders doing extra work to keep your arms out and elevated. If you like a longer rope, then you need to bring your elbows in near your body and bend your forearms UP at the eblow to compensate for the length rather than sticking your arms straight OUT. Mayweather uses a longer rope, watch his arms in this video, bent at the elbow with forearms pointing forward rather than straight out (from 00:20 - 00:40 you get a good look): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5m1O5niSr0&t=60s. Stick your arms straight out from your body at 45 degrees and do arm circles, then hold your amrs like Floyd and do arm circles, you can feel your shoulders doing more work straight out. Also, most of the motion should come from your wrists and up / down body momentum, not from moving your arms.

Now, I like a shorter rope, going maybe a little over a foot from the top of my head. This allows me to relax my arms down near waist with may hands relatively close to my body. I also prefer this type of rope...

https://www.amazon.com/Ziyue-Fitness-Premium-Crossfit-Boxing/dp/B019XUVDDU/ref=sr_1_12?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1499450328&sr=1-12&keywords=jump+rope

...because it has more substance and bearings in the handles, I find it makes the motion much smoother. I find those skinny plastic ones have too much air resistance and it's hard to get a good rhythm but maybe I just haven't used a good one (they are supposed to be speed ropes after all I guess).

So, I would buy your own rope, maybe try two different types (skinny speed one and thicker with bearings one), and experiment with adjusting the length and your arm position until you find what is comfortable and relaxed for you.

I am a mere student myself, so please take everything I say in that context.

Yes - I would get standard wrist wraps. Those glove versions don't seem as stable. I'm not sure about 'tape' - the ones I use/like are the 180" stretchy cloth version. Meister has been pretty reliable to me: https://smile.amazon.com/Meister-Adult-Semi-Elastic-MMA-Boxing/dp/B003L8W2EA/

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$90 doesn't seem all that bad - I've seen them considerably more expensive.

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For some introductory videos, I've found those by Shane Fazen are pretty cool and have a lot of useful tips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClKgO_YP3pcIVeav2g_k6hw

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Also, Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu is an active pro Muay Thai fighter in Thailand - has well over a couple of hundred of fights. She puts out tons of interesting content including specific workshops with golden age champions:

https://www.patreon.com/sylviemuay

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgFe05f-DrPpaunE4Gaz3cQ

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Okay that's all I got for now - good luck and have fun. Muay Thai has been a blast for me - I love it. :)

Four important key-elements for Muay Thai (in no particular order):

1. Explosivity
   
   
2. Cardio
   
   
3. Flexibility
   
   
4. Technique
   
   
   .
   
   
   .
   
   
   
   1] Explosivity
   
   Start with bodyweight exercises for endurance strength:
   
   You can get really far with just Push-ups, Pull-ups and Squats.
   
   Start building up your endurance, then after you can do a lot, switch over to doing them explosively.
   Get a pull-up bar for in your house if you can, even those that you hinge in the door works.
   
   For Muay Thai it's not really productive to lift heavy, it can even slow you down.
   (I used to be a powerlifter prior so I also speak from experience)
   
   .
   
   2] Cardio
   
   
   For conditioning I recommend sprinting as opposed to running. Instead of running long distance(say 10 miles), do it a shorter distance(5 miles), but more explosive/faster. Look up HIIT.
   
   Constantly think in terms of explosive training, don't underestimate cardio, it's very important!
   
   .
   
   3] Flexibility
   
   Flexible hips and legs is a godsend.
   I recommend either one of these books:
   
   
5. Stretching Scientifically (You can't go wrong with this book, Legendary Flexibility builds upon this book) (https://www.amazon.com/Stretching-Scientifically-Guide-Flexibility-Training/dp/0940149303)
   
6. Legendary Flexibility from Jujimufu the Trickster
   (I prefer this book personally because it's more fun to read and easier to apply in your life) (https://acrobolix.com/product/legendary-flexibility/)
   
7. If you have no time to read books, PM me and i'll give you my stretch routine.
   
   .
   
   4] Technique
   
   This one speaks for itself, you learn technique by practicing lessons and sparring. Since you will be starting Muay Thai in 3 months I would recommend you to do some shadowboxing prior to you starting. Watch this video for Muay Thai basics and start learning the basics at your home.
   
   .
   
   TL;DR:
   
   Do bodyweight Push-ups,
   
   Pull-ups, Squats.
   
   Do sprinting/running.
   
   Do stretch.
   
   Do shadowboxing.

This book is really a necessity for a serious martial artist who is trying to improve his or her flexibility. It's a bit old now but to this day I have not found a stretching guide that directly tackles the type of flexibility a martial artist needs like this one.

I do Muay Thai now but formally black belt in Taekwondo. My dad started training with me at the age of 37. His flexibility was horrendous. He couldn't kick above his waist. After reading this book he was kicking to the head within a year.


Now I'm in my 30's and having been a few years out of martial arts I am in the same boat as my dad was. Borrowed this book from him. Honestly the difference was instant. I was kicking a foot higher right away just by doing the dynamic stretches before going to training. 6 months on and I'm kicking head height again.


The secret is dynamic stretching!

I had this edition of the book.
http://www.amazon.com/Stretching-Scientifically-Guide-Flexibility-Training/dp/0940149451/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1S6SZ332TN34SJFAR3MR

I can sincerely attest to the quality and value of these boxing gloves .

I’ve used these shin guards a couple of times and they’re fine.

As for hand wraps, I bought them at my gym, as the ones I’d bought were not long enough (140). Make sure your hand wraps are long enough and you’ll be fine.

yes. I was like you too and I was kicking people in the ear hole after about 2 months. Common knowledge about stretching is filled with misinformation. This book changed my understanding of flexibility.


Stretching Scientifically: A Guide to Flexibility Training https://www.amazon.com/dp/0940149451/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Kp0PybASSXS3F

despite the homoerotic cover, it's a great book. look up the author Thomas Kurz online. He has a few free articles.

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: http://smile.amazon.com/Revgear-51104-Glove-Dog-Deodorizer/dp/B005VY3T6M/ref=sr_1_1


|Country|Link|Charity Links|
|:-----------|:------------|:------------|
|USA|smile.amazon.com|EFF|
|UK|www.amazon.co.uk|Macmillan|
|France|www.amazon.fr||
|Canada|www.amazon.ca||




To help add charity links, please have a look at this thread.

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Hello, fellow thicc boi here.

I have pretty big calves from years of swimming and water polo.

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I ordered these a year ago and they are awesome. They have a sleeve so they never twist if someone kicks them and theres plenty of straps. I don't really use the top strap sometimes.

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They're super affordable and hold up well. Also I've thrown them in my washing machine and nothings happened to them

I got these for mine and the the quality was surprisingly good. Good enough for some drills anyway. https://www.amazon.com/Cheerwing-Children-Cartoon-Sparring-Training/dp/B00GWAQKB0/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=kids+boxing+gloves&qid=1564721975&s=gateway&sr=8-9

16 oz are mainly for sparring, so you'll need 14-16oz gloves either way. But honestly, at your size, especially with the intention to get into MMA, you could probably get by with bag gloves for general training.

Edit: Something like these: https://www.amazon.com/Fairtex-Muay-Glove-White-Black/dp/B075T264JT

I have an underarmour contain duffle. It's pretty close to big enough for that and has a laptop sleeve. This one is similar.

https://www.amazon.ca/Under-Armour-Storm-Contain-Duffle/dp/B01M2ZIYNE/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=under+armour+contain+backpack&qid=1575059220&s=luggage&sr=1-6

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0071RNGCO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A9QO3TEVL38GZ&psc=1 thanks decided to go with these, although im not sure if they're weighted or not

I have been using a Diadora Team Bag (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AUQG4Y) and like it:

- Roomy enough for shinguards, gloves, wraps, mouthguard, jump-rope, and all clothing/cup/etc for Muay Thai, as well as a change of clothes for after Muay Thai.

- Separate shoe compartment is where I put my sweaty clothes/wraps afterwards.

- Another compartment for athletic tape/extra wraps if I forget to pack a pair/etc

Anyone use a glove deodorizer?

http://www.amazon.com/Revgear-51104-Glove-Dog-Deodorizer/dp/B005VY3T6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397403737&sr=8-1&keywords=boxing+glove+deodorizer

I know newspaper should work well stuffed inside too.

As for wiping down the outside of gear, baby wipes?

I wipe down the inside with disinfectant after every session. I then stuff these things inside of them until the next session. Preventative maintenance is the only way to go. People will say there's various tricks, but once the stink is in the gloves you're not going to get it out.