(Part 2) Best products from r/MuayThai

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.)

Bring the following:

• Wraps - they probably sell them at your gym. Otherwise Pro Impact from Amazon is fine and cheap.
  
• T-shirt
  
• Shorts - above the knee or higher
  
• Sport bottle with water
  
• Towel
  
  Gym will provide gloves, but they will probably be a bit nasty.
  
  
  Later gear:
  
  
• Gloves
  
  
• KOFightgear - highest quality for the cheapest
  
• Ring2Cage Japanese gloves - great knockoffs of Winning gloves which are the best
  
• Fairtex / Top King / Twins - all great quality Thai brands
  
  
• Shins - whenever you start sparring. I have Top Kings. Any of the Thai brands are fine.
  
  
• Cup - I use a Lobloo, they make male and female cups.
  
  
• Mouthguard - I went custom, but have a Sisu as well
  
  
• Headgear - This one is a bit harder since it depends on head shape. I have had cheap ones from Amazon and currently have an expensive Winning one and the differences aren't that great.
  
  

I haven't been in a fight yet, but I have competed at a world level for music.

The biggest thing that helped me with that inevitable anxiety before a competition is to remember that the winner was already decided beforehand. Don't change too much on competition day. There's no overdrive switch that comes on that day. It's all about your training versus their training. Who practiced the right stuff the hardest.

So trust your training, stay right in the moment, don't worry about shit, and just do your best man. At worst, you learn something new and you grow. Fuck the crowd, fuck your competition, fuck everyone's expectations, just fight your fight and focus on doing your absolute best. Not many get the opportunity you've worked so hard for, so you've won a huge victory already. Now's the time to just enjoy the act of expressing all your hard work to the world.

I wish you all the best man! I'm very happy for you!

(Also, after your fight, I strongly recommend this book. There's some amazing sports psychology insights in there.)

More difference between brands than styles. Twins are quite a square glove while other big MT brands like Fairtex and Windy are rounded like a western boxing glove. Anything with quality foam will keep your hands and your training partners safe. Velcro is fine and you're right, much easier in a class environment for getting on and off quickly but as brookesy2 mentioned they do scratch during grappling. Doesn't hurt but if you end up looking like you've been attacked by 81 kittens... that's why.

In regards to your flexibility. Take a look at some of the books/vids that are out there. Ultimate Flexibility was one of the books the boys at the gym would go on about. I went the repetition route. Keep hitting a technique and that additional flexibility will come. Strengthening your hip abductors will also help speed that process up.

Good luck!

I’ve read almost every Muay Thai book there is and here are the books that I recommend for its history

I think this is the best one

It’s a beautiful Muay Thai book that not only shows techniques but it has an in depth section of its history with beautiful pictures. Highly recommend

When I lived in Thailand, this book was in almost every English language bookstore

It’s much cheaper in Thailand than online. It has Muay Boran techniques but it also has a history section which is pretty good. I liked the old school pictures on there

But if I had to choose, Muay Thai, a living legacy gets my pick

This is called plantar fasciitis, and I got rid of it in 4 days in the following way:

Training Muay Thai 6x/week, I developed it on my left foot and suffered from the pain for 3 weeks until I realized the problem and began treating it. I was getting irritated from not being able to train and the stabbing pain when I decided to tough it out and train anyway.

It comes about due to tight calf muscles and the plantar fascia ligament that runs accross the bottom of your foot compensating for the lack of mobility.

It's relatively easy to fix with the right therapy. Use this 3x a day to get an amazing stretch on your calves:
North American Healthcare Foot Rocker
http://amzn.com/B002PT52WK
Use a timer and alternate stretching each calf for 30sec until they have been stretched 3x each.

If you can get ahold of one of these, it'll speed up the process a lot:
Porcupine Massage Ball
http://amzn.com/B000KS9Z8K

What you do is sit on a chair and place your bare foot on top of it and roll it around until you feel a tender spot. Once you find it, press down real hard on it. It hurts, but in a good way. What this is doing is dispersing scar tissue that has built up around the inflamed ligament and it'll speed up healing like a motherfucker.

You might wanna get some sole inserts for your shoes with good arch support, and avoid wearing older shoes.

Before training, stretch your calves with the foot rocker. If you have liniment oil or any type of muscle rub, give your calves a really fast-speed rubdown to warm them up.

I also like to use bandage wrap on my feet for arch support, especially on my main pivot foot. I find that the slip on ones commonly used have little to no arch support.
I use the following method:
http://youtu.be/dGD0JChXM78
Not to mention the fact that I totally get a psychological boost because they make me feel like Sagat from Street Fighter. "Tiger!"

Stay strong, man. I hope this helps!

I've bought their 16oz. Challenger 2.0 gloves and a mouthpiece from them. I got the gloves for sub-$50 and I thought that for the price, they did the job well:

It is synthetic leather (although I believe the 3.0's should be actual leather, not 100% sure on that), but the material was able to hold its own quite well. Never had any issues with any of the stitching or velcro coming apart.

That being said, you can certainly find quality, genuine leather gloves from the more established Muay Thai brands such as Fairtex, Twins Special, and Top King (amazon links below) for fairly competitive prices (sub-$100). I would honestly go for one of those, unless you feel compelled to buy from Venum.

• Fairtex: https://amzn.com/B019UBRCLE
  
• Twins Special: https://amzn.com/B006QN882W
  
• Top King: https://amzn.com/B00LN093AO

For point 2, it had to do with the fact that alot of TMA schools have more of a children emphasis. Not all of them, YMMV but alot of places do seem more built for kiddie classes.


As for your thoughts on number 3, I'm mixed. Punches do carry a risk, and a palm strike is something to have but punches are used for a reason. Though I would say that it would be best to use them if you are a dedicated martial artist who conditions them regularly(knuckle pushups, bare bag work)


I have seen active self protection and I agree that if Muay Thai is to be effective as a self defense method, the techniques must be taught within that context. And elbows, knees, and low kicks are moves tailor made for street combat.


Anyway, I do understand where you are coming from. I don't think Muay Thai is a completely encompassing martial art, but I do feel it provides a solid basis for self defense. I practice Judo on the side, which I feel works naturally well with Muay Thai what with the clinch and throws. I'm actually trying to take my CC's self defense class next semester as well.


Also about weapons, it's definitely a valid concern but in some situations it may be different. For example, almost 9 out of 10 times a rapist will not use a weapon of any sort.


Also, here's a good book on Muay Thai/kickboxing and self defense.

6'0 140lbs here, If Jiu Jitsu has taught me one thing it's that my bones are a lot less fragile than I thought they were. Unless you have an actual bone problem or you have broken a lot of bones in the past I wouldn't worry about that too much.

Just relax, pay attention, have fun and show up as much as you can.

A single row, boil and bite mouthguard will do. I use this. You can find them at almost any sporting goods store.

As for gloves, you're probably fine starting out with a pair of everlast or title $30 specials from your local sporting goods store. I would make sure they are at least 12oz and that they have velcro closures (don't get anything that slips on).

For wraps, you pretty much have to order them online, you want 180" or "mexican" style wraps. They're usually pretty cheap, like $5 a pair if you shop around, and the extra length is amazing.

If you don't like the lack of mobility in standard Muay Thai shorts, check out these from Hayabusa. I've got a few of these and they are FANTASTIC!!! Super stretchy, look great, wicks sweat and moisture and breathes very well.

https://www.amazon.com/Hayabusa-Kickboxing-Shorts-Grey-White/dp/B01CP7CSO6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1521575681&sr=8-6&keywords=Hayabusa%2BMuay%2Bthai%2Bshorts&th=1

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.