radarjam

I don't know whether you might be in Thailand right now or sometime this month, but I've heard great things about Yokkao! I follow them on Facebook too and its nice to see their live videos when they're training. It is pricey but Manop (Saenchai's trainer) is pretty awesome at pad holding and you might even get the chance of meeting Saenchai! (I'm a huge fan of him lol) In terms of possible recommendation, I will be in BKK from Aug 13-28 to attend Khongsittha Gym's Thailand Training Camp. So I can't really say much since I'm not there yet, but following their FB/Instagram page, I can tell that their atmosphere and trainers is amazing! The training camp is running until the end of August, but I believe you can still attend other classes and possibly inquire if they can offer you a private training with one of the trainers. Here's the link if you're curious! https://www.facebook.com/ThailandTrainingCamp/ Hope everything works out :)

Omg this was my issue for the last month up until now. Shin splints suck! My calf muscles were so tight to the point I couldn't even walk anymore. My athletic therapist massaged my shins and also recommended that I wear compression leg sleeves. It has helped - but for now I can't train everyday.... so I have to skip every other day until I'm ready to go back full-time. I was told that after a long session of training, you can foam roll, massage your legs, have an icebath (just beneath your knees) and see how that goes. Taking some potassium/glutamine works too. But I feel your pain! Kinesio taping works like a charm (my only problem is the pain of pulling my leg hairs LOL when I peel it off) but I find that using those compression sleeves does some good work too. The one I have is by 2XU: http://www.2xu.com/ca/p/compression-calf-guards/UA1987b.html?dwvar_UA1987b_color=BLK_CPB#start=1 The material is nice and does not chaff on your skin; sweat wicking too. Plus you can use it for at least 2-3 sessions and throw it in the wash, hang dry it and you're good to go.

This thread helps a lot with my fear of heat exhaustion going to Thailand this August. I'm from Canada; i may be South-East Asian descent but i much prefer the cool/cold atmosphere. Anything beyond 25C/77F+ i start cooping myself up in my dark room filled with fans and whatnot haha.... I'm planning of bringing some supplements for the 2 weeks i'm training Muay Thai (twice a day) so it'll be ranging from a 1lb bag of protein powder, BCAA pills w/ electrolytes (cap form), glutamine (cap form)and some fishoil/omega 3's. So these supplements should suffice as they're light enough for the trip. I was told to not go 100% during the first two days because you want your body to get used to the heat and humidity. Stay hydrated before/during/after training. And you might be even lucky too if they have ice baths :) my gym does!

:O! If confirmed, oh my....! do let me know...I would love to also meet you one day Sylvie! <3

Hey there! I'm actually planning of going to Thailand this summer as well (August) there's this all-inclusive training camp led by Sean Fagan (Aka Muay Thai Guy) at Khongsittha Gym-Nak Muay Nation Training Camp in Bangkok http://www.thailandtrainingcamp.com/ a 2 week camp costs $800.00 USD go check out the link! The dates I'm looking at is Aug 14 - 28 and I hope you can attend this one (I need buddies because i'm solo'ng the trip) Did i mention that you may have a chance of having a seminar with Saenchai, Petchboonchu, Kaew Fairtex. I'm so stoked! It'd be an honor meeting Saenchai!

OH WOW! I did not notice that! That is awesome, I'm glad they do worldwide shipping for free! Conversion isn't too bad either, hurray!

I've also experienced this before and like Sylvie mentioned, it does link to strained neck muscles and I got those occasional headache while throwing those punches. Doing stretches (with the assistance of my physiotherapist) helped me a lot. I don't get it as much as I used to as I'm forcing myself now to take the time to stretch after class. But rest of course does help too! I should also mention, try taking some BCAA's "Branched Chain Amino Acids"supplements (lots of benefits including help with muscle fatigue and whatnot. Here's a link if you want more info on it, definitely worth an investment and it does taste good too! http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bcaas-the-many-benefits-of-amino-acids.html :biggrin:

So sad, I don't think I'll be able to get this as its not available in any Canadian stores. :pinch:

I'm glad it's working out for you! Thanks for the appreciation, I respect that! :) All about mutual respect and balance - Keep it up. In my gym there's a lot of females that are trying it out (even if its for a day, week or month) and only a few ever go full-time and join the team. Those are the ones who only do it for for fun or for cardio. And when they get a gist of what our classes are like (we do lots of techniques/combo/sparring/etc) they tend to get a bit discouraged because its not what they expected. In North America there are many pop-up gyms that do kickboxing classes as a cardio (like those 30-min-hit) just to burn off fat, more targeted to females who just do it for fun. Not my kind of gig personally, i like competition and the nature of contact sports. Some get really timid or shy because they cannot adjust to our mood/environment. I mean we're all helpful/encouraging and try to help newbies as much as possible. Some are willing to try but unfortunately, some just give up and never come back :'( Its too bad because I'm still searching for the best female partner of the same height (i'm short lol) and skill level. But I know that feeling too - but I'm glad that there's a handful that eventually share the same passion as we all do here.

I've actually been pretty lucky with my female/male teammates. We all come in different height/weight when i'm compared to them because I'm short lol. We've all been equal in terms of sparring, holding pads, and learning from each other. I enjoy sparring with my guys because they go "all-out" and don't get all wishy-washy because i'm a girl - but there's always balance. I find that when I spar with girls, some are timid and some are quite aggressive but we both try to accommodate and try not to overwhelm each other so much, where one gets hurt because they 'hit too hard' Another note, our gym is in Canada and some of us have a habit of saying "i'm sorry....!" when one of us smoke each other on the face/abs etc, hahaha we laugh it off and luckily we try to get back in the fighting mood. Other than that - so far so good with my gym :)