Conditioning Tips in Preparation for Training Full-Time in Thailand

[Matt G]

I am travelling to Thailand in one week to train and fight and have increased my conditioning for months in preparation, but am wondering if there is anything I can do in the next week to make the transition to full time training smoother? Things to focus on? Anything that I should avoid? 

[Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu]

You're so clever to have trained yourself in preparation for training! With only one week there's not much conditioning of your feet you can do, but if you can walk around barefoot to build up callouses, that's always helpful. Your feet get jacked at pretty much any gym. And get your miles up with running. The heat is intense and takes a while to get used to, so being used to the miles themselves makes the transition smoother.

 

This sounds kinda lame and hippie-ville, but focus on your breathing during runs and bagwork-type spurts. Training is tiring any way you cut it, but not breathing due to the discomfort of working with new trainers (not knowing what they're asking for and the totally normal "getting to know you" period of working together) can cause you to hold your breath and you will get way more tired than you think you should, given your conditioning. I have to remind myself of this all the time.

[Tyler Byers]

I'll second the running! Really, running is a cornerstone of Muay Thai conditioning since you are going to be using your leg muscles so much. The cardiovascular benefits and exposure to heat certainly doesn't hurt either.

[punchdrunk]

Running, running, and more running for sure!  At my gym we do 8 - 12k every morning (6 days a week) before we start our regular training.  (It's acceptable to do less, but if you really want to get the most out of your time here and have FUN, why not!) May I also suggest focusing on endurance while doing your bag and pad work - we do (at least) 4 5-minute rounds of each, then move on to conditioning.  I wouldn't focus so much on sharpening your technique before you get here.  Even seasoned pro fighters are usually instructed to adjust their technique by pretty much every trainer they encounter here.  Lastly, a lot of people complain about jet lag interfering with their training; so maybe try to start adjusting your sleep schedule. 

[BruisedShin]

Skipping and plenty of calf stretching. Your Achilles tendon gets a battering. 

Buy electrolyte powder to add to your bottled water. You will sweat so much staying hydrated is important but can wash a lot of good nutrition straight through your system.