finding a gym by MuayFarang

[RamónRivera]

Im not saying that you have to join Muayfarang, (I am not working for them, I swear :smile: ) but just to pay attention to the points they say.

 

 http://www.muayfarang.com/en/how-to-chose-best-muay-thai-camp-gym-thailand-13715/

 

Hope, it helps!

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

The stuff about the "Arjan" seems silly to me, as a guide to an organized camp. I'd quote it but they don't make copy and paste possible on the site. It reads as an advertisement for their own camp.

[RamónRivera]

Obviously, they advertise the gym, but I think a few things are useful, what are your thoughts specifically about arjans, Sylvie? Thanks!

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

"Arjan" is a term used mostly for westerners or by westerners. The presence of a stick wielding "master" as a major sign of an organized camp seems absurd to me. Hierarchy is very important in Thai settings, but most Thai gyms are informally organized, and have a casual feeling to them. This seems like a fantasy scene out of a Kung Fu movie. There is lots of good training in Thai gyms without "Arjans" walking around barking orders. Sylvie's gym Petchrungruang is a wonderful family run Thai gym that raises Thai kids into Lumpinee fighters, there is no "Arjan" master correcting people left and right.

Sylvie's getting ready for a fight, cutting weight, don't think she'll hop on right now.

[RamónRivera]

ok, cheers, it was a set up scenario, but dont you think is important that someone is watching you as you are doing paos, for example? Formally or informally I mean.

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

ok, cheers, it was a set up scenario, but dont you think is important that someone is watching you as you are doing paos, for example? Formally or informally I mean.

 

Honestly, it isn't how most Thai gyms are. There is very little direct correction in Thai style gyms, either for westerners or for Thais. But I can see how as a westerner it is something you might want or need. Muay Farang has created a gym for westerners, so it makes sense to sell it that way. But to couch the whole thing in some kind of traditionalism feels wrong to me.

But hey, there are all kinds of flavors in Thailand, in a way it is just another one.

I wrote this guest blog post about the difference between the Thai way and the Western way.

[RamónRivera]

Anyways, I stayed in 7muaythai and the training is directed and done with thais (sparring, clinch, paos) maybe they are trying to mix both approaches... Adittionally when I met Sylvie in Petchrungruang, I felt that "family thing" that I love as well, by the way were you one of the farangs watching the training? ( :unsure: ) Thank you and chok dee mak to Sylvie!

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

Anyways, I stayed in 7muaythai and the training is directed and done with thais (sparring, clinch, paos) maybe they are trying to mix both approaches... Adittionally when I met Sylvie in Petchrungruang, I felt that "family thing" that I love as well, by the way were you one of the farangs watching the training? ( :unsure: ) Thank you and chok dee mak to Sylvie!

 

I should have been more generous with this, but it irks me a little when Thailand is packaged in a fantasy tradition way, it's my hang up. Sylvie already recommends Master Toddy's in Bangkok and Santai in Chiang Mai when people coming to Thailand ask without much experience because they both put emphasis on technique and correction. Most westerners come to Thailand thinking that there is going to be lot of correction and technique and they just aren't prepared for the long, slow "do your own work" approach that most Thai gyms operate under. They can feel under-attended and ignored, and if they don't already have solid self-driven work skills can be left out of what is really happening. You can get correction, but you have to ask.

So places like Master Toddy's, Santai, maybe some Phuket gyms (don't know, haven't been), and Muay Farang's gym, if they too focus on technique and correction, can be really rewarding. It's just that that's not how most Muay Thai is taught.

But westerners don't have the years and years to take the long way, so especially if you are going to be in Thailand for shorter periods of time, they may pay off. I just take issue with the marketing of the article, as if it is proposing some kind of "guide" to Thailand gyms. Just come out and say "This is what is great about Club 7 Muay Thai".

 

I wasn't there when you visited Petchrungruang, but I indeed have been a farang watching training for a very long time. Learned a lot from quietly watching.

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

btw, Ramon since you stayed there at Club 7 and had a great experience if you have the time why not write a separate review of it here on the forum? It's a gym people don't know much about, and I know I'd be interested in hearing what it was like for you.

[RamónRivera]

I agree, we as westerners can´t appreciate the slow cook they use. Maybe, it is our menatlity or it is because we can only spend one month there... But as they say, "sabai, sabai" Such a good article on the topic, by the way. Thanks and very kind.

[RamónRivera]

ok ,good point, I will do it  :cool:

[Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu]

Im not saying that you have to join Muayfarang, (I am not working for them, I swear :smile: ) but just to pay attention to the points they say.

 

 http://www.muayfarang.com/en/how-to-chose-best-muay-thai-camp-gym-thailand-13715/

 

Hope, it helps!

Well this certainly reads like a long-winded advertisement for 7 Muay Thai, but I do think his points are at the very least things that westerners are keen to consider when choosing a gym. Cleanliness is something that I've heard mentioned by many people who write to me to ask about gym recommendations, but by and large what they actually mean is comfort, not hygiene. I've never trained in a gym with equipment that isn't thoroughly broken in and some of it falling apart, and I've never had a staph infection - proper personal hygiene is the best bet in that regard, although obviously a camp is a breeding ground for quite a few germs due to the turnover of people from all over the globe visiting and the tropical heat and humidity.

I've seen the head honcho (never, ever referred to as Ajarn unless someone is making a joke in the camps I've trained at) stand in the ring with a stick or switch to keep a fighter from backing up or quitting, but it's done almost as a throw-back to the "old ways," not as an every day training method. And I've never once seen it used on anyone over the age of maybe 10 years old. Having someone overseeing the training is obviously not a bad thing, but it's a useless thing if the people training don't have any recognizable goals. As western-friendly as some gyms can be, I have yet to meet an ex-fighter, now trainer who doesn't think it's a little baffling that westerners come and train without any desire or intention to fight. "Just for fit," they say, meaning they do understand the goal, but they then understand that correcting the same mistakes until the trainer is blue in the face because the "just for fit" guy training doesn't actually care to make the adjustments - well, the trainer is bound to give up trying. He'll just hold the pads and in my experience the relationship between these guys and the trainers end up being pretty good anyway. They do have a place in the gym.  But also from my experience, being able to go do rounds on the bag by yourself without a trainer holding your hand is not only standard, but is appreciated by trainers who don't have to keep after you (with a damn stick) to make sure you do the work that's required of you to be a fighter. Being left on your own isn't necessarily neglect in a gym - I've lived and felt that difference a million times.

It's good that 7 Muay Thai has regulations about sleep times and that alcohol isn't allowed on the premises, but I will also say that I have met some truly incredible trainers who are drunks. It's a pain in the ass for the owner, yes, who has to pay these guys and get them to come to work on time. But as someone learning from them there is still a lot to be gained. Sober is better, but a heavy drinker is not uncommon even at very successful camps. Keeping alcohol away from the Nak Muay is grand - these guys who come here and party at night and barely make training in the afternoon are wasting their own time, but seeking out a gym that regulates this FOR YOU is only necessary if it's a problem FOR YOU. Which, for young men on the quest for "authentic" Muay Thai experiences might be more common.

So, I guess my takeaway is that this advice is meaningful for guys who want a kind of regimented, hand-held training experience that performs some aspects of traditionalism and yet still has a "comfort" level of western-ness. But there are hundreds of very good gyms to choose from that will provide great training and great experiences that aren't at all like what's described here.

[RamónRivera]

I see what you mean, since I am teaching classes in Spain one of my goals were improve my technique, anyways I dont want to anticipate, I will write a proper review down, thank you guys!