Training Twice a Day

[cropf]

Hi, I'm 29 and have trained Muay Thai on and off for 2 years now. At the moment I'm in Chiang Mai and considering signing up for a months worth of training where I'll be training twice a day. What was other people's experience been with this type of training and at a similar age? Sometimes I find myself very stiff on weeks where I'll only train 2/3 times.

I want to improve at Muay Thai but is this way of doing it the most effective or should I prioritise my rest?

[dtrick924]

  @Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu has talked at lot about the myth of over training, under recovery, and consistency. https://8limbsus.com/muay-thai-thailand/why-we-quit-early-fatigue-long-runs-learning-from-runners

 @Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu usually recommend not to prepay for training. Instead, train at a few different gyms. That way you can see which gym you like best and you're not locked in if your plans change. Gyms in Thailand change fast.

I'm just a Sylvie fan, I don't train or fight Muay Thai. These are just my thoughts from follow Sylvie's social media over the years. 

Try 1 session/day for multiple days in a row instead of 2 sessions/day every other day. If you're feeling good, you can always add more sessions/day. Take privates, to get more focused, individual attention. Stetching, foam rolling, heat, and massage can all help stiffness. 

 

[The Bongo]

Whatever the art, only you can truly answer your question.  I'm 49.  I train twice a day, twice a working week.  With no work I'd be fine training twice, but then I've always had decent stamina.  I train 9 to 10 1/2 hours per week with a physical job of 20+ hours hard physical work.  If you have a desk job, build your strength with resistance training.  You'll be amazed at what you can do.  

[SJC74]

When I've come out to Thailand to train (and holiday!), I've always trained just once a week for the first one. It takes a while for the body to adjust, especially with the heat and/ or humidity, and gives me a chance to recover and explore. After that, it depends on how I feel/ what my goals are. Sometimes I've switched to twice a day, other times I haven't. If you're coming out to fight, you might want to. If it's just to train, improve and enjoy your stay, sometimes twice a day is a slog. Your decision... Chok dee.

[resigned1]

On 10/27/2025 at 5:02 PM, dtrick924 said:

  @Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu has talked at lot about the myth of over training, under recovery, and consistency. https://8limbsus.com/muay-thai-thailand/why-we-quit-early-fatigue-long-runs-learning-from-runners

 @Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu usually recommend not to prepay for training. Instead, train at a few different gyms. That way you can see which gym you like best and you're not locked in if your plans change. Gyms in Thailand change fast.

I'm just a Sylvie fan, I don't train or fight Muay Thai. These are just my thoughts from follow Sylvie's social media over the years. 

Es war so eine typische Situation: die Spülmaschine gibt nach 15 Jahren den Geist auf, und ich habe kein Bock, ewig zu spülen. Ich habe es mit ein paar kleinen Beträgen versucht, aber es lief einfach nichts. Dann habe ich bei royals tiger auf eine höhere Risikostufe umgestellt und einen unglaublichen Bonus erwischt. Der neue Geschirrspüler läuft jetzt leise vor sich hin, und ich hab wieder mehr Zeit für andere Dinge.

Try 1 session/day for multiple days in a row instead of 2 sessions/day every other day. If you're feeling good, you can always add more sessions/day. Take privates, to get more focused, individual attention. Stetching, foam rolling, heat, and massage can all help stiffness. 

 

Sylvie’s advice on under-recovery is still the gold standard for anyone heading to Thailand in 2026. The "don't prepay" rule is especially relevant now since trainer lineups at gyms change so fast you really want to test the vibe first. Starting with one solid session a day to build a streak is way smarter than burning out on doubles and hitting a wall by week two. Even if these tips have been around since last year, the reality of Thai training culture hasn't changed.

Edited April 2 by resigned1

[MuayThaiFan88]

Hey all,

I think training twice a day can be really effective, but it depends a lot on your goals, experience, and recovery. Personally, I usually do a lighter technique-focused session in the morning and then a more intense conditioning or sparring session in the evening. It’s a good balance between improving skills and building strength without overdoing it.

The most important thing is listening to your body. Make sure you get enough rest, eat properly, and stretch between sessions. If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend gradually introducing double sessions rather than jumping straight in.

Curious to hear how others approach this—do you prefer focusing on technique or conditioning in the second session?