Tiger Muay Thai

[SouthSideStrangler]

Stopped by Tiger Muay Thai again for the first time since I fought for them back in 2009. And I have to say it's rather impressive, they have built such a massive facility there, and it's given birth to a gagglepuke of other gyms on the street, and other fight related stores, back in 2009 there was nothing, just TMT and dragon Muay Thai and a few guestgouses and restaurants, now it's turned into every westerner wearing a tapout shirt wet dream, it's fight Mecca on that street now, crazy to see how it's all changed. But kudos to tiger and their ridiculous enormous success. They do have a really fine gym there.

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

now it's turned into every westerner wearing a tapout shirt wet dream, it's fight Mecca on that street now, crazy to see how it's all changed. But kudos to tiger and their ridiculous enormous success. They do have a really fine gym there.

 

Do you have a pic of the street Luc? Would love to see it.

[BruisedShin]

Is it not a worry that Tiger has just become a Western Gym in Thailand? 

I have heard that it lacks the personal one on one attention that other smaller gyms offer, whilst costing a hell of a lot more.

Maybe it's just me but I came to Thailand to experience a more basic traditional gym environment. What we call in England a "Spit and sawdust" gym. 

[SouthSideStrangler]

Ah I totally should have taken a video while driving up soi tadied, if I head back down that way I totally will!

I agree I also prefer smaller gyms for the reasons you mentioned. Tiger is very similar to all the other gyms in the area, Phuket top team, AKA, I wouldn't consider them Muay Thai gyms anymore, they are western style gyms in Thailand, virtual copies of their western counterparts, except that the offer a higher level of Muay Thai that available in the west.

If you are in the market for Muay Thai it's probably not the best choice, however if you fight in the UFC, it might be a great choice for ya. Still though it's incredible to see how tiger has influenced the market, a lot of people are are benefiting for sure. It's interesting to have kinda seen it before and after

[Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu]

it's given birth to a gagglepuke of other gyms on the street

Okay, first time seeing the word "gagglepuke" and I am stealing it, so hard.

Tiger tried to open a gym up in Mae Rim and that fiasco was hilarious to me because I'm a jerk. But it's probably a matter of time; and it will certainly transform Chaing Mai in much the same way :(

[Gavin]

Do you have a pic of the street Luc? Would love to see it.

 The street is quite long, you'd need several pics. I spent a month there. Picture this... There are maybe 10+ restaurants, 3 pharmacies, 8 massage places, tatoo parlours on side streets, 3 or 4 mma/gear stores, guest houses and resorts. There is tiger, dragon muay thai, unit 27 (crossfit/s&c), PTT (right down the end), and you have titans (fitness/bootcamp) and chokchai muay thai on a side street. I would say 80% of people are training at Tiger however.

[Gavin]

Is it not a worry that Tiger has just become a Western Gym in Thailand? 

I have heard that it lacks the personal one on one attention that other smaller gyms offer, whilst costing a hell of a lot more.

Maybe it's just me but I came to Thailand to experience a more basic traditional gym environment. What we call in England a "Spit and sawdust" gym. 

It is expensive for sure, but the facilites are superb. 5 rings, a cage, grappling room, weights etc... It may not be as authentic of an experience, but the training is better than anything I've seen in Australia. I've tried 5 different gyms in Aus and it is not uncommon to have 1 instructor to 20 students. At tiger you'll get 1 instructor to 3 students and you get pad rounds everyday with someone who has had at least 100 fights... There certainly may be better places to train in Thailand, but for someone coming from an Australian gym, it's like paradise...

[Jago]

My wife and I just got back from a short trip to Thailand a few weeks ago, and we trained at Tiger while we were in Phuket. The training was pricy, and from what we saw, you didn't get much help from the trainers during group classes. We were alright working the bags by ourselves, because we've trained and fought in the US, but a lot of others would just stand by their bag awkwardly and throw a few punches. I understand that they should seek out a trainer and ask for help, but for what Tiger is charging, I don't feel that's appropriate. You do get ~3 rounds a class with a trainer, which is nice, but not enough attention for a 2.5-3 hour session. 

What Tiger does VERY well, is make the transition to training in Thailand as painless as possible for foreigners. They offer food, accommodation, and training all on site. Everything is translated for you, and most everyone speaks English. If you're nervous about leaving your country to train somewhere new, Tiger's got your back (and wallet).