What is Muay Thai?
Discover what makes a Virgin Active Muay Thai boxing class different and how this martial arts and combat sport gives you more confidence, resilience and power.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is now at Virgin Active Mayfair, bringing Thai Boxing to club alongside our existing traditional Boxing classes. In this class, you’ll learn authentic moves in technical training that builds mental resilience and athletic performance.
So, let’s unpack what Muay Thai is, what benefits it has and how you can get involved.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is a martial art and combat sport originating from Thailand. Known as the Art of Eight Limbs, it uses punches, elbows, knees and kicks, creating a dynamic style that combines technique, movement, power and control.
It includes a range of attacking and defensive skills:
Punches
Elbows
Knees
Kicks
Teeps – a push kick used to manage distance and control range
Clinching – close-range techniques used to control an opponent and create opportunities for knees and other attacks
It's a sport that requires technical skill, timing, balance, coordination and discipline. For those training primarily for fitness, those same foundations provide an effective full-body workout that can develop strength, cardiovascular fitness, mobility and confidence.
What happens in a Muay Thai class?
Muay Thai at Virgin Active is a premium Boxing experience that combines authentic technique with functional conditioning.
During this 45-minute class, you’ll develop punches, elbows, knees and kicks through a structured 7-week training programme designed to progressively build your technique, strength, power, agility, coordination and endurance.
You’ll then move into the main section of the class, alternating between Muay Thai bag work and functional conditioning rounds.
On the bags, you’ll practise combinations and develop skills such as technique, timing, range, balance and power.
On the floor, functional movements using dumbbells, resistance bands, slam balls and agility hoops will complement your bag work and help develop your strength, conditioning, endurance and mobility.
Who is Muay Thai suitable for?
Our Muay Thai boxing classes are open to all levels and abilities. Each class focuses on nailing authentic Muay Thai principles that not only help you appreciate the sport and grow your fitness but also to progress safely during your sessions.
If you’ve never tried a combat sport before, Muay Thai is a great place to start, and you don’t need any previous Boxing or Muay Thai experience to take part. Equally, if you’ve got some experience, the structured bag work provides an opportunity to refine your technique, combinations, movement and conditioning. It’s cardio with built-in strength that also gives you a supportive community where you’ll be challenged and encouraged in every class.
What should you wear to a Muay Thai class?
You don’t need any special clothing to take part in Muay Thai at Virgin Active. Come to class in breathable clothing that lets you move freely and also absorbs sweat quickly. You also don’t need any specialist equipment either as we have everything you need.
FAQs
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is a traditional martial art and combat sport originating from Thailand. Known as the Art of Eight Limbs, it uses punches, elbows, knees and kicks alongside techniques such as teeps and clinching. At Virgin Active, you’ll develop these skills in a controlled environment through alternating rounds of Muay Thai bag work and functional conditioning.
What are the benefits of Muay Thai?
Muay Thai offers both physical and mental benefits. Training can help develop your strength, power, cardiovascular fitness, endurance, coordination and mobility, while learning and progressing your technique can build confidence, focus and mental resilience. It’s also a great way to challenge your fitness while developing a new skill.
Are Muay Thai and Thai Boxing the same thing?
Yes. Muay Thai and Thai Boxing refer to the same martial art and combat sport. “Muay” translates to boxing, while “Thai” refers to Thailand, so Muay Thai can be translated as Thai Boxing.
