Knock yourself out
Bangkok's fitness brigade has taken muay thai to heart - hear the happy grunts?
Countless urban Thais have discovered that, while foreign exercise techniques like running on a treadmill and aerobic dancing certainly have their benefits, there’s a perfectly good home-made fitness regime in muay thai. Kick-boxing is the new craze in Bangkok.
Thai-boxing gyms are popping up around the city where rapid-paced music provides the soundtrack as office workers fling feet, fists, elbows and knees at heavy punching bags. Veteran pugilists are finding new careers as trainers, helping the rookies burn off fat and build muscle.
Things are booming at Jaroenthong Gym on Pracha-Uthit Road, run by Jaroenthong “Kru Ped” Kiatbanchong and his friends, two former (female) airline attendants.
The friendly gym opened in 2003 but underwent a thorough modernisation two years ago. There’s all sorts of fitness equipment and a regulation-size boxing ring in the centre. The mirrored walls and other, funkier accoutrements lend a dance-floor feel – the floor is patterned like a jigsaw puzzle in pink and blue and street artists and rap trio Buddha Bless decorated a backdrop with graffiti.
“I opened the gym just to train professional boxers, but it cost a lot to run, so I finally decided to open it up for the general public to do workouts,” says Kru Ped. “Our trainers are all veteran fighters from the matches at Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen stadiums, so they have good skills and lots of experience.”
Co-owner Wichitra Sattabongkot originally signed up for boxing lessons and discovered that her whole attitude toward muay thai had changed. “I realised how much fun muay thai is – and the best way to burn off energy.”
It was Wichitra who suggested the renovations and then she became a business partner. “This isn’t some dirty, dangerous place where ruffians assemble,” she points out. “We’re a pioneer among the new boxing schools with all the modern decor and the friendly atmosphere.”
Kru Ped designs the classes and matches the fighting skills to everyone’s abilities. The gym’s 12 trainers vary considerably in age, so that every student finds a good fit.
The two-hour classes start with a warm-up of easy stretches and footwork. Then come basic punching, kicking, elbowing and kneeing moves. “I design everything to look playful and easy with the emphasis on using your striking limbs the right way,” Kru Ped says.
Advanced students learn the reverse elbow strike, the double-punch attack (hanuman tawai waen), the combined punch and kick to the face (batha loob pak) and that impressive technique called tai khao phra sumeru, where you jump over your opponent and waste him with an downward elbow.
You might have seen actress Sunisa “Vicki” Jett’s pictures on Instagram. She and her husband have been taking lessons for a year and swear it’s the best way to keep healthy and in good shape.
“My husband lost 10 kilograms in such a short time – it was fantastic!” Vicki says. “That’s what inspired me. And I get bored easily in a gym, but this one is friendly and authentic and clean. The kick-boxing improves my health – it alleviates my seasonal allergies – and burns off fat. I come twice a week.”
Office worker Viboon Pojanalai started learning muay thai seven months ago and is impressed by the gym’s warmth, flexible hours and reasonable rates, as well as the trainers’ dedication. “I used to run on a treadmill at home and attend fitness classes, but it was boring,” Viboon says. “I love boxing. It’s fun and really helps me burn up energy.”
Over on Soi Lat Phrao 71 off Sukhonthasawat Road is the latest gym, Khongsittha Muay Thai, owned by Chayanon Visutthithada and actor Matthew Deane Chanthavanij, who hosts the popular “Thai Fight” show on TV.
The 800-square-metre open-air gym with two regulation rings, 20 punching bags, plenty of fitness equipment and a yoga room opened four months ago.
“My family owns the property and we had a restaurant here, but when that closed I teamed up with Matthew to turn it into a gym,” Chayanon says.
Each session covers seven areas – running, skipping rope, traditional ring etiquette and the paying of respect to your coach, and of course the striking techniques.
“We hired five trainers from various competitions and boxing camps to guarantee the quality of the lessons,” says Matthew. “The programme is made to be fun, but in just one hour you do a lot of exercise. About 90 per cent of our members come to lose weight, so the trainers offer advice about diet as well. And we offer training packages for foreigners that include accommodation.”
That’s what brought Australian Joe Lam to Khongsittha. “I love muay thai! It’s fun and a good workout. I’ll be staying in Bangkok for two and half months,” he says.
Wsuntra Sangkoolsree, a 16-year-old student, is a year into his training and plans to turn professional. He says it’s a blast and he’s made many new friends.
On the second floor of a shophouse on Rama IV Road, the Petchyindee Muay Thai Academy pulls in the neighbourhood office workers. Nuttadaj Vachirarattanawong and his brothers, the sons of well-known boxing promoter Petchyindee, opened the place in 2010.
It too is quite welcoming and fully equipped, also boasting a modern design – red and blue floor tiles, mirrored walls and windows overlooking the street. “We have four coaches who teach the basics, which is better than any short class at a fitness centre,” says Nuttadaj. Former pro Petchpayao Chovigo is in charge, setting up the lessons, including how to stand and move about to deliver blows for maximum precision and impact.
“We stress the exercise aspect because you have to use all parts of the body,” Petchpayao explains. “But muay thai can help you protect yourself too.”
In Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district, Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness is a combined fitness centre and muay thai school owned by noted promoter Bunjong Busarakamwong.
“I turned this space in my boxing camp into a fitness centre eight years ago,” he says. “You can work out on the equipment and also learn Thai boxing with our trainers, all of them former fighters. They teach the basics as well as the different techniques you can apply to protect yourself.”
GET SOME KICKS
<< Jaroenthong Gym – 581 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39, Pracha-Uthit Road. Open daily from 10 to 9. Bt5,000 for 15 two-hour sessions; Bt8,500 per private class. (02) 539 3867, www.JaroenthongGym.com
<< Khongsittha Muay Thai – 3/42 Sukhonthasawat Road, Soi Lat Phrao 71. Open daily from 9 to 9. Bt300 to Bt6,000 per class. (091) 229 0088, “Khongsitthamuaythai” on Facebook
<< Petchyindee Muay Thai Academy – 1880/1-3 Rama IV Road. Open daily except Sunday from 7am to 8.30pm. Bt3,000 per private class; Bt3,500 a month in a group. (02) 655 8588, “Petchyindee MuayThai Academy” on Facebook
<< Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness – 99/8 Soi Boonthamamusom off Theparak Road, Samut Prakan. Open daily from 7am to 9pm. Bt300 to Bt14,000 per class. (02) 755 3329, www.FairtexBangplee.com
