Beginner’s Workout Series: Muay Thai

It’s important for Noor Haziqah Maslan to be up to date about the latest trends in Muslimah fashion. After all, as the marketing director of Four H Design, Haziqah leads the product development as well as the operations of the fashion company.

Each day, Haziqah splits her time between 6 branches of Four H Design in Klang and Shah Alam, managing a staff of 25 including tailors. “I spend quite a lot of time on social media, updating the website and social sites. It’s also how I came across Muay Thai - I was browsing Instagram when I found out that a friend had opened his own martial arts gym, Lekir Fitness and Martial Arts in Shah Alam.”

"I personally thought that Muay Thai as a sport is too extreme for women to do."

“The only thing that I knew about Muay Thai was Tony Ja! Plus, I personally thought that Muay Thai as a sport is too extreme for women to do.” However, curiosity got the better of Haziqah and she shares how she stepped her foot into the ring: “Location was a plus, because the gym was near to my house. Plus, the timing was good - all classes were scheduled in the evening or night, which is the only time of the day when I am free. I also found out that they have one of the most affordable classes in town - so I had even more reason to try it out!” 

Muay Thai is a cultural form of martial arts, which is also the national sport of Thailand. It’s also known as “the art of eight limbs”, as it incorporates the use of fists, elbows, knees, shins in the practice. Muay Thai classes are beginner-friendly but intensive in its drills and routines, often involving jabs, punches, kicks, clinching, and balancing.

Muay Thai is believed to help:

• Improve cardiovascular health, from the anaerobic workout
• Increase core strength as most of the movements directly impact the core (core stability workout) 
• Improve total body strength as even simple movements incorporate every part of the body

Over the years, martial arts like Muay Thai is not just practiced as a form of self-defense, but also seen as a way to stay fit and active as an exercise.

See also: Beginner’s Workout Series: Spin Class

Haziqah started with a women-only kickboxing classes for four months, before moving on to Muay Thai for more advanced training. “To be honest, I found Muay Thai to be really difficult - especially the warm up session. Who knew warming up could take 30-40 minutes?”

Despite grueling training sessions and sometimes rushing from work to class, Haziqah says the classes leave her rejuvenated. “Muay Thai is my way of releasing stress from a full day’s work. I always feel fresh and energetic after a class - it feels like I’ve punched and kicked out all my stress from the day. I’ll also feel a bit lighter the next day, more active and more awake!” 

"Muay Thai is my way of releasing stress from a full day’s work."

The camaderie at the gym is also a plus point: “One of the things that kept me going was the vibe of the gym, and the members. I really enjoyed that Lekir has a family gym concept, where the members treat each other like family and encourage one another.”

“Muay Thai taught me a lot of things. Endurance, patience, and commitment, for one. I also learnt that fitness isn’t a one-day transformation. It takes time and most importantly commitment to put in the effort, to get the return that you want. It took me almost a month to learn how to throw my punches correctly, but when I got it right, it was so worth it!”

"Muay Thai taught me a lot of things. Endurance, patience, and commitment, for one."

Going for Muay Thai consistently also had long term benefits for her fitness. “I felt myself becoming leaner after joining classes, and also built some muscle strength. It’s safe to say that I’m now addicted to kickboxing and Muay Thai.”

"To girls who want to join, but at the same time are too shy to try, just take that first step!"

For women who want to try this form of martial arts, but are too shy or concerned that it will be not suitable for them, Haziqah shares that it’s all about the mindset. “To girls who want to join, but at the same time are too shy to try, just take that first step. I myself first joined a class on my own with no one else to accompany me. Nothing is too masculine when it comes to martial arts.” 

References

http://www.arenafitnessmma.com.au/muay-thai-fitness-class/

https://thecoverage.my/lifestyle/top-8-martial-arts-for-self-defense-and-fitness-in-malaysia/

https://www.lesmills.com/workouts/fitness-classes/bodycombat/#/facType=modal&filterType=0&classes=bc

The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss, which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.