Beginner’s Workout Series: Muay Thai

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.

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!” 

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!”

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.”

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.”