Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and is commonly referred to as Thai Boxing. Muay Thai utilizes punches, kicks, elbows, and knees and is known for its devastating striking. The classes have a friendly and motivating atmosphere to help develop you both physically and mentally. Safety is a top priority at Boston Muay Thai and proper control is emphasized during training. To accommodate your busy schedule, we offer classes during the mornings, evenings, and on Saturdays. Children's and Teens classes are taught in the afternoon.

The Head Instructor for the Muay Thai Program is Steve Soriano. Steve is a former Muay Thai Champion whom effectively combines his ring experience and many years of teaching to effectively coach students in this ancient art. Steve received his training and certification from the former head instructor of Fairtex Muay Thai (Chandler, AZ). Steve continues his training by studying Muay Thai under various instructors in the U.S. and Thailand.

Assisting Steve in the training duties is Bill Newcomb. Bill has been training in Martial Arts his whole life and has been actively training and competing in Muay Thai for the last 10 years. Bill is the USKBA East Coast Champion in the Light Heavyweight Division and holds Instructor Certification from Fairtex Muay Thai.

Prior to training at Boston Muay Thai, Bill served in the Army with the 10th Mountain Division. The Gulf War Veteran is also a Defensive Tactics Instructor for the Department of Corrections.

Some noted accomplishments for Boston Muay Thai Academy since it opened it's doors in 1996:

• Current USKBA East Coast Muay Thai Champ
• #1 Ranked Professional Muay Thai Contender - Welterweight Division
• #1 Ranked Amateur Female - Muay Thai Rules
• Home to one of only a handful of Americans to compete in the famed Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok Thailand

A Typical Class at Boston Muay Thai Academy Consists of:

Cardiovascular Workout
Thai Boxing focuses heavily on a good cardio workout, which includes both aerobic and anaerobic activities. Heavy bag work and pad work are much like interval training because you are throwing kicks and punches with a lot of power while working on your endurance. Rope jumping is a mainstay of our classes and many of our students incorporate a 3-mile run into their workout as well.

Shadowboxing
Shadowboxing is excellent for balance, cardiovascular conditioning, and fine-tuning techniques. The moves used in shadowboxing are the same moves used in bag work, pad work, and in the ring. Being able to practice these moves against an imaginary opponent is one of the most crucial ways of understanding your opponent. You have the opportunity to set up defensive and offensive techniques while “examining” your opponent’s moves.

Techniques
Thai Boxing has many different styles and techniques, depending on each individual camp. Today you will learn various techniques including, punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and combinations. Practicing these techniques with a partner will help you learn body mechanics, reaction, and timing.

Bag Work
There is nothing like a good heavy bag workout to build and tone muscles, increase endurance, and relieve stress. Working against a heavy bag gives you resistance to your contact, making your body stronger. Wearing hand wraps and bag gloves, you can unload on the 7-foot pole bags or shorter hanging bags, as well as the uppercut bags and double-ended bags. Because Thai boxing involves the full use of the body, bag work includes how to throw a proper punch, elbow, knee, and Thai kick. Different combinations of these basic moves make the classes challenging and fun.

Pad Work
Doing Thai pad work in the ring is the closest you can come to fighting without actually fighting! Instructors use focus mitts, Thai pads and leg kick pads to simulate both defensive and offensive techniques used with an opponent. It’s a chance to engage in full contact. You learn how to correctly use offensive techniques, defensive maneuvers, and counters in a fast full contact manner on an opponent. Pad work also teaches timing, distancing, weight transference, balance, and a fighter’s attitude under a simulated combat situation.

Ab / Trunk / Back Workout
Tight abdominal muscles are a natural result of Thai boxing workouts, as are a strong back and an overall strengthening of the trunk. Bag work and pad work also contributes to a strong core. At the end of every scheduled class, you will find extensive exercises and standard crunches to medicine ball workouts. The emphasis on a strong core will result in a stronger body overall.

Sparring
Sparring is the ultimate workout, but it’s not for everyone. Although it’s not a required part of a Thai boxing workout, most students do like to “mix it up” a little with light sparring. Protective gear is worn in the ring, and students can choose “light contact” to harder contact for fighters. Sparring allows you to fully use all the skills being developed through shadowboxing, bag work, and pad work. The mental aspect of getting hit and hitting back is crucial to understanding the heart of Thai Boxing.

Boston Muay Thai Academy fighters continue to compete on a regular basis. Muay Thai classes are open to everybody; you do not need to compete to participate. Please call the academy to set up a free trial class.