Boxing or Muay Thai?

[Sweet Lew]

Originally Posted by David Kless

I would think one could get more from Muay Thai, because it utilizes knees, kicks, elbows, tie-ups etc..giving you more tools to work with. For self defense/street encounters I'd have to give it the slight edge because of all the offensive tools it gives you (attacker grabs you, you clinch and knee) (attacker gets close you forarm smash his face). For mma it's without a doubt the best in my opinion.

Do they teach footwork, head movement and such as extensively in Muay Thai as in boxing?

[Rather Unique]

Originally Posted by chino0503

boxing... because that kicking shit is cheating

lol.

imo advantages to the two:
MT: conditioning, versatility (all-around striking), leg/hip flexibility, shin conditioning
Boxing: better head movement, quickness, better punching (duh! I know)
I think most other things, such as core strength, are constant between the 2.

I remember when I first started MT I switched to a southpaw stance because the hardest 2 things for me were the front thai kicks and front push kicks, which requires either the switch step or stepping out with your rear leg. After switching back to orthodox this helped kicks with my left leg feel much more natural. I would recommend that if you are having similar problems.

Don't get discouraged, focus on technique and stretch often for flexibility.

[Rather Unique]

Originally Posted by Sweet Lew

Do they teach footwork, head movement and such as extensively in Muay Thai as in boxing?

footwork, yes.
head movement is different because you cant lean as much in MT compared to boxing. you are more susceptible to kicks, knees and clinches when your weight is off-balance.

[Green Poncho]

Originally Posted by BjjRai

BTW, how would a normal Muay Thai class be taught?

Mine starts of with
300 jumping jacks
4 sets of 25 push-ups
4 sets of 100 crunches
Running around the gym for 10 minutes
Pair up with someone and hit pads or heavy bag
Sparring

All in that order from 8pm-10pm

Not sure if that's how every other Muay Thai gym trains

Anyone one at your gym have any problems completing any of that?

[woohooguy]

I hate that they dont teach you much headmovement in muay thai, unless ur coach has a strong boxing experience. my coach is pretty much a pure MT guy.
as far as i know, head movement is way better than blocking and it will make you a versatile fighter.
in response for MT being used on street situation. MT isnt all about low kicks. elbows and knees are just as important, not only devastating but elbows dun break as easily as your fragile fists..

[Jaxx]

Self defence - Boxing because less is more. Keep it simple and just punch people in the face = problem over. Boxing always looks for the KO.

MMA - Boxing because grappling effectively counters many of Muay Thai's weapons. Kicking leaves you open for takedowns and wrestling tie ups are used more in MMA. Again most fights end with a punch to the face.

[Pro Killer]

Originally Posted by BjjRai

Which is better to learn?
I ask because I like both and am currently taking Muay Thai and I'm not too into it and like to take up Boxing instead, however I don't know which is better.

So basically you say you like both... then you Say your not too into your Muay Thai training meaning you probably found it too hard after the first couple of times (Like anyone doesnt!!!) and are thinking hmmm I might as well try Boxing as theres less to do and its probably about 5% easier as I wont have to kick and those a tiring!!
(sorry Im just off on a detour now, Fucking love the Evony advertisement at the side of the screen!!!)
Anyway yea so You'll probably start and quit Boxing as its almost as tough as Muay Thai so you maze well not bother and start something like Tai Chi!

[DrBdan]

Originally Posted by BjjRai

BTW, how would a normal Muay Thai class be taught?

Mine starts of with
300 jumping jacks
4 sets of 25 push-ups
4 sets of 100 crunches
Running around the gym for 10 minutes
Pair up with someone and hit pads or heavy bag
Sparring

All in that order from 8pm-10pm

Not sure if that's how every other Muay Thai gym trains

That seems pretty standard. Here's roughly what I did yesterday:

- skipping, sprawls, push-ups, sit-ups ~20 minutes
- pad work ~ 20 minutes
- clinch work ~ 20 minutes
- sparring ~ 30 minutes

It was a fairly light class since we have in-house fights on Friday.

What are your goals? Compete in boxing/Muay Thai? MMA? A fun way to stay in shape? self-defence?

[kickboxing_fan1]

Doesn't anyone do the quirky MT warmup? All of the bouncing your leg off the ground like a hot potato to simulate checking a leg kick and all of that stuff so you don't do any wasted movements.

[PalatialGabe]

I prefer Muay Thai to Boxing, but that's just me, I like learning techniques with the knees and elbows, but that's just me. My class looks like this:

5 min. Jump Rope
5 min. Shadow Box
Partner up, one side focus mitts/Thai Pads, one side Boxing gloves
Boxers work combos (4-count punches, Kick techniques) for a 5-min round, and switch
Burnout with round kicks at the end usually (10x as fast as you can followed by 10x as hard as you can) for 5 min.

Each class is never the same though. I think the hand technique in Muay Thai is as effective as traditional boxing is.