 |
| Fights at the Thammasat University Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand |
Why do you want to do this? What's the purpose for you? If you're looking to just spend a week or two at a camp and come home, your goals are probably significantly different than someone looking to spend a more substantial amount of time at a camp. Whether you are a casual observer of the sport or a seasoned fighter, your goals will shape how you should plan your trip. Whether your goals be improved fitness, adventure, or getting a title shot, make a list of all of the reasons you want to go. After you've made your list, think about how much time and dedication to training it will actually take to reach those goals; despite popular belief inspired by many a montage, you won't go from beginner to pro in two weeks.
When can you go? How much time away from your other commitments can you take? When will you have money to invest in this endeavor? Is this a bucket-list plan that will happen a few years from now, or next month? Timing your trip around other things in your life can become the biggest challenge to taking the trip (aside from financing such an adventure).
Once you have that basic mental picture painted, it's time to consider more specific steps.
1. Research the Camps and Locations.
I began by looking up the gym that my Kru trained at, and that connection largely influenced my decision to train there. However, there are many, many, MANY (did I say many?) gyms to choose from. It's a veritable buffet of camps to look at; it is, after all, the birthplace and country of the sport. Many locals now capitalize on that fact and, to the delight of many a farang, camps seem to be everywhere, and with the competitive market comes competitive pricing for the experience. The overall message here? Shop.Around.For.The.Right.Camp.
 |
| Fairtex Camps - highly overpriced at nearly SIX TIMES the rate of any other camp |
Factors to Consider. Where in Thailand do you want to stay for the duration of your training? Do you want a pristine beach scene like Phuket or the humming big city life of Bangkok? There are camps all over Thailand to choose from, and many of them have websites with pricing and contact information. Many MMA/Muay Thai forums are teeming with reviews of the camps and tidbits of advice about each. Some gyms get a reputation for catering to tourists while some are known as less friendly. This part of the research is really up to you; comb through the information and decide what looks good according to your goals. Seek out people who have similar training goals as yourself who have trained in Thailand, and pick their brain. Here are some factors to consider in picking your camp and gym:
Price. Prices range from a few hundred dollars a month to the obscene rates at Fairtex. How much can you afford? Most gyms are very upfront with pricing and have it posted on their websites. As with anything in Thailand, keep in mind that if you haggle with them, you may get a sweeter deal than what's posted as the price.
Location. What kind of locale do you want to train in? Big city Bangkok? Near the beach? Do you want to stay in one camp the whole time, or hop around to a few different locations during your trip? Research what each city has to offer and decide which city/cities will fit your needs best, and that's one way to narrow down the list of which camp(s) you want to train at.
Reputation. Each gym has its own roster of champions and fighters, and each gym is usually known for something - be it a specific style of fighting, a certain regimen of training, catering to tourists, catering to locals, etc etc. This kind of information is hard to find without talking to people; talk to people who have trained at the gym(s) you're interested in. No one around who's been there? Check out the forums and blogs - there's plenty of information there. Try Sherdog forums or Muay Thai Focus to start. Also, many of the links at the end of this page have forums / discussion boards about the pros and cons of training in specific locations.
 |
| Cheaper Apartment Option at Eminent Air Gym, Bangkok |
.JPG) |
| Bungalow Room Option at Eminent Air Gym, Bangkok |
Personal connections to the gym. Do you already know people training at other camps? Consider the benefits of being around familiar faces when you're busting your ass and showing up on day one with at least someone you know will have your back. If you have such connections, use them. This is, of course, your journey - who you know should only be one factor in the decision of where to go. Perhaps striking out into the unknown is more your scene.
However you weigh these various factors in your decision, make sure you've thought it through before you move on to the next step of charting your journey: financing.
Here are some links to sites that have thoroughly categorized and reviewed many of the gyms in Thailand:
Stay tuned for Step Two - Financing Your Trip
No comments:
Post a Comment