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Muay Thai Archives - Crawley Fitness

Oct 08
0

Ben Hodge Prepares for ‘King of Muay Thai 2014’

By | Competition Team, Martial Arts Clubs in Crawley | No Comments

Sparing at Lumpini CrawleyCrawley Thaiboxer – Ben Hodge – prepares for the biggest fight of his career on 25th October 2014 in Thailand.

Fighting as part of an 8-man tournament Ben will face Antoine Pinto (France), Saiyok (Thailand), Alka Matewa (Belgium), Sen Bunthen (Cambodia), Michael Corley (USA), Hiroki Nakashima (Japan) and Millad Farzad (Austrailia) the 26 year old plumber from Crawley has been training daily at the Lumpini Thaiboxing club in Manor Royal.

Late last year Ben travelled to France where he beat the WMF World Champion Yohan Lidon with a cut at super-middle weight (a weight division above his normal fighting weight).

With only two weeks until the Kings of Muay Thai show — Ben has been training six days a week and up to twice a day (in addition to working a full-time job) in preparation.

The 8-man tournament is carried out over three stages with the winners going through to the semi-final and the winners of that meeting in the final.

Then in December Ben fights Priya Sumalee from Thailand in Southampton.

To find out more about training in Crawley you can call the gym on 01293 552 511.

Sep 15
0

About Our Kids Muay Thai Classes

By | bullying, Kids Martial Arts, Teens Martial Arts | No Comments

A parent came in last week looking for martial arts classes for her 9 year old son.Kids Muay Thai Kickboxing

He’d tried many traditional martial arts in the past — mainly Karate — and was looking for something a little more hands on.  I wasn’t quite sure what she meant by hands on.

Did she mean something a little more physical and practical or did she mean a class where the kids sparred against each other?

Just to be sure, I asked her.

With more traditional styles of martial arts kids learn a lot of techniques by rote.  They copy, they repeat.  They work in traditional lines (we do too) and spend a lot of time learning set patterns called Kata in Karate, Forms in Kung Fu and Patterns in Tae Kwon Do.

Her son wanted something more hands on in the practical sense.

He wanted something more physical where he wasn’t just learning martial art techniques, he was using them.  He wanted to punch the pads and kick the pads (not just the air).

Of course I’m biased, but our classes are perfect.

The kids learn the exact same techniques the adults do and they train the same too.  In the same way that kids learn the same gymnastic movements that adults do, in the same way that kids learning tennis learn the same techniques that the professionals do and in the same way that kids learn to play the same game of football that adults do…

We teach kids the same martial art we teach to our adults.

But  like gymnastics, tennis and football we focus on teaching them the basics and fundamentals first.

That includes sparring!  Gasp!  Yes, sparring.

Although our kids Muay Thai classes a) are always supervised b) it’s only for kids with basics and c) they were full protective equipment and d) the most important bit – there is no head contact.

And they have a blast sparring.  Putting their techniques into practice under the watchful eye of our team of instructors.

As you can see from the picture above – we’ve a great bunch of kids, boys and girls of all ages.

From age 4 through to 7, then 8 through to 12 and a teens only class.

It means our classes are always age appropriate, the little kids class is more relax while we can push the teens to work up a serious sweat and get seriously fit too.

If you’d like to find out more about our kids martial arts classes and Kids Muay Thai Classes then simply call us on 01293 552 551 or enter you name and telephone number in the enquiry for on this page.

We’ll give you a call back and arrange your child’s first lesson.

See you in they gym!

 

 

Jul 11
0

Getting Kids into Martial Arts

By | Kids Martial Arts | No Comments

I’m a massive fan of martial arts.

I know I’m biased but I’ve experienced it and I’ve seen it – over and over again.

I’ve see kids (and adults) come out  of their shell, grow in confidence and watch people start to like themselves all courtesy of that feeling and sense of achievement you get from martial arts.

There’s something very different about martial arts when it comes to learning about discipline and respect.  Sometime that’s often lacking in modern team sports (I’m thinking football in particular) as parents roar from the sidelines, shout at the referee and the kids emulate their favourite players with diving and dissent.

Like I said – I’m biased – plus I wasn’t a great football player at school and “Yes” I know that not all parents or children are like that – Alan

Kids Muay Thai Private LessonYesterday I had a lesson with Kira who’s been coming on leaps and bounds during her time here and who promised to go light with me when we sparred during here private lesson yesterday.  There was no head contact – I needed to make sure I had a fighting chance of surviving 😉

One of the nicest things about getting kids into martial arts is that I have a chance to help and guide them.  And while I can never overwrite the lessons they learn from their parents I can be a positive role model for them.

Plus I’m proud to know that I’m helping the next generation of Muay Thai enthusiasts, fighters and – one day – instructors.  I’m helping to shape my future replacements and – fingers crossed – they’ll be better, stronger, nicer, more helpful and surpass me.

So Kira – well done, keep up the good work and YOU are the next generation of Muay Thai!

You can find out more about our Kids Martial Arts classes HERE

 

Apr 12
0

Good Luck Janey & George Fighting in Leeds…

By | Competition Team | No Comments
Crawley Fighters George and Janey relaxing after their last training session

Crawley Fighters George and Janey relaxing after their last training session

Thaiboxing Fighters: Janey and George Beach travel to Leeds today as part of the Lumpini Fight Team to compete on the HGH Show in Leeds.

The HGH Show promoted by Liam Harrison and Andy Howson of Leed’s Bad Company Thaiboxing features fighters from across the UK and Ireland.

The Crawley duo both fought in Coventry last month bringing home two winners medals to the Manor Royal gym, Janey winning on a majority decision and George stopping his opponent in the 2nd round to win by Technical Knockout (TKO).

Training hard for the since their last fights on the 2nd March, the two have been in the gym at the Crawley Martial Arts Academy 5-6 days per week as they get themselves in peek physical condition and sharpen their techniques for their next outing.

George squares up for bout number 5 against Tobbins Gym’s Scott Thorpe while, mum of two, Janey fights home fighter Naomi Ridley.

The fight team leave today for Leeds where they’ll weight in tomorrow to check their weights before they make their final preparations.

Both fights will be under ‘C’ Class Muay Thai rules which allow punches and kicks to the head with knees and elbows only allowed to the body.

The 5 x 1.5 minute contest will be a sprint from the start with George and Janey looking to keep their winning streak and make the gym proud.

We wish them both the best of luck and will up date everyone with the results next week!

Jan 08
0

Martial Arts Clubs in Crawley

By | Kids Martial Arts, Martial Arts Clubs in Crawley | No Comments

If you’re looking for Martial Arts Clubs in Crawley you might be surprised to know there’s a very diverse array of clubs around the area.

More than you see advertised and many more than you’ll find on a simple “Google” search.

From the Chinese Arts (Kung Fu Schools and Styles) like Wing Chun, Preying Mantis, Japanese Arts like Judo, Karate, Ju Jitsu and Ninjitsu through to the more modern combat sports and self-defence systems.

Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Western Boxing and Submission Wrestling.  Arts made popular by events like the UFC and through the Mixed Martial Art (MMA arena).  And there are plenty of others styles tucked away in Crawley’s school halls, at the K2 Leisure Centre and at Tilgate Huts where we were once based.

There are loads to choose from… so where do you start?

Picking the Right Martial Arts Club

First is it for you?  Or is it for your kids?

If it’s for you the biggest and most important question is why do you want to start training?  Is it for fitness, to learn self-defence or master a martial art?  Are you looking to complete, earn your Black Belt or — maybe — it’s just something you always wanted to do but never got ’round to?

If fitness is your primary concern then a sports based martial art should be a priority.  Ideally an art with a competitive element (even if you don’t intend to compete) simply because they will push members to train hard, work up a sweat and get in great shape.  Even if you don’t want to compete you’ll be training as hard as those who do and reap all the rewards without any of the pressure!

For self-defence, perhaps a traditional or simple style.   Wing Chun is a practical style of Kung Fu taught in Crawley or perhaps look into one of the styles tried and tested in the ring and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) arena.  Muay Thai for the punches, kicks, knees and elbows, Boxing for the hand-speed and physcial condition and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) for the grappling and ground side to things.  Many self-defence experts say 90% of fights go to the ground… so the ground game should be part of your arsenal.

And if you just want an interesting hobby with a philosophical edge then a more traditional route is likely to be your best bet.  Don’t necessarily count on the art  for self-defence or expect extreme physical fitness but the roots of many more traditional arts are deeply embedded in Eastern religious philosophies.  One of the exceptions being Muay Thai which has strong roots Buddhism with each and every fighter performing a ritual showing thanks and respect to their parents and teachers before fighting.

Choosing a Kids Martial Arts Class

The first question is and always will be your child’s safety.  The environment they’re in, the techniques they will be learning and — of course — the instructors teaching them.

So choosing a professionally run martial arts school with friendly gym or club that encourages parents to watch classes is paramount.