Fight Geek

It's the Training that's Important

Training in Thailand

As far as Muay Thai Camps go, Tiger Muay Thai is pretty well off. That's partly because they cater to a lot of farang (foreigners) and partly because they are quite successful fighting-wise. That being said, they don't waste their money on excessive equipment and gear. They aren't afraid to use old tyres as a kick bag (see pic), or the road out front as a sprinting track, or a pole with a thai-pad taped onto it as a kick-shield. For these dudes, it's the training that's important, not having the latest high-tech kit, the most expensive gear, or designer-label workout clothes. I couldn't agree more (one look at my dress sense puts this issue beyond doubt!)

I think a lot of people confuse consumerism with contentment. When it comes to working-out they aren't happy unless they've got the latest equipment, supplements, programs, clothing, shoes, coaches, music, goals and swanky gym memberships. It's sad that the fitness industry has fundamentally confused people into thinking that 'having the latest stuff' is crucial to enjoying a work-out. It's not.

Sure we need a fitness industry, I just wish they'd focus more on the joy of fitness rather than the greed of industry.

So my advice is—get out there and train with what you've got. It's the training that's important—learn to love it, and I guarantee you it'll have a greater impact on your health, fitness and well-being than any 'stuff' you can buy!

Manny Pacquiao Defeats David Diaz

If you're a regular here you'd know I'm a bit of a Pacquiao fan-boy. I know Diaz isn't one of the stronger champs at light-weight, but he's no chump. And Pacquiao fair-spanked him for nine rounds—Beautiful to watch :)

DIY Obstacle Course

I love obstacle courses. And I like how this dude has set out his own home-made circuit. His execution could be a little better though :)

MMA Fight Weekly

Keg Training

Hugh Hefner on Boxing

MMA Live 7

Recovery via Fondling

Training in Thailand

Next up on the Thailand learning-agenda is recovery. At Tiger Muay Thai I was confronted with mucho training—three hours in the morning, three hours in the afternoon, a couple of runs per day and a private lesson on top of that. I managed to do the lot a few times, but most days I skipped either a morning or evening session, or a run.

Every session I went to I found challenging. I nearly hurled a few times (particularly in the first week I was there). A lot of the problem was due to the heat, but even once I adjusted, it was still difficult on the body because I'd up the intensity.

Luckily I had a secret 'recovery' weapon—Thai massage. After the morning session I'd walk down to the local spar and take a one or two hour massage ($10 or $15 AU). The effect was amazing. Sometimes I'd be literally staggering down to the spar with one or both of my legs spasming. After an hour or two of getting pressed, prodded, pulled and poked, I'd walk back to the camp with a spring in my step.

The poor massage ladies certainly earned their money with me. I kept telling them to go 'hard' and 'strong'. They'd often stop and ask if they were hurting me—I lied of course :)  I was actually amazed at the strength of some of the ladies, particularly the older ones. They really know how to hurt a fella—in a delicious, stop/don't-stop kinda way.

I've actually got a bit of experience at chinese massage (well, within a injury/fighting context), but I found Thai massage to be far superior (both theoretically and practically). From my warped perspective I sorta see Thai Massage as 'western' massage + BJJ + muay thai. By that I mean it's got body and limb locks (like BJJ) and it uses elbows, knees and shins (like muay thai). If that's not a winning combination I don't know what is!

The dude I took private lessons with—Master Max—showed me some massage techniques he called 'boxing massage'. It was a cut-down version of Thai massage. His English wasn't very good (and my Thai is crap!) but I think he was trying to say that massage is the best way to cool-down a fighter after a training session. I didn't need convincing! I've all ready started learning it.

:)

Sandbag Stair-climbing

My training partner, Brendan, just recently made a 50kg sandbag. I've got the perfect stairs in mind for it's first workout :)

Via Hood Workout.

One Armed Kickboxer

I thought the drummer from Def Leppard had a lot of determination! I'll never whinge about my poor eye-sight screwing-up my muay thai ever again! And what a great KO!

Via Straight to the Bar.