Are Kickboxing and Muay Thai the same thing?

Are Kickboxing and Muay Thai the same thing?

If you are thinking about trying Muay Thai or Kickboxing and want to understand their differences, this blog post is perfect for you! We will go over the main differences between Kickboxing and Muay Thai to help you choose which one is best for you to train with!

What is Muay Thai?

Muay Thai, also known as "Thai Boxing", is the national sport of Thailand and has its roots in military use in the 13th century Sukhothai Kingdom. It is often referred to as the "art of eight limbs" due to its use of eight points of contact, including punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes.

Muay Thai fighters, also called Nak Muays, undergo intense and extensive training sessions that include various activities such as jumping, running, shadow boxing, training with Thai pads and punching bags , clinching, sparring, cardio training and stretching, with meditation as a conclusion.

What is Kickboxing?

In the modern Western world, "kickboxing" usually refers to the American style that emerged in the 1970s. This type of kickboxing began as a fusion of karate and then evolved into what is known as "Full Contact." It is essentially boxing, but with the addition of kicks, which justifies the name kickboxing.

Recently, another form of kickboxing, known as K-1 kickboxing, has gained a lot of attention. This variant started in Japan in 1993 and has gained global popularity for its exciting format. Because of this, the older style of kickboxing has been overshadowed by the success of K-1.

Kickboxers focus on training that improves their fitness, coordination, and strength. Their workouts include activities such as jogging, weight training, working with pads/punching bags, and complex exercises to improve agility, speed, and reflexes.

Differences between Kickboxing and Muay Thai

Although Muay Thai and kickboxing share many similarities, there are also noticeable differences between them.

Kickboxing focuses primarily on using kicks and punches in a 4-point system, while Muay Thai expands this to an 8-point system by including kicks, punches, elbows, knees, and the "full" clinch.

Strikes in Muay Thai and kickboxing are different. In kickboxing, fighters learn a wide repertoire of more complex striking techniques, while Muay Thai often uses simple, powerful strikes that are not as technical as those in kickboxing.

Kicking techniques also differ. In Muay Thai, fighters primarily use the middle of the shin to kick, while kickboxing allows kicks to the foot, lower leg, or middle of the leg.

Finally, the attacking strategies differ between Muay Thai and kickboxing. Muay Thai fighters focus on patience and wearing down their opponent by attacking the same area repeatedly, while kickboxers use their footwork and angles to set up kicks and seek out finishes.

Choosing a sport

When choosing between Muay Thai and Kickboxing, it's important to consider your own goals, the availability of places to train, and your personal interests. Why not try both sports if possible to see which one suits you best?

Finding a club to train at

If you're looking for a club to train at, it's a good idea to read reviews and check out different dojos in your area to find the one that's right for you. Most clubs offer trial periods, giving you the opportunity to try out different classes and experience the community before you commit.

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