So, you’ve been bitten by the travel bug and can’t resist the lure of distant lands, exotic foods, and getting to work from beachside cafes? The digital nomad lifestyle can be pretty interesting, but it does make it harder to keep up with your Muay Thai training.
Luckily, Muay Thai has gained popularity in the past few decades, partly thanks to the rise of mixed martial arts. Finding a Muay Thai gym, especially if most of your travels are centered around Southeast Asia, Western Europe, or Brazil, shouldn’t be an issue, so there’s no need to let your skills deteriorate just because you enjoy traveling around and enjoying new environments.
Muay Thai Training Tips For Digital Nomads
Balancing your nomadic lifestyle with your Muay Thai training might seem like trying to perform a flying knee while juggling tennis balls, but it’s doable. Your training can even provide some structure that allows you to get the most out of your travels.
Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to train Muay Thai while transversing the globe:
1) Scout Potential Training Grounds
Always plan ahead by selecting potential gyms and outlining your criteria, particularly when exploring a new gym. Remember, Google is your best friend!
Start searching for potential Muay Thai schools before finalizing your travel plans. You want to train somewhere close to where you’ll stay, so getting to class doesn’t feel like an adventure.
Google search is your best buddy for narrowing down potential gyms at your destination. You can also use social media sites like Facebook to check out reviews from other students.
If Thailand is your destination, explore some of the training packages gyms offer there. People traveling there for the express purpose of learning Muay Thai is so common that the Thai government now issues “Muay Thai visas.”
Some Muay Thai gyms provide room and board to their international students at reasonable prices, so check out some of those deals to see if they work for you.
Once you’ve decided on a place to train, reach out to them and let them know your plans and how long you plan to stay. They might have some special training package for travelers, so let them know you’ll only be around for a short while.
2) Choose The Right Gym
When training overseas, choose a gym that meets your needs and is welcoming to newcomers to ensure a pleasant and positive experience.
All Muay Thai gyms don’t have the same approaches to training, so do your research before signing up for classes. Some gyms are tailored for professional fighters with fighting experience, while others are geared for beginners and tourists who don’t plan to compete.
Figure out which type of school suits you best based on your experience level before committing to any gym. Remember, you’re there to train while enjoying your travels, so don’t hesitate to find a place to train if the gym you find is unwelcoming or too intense.
You should also consider the amenities offered when looking for a Muay Thai gym. For example, if you also plan to lift weights regularly, you should look for a Muay Thai gym with fully stocked exercise areas.
3) Figure Out What To Do About Your Gear
Digital nomads often prefer to travel light, sometimes only with a backpack. Packing all your Muay Thai gear runs contrary to that. Muay Thai gear like gloves and shin guards can be quite bulky, but, fortunately, most gyms have spare gear students can use.
Some of the essential training gear you might want to pack with you include:
- Muay Thai Shorts: You need a few pairs to train in, so you don’t have to do laundry after each class. You’ll be sweating a lot while training, so wearing a pair of shorts more than once isn’t an option if you don’t want to be known as the smelly new student.
- Hand Wraps: Bring a few pairs of hand wraps with you. They don’t take up much space.
- Gloves: You can borrow gloves to train with, but consider taking yours if you don’t like the idea of putting your sweaty hands in gloves others have put their sweaty hands.
- Shin Guards: These are just as bulky as gloves, but if you’re attached to your gear, consider bringing them along. They’re still small enough to fit into any backpack or suitcase.
- Mouthguard: You should always wear a mouthguard when training, so bring yours along.
- Hygiene Essentials: Staying clean is non-negotiable if you train Muay Thai, so bring some antibacterial soap and deodorant with you.
- Extras: Add a water bottle, skipping rope, and a small towel to dry off while training.
4) Make Friends, Not Just Training Partners
Muay Thai gyms are great places to form lifelong friendships. Arriving early to class or socializing with your training partners after training can help you get to know them better!
Muay Thai gyms are typically closely-knit communities where friendships are built as you sweat buckets. Get to know your training partners by hanging out after classes and socializing with them.
Your experience living in the area will be significantly improved by some of the new friends you make at the gym who can give you tips on the most fun places to visit and where to get the best local cuisine. You’ll feel less alone during your travels thanks to the buddies you make while training. You might even get a date.
5) Follow Gym Etiquette
When training overseas, it’s crucial to respect gym etiquette and mind your manners. Making a good impression on your training partners is important since you’ll be working with them for an extended period.
This is a no-brainer for most people, but it’s worth pointing out. As a new student in a gym, you mustn’t ruffle any feathers at the gym. Little things like showing up late to class or challenging instructors to sparring matches can leave a bad first impression on your new training partners and instructors.
Respect is the universal language of all martial arts, so leave your ego and attitude issues behind when you board the plane. Bringing a positive attitude to your new gym will lead to your training partners reciprocating your energy.
6) Balance Your Work, Training, And Fun Activities
Living the digital nomad life is all about balancing work with what makes you happy! It’s essential to create a structure that supports your work-life balance.
The digital nomad lifestyle is about getting the most out of life, so come up with a schedule that allows you to train, get all your work done, and explore your new surroundings.
Structure is your best friend regarding work-life balance, so instead of freestyling your days, devise a schedule that maximizes your time.
Muay Thai Training Is Compatible With Your Digital Nomad Lifestyle
Training Muay Thai as a digital nomad allows you to learn how different regions approach the art of eight limbs. Your training will keep you in excellent physical shape and give you many opportunities to connect with locals. So, safe travels and have fun training!
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