by Don Heatrick
@donheatrick

Following the first part of this article, which discussed my thoughts on how much weight you can cut and why, this second part outlines my recommendations for how you cut.

As before, my approach is one of optimum fight performance, not maximum weight cut – read the first part if you’re not sure of the difference.

The Final Week Weight Cut

Muay Thai Weigh-in

We’ll pick things up at the week before the fight, your body composition is good and you’re looking to temporarily cut 2-3% of your body weight through mild dehydration for the weigh-in.

This can safely and easily be achieved by combining the following methods.

Overnight Dehydration

You’ll typically dehydrate by approximately 1-2% of your bodyweight overnight through perspiration and respiration, depending on the ambient temperature and humidity.

Also, an adult bladder can hold up to about 500ml or 0.5kg or fluid, so you’re morning toilet habits can also be factored in. All of this can be used as part of your fight cut strategy – but first you must measure it.

In the final week before the fight, weigh yourself every night before bed and again on waking (after a toilet trip, but before drinking or eating breakfast) and record the difference.

You can use this average overnight weight loss trend to predict what you’ll need to weigh when you go to bed the night before the fight, to wake up on weight.

Also, bear in mind that if you’re warmer at night you’ll sweat more. You can exploit this if the night before the fight you’re a little heavy, by wearing extra clothing to bed to amp up your overnight loss.

Just make sure you’re not so hot that your sleep is affected.

Final Week Nutrition Adjustments

Now is time to make sure the food that you eat doesn’t inadvertently cause you to store extra water, a mistake I’ve seen many times.

A sudden weight gain can only be a result of water weight. Sodium (salt) in your diet is usually the culprit.

Temporarily restricting your sodium intake in the final week can result in a short-term loss of fluid and a corresponding loss of 0.45 to 1.45kg of water weight. This short-term restriction isn’t likely to negatively affect health because your body has a large reserve of sodium in the bones.

Stay away from fast food outlets and other restaurants in the last week to keep your sodium intake low.

Also, lay off the processed foods, deli meats, cheese, frozen meals, isotonic energy drinks, salted crisps, rice cakes and nuts etc.

All of these can turn your body into a water jug, and each 500ml of water you carry in your body is another 0.5kg on the scales.

In the final week, make sure you consume enough calories to sustain your physical activity. But, consider your calorie requirements will reduce in the last week when tapering your training for a fight, as the duration/volume of your training should decrease while the intensity increases.

I’ve also personally found that reducing the amount of bulky carbohydrates (wholemeal breads, rice, pastas and potato with skins) in the final week, and targeting low residue carbs (such as white bread, white rice and mashed potato etc.)  helps reduce bulk in your diet too.

You should rest the day before the fight to allow your body to supercompensate, and therefore your energy requirements will be minimal and a reduction of food and water is okay.

Go very light on your evening meal – in fact, if possible try not to eat or drink after 4pm.

Weigh yourself before bed and then subtract the amount of weight you typically lose overnight. Will you be close to weight when you wake? Do you need to wear some extra clothes to bed to help lose a little extra?

Don’t underestimate the amount of fluid you’ll excrete as a result of pre-fight nerves – extra toilet trips are natural and will also help you make weight.

A Word of Caution

While we’re on the subject, NEVER use laxatives or diuretics to make weight.

You can seriously affect your fluid and hormone levels and not only completely screw up your performance, but also risk serious health issues.

Water loading also has no place in making weight for a same day fight. Both of these methods result in uncontrolled dehydration which cannot be stabilised before you fight – there’s no need to go there.

Last Minute Reduction

If you’ve followed all the steps and gone easy on the food and (especially) the drink on the day before the fight, then you should be on weight.

If you’re still over, your only option is to sweat the final weight off. Don’t exceed 2-3% of your body weight using this method, there can be fatal consequences – this is NOT an exaggeration. Combat sport athletes have died from water loss as little as 6.7% of body weight!

If you must use heat to reduce water weight, my preference is to submerge in a hot bath for 20-mins. This normally shifts the last bit if you’ve gone a little off track.

Although hot baths or saunas don’t demand physical exertion (as opposed to skipping in a sweat suit) and therefore leave a fighter less fatigued, it still takes it out of you. Heat places physical stress on your body – General Adaptation Syndrome.

Make the cut without resorting to heat stress if you can. It not only affects your subsequent fight performance less, but it removes the risks associated with increased body core temperature and fatal heat stroke.

Exercising in sauna suits is a killer. You are gambling, don’t do it. Please learn the lessons handed us from those like the late Jordan Coe and Jessica Lindsay.

Depending on what your weight is, you can either afford to eat and drink a little, or are strictly nil by mouth. Don’t go crazy if you can eat and drink something – the weight of what you eat will literally appear on the scales, e.g. a standard 200ml glass of water will add 0.2kg.

Next…

So now you should be feeling a little dry and hungry and have successfully made weight. Now it’s crucial to rehydrate and restock energy levels to as close to 100% as possible. 3 to 4 hours and counting, the clock is ticking…

In part 3 I share with you my methods to do this.

Every so often, an opportunity emerges that can redefine how we train, fight, and thrive.

Today marks one such epic day. The coveted Heavy Hitters Barebones program is swinging its doors open – a golden chance that surfaces just twice a year.

Heavy Hitters Barebones
0
0
0
0
Days
0
0
Hours
0
0
Minutes
0
0
Seconds

Why does this matter for every western Muay Thai enthusiast, fighter, or coach?

Why Heavy Hitters is Different:

Streamlined Efficiency: The life of a Muay Thai enthusiast, coach, or fighter, especially in the West, is brimming with demands. Heavy Hitters understands that. No need for endless hours. You need potent, impactful hours. This program is your answer.

Real-world Results: From enthusiasts in Australia to champions in the USA, the feedback is unanimous – Heavy Hitters changes the game. Take it from Paul Banasiak:

   “From broke and broken to moving and competing better than ever. Since working with Don 3 years ago, I haven’t had a single major issue. Don gave me the confidence that has translated itself into three straight knockout wins and a WBC title.”

Holistic Training: It’s not merely about more power in your punches or lasting longer. It’s about cultivating a body that’s nimble, powerful, and resistant to injuries.

Be Part of Something Greater: Beyond the program lies a fraternity, a global assembly of like-minded souls, all driven by the singular passion to redefine their Muay Thai boundaries.

If tales of triumph intrigue you, delve deeper into Jonathan Lane’s saga – from grappling with an ACL recovery amid fatherhood to clinching the MTA NSW State Title. His secret weapon? The Heavy Hitters program.

Seize your golden chance to embark on this Muay Thai odyssey. Remember, the doors to Heavy Hitters Barebones will shut on Dec 31st and won’t swing open again until April 2024. But here’s the silver lining – even if you’re not geared up to start immediately, you can reserve your spot in this cohort and initiate your journey whenever you’re primed.

Discover Everything About Heavy Hitters Here!

Loyalty Rewards: If you purchased either the S&C Accelerator or Minimum Equipment Program (or both) in the past, here’s the deal: Email me with your login username (email address), and I’ll send you a coupon code to take that amount off of your Heavy Hitters purchase. Commitment has its rewards!

Don Heatrick

Founder of Heatrick Strength and Conditioning

Don Heatrick is a family man from the UK, former mechanical design engineer, European Muay Thai silver medallist, former pro Thai boxer (ranked 4th in UK while aged 40-years), a Muay Thai coach, podcast host, and the go-to expert on Muay Thai performance training with over 25 years of coaching experience.

Don helps ambitious fighters and coaches take their game to the next level by bridging the gap between Strength & Conditioning, Performance Science, and Muay Thai.

Follow Don Heatrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donheatrick/

Donate
Want to help us invest even more in providing free content? …You can donate here

FREE VIDEO COURSE | THE SCIENCE OF BUILDING CHAMPIONS

The Science of Building Champions video series
The science of building a Muay Thai champion’s strength & conditioning, which results in…
  • Fastest possible short-term progress
  • Maximum long-term progress
  • More efficient movement patterns
  • Better technique
  • Relentless endurance (never gas out)
  • Reaching athletic potential as quickly and efficiently as possible (without wasting time on things that aren’t worth doing)
  • Free up more time for technical training AND life!
  • The Optimum 12-Week Fight Camp
GET INSTANT ACCESS NOW!