Fighter Training Twice A Day – Coach’s Quick Chat!

Talking about fighter training twice a day… If it’s needed, how to organise S&C training around your Muay Thai training to best effect, and which sessions to drop when you’re in a pinch!

Also, check out my two-part video series deep dive into scheduling your most productive training week in the further resources below…

Don Heatrick · Muay Thai Performance Coachby Don Heatrick
@donheatrick

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Video Summary

The Bare Minimum for Significant Progress

To achieve optimal progress, a fighter should aim for at least two resistance training sessions and one cardio session per week. These sessions form the foundational pillars of a well-rounded training regimen. Integrate Muay Thai training wherever possible, emphasizing the importance of this martial art’s technical and physical aspects. The bare minimum structure provides a robust base, but additional cardio sessions can further enhance your conditioning.

Structuring Training Twice a Day: Top and Tail Strategy

For fighters training twice a day, it’s essential to structure sessions effectively to avoid diminishing returns. The ideal arrangement is to schedule resistance training in the morning and Muay Thai in the afternoon or evening. This separation helps ensure that the benefits of strength work aren’t negated by subsequent sessions, allowing the body to recover and adapt appropriately. If adding cardio, consider scheduling it on a different day or at a different time to minimize interference.

Combining Cardio with Muay Thai

On days where training twice a day includes both cardio and Muay Thai, careful scheduling is crucial. Since Muay Thai itself serves as a form of cardio, particularly focusing on power endurance, it can complement cardio sessions. However, space these sessions apart—preferably by an hour or more—to optimize the benefits of each. This setup allows for sufficient recovery time and maximizes performance during each training segment.

Balancing Limited Training Time

For those with limited time, prioritize Muay Thai sessions alongside a couple of resistance training sessions. While cardio is valuable, the unique demands of Muay Thai offer significant conditioning benefits. The key is to maintain a balance that respects your time constraints while still promoting comprehensive development.

Final Thoughts and Actionable Advice

Maximize your training by structuring your sessions thoughtfully. Start with a solid foundation of two resistance training sessions and one cardio session per week, adding more as your schedule permits. When training twice a day, separate your workouts to ensure each session is effective. Always prioritize quality over quantity, and remember to listen to your body to prevent overtraining.

muay thai performance scorecard

Plan Smarter Training

Smart training plans start with knowing your current capabilities.

The 5-minute Performance Scorecard shows:

✓ Your baseline physical attributes that need development
✓ Which areas require priority in your periodisation
✓ How to structure training based on your individual needs

Take the free assessment to build training plans that address your specific performance gaps—not someone else's.

Don Heatrick · Muay Thai Performance Coach

Don Heatrick

Founder of Heatrick Muay Thai Performance

Don Heatrick is a Level 4 Strength & Conditioning Coach and former pro Muay Thai fighter who helps practitioners turn limited training time into real Muay Thai performance gains.

With 25 years of Muay Thai coaching experience and an engineering background, he creates systematic, science-backed Muay Thai performance programs that cut through the confusion and deliver real progress without burnout. Learn more about Don’s approach →

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