To become a stronger fighter, you must use resistance training correctly... Historically, old-school fight coaches claimed that weight training makes fighters big and slow. But that’s only true if you use resistance training poorly. When used in the right way, weight training can either make you much stronger WITHOUT getting any bigger, or both [...]
Understanding exactly why a big fighter isn’t always stronger is crucial for fight performance. It explains why some fighters perform well in their weight class and others don’t, and informs how you can best train to dominate your weight class too. As we’ve seen in the previous two videos, it’s speed that kills! However, [...]
Continuing our look at who hits harder, now we consider fighters in different weight classes and the effect this has on the physics of striking! The last episode, “Fat Loss: Who Hits Harder, Big Or Fast?” created some fantastic points of discussion. And shone a light on some areas of confusion too. In this [...]
When it comes to fat loss, ever wondered who hits harder, BIG or FAST? Toni did when he asked… "I have a question regarding weight loss and punching power. Let's imagine we have 2 genetically identical fighters... Muay thai fighter 1 weighs 90 kg but is physically less muscular and fat. Muay Thai fighter 2 [...]
One thing’s for sure, delayed onset muscle soreness is part of a fighter’s training – especially when you head out to Thailand to train! But… Is delayed onset muscle soreness the sign of a good training session? How can you avoid being too sore? Should you train if you’re really sore? How can you [...]
Father Time waits for no man, and if you haven’t already felt how getting older affects your Muay Thai, it’s a certainty you will. In this episode, I’ll look at what you need to do to keep doing what you love (Muay Thai) and remaining badass for the rest of [...]
For many fighters, bodyweight training only serves as muscular endurance training – multiple rounds of upward of 10 reps per exercise. This approach develops endurance, or “conditioning”. It doesn’t touch the neuromuscular system that’s developed in resistance training sessions targeting strength, power, and speed. And in missing this, fails to [...]
Some big questions this week! In this episode of the Q&A I'm asked... What is better for the longterm progression and why? MAS or Main Conditioning from Heavy Hitters? Warm-up protocols to stimulate greater neural drive? Training at home and having trouble with loading [...]
One of the kings of bodyweight exercise, the push up, is often practiced with poor form. Form that translates into your straight punches, particularly as you get tired. Fighters know that rotating the fist too early results in chicken winging, the elbow prematurely flaring out. And that this not only [...]
Fat loss is a huge issue for Muay Thai enthusiasts of all levels. Not just cutting weight temporarily for one fight, but a long-term change in body composition – losing all unnecessary fat, so the body has only what’s useful for the highest performance. And of course, looking great is [...]
"What Muay Thai strength and conditioning equipment do I need?" I'm asked this a lot! You don't need lots of equipment, or even expensive equipment to follow a world class strength and conditioning program. And I've boiled it down to these "must have" items. Collect these, and there really is nothing holding you back, except [...]
Mariusz posed a few questions, wanting to know about common injuries in Muay Thai training (not fighting) and what to do to check and correct the causes; muscle building (hypertrophy) training for Muay Thai fighters; and eating allergies/intolerances. So here's another dog-walk talk, where I take the opportunity to chat through some ideas while out [...]
I got the chance to talk Muay Thai nutrition with Sam Miller, founder of SBG Nutrition, and we certainly cover some ground in this Podcast interview. Sam candidly shares his experience working in person with Thai boxers at Sumalee Gym in Phuket, and online with fighters from around the word, along with regular 'health' clients. We [...]
As a Muay Thai and strength and conditioning coach, you may expect that I'm focused on body weight goals for my clients. But I'm not. I really don't care what you weigh. Apart from making weight for a fight, scales aren't a big player in my assessment of your progress. Too much is made [...]
There's certainly a lot of opinion when it comes to muscle mass and Muay Thai. In this brief post I hope to clear up some of the confusion and help you steer your training in the direction you want, whether that's putting on muscle or keeping it off! Even using identical exercises, resistance training [...]
Do you want to increase strength and power, while torching body fat too? Here's a two-sessions per week programme (used on non-consecutive days) that not only improves body composition, but also builds athletic ability. Each session consists of two circuits; firstly a short plyometric power circuit (speed), and secondly a power (speed-strength) and strength-endurance metabolic [...]
The video below introduces my strength and conditioning theory for Muay Thai seminar, and shares some info regarding strength and power training for athletic performance - not to be confused with bodybuilding! During the seminar, many myths will be busted — THIS WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU TRAIN. ...why do those video thumbnails always catch [...]
After explaining my reasons for selecting the exercises in session A of my 'Building Functional Muscle for Muay Thai' routine, here's the same for session B. To briefly re-set the scene, although weight training needn’t add unnecessary bulk (it depends on the intensity and the volume of lifts that you use), this routine does [...]
I was recently asked a great series of questions regarding substituting alternative exercises for some of the ones I'd put together in my previously posted functional strength and hypertrophy routine. As a result I thought I'd run though my exercise choices and explain why I've selected them. Strength and conditioning maybe the practical application [...]
Following over a months lay off from training due to a persistent illness, I’ve lost a lot of muscle. Stepping back on the scales I’m nearly 5kg lighter. My composition remains good, but I need to get my weight back were it was so I’m competitive in my weight category at 75kg max (day [...]
