| I just read an interesting post on a website that listed | | | | are you training on concrete? If they do have mats, |
| 10 reasons you should choose your Muay Thai Gym. | | | | you may want to ask how often they are cleaned, as |
| This actually seemed more geared towards people in | | | | you don't want to get a skin infection. Finally, you want |
| the states picking a gym, as opposed to picking one in | | | | to find out what the student to trainer ratio is for the |
| Thailand, and since it was a gym that listed it on their | | | | camp. The better the ratio, the more one on one time |
| site, you can assume that they met all the qualifications | | | | you get with the instructors. |
| that they listed. lol. | | | | 4. Read Reviews (Good and Bad) - Do a Google |
| It is a good point though, that there are factors that | | | | search for the name of the camp you are considering, |
| people should consider when picking their gym. Unless | | | | followed by the word "reviews". Most camps will have |
| you have trained at the cam, or personally know | | | | a decent amount of reviews whether it be on |
| someone who has, you won't really know what to | | | | message boards, blogs, etc. Read ALL the reviews |
| expect when you arrive at the camp to train, or even | | | | you can, both the good and the bad. Don't ignore either |
| why you should pick Camp A over Camp B. | | | | because you already favor the camp. If someone has |
| Here are some good tips to consider when picking | | | | something bad to say, there is probably some truth to |
| your Camp. | | | | it. That shouldn't necessarily steer you away from the |
| 1. Time Vs. Money - For many people, one of the | | | | camp, but you may want to keep it in mind, so you can |
| biggest reasons they choose their camp is the price. | | | | address it if it happens to you. At the same time, if you |
| You may compare a couple different gyms, with one | | | | find 10 good reviews, and 1 or 2 bad reviews, the |
| being lets say 8000 baht, and the other being 10000 | | | | chances are it's a worth while camp. |
| baht. A lot of people will make the decision to go with | | | | 5. Contact The Camp - Contact the camp via email or |
| the cheaper gym, simply because of price. But what | | | | phone, and ask them any questions you have. They |
| you need to consider is time. Let's say the gym that's | | | | are the number one source and will give you the exact |
| 8000 only has 2 sessions a day, totaling 4 hours each | | | | answer. Also, if you contact them via email, and they |
| day, meanwhile the gym that costs 10000 has 2 | | | | respond, you have some writing from them that you |
| sessions, which are 3 hours each day. Essentially over | | | | can refer to should a problem arise. You can also tell a |
| the course of a month, you get more for your money | | | | couple things from this. If they respond quickly, and |
| with the gym that costs a little more, because you end | | | | thoroughly, then it is a good sign that they are well |
| up getting an addition 50 hours of training time. | | | | organized. You should also be able to tell how well the |
| However, you do have to ask yourself how much you | | | | office/administration staff communicates in English. |
| are planning on training. If 2 hours a day is enough for | | | | That is important as you could avoid any unnecessary |
| you, then go with the cheaper gym, and enjoy the | | | | miscommunications. |
| beach. If you are serious about your fitness, training | | | | 6. (Don't Just) Read The Website - This is almost a |
| and possibly fighting, than consider the gym that gives | | | | catch 22. You want to read the website, as it will give |
| you more time. | | | | you an accurate depiction of how organized and |
| 2. Location - This is extremely important. You have to | | | | professional the camp is. You would be surprised how |
| consider not only where the camp is, and your travel | | | | many Muay Thai Camp websites I have seen that |
| to the camp, but also what is around the camp. Are | | | | simply don't have their training prices or anything |
| you going to be able to fly directly into an airport with | | | | regarding accommodations on their site. Even if the |
| the camp a short taxi drive way, or do you have to | | | | camp itself doesn't have accommodations, they should |
| take a long bus trip or ferry ride to get to your camp? | | | | list local places on their site. If they do, they are making |
| What is even more important is what the camp is | | | | it as easy as possible for you to have a seemless, |
| located near. Are their food and pharmacies and other | | | | enjoyable experience. If not, it sends you a more |
| shops within walking distance? If not, you may have to | | | | negative depiction of the camp. |
| spend extra money on either renting a motor bike, or | | | | However, even a camp with a great website, may not |
| paying for taxis during your time there. Keep this | | | | necessarily be a great camp. I've seen websites that |
| potential extra expense in mind. | | | | are professionally done in a really nice Flash design, but |
| 3. Facilities/Trainers - If you have never been to a | | | | has limited facilities and very small clientele. There is an |
| camp before, you should try to look at pictures, or | | | | advantage in that, as it will give you more one on one |
| read a list of equipment they have at the camp. You | | | | time with the trainer, but it also limits you on things like |
| want to look for how many rings and heavy bags | | | | sparring and your social experience. With that being |
| they have. If they only have 1 or 2 rings, you may find | | | | said, as I stated above, do your diligence and research |
| yourself doing sparring or pad work outside the ring, | | | | the camp(s) that you are considering, beyond just their |
| due to space. You also want to find out if they provide | | | | website. |
| equipment for you to train with, or if you must provide | | | | I hope that information helps you out in your adventure. |
| your own. It could either mean you have to pack more | | | | If you have any questions or contacts please feel free |
| with you, or buy it when you arrive. Another thing that | | | | to visit my website. |
| is over looked are mats. Do the floors have mats, or | | | | |