| Traditional boxing the fighters are allowed to only use | | | | jabs. |
| their fists. Muay Thai boxing technique enables fighters | | | | By using Thai pads, a fighter not only develops power, |
| to use their hands, elbows, knees and feet to deliver | | | | but also practices the combination of hits needed to be |
| powerful blows to their opponents. Muay Thai has | | | | effective. Thai pads are used with a sparring partner |
| been a popular fighting style in Thailand and the | | | | also help to develop speed. A sparring partner can |
| Southeastern Asia for centuries. It is thought to have | | | | also help a fighter practice footwork. Sparring with a |
| roots in Chinese and Indian Martial Arts. Muay Thai | | | | partner gives a fighter experience much like a real fight |
| uses the concept of eight points of contact as | | | | without the chance of being seriously injured. Both |
| opposed to traditional boxing's two point contact with | | | | sparring partners wear protective gear and the power |
| fists only. This is why it is sometimes referred to as | | | | of the fight is kept lower than if it were an actual bout. |
| the Art of Eight Limbs. | | | | A fighter must be in the best physical condition no |
| To develop their kicks and jabs using their knee and | | | | matter which method of fight training he or she is using. |
| feet, a fighter uses a heavy bag during training. Much | | | | One of the most important aspects of Muay Thai |
| heavier than a traditional boxing bag, a bag used in | | | | boxing training is conditioning. Conditioning exercises |
| Muay Thai training gives a fighter the resistance | | | | include calisthenics, weight lifting, jumping rope, shadow |
| needed to develop power. Muay Thai bags come in | | | | boxing and medicine ball exercises. Conditioning not |
| many different weights and sizes depending on the | | | | only helps develop strength, but can help to increase |
| area of the body that is being developed. For example, | | | | endurance and flexibility. This enables a fighter to stay |
| a long bag to the floor is used to practice kicks. A | | | | powerful and have the ability to go the extra distance |
| shorter bag may be used to practice hand and elbow | | | | to win in the cage. |