| Be prepared, this is a long post. This took me a while | | | | Valentines Day. |
| to get around to writing this, mostly because I have | | | | I also took some private lessons in both Muay Thai |
| been busy with a bunch of issues since my return to | | | | and MMA. I did several sessions in Muay Thai with |
| the states, including health and job hunting. I also wasn't | | | | Ajarn Mac, who has over 40 years experience training |
| sure in what format I wanted to rate/review the | | | | teaching in Muay Thai. He was great to work with. He |
| camps I trained (will train) at. I think I finally decided on a | | | | showed me many techniques, and even showed me |
| Letter Grade method as opposed to a numbering | | | | some Muay Boran. I would definitely recommend taking |
| system. Here are the following categories I will rate the | | | | some private lessons with him, if you go. Also, a few |
| camps with: | | | | friends of mine did private lessons with Nazzee and |
| Facilities | | | | Rhet. They also had great energy, and I would |
| Trainers | | | | recommend them as well. Muay Thai private lessons |
| Training Routine | | | | at Tiger are an affordable 700 baht, and are between |
| Administration/Office | | | | 1 hr and 1 hr 15 mins. You can let the trainer determine |
| Accommodations | | | | what to work on, or you can tell them specifically what |
| Population/Student Body | | | | you want to work on and they will help you. |
| Website | | | | As for the MMA lessons, since Ray wasn't around, I |
| Intangibles | | | | worked with the second in command in the MMA |
| Overall | | | | program, Andreas Hasselbeck. Andreas has a lot of |
| Tiger Muay Thai | | | | experience in Grappling and was able to help me |
| Facilities - A+ | | | | round up a bunch of techniques. As I have said before, |
| The facilities at Tiger are by far one of the strengths | | | | Grappling is my weak point, and Andreas' instruction |
| of Tiger Muay Thai. The facility is top notch, including 6 | | | | was clutch. My friend Jordan and I split the class, so |
| Muay Thai Rings and 1 MMA Cage. I actually attended | | | | each of us paid 400 baht per session. That is the best |
| the camp right after the construction on 3 new rings, | | | | way to take an MMA lesson, because the instructor |
| including a new Beginners Training Area was | | | | can demonstrate on someone else why you watch, |
| completed. The new area featured a nice mirrored | | | | and vice versa. I believe Ray is back now, so you can |
| wall, and like all the training areas, completely matted | | | | currently take sessions with either Ray or Andreas. If |
| floors. The camp also has dozens of bags to work on, | | | | you don't have much experience in MMA or BJJ, taking |
| as well as a weight training area. In addition, there are | | | | some private lessons can catch you up to speed |
| plenty of areas to sit and relax during down time, such | | | | really quick. |
| as the Tiger Grill and the eating area, or the computer | | | | Administration/Office - C+ |
| area in front of the main office. The camp also | | | | This is another weak area for Tiger. All the office staff |
| features a pro shop (although it is a little pricey). | | | | are friendly, but not as helpful as I would have liked. |
| Honestly, there isn't much bad to say about the | | | | The basic impression I was left with was "This Is |
| facilities at Tiger. Tiger does an excellent job in allowing | | | | Thailand", and that's kind of the attitude everyone has. |
| for training areas for it's 3 different levels of the Muay | | | | What I found bad about that, is you have a camp |
| Thai program, as well as the separate MMA program, | | | | where 98% of your clients are Western, and the |
| and a Yoga class. | | | | owner is Western, I kind of felt that you should have a |
| Training Routine - A- | | | | Western way of doing business. Honestly, the camp |
| Each morning starts out with a 30 minute optional | | | | could probably benefit from a Western Office |
| technique class. The class is a great opportunity to | | | | Manager, to right the ship. I would accept that job, if it |
| learn and refine specific techniques including everything | | | | ever opens up. |
| from clinch work to defensive techniques and more. If | | | | I also had an additional problem with my |
| anyone is considering training at Tiger, I suggest taking | | | | accommodations. When I contacted the camp, I |
| this class. Following Technique class, you will skip rope | | | | specified that I wanted a room right at the camp. I |
| for about 20-30 minutes, and then go on to group | | | | wanted to be able to open my door and walk out and |
| stretching. After this, you wrap your hands, and then | | | | train every morning. When I arrived, there was not |
| start in a rotation of Bag/Pad/Sparring work. Usually | | | | room at the camp, so they arranged a camp down |
| you do each for anywhere from 3 to 5 rounds, 3 | | | | the road for me. I appreciate that they did it, and it |
| minutes each. In between each round was a | | | | turned out to be better accommodiations that I would |
| mandatory 10 pushups. You do this in a rotation so | | | | have had at Tiger, but I specifically communicated that |
| you'll do 3 rounds of bag work, then 3 rounds of pad | | | | my main goal was to be in housing on the camp. |
| work, then 3 rounds of sparring for example. Following | | | | Additionally, since I was not at the camp, I was unable |
| this, you'll do a specific technique on the bag, or with a | | | | to pay with CC, and had to pay with cash instead, |
| partner, for a set number of times. Examples are 200 | | | | which meant I had to get additional money wired in. A |
| kicks, 100 skip knees, etc. Sometimes they will vary this | | | | lot of this could have been resolved up front with more |
| and instead you will work technique such as a counter | | | | effective communication from the office. In fact, I did |
| to a kick. The session rounds down with 200-300 | | | | communicate back and forth with the office about a |
| sit-ups and 150 pushups, and then a group stretch. | | | | dozen times before my arrival, and I specifically asked |
| There are also option running class instead of | | | | questions regarding the use of CC and the cost for |
| technique class, and there is the option of taking Yoga | | | | my room and training. Once again, there was a couple |
| in the morning. The session lasts about 4 hours. | | | | other minor instances, but they are all things that can |
| The MMA program is slightly different. It starts later, | | | | be, and hopefully are corrected for the future. |
| and ends earlier than the Muay Thai. You end up | | | | Accommodations - B- |
| getting less fitness during the MMA, but much more | | | | I'm basing this score off 2 things, my off site |
| technique. The MMA opens up with a 30 minute warm | | | | Accommodations at The Nature House, and my |
| up and group stretch. From there, it's all about | | | | friends who housed at Tiger. I stayed at a place called |
| technique. The instructors will show a technique, and | | | | The Nature House. It was a 2 minute walk down the |
| then you practice it for 5 minutes, and learn another | | | | road. I would DEFINITELY recommend staying there. |
| technique, etc. This goes on for 40 minutes or so, and | | | | From what I understand most of the rooms at Tiger |
| in the end you run through them all again. Following this, | | | | are budget rooms with shared bathrooms. The Nature |
| you go live and get the opportunity to apply the | | | | House was great, 12000 baht a month, (about $400 |
| technique. Sometimes it's free for all rolling, while other | | | | US) and it had A/C, Cable, Internet and a private |
| times you practice defending a specific situation, such | | | | bathroom. The people were really accommodating. My |
| as somebody taking your back. The MMA sessions | | | | room was cleaned every day, they took care of me |
| don't end with any kind of group stretching or warm | | | | when I was sick, etc. In fact, after my motor bike injury, |
| downs. MMA classes last for about 3 hours. I would | | | | they actually drove me to the hospital and do the |
| have liked more fitness from the MMA program, but | | | | pharmacy to get medicine. They have 6 rooms there, |
| overall both programs rate very well. | | | | and there are a second set of bungalow's there by |
| Trainers - B- | | | | the same family, called "Family Bungalows" The rates |
| It's tough for me to rate this category this low, | | | | are the same, and they are just as nice. You can email |
| considering that I thought the training routine was great | | | | them directly at puttachart2005@yahoo.co.th the |
| and I really liked some of the trainers. Among my | | | | number is 081-5373196 Ask for Ae (Pronounced A) |
| favorite trainers were Ajarn Mac, and Kru Nai and Kru | | | | From what I understand the Accommodations at Tiger |
| Sornpitchai (both former Lumpinee Champions). I also | | | | are pretty basic. Many of the rooms actually have |
| thought that the guest MMA instructors from the | | | | shared bathrooms, and many of them are without air. |
| Freestyle Fight Academy, David and Marcos were | | | | This time of the year it's getting pretty hot there, and a |
| great. Actually I thought that they were excellent | | | | few of my friends who had a room at Tiger ended up |
| instructors, and a great choice by TMT as | | | | moving down the road for either a private bath, or AC. |
| replacements for Ray. | | | | I saw a couple of the rooms, and it wasn't much to |
| Which brings me to one of the things I was | | | | write home about. The two big advantages to staying |
| disappointed in. When I arranged my trip to go train at | | | | at Tiger are actually the price and location. The price |
| Tiger, one of the main reasons for me choosing Tiger | | | | for most of the Budget rooms are about 5000 baht a |
| as opposed to a different school was for the chance | | | | month. That is more than half the difference of staying |
| to train with Ray Elbe. I had heard lots of wonderful | | | | at a place like I stayed at, which cost 12000. Another |
| things about Ray prior to attending the camp, and I | | | | advantage is you can literally walk outside and start |
| was disappointed that he was away from the camp | | | | training. I am sure if I was staying at camp, I would |
| during my time there. Towards the end of camp, I | | | | have done more off hours training, such as sparring, |
| learned that he was in the US, competing in the UFC | | | | bag work, etc. |
| Reality Show - The Ultimate Fighter. I was definitely | | | | Student Body/Population - A+ |
| happy for the success of Ray, but disappointed that I | | | | This is by far one of the best attributes of Tiger. You |
| was unable to train with him. I suppose it will give me a | | | | end up meeting people from all over the world, and |
| reason to come back. | | | | developing pretty good friendships, as well as an |
| Another thing that was a minor inconvenience was | | | | appreciation for other people and cultures. I ended up |
| that each trainer teaches things slightly different. One | | | | meeting a lot of people, not only from the people at |
| trainer will correct your technique on a kick perhaps, | | | | the bungalows that I was staying at, but also just |
| and then later that day, or the next day, after you | | | | hanging around up at the camp. Some of the great |
| have practiced the technique one way, a different | | | | people I met were: Erik, Shell, Stevie, Wil, Muriel, James, |
| trainer will say you are doing it wrong, and show you a | | | | Sera, Chris, Matthew, Jordan, Nick, Bobby, Glenn, Mitto |
| different way. It ends up being a little frustrating. This is | | | | and many more. I met people from Australia, England, |
| where taking private lessons is a nice benefit. In private | | | | France, Sweden, Singapore, USA and many other |
| lessons, you get a lot of 1 on 1 time with a trainer, and | | | | places. It was truly the best part of the trip, and |
| you can really form up your technique. I recommend | | | | actually it made me want to visit and travel to other |
| taking several a week if you can afford it while you | | | | places as well. Here is one pic of me and some of the |
| are at Tiger. | | | | gang after the TMT smoker fight. |
| Finally, the biggest reason that the trainers scored so | | | | Website - A- |
| low, was the trainer by the name of Robert Lek. You | | | | Honestly, this was one of the main reasons that I |
| know the saying, one bad apple spoils the bunch, well | | | | choose this camp. Even prior to their recent website |
| that was the case here. One bad trainer ruined my | | | | upgrade, I was impressed with their website. Earlier this |
| overall opinion of the trainers, or rather the score for | | | | year, they actually updated their website and now it is |
| this category. I had several negative instances with | | | | even better. It is more organized, and has a lot more |
| Robert that I was bothered with, but the biggest came | | | | content. They also do an excellent job integrating |
| during week 2 of my training. There was an odd | | | | content from sites such as YouTube, Facebook, etc. |
| number of people for sparring that day, so I ended up | | | | for you to connect with on different mediums. Their |
| sparring with Robert. Now, the idea of sparring is | | | | website provides almost everything you need to know |
| suppose to be "light sparring" where you go between | | | | prior to coming to the school. Once again, the only |
| 50 -75%, and you are matched with people of similar | | | | down side is that they don't mention the 7% VAT or |
| body type and obviously experience level, because | | | | the 5% CC fee charge on the site. In a sense you kind |
| you are in an assigned area (Beginner, Intermediate, | | | | of feel a little slighted, when the bill ends up being more |
| Advanced). Well, Robert used this as an opportunity to | | | | than advertised. Other than that, the website is |
| basically beat the crap out of me, to the point where I | | | | excellent, and they do a tremendous job having a |
| believe if the round went longer he would have | | | | strong presence on the Internet. |
| knocked me out. | | | | Intangibles - A |
| Considering he is a trainer who has had over 100 fights | | | | This is kind of like a Miscellaneous section, to include |
| and has been practicing Muay Thai his entire life, I don't | | | | anything else I didn't cover in the other sections. One |
| think he should have been going all out with me. In | | | | thing that Tiger does extremely well is to organize a lot |
| addition, I was nursing several broken bones in my right | | | | of extra curricular activities from month to month. It |
| foot, which made using it not an option. So basically, | | | | seemed like there was almost something to do every |
| Robert beat up on an inexperienced partially crippled | | | | weekend. During my 4 weeks at camp, I attended 2 |
| man, solely for the purpose of feeding his ego. I say | | | | stadium fights, as well as a TMT Smoker Fight at |
| that, because it simply was not for my benefit. If there | | | | camp. They also organize group activities such as |
| had been a lesson during the session, as a trainer, he | | | | bowling, beach training, Big Buddah trips, etc. I was |
| should have pointed it out. For instance, if I was doing | | | | really happy with this aspect of the camp. It definitely |
| something wrong, he should have maybe tagged me 1 | | | | helps promote unity and gives you a reason to want |
| or 2 times, and then stopped and showed me what to | | | | to return and train again. |
| do, or not do, to avoid it. I was extremely disappointed | | | | Overall - B+ |
| this particular experience. As I said, there were other | | | | So the way I ended up figuring out grading was to |
| encounters both prior to and after this incident, but I am | | | | assign each category a letter grade, and that grade |
| not going to recap them all. It is important for me to | | | | translates to a numeric value. (A+ = 4.5, A = 4, A- = |
| point out that this is the exception, and not the rule. | | | | 3.75, B+ = 3.5, etc.) Yes, an A+ gets an additional 0.25 |
| 95% of the trainers at Tiger are top notch and | | | | bonus, and every other step increases/decreases by |
| extremely professional. Robert simply has some | | | | 0.25. When I put my figures into the formula, the final |
| maturing to do, and may have some resentment | | | | grade for Tiger was a 3.6 which essentially is a B+, |
| towards farangs. Once again, most of the trainers at | | | | which I think is a fair and accurate score from my |
| Tiger are exceptional, and overall you will have a really | | | | experience at Tiger. I will add that I will definitely return |
| good experience with them, but I did want to point out | | | | to Tiger in the future, hopefully within the next year. I |
| this negative side, so that hopefully it will be addressed | | | | think it's clear that overall, I would recommend this |
| and will improve in the future, for others and myself | | | | place for others to train at. Tiger has programs for |
| (when I return to Tiger next time.) | | | | everyone from the beginner to the person looking to |
| There were some bright spots as far as the trainers | | | | train for a fight. I wish Tiger the best on their continued |
| go that I do want to mention. I said that two of my | | | | success and look forward to training there again. |
| favorite trainers were Sornpitchai and Nai. They had | | | | Thanks for taking the time to read this post, I know it |
| great energy and were fun to work with. I worked | | | | was a long one. Please feel free to comment with any |
| with them a lot during Technique class, and they held | | | | questions you may have, suggestions for additional |
| pads for me many times. Both of them were actually | | | | categories, or requests for future camps for me to |
| former Lumpinee champions. Here is some video of | | | | review. |
| them fighting during the TMT smoker fight on | | | | |