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Thai-kickboxing is an excellent way to get fit, learn great skills, and meet new people.
Most women who take up the sport don’t do it with the intention of fighting or competing, they are just sick of the monotony of running on the treadmill at the gym and want to do something different.
We caught up with Michelle Preston who is ranked 4th in the world in Woman’s Thai Kickboxing about the sport she is passionate about.
Can you give us some background on woman’s Thai Kickboxing? MuayThai (Thai Kickboxing) developed in the 1920s Thailand. At this time, MuayThai was a pure martial means of attack and defence, women known as Khunying Mae-yamo (respected mother), fought alongside their men using Muay Thai to repel invaders. Through out the 20th century there have been changes to women’s involvement in the sport. Due to Buddhist beliefs and superstition, women were banned from fighting during the 70s.
However, slowly women have been allowed back into the fighting arena and are now competing in some of the biggest stadiums in Thailand. These women are the real pioneers of Female MuayThai. In a country where women are supposed to smile, wear high heels and know their place, they are breaking moulds in a way we can’t imagine in the West. This is a culture where men say that a women fighter will never marry as who would want her? (and they are only half-joking.)
What are the benefits of Thai Kickboxing? The classes aim to provide a relaxed way of learning a new skill, for fitness, fun and self-defence as well as promoting full body toning, weight loss and flexibility.
What does it involve? The basics of Thai-kickboxing involve Punching, Kicking, Elbowing and Kneeing. You use all eight points of your body to strike. For self defence this would be to strike an attacker, for fitness this would be pads. The classes are a mixture of cardio, core stability work and also technique training with pads, bags and focus mitts. No two classes are ever the same – so this is definitely a winner for those who want to learn a new skill and not get bored.
Who can do it? Do you need any skills to be able to train? Anyone can do it, from someone who has never done a day's exercise in their life to the budding athlete. Most gyms offer beginners, intermediate and advanced classes. The only thing you need to train is the motivation and enthusiasm to learn.
What are the costs? It depends on the gym although for general classes it would cost between $10 - $15 per class. There are normally concessions for members. An introductory course costs about $120 for 6 weeks, which works out slightly more, however number are limited and classes are longer.
What equipment/gear do you need? Again most gyms will provide you with the equipment you need, however if you wanted to purchase your own the basics would be a set of boxing gloves and some hand wraps.
So why not take up Thai Kickboxing this winter? It's a great way to learn a new skill for fitness, fun and self defence as well as promoting full body toning and weight loss.
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Keen to try for Thai Kickboxing for yourself? Check out these venues...
Auckland Elite Thai Kickboxing 25a Fairfax Avenue, Penrose Trainers: Jason Suttie & Roger Earp: 09 589 4120 Email: elitethaikickboxing@hotmail.co.nz Note: The next Ladies Introductory Course run by Michelle Preston & Karen Lynch is due to start on Saturday April 14, 10am – 11.30am at Elite Thai-Kickboxing.
Balmoral Lee Gar End of Telford Ave off Dominion Road under Catholic Church Trainer: Lolo Hemuli: 09-815 1876
Hamilton Muay Thai Kick Boxing - San Bu Kai Trainer: Terry Hill: 021-035 1133
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skills, and meet new people. 
However, slowly women have been allowed back into the fighting arena and are now competing in some of the biggest stadiums in Thailand. These women are the real pioneers of Female MuayThai. In a country where women are supposed to smile, wear high heels and know their place, they are breaking moulds in a way we can’t imagine in the West. This is a culture where men say that a women fighter will never marry as who would want her? (and they are only half-joking.)
What does it involve?