Our newest location, Absolute MMA Thailand in Phuket continues to progress! Classes are now growing steadily with a mix of students who have experience in different Martial Arts styles, those who are just starting out their Martial Arts journey as beginners, and those who have experience on a professional level. It is great to see such a varied amount of people from different backgrounds converging in this one location to become part of our newest community, and despite everyone coming from different countries and levels of experience, all share the same passion for Martial Arts.
As we are starting again from scratch, the class sizes have been small with an intimate, enthusiastic vibe. It has been wonderful hearing all the positive feedback about our trainers from the people who do train here. Our gym patrons have in particular enjoyed being able to get away from the classes at other gyms with 50+ students, where there is not enough trainers to hold pads or adequately assist with technique adjustments. Our trainers aim to play to a student’s strengths while working on their weaknesses, and ensure every student gets advice where needed.
What has been particularly rewarding at the Thailand location is seeing our beginner students come out with a smile on their face and feeling like they have improved their understanding of the fundamentals. We definitely also aim to assist fighters getting ready for a bout and the trainers put them through their paces and pushed them hard where needed! It is great to see that one of the key values of our gyms in Australia – making Martial Arts accessible for everyone – has been carried across to our Thailand location.
One advantage of the smaller class sizes we currently have is that students receive close, personalised attention. Emphasis is placed on keeping things technical and mastering the basics whilst still getting a good sweat on – which really isn’t hard in Thailand! For our intermediate students – in their first sparring experience with us, one of the coaches guides them through a few rounds and familiarises them with the technical, playful nature of Thai-style sparring.The more experienced fighters are paired with each other to get the high-level rounds in under the watchful eye of our seasoned trainers.
It has been impressive to watch how every one of our coaches in Thailand adapts to the needs and abilities of each individual student while holding pads for them. If someone is preparing for a fight, they get on the pads with ‘Beer’ (our coach’s nickname, not the beverage). As Beer is an active fighter, he knows first hand how demanding fight preparation can be on the mind and body. Transitioning from another style? A pad session with Dam will put your power to use, all while he suggests adjustments to your current game to suit the style of Muay Thai. Only a beginner and just need to find your rhythm and feel things out? Then hitting pads with Chen and his careful instruction and occasional theatrics will build your confidence and have you leaving the mats with a smile on your face.
Watching our trainers work together as a unit and apply their skills to every student to make sure everyone gets the most from their sessions gives us confidence in the future of the team here at Absolute MMA Thailand.
It hasn’t been all fresh faces here in Thailand though! We have been lucky enough to get visitors from our Australian locations come to stay onsite and enjoy Muay Thai training in Phuket with us. Shout out to Georgia Verry who stayed for a week and smashed out double sessions almost every day! Power couple Tim and Tina also stayed for a week and sweated up a storm with the team. It was great to see that everyone still managed to squeeze in trips to the nearby Nai Harn Beach and hikes to the Kata View Point in between smashing it out in their Muay Thai training sessions. All of you who visited recently brought such positive energy to the gym and we cannot wait for more of our Australian Absolute MMA family coming to train with us in our little slice of paradise!
We are happy to report that the culture at our Thailand gym is friendly and welcoming. Students head to the beach together between sessions and share their favourite restaurants with newcomers. Patrons who stay on site are training regularly, and even cooking and eating with the trainers, amidst much laughter and story-swapping. With Rawai being a particularly beautiful part of an already stunning country, it is easy to slide right into the relaxed and family-vibe that’s being created here at Absolute MMA Thailand. Come and experience it for yourself!