Muay Thai Vagabond
February 15, 2008 by nopstar
So it’s been 2 weeks and I’ve been to 2 gyms and counting… My first encounter should have been funny but it ended up really bumming me out.
So cliché but so true, you don’t realize how good you have it until it’s gone. People in the Bay Area… you have it great.
I’m not going to mention the gyms by name, mostly because I don’t want to start any shit. So I turn up to the gym early. I get in there and the facilities are sparse, I think I see one worn out banana bag. Not that its a big of deal, I can get past all of that.
We begin our drill phase as the Kru takes us through our paces. He starts the traditional Muay Thai music on the boom box and he calls out “OK, Right! Front Kick… side kick!” As he motioned with his legs once to the front then once to the side. Okay I’m not use to this but I’ll play along.
5 min. later he has us doing round kicks into reverse back kicks…. wait a minute. If it walks like TKD and talks like TKD then it is TKD. I don’t know how long this guy has been perpetuating this little ruse, but none of his students seemed to know any better. I guess if this is all you’ve known then you wouldn’t know any better.
About 20 min. into class I looked up at the clock… I had this urge to just to run out of the place. I couldn’t take it. It was getting worse and worse… There was a Swedish kid who I had met before class, he had some previous training. Afterwards he approaches me ” So what did you think… honestly” I told him I wouldn’t be back. That as the Brits like to say it was utter Shight! The kids eyes light up…” Man what was that bullshit…?” he admitted 20 min. Into the class he said it felt like his “spirit had been crushed” It’s funny because it was true, 20 min is when I looked up at the clock and was wondering to myself when was this going to end?
I’m heading to a gym next week that seems to at least have some real training. Their focus is clearly MMA, but hey they’ve got Muay Thai listed as one of the disciplines… I hope it’s decent.
I’ve notice there about 2,500 visitors from Britain on MMT, one of you has to have a hidden gem for me. Help a brother out!
How about you guys? Any nightmare stories?
Man, I really feel sorry for you nopstar. It seems like you’re in a very similar situation to what I was in at one point. The question is…what do you do if you can’t find anything decent? :(
try holland, its close :P
try http://www.jackapong.com/
Oh dear, that doesn’t sound much good at all. I’m from Scotland and train with the SMTC so I can’t help with camps down in London.
Might be a good idea for an post about what you expect from a Muay Thai training session, or what your ideal session would be. Or what you did in an average session when you were back in the US? Just a thought, there could be a few people that read it and realise their training isn’t what it should be.
Oh, and the common spelling is “Shite” by the way :)
Sheite Muslim Militia, I don’t know what you’re talking about Nop: I use that spinning reverse slap kick all the time in sparring. Don’t be such a puss ;)
Mini Dez, I think thai pads would be a good start. If you don’t find yourself kicking, kneeing, or elbowing any thai pads repeatedly in a class, you’re not anywhere near the ballpark. I actually found myself trying a “Muay Thai” class at this gym on Kauai. I should have run out when I didn’t notice any thai pads stacked up in some corner. ;)
Nick-
a couple of questions… have you trained there before? Why do you think this place will have goofd MT?
Just curious thanks.
Slayer- Thanks, but I wasn’t asking for my own benefit. I know I’m getting a decent level of Muay Thai when I train, I’m sick of the sight (and smell) of those pads! Just thought it might be an idea for a post.
hey you, I was the teacher at the gym in it….if you finks you is better than us londoners you dont know about thai kickboxing that for sure in it…..my moves are slick man…….and i’s got a belt to proove it….you judges people on one lesson, but i remember you…you cant not even do the famous thailand move….’dragon seewps his wings’….we thailand kickboxers are just better than you in it…..i looks at chuck norris movie every day bet you dont bother to do that…me is a real artist you see…i can do what chuck norris does an he the best of all time in it…..if you turns up at me gym again in it im gonna roundhouse kick you in the face got it?? in it!!!
……….you can get discount of you pay for one month though in it…
I train at Jackapong, though I have only being going 8 months. You can read about Kru Johnny at http://www.rogergracievieacademy.co.uk/muaythai.aspx
Facebook is the best place to contact him at http://www.facebook.com/people/Johnny_Boon/876820715
Now then mate.Come to the north of england.Thats where the good Muay thai is!!
Nick-
Thanks for the info, I’ll look into it.
Ugh, stories like this break my heart. I never take my gym for granted. Good luck nop.
Just move to Leeds and train at Bad Company.
Sorry Nop you should have never left…
http://www.wickercamp.co.uk/
I tried to warn you….
Skip Holland too if you’re interested in authentic Muay Thai.
Also be warned of all these new jack Arjans and Krus. People that value the title that much that they want to be called by it are always suspect. In my opinion these are people to avoid at all costs. Apply the same to ‘master’.
Thais never beat their chest and demand to be called Kru-overlord- Sensei king of the universe. I trained Sem and he’s a vetaran of over 350 fights and all he ever wanted to be called was ‘Sem’.
Unless it’s Toddy or something of his ilk which should also in my opinion be avoided.
I know naming gyms that pretend to be true muay thai schools can ruffle some feathers to say the least but shouldn’t we stand up for the injustice they present to the art? I think the “Muy Pretendo” list would be a great addition to the web site if a gym is complete shite. Any thoughts?
I second it. Of course Nop may want to avoid being sued for liable. But other than that it’s a great idea.
Or he can rank schools starting from the bottom…Maybe give it a star rating
The problem with it is, is Muay thai is a ring sport. All the titles and various certifications (and there are many to be had) vary in quality and virtually none require fighting. Much like boxing gyms one most go on track record of the trainer which is hard to do if one if fairly uneducated on Muay Thai and the credibility of various titles.
Man, Nop…that sucks. I’ve been to a few gyms and had bad experiences, but that takes the cake. I teach a little myself (associate instructor, been teaching about a year)…I hope my students don’t see me like that!
Honestly though, the instructor makes or breaks it. For instance I’ve trained at places with little gear and cramped surroundings but if the Kru was solid it was good training nonetheless.
Not sure where you’re staying, but I go here:
http://muaythai4u.com/
Classes are big, but no egos and very friendly club.
I will recomend you KO gym: http://www.ko-kickboxing.com/main.htm
is where David Paquette trains, he´s my kru at Imperial College, you have several KO gyms in London.
I have not tried them myself but seeing the trainning we got from Dave it´s nothing to do with where you’ve been
The enter the dragon music and white guy in turtle button coolie suit popularized in Hong Kong in the 1950s is a sweet touch.
See my prior notes about certifications as I am sure you are well aware Nop.
hahahaha I don’t even know where to start with that one…
this totally cracks me up. it the kru ajarn dude for real with the chuck norris and shit. hilarious
yo KRU AJARN CROWN PRINCE OF SIAM+LONDON, sound like you’re pretty funny guy… If you’re not a thai then you’re nothing close shit someone up in his ass. If you’re as good as you say then why are you still teaching MT? shouldn’t you be fighting in K1 and sort?
Hmm… now everyone has a belt? What kind of belt are you talking? WBC or WMC?
I am going to take a wild guess and say that KRU AJARN CROWN PRINCE OF SIAM+LONDON, is someone playing a joke. No one can be that much of a TOOL…can they………..?
Yes they can. I like all the stupid certs assuring one it’s okay to refer to them as lord of the unierse arjan and kru. People love titles.
Kru what the ….. Chuck Norris? Looks like you a bit confused. No worries Mate.
Yes guys you got me I was fooling around…I’m not from the MT gym Nop went to, I am a regular commenter on this site though, CROWN PRINCE SIGNING OFF…….(it was great being one of the best teachers in the world for a couple of days though)
Nop, great picture posted. :)
I’m surprised how many women are on the picture, they’re probably in love with the teacher. hehe
Sorry to hear about your shitty experience. Hope you find a decent gym soon.
Gusnark – read what it says above the mirror. Hehehe!
Sorry to hear of your experience. This site may be of help? http://www.singto.co.uk/Links/Links.htm
Sean, yeah I noticed!
I was like wtf, that note reminds me of some C type kung-fu movies. :)
that was one of the best scenes in Napoleon Dynomite…LMAO on that one…
Avoid almost every gym mentioned here and go to Keddles’ . It’s not far and it’s worth it. Stop checking out pretend krus and arjans and being disappointed. I mentioned it before and I’m mentioning it here again. If you have any doubts call the gym first. Almost always one conversation is usually sufficient to let you know what they’re about.
The UK is actually worse than the US when it comes to frauds of martial arts, specifically Muay Thai. Knowledge sets you free. The western mystification of martial arts and the ones that pander to them are the ones to avoid. If it sounds unbelievable it usually is. If it sounds ridiculous, it usually is. If it sounds like an outright lie, it usually is. Kru Dellagrotte Sit Yodthong USA anyone? Just be smart. Common sense is your best guide.
There should be plenty of decent clubs in the UK. I’d say you got the exception rather than the rule. I hope so anyway. There are some very good ones in Ireland if you fancy a trip across the water. :)
http://www.muaythaiclubs.co.uk/
gives you a list of most clubs in the uk.
Like someone has already stated if you are ever up by leeds, it will be worth your time to go to Bad Company gym.
If you also ask on Cagewarriors.com, i know its a MMA site but, you do get some good advice on clubs on there.
Ps, do not dis Rex Kwon Do, hahaha.
how ya finding the uk?
try the bulldog gym at the tiller center on thew isle of dogs.terry buttwell is a great teacher and trainer i spent many happy years training there before i moved back to cornwall.
Hoi Nopz,
It has been a wile.Have you found anything nice?
“ 3 Nick // Feb 15, 2008 at 1:23 am
try http://www.jackapong.com/ “
;)