Gym Reviews

Manasak Muay Thai Gym [Gym Review]

Posted on By Angela Chang

Veteran fighter Manasak Pinsinchai is a familiar face in the Chiang Mai Muay Thai scene. Afterall, he’s been coaching in the culturally-rich city for the last decade. Originally from Ubon Ratchathani and hailing from a legendary Bangkok camp, Manasak has over 300 fights and multiple accolades to his name, including Rajadamnern Stadium champion and WMC World Champion. He didn’t only talk the talk, but also walked the walked, accepting competitive opponents all the way to his late 30’s. His exposure to teaching foreigners of all levels, in addition to his own technical muay femur fight style, made his decision to open up his own gym a no-brainer.

Read more
Fighting and Training fighter blocks kick by opponent in ring

The Science of Shin Conditioning: A Fighter’s Guide to Bone Adaptation

Posted on By Angela Chang

If you’ve spent any time in a Muay Thai gym or scrolling through social media and fight forums, you’ve probably seen people smashing their shins with bottles, rolling pins, or even kicking trees in the name of “shin conditioning.” The idea is that you need to actively toughen your bones and deaden your nerves if you want to be able to kick hard and block kicks without breaking down. This is especially common among beginners. When their shins hurt from kicking bags, pads, or sparring, they might think the pain comes from having “weak shins,” leading them to believe that they need to actively make their bones tougher and their nerves less sensitive to improve.

Read more
Fighting and Training

Signs a Gym is Actually Women-Friendly (And Why It’s More Complicated Than You Think)

Posted on By Angela Chang

One of the most common questions I get is: “Do you know any women-friendly Muay Thai gyms?”
I wish the answer was as easy as handing you a list. But here’s the truth: what makes a gym “women-friendly” isn’t as simple as having a few women on the mat.

It’s one of the most basic and understandably asked questions. It comes from those completely new and wanting to start their Muay Thai journey, as well as from seasoned practitioners looking for a change in environment but unsure of what to look for before forking over high monthly training fees. Yet, it’s also a question that’s deeply nuanced and difficult to answer. In this article, I’ll break down why the question is so complex, what you should really be looking for, and then give you a starting checklist you can use when evaluating a gym.

Read more
Fighting and Training

What Supporting a Muay Thai Fighter Really Looks Like (and What It Doesn’t)

Posted on By Angela Chang

There’s a lot of talk in the Muay Thai community about toughness, perseverance, and discipline. But there isn’t nearly enough conversation about support.

Fighters are often seen as lone wolves, pushing through training camps and tough fights with nothing but grit and the occasional bloody nose. But behind every fighter who stays in this sport long-term, there’s usually some form of support helping them hold it together.

This support isn’t always loud or flashy. It doesn’t need to be financial or public. But it is felt. And when it’s absent, it’s just as noticable.

So what does real support look like for a Muay Thai fighter? And what doesn’t?

Read more