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I have trained at 2 gyms in Thailand, one being Kiatphontip Gym. Take this review for what it is worth.
Choosing a gym for my second trip to Thailand was not easy. There are many gyms in Thailand with renowned trainers and fighters that it took be sometime to decide. I wanted a taste of the best Thailand had to offer. I wanted to see and know how the best of Thailand fighters trained, and more importantly, I wanted to train alongside them. It was not by chance that I chose Bangkok
The gym is located on the outskirts of Bangkok where the air is clean and fresh, while far enough away from the noise and distractions of downtown.
Training at Kiatphontip
Do not expect anyone to hold your hands. Training is as “independent” as it gets here. Kiatphontip has a 2-1 distribution of Thais to foreigners, most with a respectable amount of bouts under their belt. Fighters like Samsamite, Yohan Yidon, Samingprai, and Rob Storey have or is currently training here. If you are a beginner, that’s OK too, the trainers will teach you the basics. If you do decide to train here, prepare mentally and physically for the long hours of training. The sessions are approximately 3 hours long in the morning, and 3 hours in the afternoon. Missing back to back sessions makes you feel like an outcast. There will be no sleeping in (unless you bring earplugs) as the rooms are located right by the ring and it can get quite noise early morning.
NOTE: Do yourself a favour upon arrival and ease yourself into the training. Give your body time to adjust and recuperate. The trainers here will not judge, as most have been to England and understands that it will take some time for the body to adapt from the traveling and change in time zones.
Morning sessions are very structured and focus on physical conditioning. The trainers literally spoon feed you through the workout. They can consist of burnouts (kicks and punches), hundreds of skip knees, multiple sets of push-ups and sit-ups and sets with free weights. The downside is that there is no pad work in the morning, only individual bag work. There is boxing sparring 3 times a week but only full Thai sparring once a week. Boxing sparring is done wearing 18ounce gloves-20ounce gloves and performed at 70%-80% power. Full Thai sparring focuses more on technique, but you can go as hard as you like so long as you and your partner have an understanding.
Here is a typical training day at Kiatphontip:
Morning – 6:00am: 8km run, 10min shadowboxing, 3-5 5min round bag work, 5min skip knees or 200 skip knees, 3min push kicks or 100 push kicks, 50 pull ups, 100 situps, group stretch routine
Afternoon – 3:30pm: 3km run, 10 skipping (heavy rope), 10min shadowboxing, 3-5 rounds pad work, 3-5 rounds bag work, 30min clinching , 200 skip knees, 100 push kicks, 50 pull ups, 100 situps
My Personal Thoughts on the Training
The training here would break the average man. Training at Kiatphontip equally blends aerobic based drills and anaerobic based exercises. You get the best of both worlds. However, it can be a little too much at times. I constantly had to remind myself that it was in my body’s best interest to take time off here and there. Remember that you are training with champs and former champs who have been training most of their lives. Listen to your body and train smart. As I said earlier, Kiatphontip only offered 1 full Thai Sparring session a week to foreigners. It would be nice if they offered a couple more per week. Overall I am not complaining. The training was what I expected: intense, long, painful, educational, tedious,.....professional.
Trainers
Liam – Liam is an expert at teaching technique and explaining the principles of fighting. He can adapt to your style by adjusting the pad-holding accordingly. He is excellent at blending all the weapons together and making them flow. He has good English
Mr. Suraphit Fairtex Gym – Puts Emphasis on power and strength. His pad sessions focus on basic s in a freestyle manner. He is very experienced at holding pads. He cannot speak English.
Mr. Surat – Mr. Surat has an “OCD” style of pad-holding! He likes to focus on a single weapon at a time. Expect to throw 15 elbows consecutively. His sessions can be intense if you take the initiative to push him and yourself. Mr Surat likes to mess around and have fun with his students.
Omnoi – Go to Omnoi for the clinch. Omnoi used to train at the #1 ranked clinching gym. His pad sessions are vigorous, strict, and revolve around the pure basics. He doesn’t just go with anybody. He is quite choosy of who he works with.
Mik – Kru Mik has a laid back style, focusing on technique. If you want to focus on relaxation, composure, or if you are a beginner, Kru Mik is the way to go.
Bao - Kru Bao focuses on tricks, deception, and relaxation. He has a very good outside style of fighting and teaches this very well. Graceful and manipulative are two other words that come to mind. Kru Bao puts a lot of love into his training and students. He also has excellent English.
Management and Care
Next to the experience of a lifetime that you will receive training with A-level fighters, it’s the excellent care and management provided by Rob and his wife. It really helped that both were excellent at speaking English. Not once did I have trouble getting around or finding things to do outside of training. It was either Rob or his wife that helped us find what we were looking for. They are familiar with the transportation system, things to do and see around Bangkok, and even if they didn’t know they would make an effort to find out for us.
Rob is an English Journalist who now resides in Thailand working as a Muay Thai journalist for Foreigners. He’s the man to go to for any Muay Thai related information. He can also get foreigners discounts to big stadiums such as Lumpinee and Rajadamnern.
If you are lucky like me, you may even get your fights photographed by Rob!
Accommodation / Food / Miscellaneous
Standard room layout with 1cabinet, 3 beds, no fridge, no tv, and can be quite tight with 3 people. Not the most luxurious of conditions but what do you expect? You are living and training like a Thai at Kiatphontip. There are 5-6 washrooms/showers shared among the fighters and staff. They are located just to the side of the accommodations.
I personally did not have any issues with the accommodation. It served its purpose.
Food is great. Breakfast is at 9 30am and dinner around 6 30pm. During holidays Mrs Ta prepares special dishes and/or orders in! Quite a treat!
There are two washing machines at the camp. A load costs 20 baht. Detergent costs 5 baht a bag. However you do have to hang dry your clothes. Doesn't take long at all with the heat and sun of Bangkok.
Competition Opportunities
There are fighters competing every week, if you want in, just ask. Mr. Pet and Rob will likely be the ones finding you a fight. Fights can be found for fighters of all skill levels.
Cost
Individual Sessions => 400 Baht ($12 US)
1 Day – 2 sessions => 600 Baht ($18 US)
For information about costs for longer stay contact Rob at kiatphontip@gmail.com
You can also arrange to get picked up at the Airport!
...and yes They have Wi-Fi!
Things to DO
Foreigners go down to Salaya Road (short walk from gym) to enjoy some good eats. There is an extensive food selection, from burger joints, coffee/ice-cream shops, to authentic Thai food stands. Opens late as well.
Want to go for a dip!? The pool at the Mahidol University (Salaya Road) only costs 50 Baht ($1.75US). They even have an Olympic diving board (5 times higher than this one===>)!
Downtown Bangkok is about half hour away by taxi and costs a little over 200 Baht ($6 US). You can also take the bus from the Salaya Road (10min walk from the gym). Bus number 515 costs only 20 Baht (75 cents) and takes you to Victory Monument, which is in the heart of downtown. From there you can take the sky train to any major location in Bangkok. Speak to Rob for more information.
Thailand’s Wal-Mart is Tesco Lotus, and it is only a 100Baht ($3.00 US) taxi ride from the gym. Just tell the Taxi driver “Lotus Salaya” and he’ll understand.
Tips and Additional Info
· 711 is 20min walk away from the gym
· There is a spare motorbike for foreigners
· The staff can drive you short distances
· Brings ear plugs (can be bought on Salaya Rd at the Pharmacies)
· Learn to use public transportation to save money
· Water bottles can be refilled in the kitchen with filtered water
· For the love of god, prepare your physically and mentally for running long D!
· Bring a laptop and lots of movies!
· You can use the gym’s gear but I recommend bringing your own gloves
Contact
Site: www.kiatphontipgym.com
E-mail: kiatphontip@gmail.com
Cell phone: +66897946442 (English and Thai)
Address: 6/1 moo 2 Salathammasop
Thaweewattana
Bangkok
10170
You can also contact me at dennis_luu@hotmail.com for any additional information.
