The practice of martial arts-inspired modalities such as physical activity is gaining female audiences, as in addition to being fun and de-stressing, they are great for burning calories and shaping the body.
Muay Thai is a fight originating in Thailand, which was introduced in gyms to meet the demand for less repetitive activities.
Fast weight loss is one of the main attractions. Fighting movements require strong physical preparation and a lot of cardiovascular work, so the caloric expenditure is very high, about 800 calories in an hour and a half of class.
Thai wrestling works all parts of the body, resulting in tight legs, glutes, stomach and arms. Muay Thai also improves physical conditioning, motor coordination, agility, flexibility and works muscle groups in a more dynamic way than a localized gym class.
Aerobic exercises divided by seasons, such as: jumping rope, jumping jacks, running around cones, jumping and doing push-ups; are some of the practices during a class of this fighting modality, in addition to the practice of punches and kicks, great allies in stress relief and capable of venting all tension, anger and worries.
The fight serves the female audience well, because, according to coaches, in addition to providing the physical gains sought by this audience, women like and find it easy to learn the movements, because they understand that the skill in the practice of the fight is not in the strength but in the correct posture.
Some academies offer training only for women, while in others there is no division and the practice is together with men, only respecting the limitations of each group.
To start the activity, some items are mandatory, such as: protective band for the hands, boxing gloves, mouth guard and a face shield. But the ideal, before enrolling and buying equipment, is to do a medical evaluation to check if you are fit for the activity.
“If you have any problems with your shoulders and knees, for example, it’s best to check with a doctor before starting to train”, says Márcio Atalla, physical educator and specialist in health and well-being.
For those who have joint problems and do not want to give up the dynamism that fighting can bring to their exercise routine, there is also a low-impact version of Muay Thai, Thai Bo, which mixes Muay Thai movements with the rhythm of music. In Thai Bo there is no physical contact with the opponent or equipment, the movements are practiced in the air.
When practicing Muay Thai or Thai Bo, remember to look for a gym with reliable professionals, wear appropriate clothes and respect your physical limits to avoid injuries and gain the benefits of these modalities in a healthy and gradual way.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.