Thai boxing is the English name for Muay Thai, a combat sport that uses punches, kicks, knees and, in its full form, elbows. Thai boxing and Muay Thai are the same sport. It is the national sport of Thailand and is known as the art of eight limbs.
The art of eight limbs
Boxing uses two points of contact: your fists. Muay Thai uses eight: fists, elbows, knees and shins. That's where the nickname comes from. It also includes the clinch, where fighters hold each other at close range to land knees or break balance.
It traces its roots to the fighting methods of old Siam, now Thailand, and grew into the ring sport you see today, with gloves, rounds and referees. You'll hear it called Muay Thai, Thai boxing or just Thai. They all mean the same thing.
Muay Thai vs boxing
- StrikesBoxing is hands only. Muay Thai adds kicks, knees and clinch work
- StanceMuay Thai stands more square on and more upright, so you can kick and check kicks
- KitMuay Thai fighters also wear shin guards, padded from knee to instep
- With usBoth follow the same eight-week programme and finish with three 2-minute rounds on fight night
- WhereMuay Thai at Gymbox Farringdon, Mondays 18:00 and Wednesdays 19:00. Boxing at Gymbox Victoria, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 19:30
Not sure which suits you? The 60-second quiz will tell you.
Our Muay Thai rules
Rules vary between shows and organisations. These are the rules on our fight nights, built for people fighting for the first time.
- Punches, kicks and knees
- No elbows, and no knees to the head
- One grab and knee in the clinch
- Three 2-minute rounds, with 1 minute's rest between
- Matched on age, weight and experience, with no more than 5kg between you
- A medical before and after your fight, professional referees and medics ringside
Learning it from scratch
You don't need to be fit or to have done any martial arts to start. 85% of our fighters started with less than three months' experience. Everything in the boxing programme is taught, with Muay Thai added each week:
- Week 1Teep and round kick
- Week 2Punch-kick combinations
- Week 3Teep for range, checking kicks. First controlled sparring
- Week 4Clinch entries and knees. Matchmaking begins
- Week 5Kick and knee combinations. Team sparring
- Week 6Clinch under fight rules. Matches signed off
- Week 7Best kick and clinch set-ups. The fight card drops
- Week 8Light pads and movement, weigh-in and team briefing. Then fight night
Other white collar clubs in London only offer boxing. We're the only one where you can learn Muay Thai from scratch and fight it on a professional show. More on the Muay Thai camp page.
Questions
What is Thai boxing?
Thai boxing is Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand: a combat sport using punches, kicks, knees and, in its full form, elbows.
Is Muay Thai the same as Thai boxing?
Yes. Muay Thai is often called Thai boxing in the UK. It's the same sport.
Why is Muay Thai called the art of eight limbs?
Because it uses eight points of contact: fists, elbows, knees and shins. Boxing uses two.
Do I need to be fit to start Muay Thai?
No. Week 1 opens with an assessment, and the conditioning builds every week up to fight night.
Can women do Muay Thai?
Yes. Our Muay Thai camps and fight nights are for men and women.
Are Muay Thai gloves different from boxing gloves?
They can be. Muay Thai gloves are often a little more flexible to help with the clinch and catching kicks. For our camps you need 16oz gloves, or 14oz if you're under 55kg.
Are elbows allowed on your fight nights?
No. Our rules are punches, kicks and knees, with no elbows, no knees to the head, and one grab and knee in the clinch.
Your first round starts here
Eight weeks of free coaching, then a real fight night. Sign up in two minutes, then hear everything at the intro meeting before you commit to anything.
Join the camp →Take the 60-second quiz