Over the past few years, I have been asked by many beginners, "What type of Muay Thai equipment do I need to start training?" The answer is never simple, and varies from person to person. My first question to them is always, "How serious are you about Muay Thai?" Most respond with something along the lines of,"I want to get in shape, or I want to learn how to fight." If you have similar goals, then a decent pair of kickboxing gloves and head gear will do the trick. Most of the major athletic brands, such as Title or EverLast, carry kickboxing equipment at a reasonable price. Pay no more then $35 each for boxing gloves and head gear. You don't want to make a huge investment when you start training. Many beginners don't last long. Muay Thai takes mental and physical toughness.

For those beginners who are more serious, the options for quality Muay Thai equipment are much more limited. You will not find traditional Muay Thai equipment at your local athletic stores, or mall. Your search will be frustrating, expensive and time consuming at best. The majority of retailers are located in Thailand, and sell their equipment online. Many sites offer a limited selection and sparse customer service after the purchase, so be patient.

All Muay Thai equipment manufactured in Thailand is handmade, and on rare occasions will have irregularities, but for the most part the quality is top notch. The price of equipment varies depending on retailer and manufacturer, so be sure to shop around. Read as many articles and blogs on Muay Thai equipment that you can find, so that you have a good understanding of the types of equipment available.

In many cases, the shipping costs will be your largest expense when purchasing equipment from Thailand. For example, a single pair of 16oz. Muay Thai gloves can cost up to $30 to ship. Wow! And that's not UPS; that's Registered Thai Mail, which can take 2-4 weeks to arrive.

Yes, there are a host of challenges when purchasing equipment from Thailand, so always remember to be well informed and have patience when you place your order for Muay Thai equipment.

Next time we'll discuss what equipment you'll need and the different brands.

Muay Thai Manufacturers

There are many manufacturers in Thailand who produce Muay Thai Equipment. But the three majors are Twins, Windy and Fairtex. All produce quality equipment, such as glove, head gear and shin guards, for around the same price, but vary in style and construction.

Boxing Gloves

Muay Thai gloves come in various sizes, ranging from 8-18oz. Most competitions require the use of 8-10oz. gloves. For bag and pad training, you'll need 10-12oz. gloves. If you plan on sparing, you'll want to purchase a pair of 16-18oz. gloves, which offer you and your sparring partner more protection. A heavier glove will add resistance and enhance your training. I suggest purchasing a glove with a Velcro strap enclosure system. Why? It's much easier to remove a Velcro strap, then laces when training in the gym. Laced gloves are nice, but mostly used for competition. Save yourself the headache and stick with Velcro straps when training.

The Thai people love flashy gloves with bright colors during a match. Why? I have no idea. Possibly it adds to the excitement of a fight? But in any event, all three major manufactures produce Muay Thai gloves in the basic colors of the rainbow. Twins however, has a much larger section of fancy equipment than Windy or Fairtex. Some of their most popular designs include the dragon, Lumpini, flames, spider, tattoo and tiger prints, which come in any combination of colors. Wild! Windy and Fairtex have a sparse selection of fancy equipment, and fall far short in comparison with Twins. If you're looking to "pimp out" your gloves, buy Twins.

Let's move on to pricing. Because of the internet, comparing prices on Muay Thai equipment has become much easier, and has made pricing more competitive. For a standard, basic color, pair of 16oz. Muay Thai gloves, you will pay $45-60USD. For fancy gloves, you'll pay about $10 buck more. The real cost is associated with shipping. Shipping, as stated in our last blog, can cost up to $30USD, and raises the cost of gloves substantially. You've been warned.

Muay Thai is Thailand's national treasure. It is known in Thailand as the sport of kings. As the wars ended, many practiced Muay Thai as a means for personal achievement, and social advancement. People from all social classes practiced Muay Thai. Even the King, in disguise, would fight at local matches to test his skills. As Muay Thai gained popularity, the most skilled practitioners were pit against each other in matches for the king and nobility. The winner was given money, and sometimes title for their victories. These early matches were the beginning of Muay Thai as a sport.

Early matches were fought on an open patch of land, and the fighter's hands were wrapped with rope. Opponents were not paired by weight class or skill set. The head could be used as a weapon, and it was legal to strike an opponent in the groin. There was no limit on the number of rounds fought, and time was measured with sand or water. Basically, there were no modern rules in a match.

Registration

The registration process is pretty simple. The IKF requires all fighters to fill out a form, outlining their fight experience. In my opinion, the most crucial part is your amateur fight record. Many of the fighters who register have less than 10 fights, which make the tournament seem beginner-friendly. But don't be fooled, the IKF is a world tournament with superior competition. Most of the fighters have adequate fight experience, but there are a few that are green. Fill out the form and pay the early registration fee of $60. The later you register the more fees the IKF tacks on. I registered on July 9th and paid $160 to complete, which is way too high! So make sure you register early! One interesting caveat about the IKF registration process is that the first fighter who registers is given the highest seat in their weight class, ill regardless of their fight record or experience.

Tournament seating

I found the IKF's system of seating fighters absurd and totally capitalistic. In any other sport, seating is determined by a team's record. The IKF has a different take on tournament seating....purely capitalistic. To get the top seat in your weight class, all you have to do is register and pay first? A fighter with a record of 0-5, could gain the top seat in his/her weight class by registering first! That's it. During the tournament, the top seat receives a buy in the first round of fights, and usually will be pit against the weaker opponents in their division.So again register early...it makes a difference.

Hotel Arrangements

The Marriot in Orlando is the world's largest, and the most accommodating hotel. Not only did they host the IKF World Classic, three other conventions were hosted during the same weekend. The Marriot in Orlando is a five star venue, which included a water park, multiple bars, and restaurants. All the amenities were awesome, but not necessary to compete in the IKF World Classic tournament. I called the IKF to verify if fighters needed to secure a room in the Marriot to fight in the tournament. The IKF adamantly stated that, "you must stay at the Marriot to complete in the tournament, or you will be disqualified!" Bull Shit! Not once during the tournament, di anyone from the IKF checked my reservations! The price of a single room in the Marriot is $140 with tax. After paying $160 in fees to compete, I couldn't afford another $140 per night at the prestigious Marriot. Luckily, I roomed with a teammate and the bill was cut in half. Ironically, our trainer, and other seasoned fighters, roomed at local hotels for much less.

Awards

The award belts for champions in their weight class are exceptional! The belts are world class for an international event. Two thumbs up to the IKF! All other competing fighters received a standard metal from the IKF. I would have like to see second place fighter receive a trophy, or something that distinguished them from first round losers.

Overall review