Yes, not as bad, and I don't think that would be allowed t happen nowadays, but we do get some occasinal flash harrys, they do things there own way, they don't apply the thinking of fighting and just fight, its easy for guys like me and other students to pick them off, but its annoying as if you set them up with a nice combo in sparring, these are the sort of ppl who then reply by letting out a barrage of full power punches, as if I have stained their honour.jamesmcdonnell wrote:Used to do it actually at university. It's a very nasty discipline, elbow smashes to the face, thrust kicks, I've actually used a thrust kick before, great for getting someone away from you whilst also freaking them out.s9s wrote:Absolutely, I've been doing Muay Thai for about two years, and am fitter in class than some guys who have been there for five or more years, and also the guys who started around my time. I totally dedicate myself while in a class and always squeeze the last few push ups & crunches out, always do more than five minute warm up skipping (I get in earlier), while others will take the easier option.TerribleTerry wrote:It isnt the martial art or whatever that is good or rubbish, its the individual that practises it.
I have seen a few lads that have trained at boxing gyms for years and still couldnt knock out a wank..
At the same time I know traditional karateka who are hard as nails, and vice versa
There is no perfect style or system it down to the individual and how they can apply what they know.
What you put in is what you get out. There are some superb fighters at my club though, in excellent physical condition, also my Arjan (teacher) is totally absorbed in Muay Thai and leads by example (leg splits,pushups, crunches, he does them with us and not just tells us to do them).
So I would check the students conditions and the instructors handling of the class before deciding anyhting, one reason I chose my Muay Thai class was that everyone was slim and lean (the established students).
Just to confuse matters for James, I can reccomned Muay Thai, very effective use of knees, elbows as well as boxing punches (thought the upper body movement is not much) and grappling as well, also some of the kicks (like the thrust kick to groin) can be very useful in the street.
If you are in west London I train with this guy.
http://www.freewebs.com/muaythai4u/
I stopped doing it after someone got their ear torn off in class (I was at Uni), there were loads of squaddies who would come down and go absolutely mental in there, and I was only about 20 at the time and didn't like the look of having a ruck with some loony bloke who was a lot fitter, harder and more mental than I was.
The worst are the guys who have done some MMA or shootfighting, they really do think they know it all.