How long does it take to learn Muay Thai

Like all martial arts, learning Muay Thai can take a long time. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to improve and as long as you’re patient, you will eventually see progress. At the same time, you shouldn’t get too ahead of yourself either, as progress isn’t always easy or quick.

Not only this but there’s a difference between being competent in Muay Thai and becoming an expert. In other words, anyone can learn a few techniques and moves, but mastering it is an entirely different skill altogether. In this article, we shall look at how long it takes to learn Muay Thai and how to speed up your progress.

Learning Muay Thai can take around 3-6 months for a beginner

By this definition, we mean the average person and the time it takes for them to reach a level where they’re not completely lost. Put another way, as a complete beginner, you can expect to see reasonable progress around the 4 or 5 month mark. Whilst you may not be a Kru or champion at this stage, you’ll be noticeably better than when you first walked through the door.

In martial arts, it’s easy to compare yourself to others, but perhaps the best way of measuring progress is against your older self. In other words, how would you fare if you fought yourself 6 months prior? The chances are, you’d destroy them in sparring based on newly acquired techniques. Therefore, by this definition, it takes roughly 3-6 months for the average person to learn Muay Thai.

To be more precise, it should also be added that after a few months in, you’re still a beginner. Don’t get too ahead of yourself either. Whilst you may know more than the average person on the street, it’s still not saying much and there’s still lots to learn. So long as you train correctly, spar honestly and listen to your coach then you will keep on progressing.

Mastering Muay Thai can take decades, or even a lifetime

As mentioned, learning the starting blocks of Muay Thai is completely different compared to mastering Muay Thai. Generally, this takes years to do and some would argue that there’s no such thing as true mastery and it takes a life time.

One way of looking at things is through the lens of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Although a completely different martial art, BJJ takes roughly 10 years for the average practitioner to earn a black belt. In other words, if you apply this logic to Muay Thai, then arguably the 10 year mark is when an individual is a true master.

That doesn’t mean you should stop learning at that point either. Ideally, you should keep striving to learn as much as possible and keep innovating to improve your technique. For instance, you may have an excellent teep kick after years of training. However, your clinch could use improving upon. This is where training and working on your weaknesses will upgrade your Muay Thai as a whole.

Put another way, if your definition of ‘learning’ Muay Thai is to be knowledgeable in all areas and comfortable using it in self defense or even from a teaching perspective, generally this level takes years of training and thousands of hours in the gym.

Ways to improve your Muay Thai as quickly as possible

Whilst training in the gym is the most efficient way to improve and this will happen naturally, there are other methods too. These are as follows:

• Private 1-2-1 classes: If you can afford a private class with an experienced fighter then you can learn specific techniques that can quickly improve areas of your game.
• Video and literature resources: Watching Youtube videos and reading Muay Thai books are great ways to learn techniques when you can’t physically make it to the gym.
• Experimenting as much as possible: Some people go into the gym and try the same stuff without ever trying new combos or techniques. This is a quick way to plateu as you’re not broadening your horizons.
• Improve your flexibility and strength: Simply put, if you get more flexible, you’ll be able to kick higher and in more unorthodox positions. Similarly, strength will also add more power to your kicks and punches.

How long should I wait until my first Muay Thai fight?

Most coaches suggest you don’t jump into a Muay Thai fight until you’ve trained for at least a year. However, there are always circumstances that can push this date forward. For example, if you have previous martial arts experience in disciplines such as boxing or karate, then your Muay Thai debut could happen a lot quicker.

There’s also the possibility of taking part in a low level promotion which can sometimes be organized by gyms for experience and nothing more. Arguably, these are great to get involved with as they’re pressure-free and can really show you what a Muay Thai fight is really about.

One thing worth noting though is that sometimes, your opponents will lie about their lack of experience to get easier fights. For instance, if you’ve trained for 1 year and they’ve trained for 3, then obviously they’re more experienced than you are.

Now, if money is on the line, there’s a financial incentive for them to claim less experience. Even if it’s an amateur bout then people still lie purely for ego as they want to win, rather than fighting to test their ability.

In short, there’s no right or wrong answer. Having said this, it’s a bad decision on behalf of your coach if they throw you into the deep end and organize a quick fight. Sometimes, prospective fighters are eager to jump in and believe they’re better than they actually are. This is why it’s good to be held back a little to avoid an early beating.

Conclusion

Depending on your definition of learning, it can take a few months to understand Muay Thai, or in other cases, it can take years. Remember though, there’s no concrete route for everyone and people are different. It may take a super athletic male in their early 20s months to get competent in Muay Thai if they’re very dedicated. However, it could take a guy in his 40s with a family and other priorities years to reach the same level.

This is why in some ways, it’s best not to set linear goals and just enjoy the process. Throughout training, many people will come and go so it’s best to judge yourself against yourself and no one else. With this said, Muay Thai isn’t particularly easy to learn but it is incredibly rewarding and also gives you a lifetime of skills and self defense techniques.

If you’re looking to improve your Muay Thai skills then check out this book which is a great resource.