Sitjaopho Muay Thai Gym Training Blog (September 2022)
Sitjaopho Muay Thai feels like home <3
There’s a calming welcome and comfort being at the camp.. Watching the gym dogs mingle and ask for a pat… the familiar friendly faces of the coaches, and being greeted by the OG students at Sitjaopho (Paul and Matilda to name some). You feel like you’re returning home.
The gym and classes run under the watchful eye of Kru F (Pisit Kambang), one of the famous Sitjaopho twins. Kru F organises the coaches and students, guiding each session with structure and progression from the last. He keeps a close eye on each student and even when not working with them personally, he gets the other coaches to work on what he feels is needed with them. For instance, improving their checks, or improving their balance. Kru F takes good care of newbies, repeating the basics patiently until they are ready to move on. The gym is very welcoming for all levels (not to worry fighters, they’re more than happy to work you hard) and safe for female practitioners. I mention this as not all gyms “feel” as welcoming to females but at Sitjaopho, you’re not only in a safe but very positive learning environment. The coaches and students are not only respectful but there is a sense that all are equal here.
The vibe is welcoming, fun and energetic. It’s great to meet people who’ve crossed oceans to this small seaside town (mostly filled with foreign retirees) to train here. It’s a complete change of pace to Bangkok. Students from all around the world are here to learn and train hard to pick up the beautiful Sitjaopho style, known why its beautiful teeps, impeccable defence and long knees. The style matches the body types of the twins - lean, tall and long limbed.
I personally have been training at the Sitjaopho camp since maybe around 2016… visiting once or twice a year until Covid hit. This was the first time coming back since then! I was so excited (and a little nervous) to be back at the camp. I’ve missed Kru F, the coaches, the energy of being there and very much the dogs… ! Many have passed since I was there last and Candy is now leader of the pack! Go Candy!
We arrived on Sunday to Hua Hin, tended to a small dog bite Lol .. Yup I got bitten by a dog on my knuckle… Hired a scooter from the town area and rode around familiarising ourselves with the streets.
Training is twice a day
Mornings, 8am - 9.30/10am
Afternoons, 4pm - 6pm
Costing
Single session per day 400 baht
Two sessions per day is 600 baht
One session a day (for a week) - 2000 baht
Two sessions a day (for a week) - 3000 baht
One session a day (for a month) - 7000 baht
Two sessions a day (for a month) - 10,000 baht
Contact for bookings - can be done via instagram @sitjaopho_muaythai https://instagram.com/sitjaopho_muaythai?igshid=MDE2OWE1N2Q=
or @pisit_kambang https://instagram.com/sitjaopho_muaythai?igshid=MDE2OWE1N2Q=
Recommendations for hotels by Kru F (close to the gym):
Triple Z Hotel https://goo.gl/maps/vp5h6sucrRpAWNNcA
The Bike Loft Hotel (where we stayed) https://g.page/thebikeloft?share
หม่อนไหม รีสอร์ท https://goo.gl/maps/j3GqG5YanAR2cwr49
Check out their work Sitjaopho Youtube Channel
Students are welcomed to run or skip beforehand to warm up. The morning sessions usually kick off with 20 kicks on the bag, 50 skip knees and some line shadow work with the team.
Most mornings, we did line work pad work with the coaches. Starting with what we just did on the shadow line work (punches, elbows, teeps, knees) and then moved into free flow line work. We would usually finish with speed kicks (20 - 30 on each leg) before moving into free sparring work or drills. The drills were short and useful, working on what we needed to improve on collectively, or if a student had a particular question for Kru F.
In the afternoons, you warmed up individually and then moved to padwork with the coaches. You were called up individually and while waiting could work on the bag. We did 3 by 3 minute rounds on the pads and finished with speed and power kicks. Coaches are attentive, friendly and communicate well making sure you’re improving each session. For instance, my speed kicks were something they picked up on from Day 1 and wanted me to improve. Every day, I was reminded even when it was a different coach holding pads for me.
After padwork, we moved into sparring and then clinching. Overall, every session felt like we were making progress and improving. We were looking forward to training every session!
Conditioning is the same for both mornings and afternoons, which is done as a team post class. 200 sit ups in sets of 50, 20 push ups in between the sit up sets, 100 skip knees and 100 teeps. The numbers for the teeps and knees may vary as the coaches would direct us through the conditioning.
@ _Jacob_stenberg who’ll be training here for 3 months and @Alfie_pearse who’s been travelling around Thailand training
@matilda.thai.life Who’s made the official move to Thailand permanently ! I’ll see you sooooon <3!
Sitjaopho Muay Thai is a place I always miss when I have to leave. You’ll have to visit and see for yourself! :) You’ll fall in love with its charm, good energy and beautiful Muay Thai. It really is like home <3
