Since Phuket Top Team just opened, the class ratio was awesome, with 5 trainers and 4 students, we each got paired off to do pad work, clinching, and had someone there to walk around and help correct our stance, and technique the whole time.
The Muay Thai Boxing Coaches at Phuket Top Team
Even though I had been doing Muay Thai for a year now and have had three fights under my belt. The first thing my trainer did was fix my basic kick by having my use my hip more and come up on my toes. It was great that he forced me to have good form and proper technique. Over all the Muay Thai Class at Top Team is very good and I'm impressed.
MMA Striking Class/Submission Wrestling at Phuket Top Team
My first MMA Class at Phuket Top Team was a success. The head coach is Silviu Dorin who used to compete in the Romanian Olympic Boxing Team and Combat Sambo. He then moved on and fought for the Red Devil Fight Team in Russia with Fedor Emelianenko and Vladimir Voronov.
I've done a bit of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the past, and combined with my Muay Thai it is technically MMA however, this was the first class where the forms where truly combined and Silviu taught me striking combinations ending with takedowns and transitions. One of my favorite moves was the footwork for the left jab, left hook, right cross to take down that we practiced today.
Silvu teaching the MMA Class at Phuket Top Team
Phuket Top Team also has a Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu coach Rafael Lopes all the way from San Pablo, Brazil. The great thing about having Rafael coaching is that he is an active fighter and not just a coach. He's also had a near flawless record in Vale Tudo, Muay Thai, MMA and Boxing. Plus having a BJJ coach that grew up and trained in Brazil makes the experience feel that much more authentic.
The first day back training is always tough on the body so I'm taking it easy and popping ibuprofens. I'll post more about the training at Phuket Top Team soon. Their website is PhuketTopTeam.com or check them out on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MMATrainingCampPhuket
Update: Phuket Top Team is currently doing a raffle to give away free prizes including Twins Muay Thai Shorts and Phuket Top Team T-Shirts - To enter just go to their facebook page and click "like" to enter.
Peace out for now.
Johnny, looking at coming to a camp in December of this yr... been looking at TMT just b/c they had good prices, and all prices were clearly listed for budgeting purposes. How would you compare that to Phuket Top Team? Price-wise, experience-wise, accomodations-wise (PTT accomodations sound a little better...) What do you think is the latest I should book? And training-wise in preparation to coming...I saw you'd recommended someone else with no experience take some basic BJJ classes...anything else? I've done some traditional boxing when growing up, but minimal wrestling, and no muy thai, BJJ, etc. And I imagine tons of cardio? I know it's months away, but b/c I only have 3-4 weeks (I haven't taken the step of quitting the job like you) vacation, I want to maximize those few weeks I'm at a camp.
ReplyDeleteHey Mk, it's definetely good to plan ahead. I would suggest you work mainly on your cardio before you come. You should aim to be able to run 5k comfortably. Also be able to do three sets of 30 pushups.
ReplyDeletePrice, experience and accommodations both PTT and TMT are very simular. The biggest difference between the two camps is the size. The pros of Tiger since they are bigger is that it is very organized. While PTT is small so they just go with the flow sometimes.
Either way I would recommend you book as far in advance as possible, but even then on site accommodation is never guaranteed since people almost always end up over staying. But as long as you don't mind paying 10,000 baht a month for a nicer room there are plenty of options.
Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions. By the way, when you book it you can mention you saw it on my blog.
Thanks for the advice, Johnny...cardio (thumbs down, as I hate running) it is...
ReplyDeleteQuick question, on-site is obviously preferred option for lodging...but if none available, is it difficult to find nearby?
And when I book, will mention I saw it on your blog for sure.
I totally hate running too, but it's just something that you gotta do. Fighters run. Period. For me I started off just walking a much as I could, then stepped it up to a light jog. I'm still can't run 5k, but I'm working on it and I wish it was something I would have started long ago.
ReplyDeleteFor lodging, there are so many rooms now on the same street as the training camp so no worries about finding a place. Most places off site are going for about 7,000 baht ($234US) per month and come with A/C.
Good luck and keep in touch.
Johnny, talking to a British friend of mine who's trained in Phuket, he said that I when I go in December, I should expect it to be pretty packed as that's high season, esp at TMT as it has the reputation. Says I may have a better experience at at a gym called Sinbi. Heard anything about it? He didn't know about PTT, so going on your experience for that...still enjoying it?
ReplyDeleteHey MK December will definetely be packed as it's super high season then. I haven't trained at Sinbi so I don't know anything about it. I checked out their website and I'm shocked on how expensive it is for a Thai style gym.
ReplyDeleteThings are still good here at PTT, I'm planning on doing a blog post with a 1 month update soon. Thanks for the reminder.
So you know, the prices at Sinbi include accommodation and training. Their a little higher than tigers budget dorm rooms but their also nicer and the training is way better! You should check it out and be blown away by the comparison! You wont find a better bunch of trainers in Phuket. Alex
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation Alex, I've heard good things about Sinbi Muay Thai and the location being near Nai Harn beach is excellent.
ReplyDeleteI checked http://www.sinbi-muaythai.com for current prices:
19,000 baht a month ($633US) for training and to share a 3 person room.
32,000 baht a month ($1,066) for a private room with training.
Prices seem very high compared to other Muay Thai only gyms, and are even a bit more expensive than the gyms that offer both MMA and Muay Thai. Sinbi does have a good reputation though, and I'd love to come check it out sometime and do a proper review on the place.
Thanks for the recommendation Alex, I've heard good things about Sinbi Muay Thai and the location being near Nai Harn beach is excellent.
ReplyDeleteI checked http://www.sinbi-muaythai.com for current prices:
19,000 baht a month ($633US) for training and to share a 3 person room.
32,000 baht a month ($1,066) for a private room with training.
Prices seem very high compared to other Muay Thai only gyms, and are even a bit more expensive than the gyms that offer both MMA and Muay Thai. Sinbi does have a good reputation though, and I'd love to come check it out sometime and do a proper review on the place.
Hi
ReplyDeleteHow many times a day did you train/ how many hours, at PTT? Did you train every day of the week?
thanks
Hey Gareth, you can read my blog for an article called "Over training" where I talk about it in more detail. But for me I'd train 1x a day 5 days a week on average. For 2.5 hours a day.
ReplyDeleteCheers on creating a really great, helpful blog! Im a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia and I'm finishing my two year service in April. On a whim I bought a ticket to Thailand and I'm planning on spending about a month training (I really miss martial arts! karate, boxing, bjj...). This blog has been super informative and really motivational! -Matt
ReplyDeleteHi there , i am muhd from singapore and i was planning to train at PTT . But there is a small problem , and that is , how do i book as the booking page is too confusing for me . so i was wondering if you could explain to me on how to book(accomodation only) . Thanks , and love your blogs btw ! Cheers
ReplyDeleteBooking accommodation can be confusing, the best way is to just email them at phukettopteam @ email.com or use their contact form http://phukettopteam.com/contact-us/contact-us.php
DeleteHey Johnny! well done for the site (and your travel ) it's awsome and really helpfull. I'm travelling 9 months through asia and i really want to do a aproximatly 2 months camp. TMT and PTT are the two ones i am hesitating between. I didnt find any comparasion on the site( but i also suck at searching so..)
ReplyDeleteDo you have any preference? My fear is that TMT will be too packed and that the traineers will spend less time with one on one practice.
Wich one trains you better? i'm looking for improove my game in Muay thai,boxing,MMA and maybe try other stuff. (i saw that the jui jitsu classes were quite good at TMT)
Thank you in advance man this site is so cool and it would be really helpfull to have your response. Thx
Quentin
Hey Quentin, glad you're enjoying my blog and traveling. I purposely didn't write which one is better Tiger Muay Thai or Phuket Top Team on my blog as it's public and I want to stay on good terms with both gyms. However, I wrote specifically which one is the best in my book www.12WeeksinThailand.com - If you're thinking about spending 2 months there buy and read the book, it'll save you much more than the $10 it costs on amazon.
DeleteHa yeah i think i'm gonna buy it along with some of your book suggestions, the thing is i don't have a fixed address right now, plus i think i need to hurry up to book it . I totally understand though.
DeleteDo you have a private mail?
Thx man
q
Check it out books on Amazon Kindle or the eBook in PDF, you can read the books digitally on your phone, tablet, iPad or Computer. http://www.myfightcamp.com/2013/04/alternative-places-to-buy-12-weeks-in.html
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