Heatrick Muay Thai Strength And Conditioning

Is sparring in fight camp a smart move or a dangerous gamble? As fight night gets closer, every decision you make in training counts, and few choices are as critical—or risky—as sparring in fight camp. On one hand, it’s an opportunity to refine your timing, reactions, and technique under pressure. But on the other, there’s always the looming risk of an injury that could throw off months of hard work. In this episode, we’ll explore whether sparring in the final stretch of your fight camp is worth it, or if it’s time to shift gears to safer, more controlled forms of training. You don’t want to enter the ring compromised. Let’s look at the best way to prepare without taking unnecessary risks. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Sparring in Fight Camp: Should You Risk It? 00:30 Two Weeks Out: Time to Shift Gears 00:44 Simulated Sparring: Getting the Fight Feel Without the Fight Risk 01:39 Sparring in Fight Camp: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/10/2

Fight prep sparring isn’t your usual sparring. It’s more “specific.” The goal is to make every round feel closer to a real fight. For novice fighters, this bridges the gap between the gym and the ring, helping them feel more at home under the lights. For experienced fighters, it’s the ultimate way to refine fight IQ and sharpen tactical instincts in a high-pressure setting. All training should follow a general-to-specific progression, whether you're between fights or building through an athletic training phase. Sparring is no different. Simple tweaks—like sparring the same partner for multiple consecutive rounds or introducing an audience to raise the stakes—can make a huge difference when fight night comes. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:13 Sparring Partners Are Golden 00:36 Simulate Fight Environment – Specificity 00:51 Two Rounds Before Changing Partners 01:29 Sparring In Front Of An Audience Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/10/18/fight-prep-sparring-tips-specificity/

If you're anything like me, there was a time you felt silly shadow boxing.  Maybe you still do. Muay Thai is about inflicting damage and having an effect... Lashing out in mid-air feels, well, lame! But, I eventually realised how I could best use shadow boxing to do much more than just get my heart rate up and make me feel self conscious! Are you (still) wasting your shadow boxing? If you’re not making the most of your Muay Thai shadow boxing, you’re leaving a critical part of your training untapped. Shadow boxing isn’t just about warming up or working through your techniques—it's your chance to mentally rehearse fight strategy and tactics, to build the necessary reps required for instinctive action in the ring. It’s not only an opportunity to accumulate more random skill practice “clusters” that I’ve spoken of before to enhance your skill retainment over the long term. But, it’s an often wasted opportunity to try on different fight mode “attitudes” and fight “ranges” for size, and become more comfortable wit

If you’re an orthodox fighter who’s never drilled in a southpaw stance, you’re leaving yourself open to attack—and trust me, that’s a vulnerability you can’t afford in the ring. Whether you’re throwing a punch, missing a strike, or just stepping off-line, sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in that unfamiliar stance. In that split second, you have two options: scramble to get back or confidently launch an attack. In this episode, I’ll show you why mastering the southpaw stance—whether you’re naturally orthodox or vice versa—can be the difference between getting outmaneuvered or taking control of the fight. Stick with me as we explore how you can use stance-switching to control range, disrupt your opponent’s rhythm, and stay dangerous from every angle. Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/09/27/learn-southpaw-if-orthodox-and-vice-versa-opposite-stance/

When it comes to calisthenics vs weight training, which is better for fighters? In today’s episode, we’re exploring both. Calisthenics offers great benefits for mastering body control, stability, and movement patterns, making it ideal for fighters just starting out or focusing on form. But sometimes, even your body weight can be too much. When it comes to long-term athletic progress, free weights can take your training to the next level. Discover the part both calisthenics and weight training play in your fighter development... Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/09/13/calisthenics-vs-weight-training-for-fighters/

Damien Trainor's method for drilling combos forms a foundation of his Muay Thai coaching. Muay Thai combos are more than just technique—they’re about flow and adaptability. In this video, Damien Trainor breaks down how to turn simple drills into seamless combinations that work in real fights. Whether you're training or preparing for a fight, this video will help you get there. Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/09/06/muay-thai-combos-damien-trainor/

In the world of Muay Thai, success isn’t something handed out freely; it’s earned through countless unseen battles. Even those at the top of the game haven’t had it easy. Overcoming struggles – paying your dues – is part of the journey for everyone. Kevin Ross, a seasoned fighter, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to rise to the top. Kevin Ross on the Reality of Success in Muay Thai: Paying Your Dues Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/08/30/paying-your-dues-even-the-best-fight-unseen-battles-kevin-ross/

Sound corrected version!! Many fighters and coaches misunderstand just how much Muay Thai training is really needed to achieve the best performance possible. ***Apologies for having to re-upload this episode! I completely messed up the audio with the background music on the original... Doh! A huge thanks to everyone who provided feedback—it really helps me improve these episodes.*** Generally, Thais don’t understand how to program progressive training. They throw everyone into largely the same regimen, regardless if they’re beginners or seasoned pros.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣And those that can’t keep up, or become injured as a result are deemed “lazy”.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣Even Damien Trainor shared with me in our podcast together, that after feeling like he was burning out in Thailand, he had to take a day's rest – and then nobody at the camp would speak to him for 2-weeks!⁣⁣⁣ And Liam Harrison has shared his thoughts on this too, explaining his experience while living in Thailand… That many top 10 stadium-ranked fighters in their

In part 4, scientific skills training for fighters is enhanced with deliberate play! We discuss a continuum from deliberate practice – where skill training is structured and effortful, to deliberate play – where skill training is creative and enjoyable. And how there's a need for both! TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Power of Play! 00:19 Deliberate Practice vs Deliberate Play 00:41 Using a Practice to Play Continuum 01:09 Deliberate Play on a Heavy Bag 01:29 Unleashing "Creativity" 01:54 A Playful Mindset is a Growth Mindset Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/08/02/scientific-skills-training-for-fighters-part-4/

In part 3, scientific skills training for fighters becomes STRUCTURED! We discuss placing skills training in a periodised progression (as you approach a fight), skills training RPE, and take a closer look at a training session worked example too… TIMESTAMPS 00:00 RPE For New Skill Development 00:22 TUF – Technique Under Fatigue 00:48 Skill Training Programming 01:31 Skill Training Everyday? 02:05 Multiple Skill Practices Per Week 02:40 Avoiding Local Muscular Fatigue 02:57 Worked Example: Round Kick Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/07/26/scientific-skills-training-for-fighters-part-3/

In this second part, we continue to apply scientific skills training for fighters to fast-track Muay Thai skill development… We explore how to best practice new skills in a training session, to ensure you not only: Acquire skills quickly, cleanly, and retain them long-term, but also… Retain skills in a way that carries over into practical, real-world use in the chaotic fight environment! TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Practice One New Skill Among Multiple Retained Skills 00:37 Practice Variations Of That New Skill 01:28 All Skills Have 3 Features That Remain The Same 03:04 Building Good Skill Even When Tired Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/07/19/scientific-skills-training-for-fighters-part-2/

In this first episode, we begin looking at how scientific skills training for fighters can accelerate your Muay Thai skill development by answering two fundamental questions: What’s the quickest way to learn a new Muay Thai skill with the highest quality? What’s the best way to practice so you don’t lose that skill? As a fighter, you might not like the answer… But, there’s a wealth of scientific research on motor skill development, and if you practically apply the findings to your training, you’ll go further, faster! Here, in part 1 we get that ball rolling… TIMESTAMPS 00:00 More Rest Equals More Retained Skill 00:36 Learning New Skill Or Testing Old Skill Under Fatigue 01:33 Skill Acquisition vs Skill Retainment 02:47 How Many Practice Reps Before Changing? Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/07/12/scientific-skills-training-for-fighters-part-1/

Coaching for your first fight can make or break your competitive Muay Thai aspirations – whether you're sharpening up with non-decision bouts or aiming for titles someday. World-class Muay Thai coach Damien Trainor shares his philosophy on introducing students to competition. He emphasises the importance of getting to know your fighter and, crucially, helping fighters understand themselves. More Muay Thai enthusiasts than ever are taking tentative steps into the ring to further their development. There's immense value in testing your limits this way. If stepping into the ring to face an unfamiliar opponent feels like a logical step for you, this episode sheds light on preparing for your first fight... TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Your Reason For Fighting 01:06 About Your First Fight 01:56 Fight Qualities Build Life Qualities Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/07/05/coaching-for-your-first-fight-damien-trainor/

Pro fighter Angela Chang opens up about a critical mistake she made during her Muay Thai training in Thailand: pushing herself too hard and hitting the burnout wall. Discover how she learned to understand her limits and maintain peak performance without overstepping. Many fighters don’t push themselves hard enough, missing their full potential. Conversely, those immersed in the Muay Thai lifestyle in Thailand can lose sight of maintaining a healthy balance. Angela’s journey offers invaluable insights into striking that crucial balance while Muay Thai training in Thailand. There’s immense value in making mistakes and learning from them, as well as from those who openly share their experiences. Angela now confidently pushes herself to the edge without toppling over into burnout. Tune in to this episode to learn how to determine your limits, spot the warning signs of burnout, and elevate your training without compromising your health. Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/06/28/do-dont-do-this

Is watching teammates before your fight a mistake? Coach Bryan Popejoy discusses the potential consequence of doing so on your energy levels in your own fight. Your body is a holistic system, mobilising energy based on your brain’s perception of your environment. The more emotionally invested you are, the greater the level of autonomic system arousal and the greater the energy cost, even if you physically do nothing… Your body is charged and ready to act, even if you deem yourself to be inactive! For fighters yet to fight on that same show, watching your teammates is draining you. When I flew out to Thailand to compete at the amateur Muay Thai World Championships back in 2007, my corner team sat next to me, eagerly watching the new (at the time) Rocky Balboa in-flight movie. Glancing across during a fight scene, I found my adrenaline levels going through the roof! Because I was competing myself when we arrived in Thailand, it was just too much for me. I had to stop watching such emotive fight scenes.

I’ve always been able to take a body shot. A bulletproof core has always been my superpower. It allowed me to become a dominant Muay Khao fighter, completely unfazed by trading the heaviest of knees in the clinch… Confident I could inflict much more damage than I would take. To take a Muay Thai body shot you must both develop the prerequisite core strength and shot absorbing technique. The truth is, that even a strong core can only absorb a body shot without taking damage IF it’s tensed. And there’s a skill to this! In this video I break down this skill, revealing the secrets that turn you from winded and fractured to robust and relentless… TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The Truth About Taking A Body Shot 00:52 Anticipate or Collapse 01:24 Clinch Knees Blindfolded 02:16 How To Brace Your Ribs 03:10 Exhaling To Compress The Ribs 03:46 Moving Away From The Strike 04:35 Lateral Spine Flexing Works Too 04:54 Using The Lats In The Clinch 05:53 Using The Lats In Your Guard Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/20

Unlike many sports, in Muay Thai you can excel regardless of your stature or body type. It's possible to find a personal Muay Thai style for you. Tall fighters, short fighters, strong fighters, fast fighters! With so many tools in the box, Muay Thai allows you to play to your strengths. Develop the Muay Thai skill to fight using a style that suits your body type and athletic abilities, and you become a unique puzzle to crack! I practiced several different martial arts before I found Muay Thai – Judo, Kyokushinkai karate, Taekwondo, Boxing, Kickboxing... But none of them afforded me the freedom to fight full force, using my whole body like Muay Thai did. Instead of being pigeonholed in a way that disadvantaged me, I could play the game how I wanted to. With so many tools in your (Muay Thai) box, it's possible to change your fight tactics to beat different opponents.  Explore, play, have fun with your training. The more you can find your own way, the more success you'll have! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Muay

Now in my fifties, the training mistakes I made as a young fighter are finally catching up with me... If some training is good, and more means quicker results, then even more training is even better, right? That's how it felt at the time. However, time and scientific evidence have proved me wrong! The fact is, I'm part of an emerging demographic of caucasian males in their early fifties who, after years heavily involved in sports, now need hip replacements. Don't let either your enthusiasm or FOMO drive you to make the same mistake. Now over 30 years on, we (should) know better. ;) In this episode: 00:00 Hindsight Is A Wonderful Thing 00:24 The Difference Between Good & Bad Reps 00:56 Fast Forward To A Problem 01:38 What To Do & Not To Do 02:33 80/20 Your Solo Practice Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/05/24/hindsight-my-young-fighter-training-mistake/

Why can't you fight how you spar in training? Why are you so stiff, clumsy, and fatigued? The key to understanding your first fight performance is to recognise the undeniable influence of your psychology on your physiology! Yerkes-Dodson anyone? In this episode, we discuss the tipping point between the optimal amount of stress to achieve your best and dropping over the cliff edge into the shadow of your real capability... Robbing you of your movement, mobility, fitness, technique and fight IQ! And if you're new to competition, this tipping point is far more easily exceeded – and to be expected!! Here's just what to expect from your first fight(s) and how to swing your mindset toward a better outcome, quickly. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Yerkes-Dodson Anyone? 00:15 Optimal ANS Arousal – More Isn't Better 01:02 The Cost Of Being Over Aroused 01:36 For Your First Fight It's Expected! 02:23 Should You Change Your Training? 02:56 How Your Personality Affects Performance 03:51 How Good or Bad Valence Aff

Are you a fighter training around injury? Should you be resting up or smashing on regardless? I've pushed on when I shouldn't have, and needlessly backed off too. There are lessons to learn here. Injury is part of any athlete's journey. But for fighters, managing injury well can separate you from the competition... In this episode: 00:00 Two Types of Injury 00:48 Testing It Out To See 01:48 How To Train Even When Injured Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/05/10/fighter-training-through-injury-right-or-wrong/