Is Muay Thai a HIIT?
David Perry
Updated on June 11, 2026
Muay Thai is an accidental HIIT workout, so whether you're a Nak Muay or a weekend warrior looking to drop a few pounds, it really could be the perfect workout for you.
What kind of exercise is Muay Thai?
Being a mix of both aerobic and anaerobic workout, Muay Thai is a type of martial art that offers both strength and endurance. On the one hand, you undergo running, jumping rope and shadowboxing, which gives you a dash of aerobic activity.
Do MMA fighters do HIIT?
These days, though, fighters and MMA athletes rely more on metabolic training, otherwise known as high-intensity interval training or HIIT. Metabolic training essentially means alternating brief but highly intense bouts of activity with intervals of lighter work or rest.
Is Muay Thai a full body workout?
Muay Thai is a full-body workout People who have spent significant time doing Muay Thai swear by its wonderful weight loss and body-sculpting effects. This comes as no surprise given the fact that Muay Thai is an intense full-body workout that involves a lot of important muscle groups.
Do Muay Thai fighters run everyday?
Muay Thai fighters will put in the roadwork every morning, followed by another hour or so of fight work, then more training throughout the day. Lessons learned here are that it's frequency rather than speed or duration that are fundamental to performance.
41 related questions foundIs Muay Thai considered cardio?
Both an Aerobic and Anaerobic Workout
With running, jumping, and shadowboxing, Muay Thai provides you with an aerobic workout to prepare for more intense workouts. It also builds excellent anaerobic endurance with exercises like punching and kicking on the pads or bags.
How many times a week should I do Muay Thai?
If you are a fighter, or have aspirations to fight, you should be training five to six times a week. If you are someone just looking to get good at Muay Thai come in at minimum three to four times a week.
Does Muay Thai make you lean?
High-intensity anaerobic exercises burn more calories than aerobic exercises and hence more fat loss while boosting the metabolism for hours after the workout. Training Muay Thai builds lean muscle while burning fat, lending to a Muay Thai fighter's body which is lean and toned.
Is 30 too old for Muay Thai?
The truth is, being in your thirties does not make you a grave dodger. Sure, you are not twenty anymore, however, you are in the prime of your life. You have the energy and focus to try something new, which makes this the perfect time to take up Muay Thai.
Is Muay Thai good for weight loss?
You are required to show great strength, explosiveness, endurance, and power when performing this form of martial arts, which can help you lose weight quickly. As per studies performing Muay Thai for an hour can help you burn 783 calories.
Is HIIT good for martial arts?
With this same logic, HIIT is beneficial for sport karate athletes because the short burst of intense exercise followed by lower intensity exercises mimics our routines.
Is boxing a HIIT?
Boxers must have the ability to perform frequent bouts of high intensity activity during a training session or boxing match. The sport is a form of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and can push your body to repeatedly sustain intense bouts of activity (1).
Is HIIT training good for boxing?
High intensity interval training (also known as HIIT) is perfect for boxers, MMA fighters, and other fight sport athletes. Interval training can help fighters increase power and improve endurance.
Is boxing or Muay Thai a better workout?
The answer comes down to the technical differences and what type of skills you want to develop. Muay Thai is often seen as better for self-defense as it teaches you how to use all limbs to fight. Unlike boxing, it will teach you how to use kicks to keep the distance, vicious elbows, and knees in the clinch.
What are the cons of Muay Thai?
The cons of Muay Thai include frequent injuries, and with the focus primarily on kicks, and arm strikes, practitioners are more vulnerable if taken to the ground.
Does Muay Thai tone your legs?
Muay Thai is a full body workout, training every single aspect of your physicality. It tones your arms and legs, trims your abdominal area to give you a flat stomach, and tightens your skin giving you the appearance of a well-conditioned athlete.
Is 50 too old for Muay Thai?
Age Is Just A Number - Even For Muay Thai
Sure, you've often heard of the saying that "age is just a number." That age should not limit you from pursuing your interests, whatever they may be. That's what you think when debating with yourself to take the plunge or not. But Muay Thai is a combat sport, after all.
Is 40 too old to learn Muay Thai?
So it's time to talk about the reasons why you need to train in Muay Thai right NOW. Yes, even if you're 40 and beyond. There's just no way that you can afford to be held back by your age, even if you've already approached middle-age status.
Is 45 too old to learn Muay Thai?
I've had people from as young as 18 years old all the way to 65+ ask if it's “too late” to start training Muay Thai. No matter what the age, I always have the same answer, “It's never too late to start training!”.
Why are Muay Thai fighters so skinny?
In Thailand, the weather is hot and humid which lends to increased calorie loss and fat burning. This is why the majority of Muay Thai fighters are skinny.
Does Muay Thai give you big legs?
One thing many people notice about Muay Thai fighters is the strong, muscular appearance of their calves. Even the most diminutive Muay Thai fighter will have noticeable calves, honed through years of training.
Why are martial artists skinny?
MMA fighters are skinny because their training primarily involves repetitive workouts. For example, a mixed martial arts fighter will do 100 pushups rather than bench press 400 lbs. High repetition workouts tone the muscles up and prepare them for strain over long periods.
How long does it take to get decent at Muay Thai?
To become competent at Muay Thai you need to regularly train for around 3 years and have some fight experience. To say you are competent you should have had around 5-6 fights, as you can claim some experience and use the experience to fight far more tactically as your Muay Thai fight IQ has improved a lot.
How many calories burned Muay Thai?
Muay Thai – Up to 600 per hour
A cardio Muay Thai class which incorporates upper body moves with kicks, knees and elbows – burns up to 600 calories per hour.
Is it hard to get good at Muay Thai?
Easy enough to learn by all ages and genders. While most beginners start off looking awkward in Muay Thai movements especially with their roundhouse kicks, the majority become reasonably proficient within 2-3 months of regular practice at a Muay Thai gym.