So you want to know how long it’s going to take to become good at Muay Thai. Like everything in life, everything is relative. So while you might train for a month and be better than the average person, you won’t be nearly as good as a professional Muay Thai fighter. However, let’s examine the time it’ll take the average person to get good.
On average, it takes 6 months to become proficient in Muay Thai, which includes knowing all the basics and understanding the basic concepts of fighting and combinations. However, depending on your dedication and immersion in the craft, it might take anywhere from 3-24 months.
I think it’s common sense that different people will reach the same milestone at different times. Let me give you an example. You have two trainees, A and B (Creative levels=zero.) A trains once a week and doesn’t train in any other way. B, on the other hand, trains five times a week, watches professional fights and studies them, while shadowboxing at home between sessions.
Who, in your opinion, will become a proficient Muay Thai fighter quicker? B will, of course.
This article is going to give you a clear timeline for your average Muay Thai progression and learning rate. You’ll be able to understand just how long it’ll take until you’re considered good in the craft, including some milestones and obstacles you’ll face somewhere in between.
A Realistic Timeline of Your Muay Thai Learnings
When you first begin your Muay Thai learnings, you’ll want to know how long it’ll take to become good. That’s a natural instinct we all have. Instead of ignoring it and underestimating its helpfulness, we want to feed this instinct and learn how much time it’ll take to learn the craft of Thai Boxing, as it’ll help us be more dedicated and consistent in our journey.
Throughout my fighting journey, I stumbled upon countless trainees who have all gone through similar journeys. In my experience, they go through similar changes in about the same period.
I’ve condensed all my knowledge and experience into the following sections, so I want you to pay close attention.
#1 – The Beginning (0-3 Months)
The first phase is the beginning. It’ll usually take you 3 months to learn the basics, which include:
- Learning to Punch
- Learning to Kick
- Knowing to Elbow and Knee
- Having a Basic Understanding of the Clinch
- Familiarizing Yourself With Defensive Moves
Once you’re done with this phase, you’re a much better fighter than you were when you first started. I’m saying this because the change will be the biggest, as you knew nothing and you now know all these effective fighting techniques.
The first phase is the most difficult to stay consistent in, as you’re fairly bad compared to your peers.
#2 – Refining Techniques (3-6 Months)
The second phase is the refinement phase. This is where you’ll be considered “good” at Muay Thai. After six months of training, your technique is solid. You know how to throw all the different types of strikes, including the more advanced ones, like the spinning back kick and spinning elbow.
Your technique is refined. Your footwork and defensive moves are fantastic. And you know how to use your power effectively.
Once again, this is where you’re considered good.
#3 – Advanced Phase (6-12 Months)
The next phase is the one you’ll be considered an advanced Muay Thai trainee. It’s also where you can probably pick up some amateur fights. You’re fairly good by now and know to move around the ring like it’s your second home.
You’re familiar with pain and have endured many punches and kicks into your face and body. Your mental self is much stronger than it was in the previous phase, as you’ve begun sparring more often and are considered a solid fighter.
This is the next 6-12 months.
#4 – More Than Advanced (1-2 Years)
Next up, once you’ve been training for a year, Muay Thai is truly like second nature. You can throw extremely fast and strong punches and kicks, while knowing to utilize the close range to your advantage, such as with the clinch, knee strike, and elbow strike.
You’re now a fearsome opponent capable of causing real damage to your opponents. All in all, you’ve gone through a year of learning and refining the basics of Muay Thai.
In the “more than advanced” phase, you’ll continue to refine your technique while working on your advanced skills. You’ll typically have a coach that’ll be alongside you in your journey, making it easier to learn and fix the nuances of your craft.
#5 – Turning Amateur/Pro (2-3 Years)
After two years of vigorous training, you’re now an entirely different person. You’re an accountable, confident, mindful person who has low stress, anger, and aggression levels.
You’re also an awesome fighter. You’ve been working this long to refine your technique, which paid off greatly. It’s now time to consider turning amateur or pro if you have the time for it.
You’ll dedicate more of your time if you’re interested in turning amateur, which is one of the most intimidating feats fighters at your point experience. However, it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have in your life, as you’ll put everything on the line to test your true skills.
You’ve worked long for this. Congratulations.
What Will I Learn in Muay Thai at First?
When you first begin training in any martial art of fighting system out there, you’ll likely start without any noticeable skills. Soon enough, however, you’ll become proficient with the basics, which will make you a better fighter than 99% of people. So let’s review what you’ll learn first in Muay Thai.
In your first Muay Thai class, you’ll learn the very basics, which include:
- Proper fighting stance
- The five basic punches
- The six basic kicks
- Clinching
- Knee strikes
- Elbow strikes
- Defensive moves
- Proper footwork
- Pain Tolerance
These are the basics of Muay Thai, which you can learn in not that long of a time. As the timeline in this article suggests, it’ll take around 3-6 months to become proficient in the basics, which mostly are what’s in the list above.
Is Training Muay Thai 3 Times a Week Good?
Training Muay Thai three times a week is fantastic because it leaves you enough time to rest in between workouts while removing any chance of undertraining. Training 1-4 times a week is the perfect range for beginners. Likewise, 5-6 times a week is more suitable for advanced trainees.
How Many Years Does It Take To Learn Muay Thai?
Giving a specific number of years it’ll take you, the reader, to learn Muay Thai is impossible for me because I don’t know you. You can be lazy or you might be extremely dedicated. However, what I do have is an average number that you can have in mind when you’re training in The Art of Eight Limbs.
It takes one year to learn Muay Thai and be considered “good.” However, depending on your dedication and immersion in the martial art, it can take anywhere from 3-24 months. A good milestone to set is to turn amateur somewhere in your second year of training if that’s something that interests you.
How Long Does It Take To Prepare for a Muay Thai Fight?
So you want to have your first fight in Muay Thai. I believe it’s one of the best steps you can take in your fighting career, as it’s something every fighter has to go through to truly develop as a person and as a fighter.
But, it might get a bit overwhelming when you have to prepare for your Muay Thai fight, as the preparation is much harder than the fight itself. You’ll be working day and night to keep refining your skills and come up with a solid game plan.
On average, it takes 30 days of Muay Thai boot camp to prepare for an amateur/professional fight. Aim for 20 hours of training per week to ensure you’re preparing accordingly. These timelines apply if you’re already a good enough fighter and have been training for at least a year.
Final Words
Although the timelines provide a good enough basis for understanding how long it’ll take to become a good fighter, I urge you not to pay too much attention to them, unless they motivate you.
Your only focus should be on learning and refining your craft. For some people, 3-6 months is too much time to wait to become a good fighter, as today’s society embraces shortcuts and being as lazy as possible.
Remember, nothing overly valuable was made with shortcuts.
Here are other articles you’ll benefit from:
Is Muay Thai Hard to Learn? Can Anyone Get Good at It?
The Pros and Cons of Muay Thai – Is It Worth the Risk?
The True Cost of Muay Thai Classes – Beyond the Price Tag