Mar 31, 2020

How To Train Martial Arts While Traveling For Business Or Pleasure

Thai mixed martial arts pioneer Shannon Wiratchai trains at Tiger Muay Thai

Traveling can do wonders for your life. You get to experience new cultures, meet new friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Even though traveling can have a positive effect on your life, it can also break your training routine.

With some simple planning, here is how you can travel for business or pleasure and still hit the mats to keep your martial arts skills sharp.

Prepare For Your Trip

Indian wrestling star Ritu Phogat strikes at Evolve in Singapore

Once you find out where you are traveling, you can easily turn your trip into a training vacation by reaching out to local gyms in the area.

Most martial arts gyms have open-door policies, meaning you can pay to train for a day, a week, or even a month. Just be sure to let them know ahead of time.

Also, because most gyms have morning and evening sessions, you can squeeze in some training sessions before you hit that business conference or after a day spent exploring the city.

For example, if you have to travel to Singapore for business, there are plenty of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms in the country, like Evolve, where you can get some training in.

If you are traveling to Thailand for vacation, you can also make the most of it by hitting a Muay Thai gym while you are there.

Even if you are heading to Europe, you have plenty of options to immerse yourself in martial arts. In fact, you can try your hand at Dutch kickboxing.

Pack The Essentials

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat Gafurov wraps his hands

Once you figure out which gyms you are going to train at during your business or leisure trip, then you must decide what to pack.

If you are traveling for business for a few days and only want to pack a carry-on bag, then bring just the basics. This means training shorts, rash guards, sneakers, and a mouthguard.

Most gyms that accept drop-in students will have an ample supply of gloves and pads for you to borrow.

If you plan to travel for a long time and have more space in your bag, then you can pack the essential Muay Thai training equipment or must-have BJJ gear to train in.

Stay Healthy

ONE Women's Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee dines at a hawker centre in Singapore

Traveling can take a toll on your health – especially if you do not take care of your body, sit in transit for hours at a time, or binge on food and drinks.

There is no better way to experience a new culture than to eat like a local. Indulge in fine cuisine and street food, but balance those things out with fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

If you plan on training while you travel, then carry water with you and drink it throughout the day. This way, by the time you hit the gym, you are well hydrated.

It can also be tempting to stay up late and explore the country you are visiting. But if you want to get the most out of your training, then make sure you get enough sleep. Sleep will help your body recover after intense workouts.

Finally, if you are well-rested, that means you will have enough energy not only for training, but for business meetings or exploring your destination.