Your first visit to The Camp: a few answers before you arrive.
“I’ve never done Muay Thai before. Is that okay?”
We receive this question all the time. People also ask about coming alone, speaking English, bringing equipment, getting fit and what to pack for their stay.
If visiting a martial arts gym in another country feels a little intimidating, I understand. You don’t yet know the place, the people or what will be expected of you.
So let me answer some of the questions we hear most often. There is probably less to worry about than you think—and a few practical things worth knowing before you come.
I’ve never tried Muay Thai—or any martial art. Can I join?
Yes. We welcome beginners every day.
I would estimate that around 60–70% of our guests are trying Muay Thai for the first time. Some are travelling through Thailand and want to give it a go. Others have decided to spend more time here and learn from the beginning.
You will not be the only person who doesn’t know where to put their feet.
Our trainers are used to teaching beginners, and we have programmes that introduce the basics step by step. Nobody is going to ask you to perform a jumping knee or a Superman punch on your first day. We can start without you leaving the ground.
You do not need to arrive with experience. Come willing to listen, try things and learn.
Will I have to spar or fight someone?
No. Beginners do not spar or take part in drills where they exchange strikes with another person.
Nobody is going to put you in front of another guest and ask you to start punching or kicking each other. Learning Muay Thai does not mean getting hit on your first day.
At The Camp, sparring is restricted to people with at least three years of experience who also have permission from our trainers. Having the experience does not automatically mean permission is given.
It is not a normal activity that everyone in a class is expected to do, and it is not part of beginner training.
Come ready to learn Muay Thai, not to prove that you can fight.
I’m a woman travelling alone. Will I feel out of place?
Not at all. Many women come to The Camp on their own, and close to half of our guests are women.
Arriving without a partner or a friend is entirely normal here. You do not need someone to accompany you to join a class or stay with us.
I know that deciding to travel alone and walk into an unfamiliar gym can feel like a big step. But once you arrive, you will find other people who have made much the same decision.
Of course, feeling comfortable at the gym is not the same as saying that any destination is free of risk. Use the usual care with transport, going out at night and looking after your belongings.
But if your question is, “Will it be strange to turn up at The Camp as a woman on my own?”—the answer is no. You will be in familiar company.
I have an injury, a medical condition or a history of surgery. Can I train?
Please contact us before booking and explain anything that may affect your training—for example, a previous operation, an old injury or a restriction on movement.
We are trainers, not doctors, so we cannot tell you whether you are medically fit to take part. If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor and let us know about any restrictions they recommend.
In a group lesson, we can make some adjustments while keeping you within the class’s planned activities. What we cannot do is turn a shared class into a separate, individually designed session for one person.
If you need to avoid a substantial part of the lesson, follow a different programme or receive sustained one-to-one attention, a private lesson may be more appropriate. Please discuss this with us first. A private lesson is not a substitute for medical clearance, and we cannot promise that every request can be accommodated.
The most helpful thing is to tell us before you arrive. Explain which movements you need to avoid and what support you may need, so we can discuss whether the available training is a suitable fit.
Should I train before I come?
You do not need to learn Muay Thai before coming here. Teaching you is our job.
If you rarely exercise, though, it helps to start moving a little more before your trip. Go for walks. Do some light exercise that suits you. Get into the habit of being active, and try to get regular sleep.
A long flight, a different climate and an unfamiliar physical routine can be quite a lot to deal with at once. You do not need to arrive exceptionally fit, but giving yourself a little preparation can make those first days more comfortable.
I mean preparing your general condition—not rushing to learn punches and kicks before you arrive.
There is no need to book a crash course or spend your evenings teaching yourself techniques from videos. It is perfectly fine to arrive without any experience. We can start from the beginning, without first having to undo habits you picked up in a hurry.
How early should I arrive, and what do I do when I get there?
Please arrive 15–20 minutes before every class, not just your first one.
The class start time is the time to be ready to train, not the time to walk through the entrance. Being prepared and being on time are part of the discipline.
First, check in at reception. On the iPad, simply tap the class you are attending. Please do this every time.
Then get your equipment ready, put on your hand wraps and prepare for the lesson. If you do not know how to wrap your hands yet, ask for help rather than leaving it until the class is starting.
Those few minutes also give you time to change your focus. You may have been working, travelling or thinking about something completely unrelated to training. Give yourself a moment to put that down.
I think of it as the transition from everyday life into your warrior mindset.
That doesn’t mean you need to look fierce. It means arriving with enough time to settle in, pay attention and be ready when the lesson begins.
Do I need to bring gloves and other equipment?
If you already own equipment you like using, bring it if you can.
But we also understand that travelling with a suitcase full of training gear is not always practical. Rental equipment is available, and our shop has the basics you need for training, including hand wraps, gloves, shin guards and headgear.
You do not need to buy a complete set of equipment before your first lesson.
There are also Muay Thai equipment shops in Chiang Mai, so buying your own gear after you arrive is an option. You may prefer to try a few sessions first and get a better idea of what you want.
My English isn’t very good, and I don’t speak Thai. Will that be a problem?
Most training is conducted in English, but you do not need fluent English to follow a lesson.
We can also communicate in Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. That does not mean every trainer speaks every language, or that a long conversation will always be easy in your preferred language.
Fortunately, the language used in training is fairly limited, and much of the teaching is demonstrated. You can see the movement, try it and receive a correction.
If you do not understand, ask. There is no need to pretend you understood an instruction just because everyone else has started moving.
For important information—especially an injury, a medical condition or a restriction on movement—please make sure we understand clearly. Writing it down or using a translation tool can help. That is something worth taking a little extra time over.
What amenities are provided in the rooms?
Let me be straightforward about this: we are a Muay Thai training facility with accommodation, not a five-star hotel.
We want you to have a comfortable stay, but please do not expect a full hotel selection of toiletries and amenities.
Bring your shampoo, body wash and other personal items, or buy them after you arrive. There is a nearby 7-Eleven and other convenience stores where you can pick up everyday essentials.
We have a limited number of hairdryers available to borrow. If having one available whenever you need it is important to you, please bring your own.
A little preparation here will save you an unnecessary surprise when you unpack.
Can I do laundry at The Camp?
Yes. We have coin-operated washing machines and dryers onsite.
When you are training regularly, you will have sweaty clothes to wash regularly. We would not expect you to travel across town every time you need a clean training shirt.
The laundry facilities are self-service and paid separately. They are not a complimentary hotel laundry service.
Should I arrange insurance?
I recommend arranging your own insurance and checking that it covers the training you intend to do.
We do not sell insurance or arrange it for you.
Muay Thai is a martial art and a contact sport. Even without sparring, an unexpected movement, accidental contact or a strain can cause an injury. Not sparring does not mean there is no risk.
Before you travel, ask your insurer specifically whether your policy covers Muay Thai training. Do not assume that a general travel policy includes every sporting activity. Check any exclusions and any requirements to declare existing medical conditions.
It is much better to have that conversation before your trip than after you need treatment.
One last thing before you come.
Please look after yourself before you travel.
You can arrive without Muay Thai experience. Arriving exhausted or unwell is a different matter, and it can take away a good part of the visit you have been looking forward to.
Get some sleep before your flight where you can. Give yourself time to adjust to the heat and your new surroundings. You do not have to fill every hour of your first day.
During training, if you feel dizzy, unusually weak or unwell, stop and tell your trainer. Take a break rather than trying to push through it.
You have come here to train, eat well and enjoy being in Chiang Mai—not to spend your stay feeling miserable in your room.
So worry less about whether you are good enough to begin. Get some rest, take care of yourself, and come ready to learn.
We are used to first days. We’ll help you with yours.
When you are ready, see Visitor Training for single sessions and passes, or Stay & Train if you want to stay onsite. Parking, Wi-Fi and other practical details are in the FAQ.