Everyone remembers their first day of training in Thailand. They either get nauseous, temporarily give up, or feel like they’ve gone into complete shock as they walk away from the gym drenched in a gallon of sweat. The reason they feel lightheaded and that their legs can’t support them? Their bodies have yet to acclimatize to the heat.
People raised in Thailand, especially Muay Thai fighters, are a unique type of tough. Pushing through the oppressive sun and stifling humidity, they’ve learned to adapt and thrive in conditions that test their resilience on a daily basis. They’ve mastered how best to deal with the tropical heat because they have work to do, and the sun isn’t going anywhere.
They know when to rest, how to seek shade and work on a schedule aligned with the sun’s movements. While modern living has changed the way we live and interact, the ability to endure and navigate the heat is instinctual for those who grew up in the tropics.
Hot, humid air feels thick when you breathe it in due to the moisture in the air. This makes it harder to breathe, causing your body to work harder even before training begins. Your heart rate subsequently rises, and all your movements feel even more strenuous. It’s also hotter which causes you to sweat a lot more, increasing the risk of dehydration almost immediately.
If you don’t adapt, you’re not going to make it. But it’s essential to look at this challenge with a glass-half-full perspective. Overcoming the obstacles associated with training in the tropics will pay off. If you’re not careful, the blazing sun will knock you off your feet, so it’s best to look to locals for advice. You’ll notice Thais will seek refuge from the sun during its peak hours from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and tend to stay indoors. If you plan to run, doing it early or late afternoon is a good idea. Luckily, at Bangtao, all of our training facilities are shaded and offer plenty of ventilation. The heat alone will force you to stay on schedule, which is paramount for all professional athletes. It will also force you to stay hydrated and nourish your body.
Acclimatizing will take time and be tricky – but it is achievable. Once you get over that hump, not only will you feel a sense of accomplishment, but your training will reach new heights. You will come out of this experience feeling mentally and physically tougher – a testament to your strength and resilience. Training in challenging conditions, such as what you will experience in Thailand, will also aid heart health and accelerate weight loss.
When it comes to training, the tropics offer a multitude of benefits. The ample sunlight and constant influx of vitamin D will boost your physical health and enhance your mood. There will be no more dreary and dark winters to endure while stuck inside. The tropical climate will help keep spirits high and your training on track, but you’ve got to break through the initial discomfort and pain to really reap the benefits.
The scientific research also supports the fact that training in the heat, such as the tropics, is even better than training in higher altitudes. It does a better job of increasing VO2 max and better prepares your body for training in various temperatures. It boosts your blood plasma volume and conditions your body to cool more efficiently. One very effective way our body cools itself is by pumping blood to the surface of the skin. Once you’ve invested enough time training in the tropics, your body will jumpstart this process at lower core temperatures, ensuring faster cooldown and recovery – meaning you can train harder and longer.
But keep in mind that training in the heat is hard on the body – and the mind. You most likely will not be able to maintain your usual routine from back home. Take your time and ease into it. This is the best way to build resilience and, in turn, reap the many benefits of training in the tropics.
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is crucial to your success when training in Thailand. Don’t let the tropical climate get you down, instead, let it take your physical and mental health to new heights. Stay hydrated, take lots of cold showers, and hit those mats – because what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.