[denna12]

Although I've encountered many women in Kickboxing, I have yet to meet one interested or even seriously training to become a Muay Thai fighter.

Being a women interested in Muay Thai myself, I have a few questions.

I've read all the posts on building muscle, but is it any different for women?

Obviously I have an upper body disadvantage as far as power goes, can any of you suggest anything for that?

I'll ask more questions as I think of them... Thanks!

[Luther]

Girl, get a shirt on!

Are you looking to keep the weight class you are at or move up?

-Luther

[denna12]

Not really sure yet. Thinking that between losing the extra fat and building muscle I'll either stay the same or move up a bit. That's what I get for having a broad back ><

[TimeFighter]

Men and women (body type and shape) are completely different. I wouldn't take and body bulding drugs, just workout. Most of men I think are more conditioned than women, so you must try harder and work harder. Don't give up and push yourself.

Muay Thai is a great art, not only for conditioning, but learning how to fight and defened yourself on the streets.

[JollyRoger]

The exercises, diets, and routines shouldn't be any different than normal because you are a woman.

Plyometrics will still be very important as well as cardio and most importantly technique. I'm not sure how this should be any different for females.

I've trained lots of females in boxing, and I've known several women who could hit harder than men simply from having superior technique and fast twitch muscles development. Absolute strength and muscle cross sectional size are not directly proportional to potential power delivery.

In fact there was a test done on Sport Science a while back comparing punching power of a woman versus a man of exact same height and weight, as in this test the woman was able to hit harder (though do take note I think it's mostly because of punch choice and technique, not muscle that made the difference).

YouTube - Sports Science: Hits like a Girl, Part 1

YouTube - Sports Science: Hits like a Girl, Part 1

YouTube - Sports Science: Hits like a Girl, Part 2

YouTube - Sports Science: Hits like a Girl, Part 2

Don't underestimate yourself. Anyone can learn to hit hard despite gender differences and size. The welter weight female boxer with boxing gloves in the video hit as hard as Houston Alexander, a very muscular heavy weight MMA fighter with smaller MMA gloves. Technique, technique, technique is king.

[denna12]

Thanks guys for all the great advice so far!

If anyone has the time or desire, I do need some help coming up with a good training schedule. Also need some help with the nutrition side of things.

Again, thank you for everything so far!