Lifestyle blog

For the girlies living their main character era this is your 2026 hobby: Muay Thai

Muay Thai is the perfect complement to your discipline, your grit, your glow up.

And here’s why…

The Rise of Women in Muay Thai

Originating in Thailand and known as “the art of eight limbs,” Muay Thai uses fists, elbows, knees, and shins to strike. It’s intense, technical, and deeply empowering.

Women are stepping into the ring and it’s easy to see why. The fitness world is shifting. The focus was on quiet, aesthetic workouts, but now there’s a move toward something louder, tougher, and far more transformative.

According to Sports England 2023, Almost half of UK women now engage regularly in sport or physical activity, with Gen Z women showing particularly high participation.

The Muay Thai Record Blog notes that:

There are over 750 dedicated Muay Thai gyms in the UK.
Over 400 MMA gyms now offer Muay Thai training.
It’s estimated that 100,000+ people practise Muay Thai regularly in the UK (2023).

While women currently make up a smaller proportion of practitioners, the number of female fighters is growing rapidly and gyms are increasingly catering to women’s classes and training programs.

Muay Thai doesn’t just build physical strength, it transforms:

Body: tone, endurance, flexibility, conditioning
Mind: confidence, resilience, emotional release
Energy: community, empowerment, that unstoppable “main character” aura

Once you feel that first clean connection jab, cross, kick and hear the slap of power from the thai pads you’ll understand the hype.

Confidence That Slaps Harder Than Your Jab

This isn’t just exercise, it’s a power upgrade. Learning how to move with intention, defend yourself, and push past your limits builds a confidence that doesn’t stay in the gym.

You walk into work differently.
You enter rooms differently.
You look at yourself differently.

Suddenly… everything feels possible.

Main character energy: unlocked! You’re welcome.

The family You didn’t Know You Needed

Muay Thai gyms buzz with energy, and women who lift each other up. From beginner friendly classes to competitive leagues, the community is fierce, supportive, and full of unapologetic main characters.

Step into class and you’ll find:

your hype squad
your accountability circle
your people
your unexpected soft place to land

Because power is contagious and this family shares it generously.

A bit about my story…

I started in the women’s only class, and it was another female who encouraged me to try the mixed levels session. She didn’t know it at the time, but that nudge changed everything, it made me fully commit to the sport. I pushed myself into classes that were more challenging, and I’ve never looked back. Something just clicked that day, and I’m so grateful she told me to go.
It’s proof of how powerful it is to have other women in the space, their encouragement can push you to levels you didn’t even know were possible.

It’s like Sugar – Addictive

Once you start, you’re in deep and yes, you fall in love. The footwork, the combos, the sweat, the progress, it rewires how you see yourself and it’s beautiful. You gain a new appreciation for your own abilities, the sport, and the dedication of everyone around you. The respect runs deep because you understand what it takes to show up day after day.

Muay Thai is as mentally captivating as it is physically challenging. You’re constantly learning new combinations, improving technique, surprising yourself with your strength, and tracking real progress week by week.

That’s why people start for fitness… and stay for the obsession!!

Why Start Today?

So while you might think, “I’ll start someday,” trust me, don’t save what you can do today for tomorrow, the girls who already know? They’re busy clinching, kicking, glowing, and living their best Muay Thai life. Sis, let’s not lack!

I officially started Muay Thai in June 2024. Coming from a heavy dance background, I had to unlearn a few habits, but I also drew on skills from other art forms to my advantage. The head kick will always be my favourite, thank you to my flexibility for that edge. I found my balance again, trained to my strengths, and worked on my weaknesses. But once it clicked? I was hooked.

You’ll also have your own strengths and weaknesses, but you’ll find your rhythm, your style, and your flow. Just trust the process, it’s worth every sweat soaked session.

Tips for the Girlies Just Starting Out

Don’t over invest too early.
Get cheap gloves, slip on wraps, and learn the basics first. Your journey is personal, equipment doesn’t define your talent.
Build fundamentals before flash.
Yes, the spinning tornado kicks are sexy. I tried them too soon (guilty!). But the basics will carry you through sparring, shadowboxing, and drills.
Ask questions. Always. Ask coaches to show things again. Ask teammates for help. Muay Thai communities are supportive people who want to see you get better.
Show up for yourself. Arrive early to warm up, stay behind to cool down. Consistency will shape you in ways you can’t imagine and the quickest way to earn your coaches respect.
Have fun.
Laugh at your mistakes. Celebrate your progress. You’ll get hit, and you’ll land hits too, let both teach you.

Muay Thai Is Also… Fashion

On the flip side, let’s be real, Muay Thai is unexpectedly aesthetic.

Custom gloves with matching shin guards
Patterned wraps
Bold coloured shorts with designs
Coordinated mouth guards
Statement training fits

The uniform becomes a performance look: loud, expressive, unapologetic.
You don’t just train, you serve.

What Muay Thai Has Given Me:

I train at 1st Legion gym in Leicester, which has been my home gym, my training ground and the place that helped me fall in love with this sport.

Muay Thai has shocked me, supported me, grounded me.
It has held me through harder days, and fuelled me through better ones.
It’s challenged my limits, and pushed me to grow.

Before Muay Thai, I struggled with discipline and following through. The minute something felt overwhelming, I’d walk away, it was easier that way.

But being in a gym full of people who constantly show up for themselves changed everything. Coaches and fellow trainees create a motivating, supportive environment that rubbed off on me. I started craving the progress I saw others make, and I embraced the discipline the sport demanded: show up, or you don’t get better.

I took inspiration from other people’s journeys and leaned into their support. And here I am now, writing about something that genuinely changed me.

I may walk out with sore hamstrings but with a clearer mind. There are no regrets.

If you’re looking for something to change your mind, body, and energy, I recommend this sport wholeheartedly.

This doesn’t happen overnight, but each day does get you closer .

Where to Start in the UK (Recommended Gyms)

If you’re ready to glove up and begin your journey, here are a few gyms across the UK I trust or have heard great things about:

1st Legion Fighters Gym – Leicester (my home gym) beginner friendly women’s Muay thai classes on Wednesday 6-7pm
Bad Company Muay Thai Leeds
Ms Muay Thai – London and Warrington
Bloodline gym – London
Johnson’s Muay Thai – Preston Lancashire

There are loads of Muay Thai gyms across the UK, more than we can count, making it easier than ever to find a community wherever you are.

For the Hauties Who Are Tempted…

Haute Lap will be dropping “The Women’s Muay Thai Starter Guide” in March, a collaborative, beginner friendly guide created with 1st Legion Gym for every woman ready to glove up and step into their power.

Stay tuned.

And who knows, maybe one day we’ll be training together in Thailand.

Over and out. Mwahhh 💋