There is a point in Muay Thai where the rapid beginner gains stop and everything feels the same. It happens to almost everyone, usually somewhere between months three and six.
It is not a sign that you are untalented. It is a sign that the easy part is over.
Why it happens
Early progress comes from learning what to do. Later progress comes from doing it better than the person across from you, which takes longer and is harder to measure. Your body is also adapting, so the same class no longer feels as hard.
Four things that break it
Pick one and run it for a month rather than changing everything at once.
- Add one extra class a week for four weeks.
- Ask a coach for one specific thing to fix, and only work on that.
- Film a round of bag work and watch it back — you will see the problem immediately.
- Change your training partner: drilling with someone better exposes what you are missing.
Fall training notes
Fall is the busiest season for new members — schools restart, work routines settle and people finally book the class they have been thinking about all summer.
- Book your classes for the week on Sunday night, not on the day.
- Warm up for two extra minutes if you have been sitting at a desk all day.
- Keep one rest day after your hardest session — recovery is part of the programme.
Common mistakes we see every week
- Kicking with the leg, not the hip. Kicks come from rotation. If your hip does not turn, your shin will do all the work — and it will let you know.
- Dropping the hands when kicking. A kick is a trade. Leave the guard up or you will get countered in sparring.
- Ignoring the teep. It is the simplest, most useful technique in the sport. Beginners skip it because it looks basic.
- Death-gripping the pads. Hold your hands up and let the pad absorb the shot.
A drill you can try between classes
Fifty-teep finisher. You do not need a partner or a bag for most of this, and it takes about fifteen minutes:
- Ten teeps on each leg, focusing on the hip turn.
- Twenty roundhouses on the bag at 60% power, ten each side.
- Ten slow checked kicks, alternating sides.
- Finish with one minute of shadow boxing, hands up the whole time.
Training at ARC MMA in Toronto
We run Muay Thai classes at 382 Yonge St in downtown Toronto, two minutes from College Station. Classes are capped at 20 people, coached from start to finish, and open to complete beginners. If you want to see whether it fits, book a free 1-on-1 trial — you will get a coach, a pair of loaner gloves and no sales pitch.
You can see the full timetable on the classes and pricing page, meet the coaches on the trainers page, and check upcoming seminars on the events page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I switch disciplines?
Sometimes. But a plateau usually follows you. Try a month of focused work first.
Am I too old to improve?
No. Adults improve steadily well into their forties and beyond with sensible training.
How do I stay motivated?
Book classes in advance, train with a friend, and track attendance rather than results.
Written by the coaching team at ARC MMA. Questions about this guide? Send us a message or call (416) 450-8020.
Related reading
- How Progress Works in Muay Thai — October 2026 — How progress really works in Muay Thai: the four stages, how coaches assess them, and why the plateau around m.
- What Gear You Actually Need for Muay Thai — October 2026 — What gear you actually need for Muay Thai and what can wait — a no-pressure buying guide from the coaches at A.
- Is Muay Thai Safe? Questions Worth Asking Before You Start — October 2026 — Is Muay Thai safe for a complete beginner? A straight answer from ARC MMA coaches in Toronto, plus the questio.
Where to go next
Have a look at classes and pricing or book a free trial if you want to try a session. For a wider view of the discipline, ONE Championship is worth following: ONE Championship.
