What Makes Muay Thai Different from Kickboxing?
Coach Helen & Coach Liv - JS Muay Thai
If you're just getting into martial arts, it's common to ask: "What's the difference between Muay Thai and kickboxing?"
They can look similar from the outside. Both are striking arts, both involve punching and kicking, and both offer a great workout. But once you get on the mats, you’ll quickly notice that they’re built on different principles and techniques.
At JS Muay Thai, we teach authentic Muay Thai, and we often meet beginners who are deciding between these two paths. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you understand the key differences so you can make an informed choice.
1. Striking Tools
Muay Thai is often called the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees Giving you eight points of contact. This creates a versatile striking system that works at all ranges: long, mid, and close.
Kickboxing typically uses four main tools: punches and kicks. Some styles allow limited use of knees, but elbows are almost always excluded, and clinch work is minimal or prohibited.
Muay Thai allows more striking options, while kickboxing focuses more on punches and kicks only.
2. Clinching
In Muay Thai, the clinch is a fundamental part of both training and fighting. It involves controlling your opponent’s posture, landing knees, off-balancing, and sometimes sweeping or throwing.
In most forms of kickboxing, the clinch is not emphasised. You may be allowed a brief clinch to land a single knee, but it’s usually broken up quickly by the referee.
Muay Thai includes clinch fighting as a core skill, while kickboxing usually avoids it altogether.
3. Training Approach
Muay Thai training tends to include a combination of pad work, technique drills, clinch practice, conditioning, and sparring (optional for beginners). It emphasises both physical conditioning and mental focus.
Kickboxing training can vary greatly depending on the gym. Some schools focus on competitive kickboxing, while others lean toward cardio-based fitness classes with basic technique.
Muay Thai tends to involve a deeper technical foundation, while kickboxing may vary depending on whether it’s sport or fitness-based.
4. Cultural Background
Muay Thai is deeply rooted in Thai culture and tradition. Students often perform the Wai Kru (a traditional pre-fight ritual), and classes emphasise respect, humility, and discipline.
Kickboxing is a more modern hybrid sport that draws from Western boxing and karate influences. While it has its own sporting traditions, it doesn’t carry the same cultural depth or ceremonial elements.
Muay Thai is both a martial art and a cultural practice, while kickboxing is a modern combat sport with a broader international origin.
Choosing What’s Right for You
Both Muay Thai and kickboxing are effective striking arts. Your decision comes down to your goals and what kind of training experience you’re looking for.
Choose Muay Thai if you want:
A complete striking system using punches, kicks, knees, and elbows
A focus on close-range techniques like clinching
A deeper cultural and traditional martial arts experience
Start Your Muay Thai Journey with Us
At JS Muay Thai, we specialise in helping beginners build a strong foundation in Muay Thai in a welcoming and supportive environment.
If you’re ready to learn what Muay Thai is all about and how it compares in practice, We’d love to have you train with us.
Get in touch to book your first session. Let’s get started.
