Avoid showing off - even if you're amazing
Unless you're a well-known professional, showing off when you're new to a gym is a sure-fire way to annoy fellow students and get yourself targeted by some who'd like to put you in your place. No-one appreciates arrogance and it's rarely accepted in a Muay Thai gym. After all, any gym that focuses on combat sports has a plenty of testosterone in the air, circulated by highly competitive individuals (whether they compete or not). As such, there's students that will see someone that shows off as a challenge or a nuisance and will proceed to seek them out in sparring – often with bad intentions. This can create a lot of tension and conflict, making it difficult for a lot of people to enjoy their training. It's important to remember to be humble and respectful, even if you are amazing at Muay Thai.
Whether you can beat everyone in sparring or not, it doesn't help yourself, your fellow students or your coach by showing off. It just creates animosity and frustration, making it more difficult to find good partners to work with and learn from. Instead, exude humility and a desire to learn as these characteristics will earn you the respect you need to get along with your peers and be sought out by the best in the gym.
Don't be mean or rude
This goes without saying really but it's worth bringing up because you never know how people perceive you and, in a setting like a new gym, you need to make a concerted effort to be approachable and friendly, especially if you are a beginner. People are incredibly quick to judge one another so behaving any other way could leave a bad impression among fellow students and the coaching staff.
If you're typically an introvert and find it difficult speaking with strangers, this setting could be a challenge and your avoidance of students or unwillingness to get to know them could be perceived as being mean or arrogant. Be mindful of this and make a concerted effort to engage with people in a friendly and respectful manner.
Don't be the loudest person in the room
It's often said the loudest person in the room is the weakest. After all, if you're talking, you're not listening or learning. That's not to say you can't be vocal in the gym but don't voice your opinions or try to coach students (even if you're incredibly experienced) when you're new there. This can easily be conceived as disrespectful or as arrogance on your part.
You need to earn respect for your skills and experience before you'll be trusted by students and the coaches to impart your knowledge on others. In the meantime, be quiet and absorb everything that's going on. Always see the opportunity to learn something new, even if what's going on is something you've practised thousands of times. Remember, don't be the loudest person in the room, but instead, show your dedication and hard work through your actions.
Don't ignore the rules
Each gym has it's own set of rules and they're there for good reason. You can usually find them framed or written somewhere inside the gym (often nearby reception). Take your time to read and learn them. Thereafter, make sure you adhere to them and ask for any clarification if needed.
Ignoring the rules is a very easy way to get pulled up by your coach and fellow students. After all, they're there to help keep everyone safe and foster the right atmosphere within the gym. In severe cases of rules violations, students can be banned or barred from the gym.
Avoid doing anything that could be considered disrespectful
This point is all around being mindful of different rules, gym cultures, perceptions and behaviours. Where some people may not even notice a particular action or behaviour, others may be incredibly offended by it. For example, some gyms (especially in Thailand) consider it offensive to mistreat and throw around your equipment (Muay Thai gloves, shin guards etc.) Another example would be wearing shoes in the gym. There are many different examples but they don't all apply to each gym, therefore, it's worthwhile stepping back and observing how other students behave before, during and after class so you can notice things they have in common and behaviours which they do and don't exhibit.
One universal way to be considered disrespectful is to be heard talking or seen not concentrating when your coach is explaining something. Whether you're picked up on it by your coach or not doesn't change the perception by your coach and fellow students.
Integrating into Classes of Different Skill Levels
Many gyms have different classes that cater for different skills levels and/or focus on different types of training. Navigating through these different classes in a new muay thai gym requires adaptability. Observing techniques respectfully, regardless of proficiency, showcases humility. Engage with fellow students positively, fostering a supportive environment. Tailoring your approach to match the class dynamics ensures a cohesive training session. Embracing the diversity in skill levels enriches the learning experience, promoting growth for all participants.
Conclusion
Most points raised in this article are common sense really. However, it's important to make a concerted effort to abide by these points and not get complacent when joining a new gym. You have very little time to set a good impression and, until your peers and coaches get to know and trust you and your abilities, it can be tarnished as quickly as you make it.
