Legacy Gym (Thailand)

Owned and run by the former World and European Muay Thai Champion Ole ‘Iron Fist’ Laursen, the gym is located by a beautiful lake in rural Ubon Ratchathani, the breeding ground of some of Thailand’s greatest champions. Located in the far east of Thailand, away from the heavily touristed destinations of Bangkok and the south, Legacy gym offers high level professional instruction with minimal distractions for everyone who is interested in training, from complete beginners to seasoned professional fighters.

 

TRAIN TO GET FIT, FOR FUN OR TO FIGHT!

Legacy’s vastly experienced coaches offer every one of our visitors a program suited to their individual goals. Some people come just to get fit. Some people come to fight. But the friendly, family-run atmosphere at the gym ensures everyone enjoys their stay. For those who are interested, local muay thai fights are regularly available, and even international MMA fights or title fights can be organized for the more experienced.

Muay thai training is twice a day, six days a week. A normal training day starts at 06.30 AM with a run. The length of the run ranges from 1,5 km for a very short run to 8,5 km (a lap around the lake). Some days, we do sprinting drills as speed training. When the run is finished, we do skipping. Usually, we skip for 20 minutes. This is done to improve conditioning and coordination. After this, we wrap our hands and shadow box.

The trainers help out with technique during the shadow boxing. This is followed by padwork with the trainers. We usually to three four minute rounds on the pads. Following the padwork, there is bagwork and/or clinch. Sometimes, specific drills/combinations are given for the bagwork. Some days can be less physical and instead focus on the technical aspects of muay thai. During these days, we do more sport-specific techniques. The training is usually finished with kicking/knee drills and conditioning.

The second training session of the day starts at 3.30 PM with a shorter run. Then, we do skipping, wrap our hand and shadow box as in the morning. Depending on what day it is, then we either do sparring (muay thai twice a week and boxing once a week) or padwork again.

 

The sparring is usually six rounds of four minutes each. After the sparring, there is clinch training, which is an essential skill in muay thai. After that, we usually work the bags for a few rounds. The training is usually finished with kicking/knee drills and conditioning.

Legacy Gym’s MMA programme has quickly become one of the most well-respected in Southeast Asia, with fighters making regular appearances at all the region’s major events, from Art of War in China to Martial Combat in Singapore.

 

In addition to the Muay Thai training, Legacy’s MMA fighters work on both their wrestling and ground skills every day. Brazilian jiu-jitsu training sessions are held every evening with current grappling coach Billy Petersson. Novices to the sport roll side-by-side with our professional fighters, giving them a great opportunity to learn from others and really improve their game.

 

The MMA team also has its own strength and conditioning programme with sport specific circuit-training, Holyfields, cardiovascular workouts and punishing tyre sprints.

 

Legacy has been fortunate to have had some amazing guest coaches at the gym over the past couple of years including UFC veteran Per Eklund, Xtreme Couture wrestling coach Jason Townsend and Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt Eduardo “Carioca” Bezerra.

 

Legacy Gym, 54/4 Srisangthong Road, Tambon Nai Muang, Amber Muang, Thailand