Wham, bam, thank you Thailand

A Thai boxing class goes to work in the United States

Thai boxing craze sweeps America

March 9, 2000
Web posted at: 11:07 a.m. HKT (0307 GMT)

By CNN Correspondent Stacey Wilkins

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Americans are punching up their fitness routines with a traditional Thai workout that really hurts.

The hardcore sport of Muay Thai has been taught for centuries in Thailand, and in recent years has proved popular throughout the Asia-Pacific region. But the sport has finally jumped across 'the pond' to the United States.

New Yorkers in particular are pulling no punches when it comes to embracing the sport for self-defense purposes.

	VIDEO
CNN's Stacey Wilkins looks at this style of boxing that is becoming a fitness craze in the United States. Windows Media 28K 80K

"If you're in the street it can be life or death. (In) Thai boxing you get in there and you fight. You physically have to be tough. What you give out, you've got to take it too," said one Muay Thai convert in New York.

And of course there's the added benefit of calorie burning. Muay Thai burns calories. Lots of them. Thousands of them.

A two-hour class includes push-ups, reverse squats and sit-ups. And that's before the boxing begins.

Thai boxing also involves learning meditation techniques which they believe give them a competitive edge in the ring.