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By Joanne Kempinger Demski November 30, 1998 Getting into a boxing ring with a world champion fighter from Thailand may seem daunting, but students at Duke RUOFUS Gym say it's fun and a great way to get in shape. D'Anna Puser, a 23-year-old Milwaukee woman who is learning Muay Thai -- the style of martial arts taught at the center -- says that when she first sparred with trainer Khunpon Dechkampu, a world welterweight champion from Thailand, she wasn't afraid -- just excited. "I was more afraid to be embarrassed" than to be hurt, she said. Martin D. Stein, 34, and a self-proclaimed former couch potato, calls training with the pros "not intimidating," despite the fact that should any of them punch or kick him hard, he would "go flying across the room." Muay Thai -- also called Thai boxing -- is a style of martial arts that quickly is becoming popular here. It started in the 1400s in Thailand, where it now attracts about 60,000 participants. Al Wichgers, a martial arts trainer and referee from Oak Creek, says Muay Thai is being called "the karate sport of the year 2000." But in karate, he said, forms -- rhythmic moves that mimic fighting techniques -- are used, and punches and kicks are held. In Muay Thai, forms are not practiced and punches and kicks are not held. In another form of martial arts practiced here, American-style kickboxing, fighters can only kick and punch above the waist and they wear boxing gloves, protective boots and shin pads. But in Muay Thai, competitors use fists, elbows, knees and feet to strike the upper body as well as most areas of the lower body. And in Muay Thai competitions, boxing gloves are worn but not protective gear. Protective gear is used, however, in some class situations. At the center, located at 111 W. Virginia St., both novice and advanced students train with Dechkampu, as well as Kongnapa Lumpa, a world junior middleweight champion from Thailand; owner/trainer Jeff (Duke) RUOFUS, a three-time world champion in the heavyweight division; and Derek Yuen, an engineer from Milwaukee who is a Midwest champion. RUOFUS said the men from Thailand work at his fitness center when they are not at Muay Thai competitions throughout the United States. He believes that because his students work with athletes of this caliber, they get in shape faster and gain a better grasp of the sport's techniques. Stein, who has been taking classes for about a year, agrees. "It's like shooting baskets with Michael Jordan." RUOFUS said Muay Thai helps students lose weight due to the aerobic and anaerobic training, and by working muscles through floor exercises, kicking and punching. "It's the resistance and reps of striking the padded equipment that creates muscle tone. "The people from Thailand are not very large. They learned how to use the weapons of their body that generate the most impact." He estimated that about 40% of his members are women, and about 10% of members overall desire to compete. Muay Thai is practiced by the "world's most elite military unit, the Navy Seals," and is not a sport for "the ruffian type," he said. "There is a lot of honor and tradition with this sport. There is a lot of respect that is involved. If you train that hard -- hard enough to compete -- you have a lot of respect for each other." The average person needs about three months to become comfortable and functional in the sport. Those who eventually go on to compete continue to do the same basic exercises as the others, but must do additional work on their stamina, and practice a wider variety of fighting techniques. RUOFUS, who has been involved in martial arts since he was 4, opened the center in June 1997. He said the sport "draws overachievers," with students from widely diverse backgrounds. They range in age from teens to 50s, and occupations include teachers, chiropractors, lawyers, students and bartenders. Some, like Poser, are in good shape when they start training. Others, like Stein, start at ground zero. Stein, an attorney, said when he began training about a year ago, he could barely jump rope, and couldn't hit the heavy bag for more than 30 seconds. "Now I can do it (hit the bag) for two minutes. That's a big difference. My stamina in everyday activities has improved. I was in terrible shape for my age . . . My blood pressure was getting on the high side of where it should be. It's lower now, and I lost about 10 pounds. Now I have better muscle tone, especially in my legs and arms. "In my line of work, it's also a good stress reliever. I want to go nuts on the bag after a hard day in court. There are times when I come to that gym with a million things on my mind. After a workout, I feel great. It all went away. I took it out on that heavy bag." Stein, of Glendale, said that although he has some back problems, he has been able to fully participate in the sport. He believes the exercises he does in class actually are beneficial to his back because he has more agility. He also noted that although he spars with champions in grueling workouts, he's never been injured. He attributes this not to good luck, but to good instructors and protective gear. Stein generally attends classes twice a week, but would like to exercise daily. "I'm still working on a spare tire, but sooner or later this class will take care of it." Puser was in better than average shape when she started, but she's seeking an even higher level of fitness. Although she has been a club member for only seven months, she's already in an intermediate class. "I have always been in sports. But in the last couple of years, with school, and work, I was doing less . . . than I liked. I also wanted to tone up a little." Puser, who recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in criminal justice, said her first class included doing the same exercises the advanced students were doing. "You pretty much dive right into it. I improved every week." Her classes, which generally run 1 1/2 hours long, include jumping rope, stretching, doing lunges, situps, push-ups and calf raises, and shadow boxing. She estimated that she shadow boxes three to five rounds. Next, she works on improving her boxing or kicking skills with another member or by using a heavy bag. She also participates in other sports when she can. Results so far are that her biceps are "more pronounced," her cardiovascular system has improved, she is more limber, and has toned up lower body muscles. Puser's workouts have helped her "rearrange" her weight, so that she now looks more fit. "I also don't have to watch what I eat any more. I can have that dessert -- I don't have to worry about the consequences now." Like Puser, Mara Spencer, 30, would consider competing in the future, even though she has been in training for only a few weeks. Spencer, a physical therapist at a rehabilitation center, was in good shape from running. But she took up Muay Thai to correct muscle imbalances in her body. "It was very challenging and very interesting. I definitely think there will be overall changes in my body as I progress." Joanne Kempinger Demski works in the Journal |
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