Are Kickboxing and Muay Thai the same thing?

Many people interested in martial arts wonder about the differences between kickboxing and Muay Thai. While both sports use kicks and punches, there are important differences that affect everything from training to equipment.

What is Kickboxing?

Kickboxing is a modern martial art that was developed in the 1960s by combining boxing with karate kicks. There are several styles of kickboxing, including WAKO kickboxing which is popular in competition.

In kickboxing, the following are mainly used:

• CREED kickboxing gloves 10 oz - WAKO approved
• CREED shin guards - WAKO approved for competition
• CREED foot protection - WAKO approved
• CREED Point Fighting Gloves 8 oz - for light contact
• Helmet for sparring
• Mouthguard for safety

What is Muay Thai?

Muay Thai, known as "The Art of Eight Limbs", originates from Thailand and is over 500 years old. Unlike kickboxing, Muay Thai allows the use of elbows, knees and clinch techniques.

Muay Thai training requires specialized equipment such as:

• Muay Thai mittens for padwork
• Thai pads for kicking and knee training
• Stomach protector for hard training
• Boxing wraps for hand protection

Main differences between the sports

Allowed techniques:

Kickboxing: Punches, kicks, some knee techniques (depending on the rule set)
Muay Thai: Punches, kicks, knees, elbows, clinch techniques

Equipment and training:

For kickboxing, we recommend the CREED series , which is fully WAKO approved and perfect for both training and competition.

For Muay Thai , professional Thai mitts , boxing wraps and stomach protectors are essential for authentic training.

Which sport suits you?

Both sports provide great fitness and self-defense. Kickboxing may be more accessible to beginners, while Muay Thai offers a deeper cultural experience and more varied techniques.

Complete CREED set for Kickboxing

For kickboxing, we highly recommend the CREED collection - all products are WAKO approved and perfect for both beginners and professionals:

What you need to get started

For Kickboxing (CREED recommendation):

• CREED Kickboxing Gloves 10 oz - WAKO approved for competition
• CREED Shin Guards - WAKO approved, professional quality
• CREED Foot Protection - Complete protection for your feet
• Kickboxing shorts - comfortable for movements
• Mouthguard - important for safety

For Muay Thai:

• Muay Thai mitts - for padwork
• Thai pads - for training with a partner
• Boxing wraps - protect hands and wrists
• Stomach protector - essential for clinch training

Do you have questions about which CREED equipment is best for you? Contact us and we will help you choose the right products for your kickboxing training!