When Americans think of Muay Thai, they might envision fighters in the ring, or maybe watching a fight on television. But what many people don't know is that Muay Thai is also popular in America as a physical and mental training method. In fact, many American athletes train Muay Thai to improve their athleticism and conditioning.

Muay Thai is a full-contact martial art that originated in Thailand more than 500 years ago. It's known for its powerful punches, kicks, and knees. There are several styles of Muay Thai, including amateur boxing and kickboxing, which are both popular in the United States. Amateur bouts generally last three rounds and are scored based on takedowns (successful grabs that lead to a position on the ground), strikes (unassisted blows with the hand or foot), and control (keeping an opponent from escaping or attacking).