Thybrid Training Camp: Sam Roi Yot

A Week at Thybrid Training Camp: More Than Just a Fitness Holiday

I drove down to Sam Roi Yot on a Saturday evening, not really knowing what to expect from this training camp I'd stumbled across on Instagram. The 3.5-hour drive from Bangkok was easy enough, and I arrived at Thybrid Training Camp on Saturday evening. If you don't drive you could hire a car from Bangkok, get the train to Hua Hin and then a taxi, get the train to Pranburi and then a taxi, a taxi from Bangkok to Thybrid or a minibus into Pranburi/HuaHin from Ekkamai or Chatuchak bus station and then a short taxi over. There are many travel options, but it depends on your budget and the most expensive is the direct taxi and the cheapest would be the local bus or train. Hua Hin and Pranburi are more well known than Sam Roi Yot.

No classes run on Sundays, which worked out perfectly, so I could explore the local area. I’d seen pictures of Sam Roi Yot National Park, specifically a boardwalk with loads of lily pads and big mountains in the background. I had seen this when I first moved to Thailand and I’d been wanting to visit for years.

Exploring Sam Roi Yot National Park

Since I had the whole day free, I decided to check out the nearby national park. I was very excited as I’d been wanting to go for years. At the first section of the National Park we hired a longtail boat for about 500 baht for an hour, which took us around these incredible mountains. The boat floated through the river area, saw some crabs in the mud and kept going until the river met the sea and then we turned back. There was this lovely restaurant on the edge of the river which had a perfect view. I then drove up to the hiking viewpoint, but I got there too late in the day to actually do the hike. It said it would take an hour and it closed at around 15-16:00pm, so I wouldn’t have been able to get up there and back in time.

Everything around there is signposted really well, which made exploring easy. I'd definitely recommend hiring a bike or car to get around. It is pretty difficult for you to explore without that. The roads have these incredible views of open countryside with cows just grazing peacefully. It's so different from Bangkok's chaos.

First Impressions of the Camp

My room was actually a pleasant surprise. I'd expected something pretty basic, but it was a decent size with a proper double bed, enough space for all my stuff, and even a desk with a lamp. Nothing fancy, but definitely comfortable enough for a week. If I were to stay longer it would’ve been good to bring my own pillows, for extra comfort! Does anyone else struggle to sleep without their own pillows?? or is it just me...

Monday morning, I got up for my first Hyrox class. This was partly why I'd come here in the first place. I'd signed up for my first ever Hyrox competition in Bangkok back in May, and when I saw Thybrid was an official Hyrox destination, it seemed like the perfect way to actually learn what I was getting myself into. I visited during my February half-term.

What is Thybrid Training?

The name comes from combining Thailand with "hybrid" training. Basically, it is a mix of different types of fitness rather than just focusing on one thing. So alongside traditional Muay Thai, they've got Hyrox classes, strength training, and all the recovery stuff you need.

Here's what a typical day looks like:

• 6:30 am - Morning bell and optional run

• 7:15 - 8:30 am - Muay Thai training

• 9:00 am - Hyrox class

• 10:00 am onwards - Open gym

• 4:30 PM - Afternoon bell and optional run

• 5:15 - 6:30 pm - Evening Muay Thai

• Tuesdays & Thursdays - Strength & Conditioning at 4 pm

Having all of these classes available doesn’t mean you have to do them all (although some people did), you can do as much or as little as you want. No pressure.

The Facilities

The gym has these incredible mountain views while you're training, which definitely beats staring at a wall in most gyms. They've got two Muay Thai rings, and the equipment is all pretty new and well-maintained.

But honestly, the saltwater swimming pool was my favorite part. I hate that horrible chlorine feeling on your skin, so this was perfect for relaxing. Plus there's a sauna and ice bath that you can use all day, which is great for recovery, or just hanging out and chatting with other people.

The People and Vibe

This place has such a family feel to it. I went alone, but you're never really on your own because there are always people around training or relaxing by the pool. Even after sessions officially finish at 6:30pm, people stick around either continuing to train, socialising in the gym area which had sofas, or heading to local restaurants together.

I met people who'd come for a week like me, and others who'd been there for over a month. A few had originally planned short stays but just kept extending because they didn't want to leave. That speaks volumes!

Why I Chose This Place

You might wonder why someone would spend their holiday at a training camp. For me, it started with that Hyrox competition I'd signed up for. I've been training consistently for years, but lately I've been enjoying training for a specific thing. I have also been learning Muay Thai for quite some time, but didn’t feel very confident. To get myself into running, I’d previously signed up for a few 10km races (anything for a t-shirt and medal, am I right?). When Hyrox was announced in Bangkok, it felt like the natural next challenge.

The Location

Sam Roi Yot is a beach town right next to the National Park and Thybrid gym is probably 400m from the sea front. The road along the beach spans for quite a way. This place is the perfect mix of being able to train hard but also completely switch off from everything else. The whole area is peaceful compared to Bangkok, but there's still plenty to explore if you want to get out and about. I was there for a week, and honestly, it wasn't long enough. I could easily have stayed for weeks. There's something about the combination of the training, the people, and just being in such a beautiful, relaxed environment that makes it hard to leave. However, I did go back to work absolutely knackered. I got too excited and was training twice a day, so I could do a bit of Hyrox, Muay Thai, swimming and exploring and as usual I wasn’t sleeping very well. Bookings can be made through their website or their instagram, which they are very responsive on.

If you're thinking about trying something different for your next trip to Thailand, whether you're into fitness or wanting to push yourself to try something new, this place is definitely worth considering. Just maybe plan to stay longer than you initially think you'll want to.