How To Pick The Right Muay Thai Gym For You

Muay Thai is a sport that has grown exponentially over the past few years. The increase in social media exposure from Thailand’s largest stadiums as well as global promotions such as ONE Championship, Muay Thai Grand Prix, and Rebellion Muay Thai have made a strong impression on combat sports fans, many of whom are inspired to start their journey into the art of eight limbs.

There are many reasons you might want to start training Muay Thai beyond fighting. You might want to get fit and lose weight, learn self-defense techniques, or meet a new group of like-minded people and because these reasons are so varied, you will find that not every gym is designed to help you meet your goals.

If you are in the process of finding a new Muay Thai gym and don’t know where to begin, then read on. This article will break the process down into three easy steps that will help you figure out what your goals are and how to pick a gym that can help you reach them.

1) Have A Clear Vision

Muay Thai is a full-body workout, giving you a clear mind and fit body.

Entering a Muay Thai gym without a clear set of goals and expectations is like trying to row a boat across desert sand without a compass. Even if by some coincidence you end up facing the right direction, you won’t have the right vehicle to get you where you want to go. Therefore, it’s important to ask yourself the following questions before you even start looking for your new gym.

What Is My Goal?

The answer to this question will be the needle in your compass, steering you towards all of the steps to follow so it is helpful to have a clear goal in mind when you start the search for your new gym. 

Many people start their Muay Thai journey to become the sport’s next world champion, but a great gym can help you achieve more than just becoming a great fighter. Muay Thai is also a great tool that can help you lose weight, gain confidence, and meet new people. Once you know what it is you are hoping to gain from your training, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for in your prospective gyms.

How Much Can I Commit?

An hour of Muay Thai training can burn up to 1,000 calories!

Unfortunately, simply knowing what you want to achieve in Muay Thai and having the will to follow through on your goal is not enough to ensure success. You also need to have the time, money, and energy at your disposal to follow through on your intentions. Think of these resources as the fuel you’ll need to reach your goal and having a clear understanding of how much of each you have at your disposal can steer you towards the gym that best suits you.

Once you’ve gathered a list of the gyms in your area the first thing to do is compare their class timetables against your schedule. Can you make it to the classes they offer? Can you afford the membership fees? If the answer isn’t yes to both questions, you may need to expand your search to more gyms. 

Many people struggle to balance their responsibilities with the classes that gyms offer. If you find yourself struggling to find a gym with classes that fit your schedule don’t lose hope. Many gyms can offer services that help their clients meet their goals while they maintain their outside obligations. Some gyms have shower facilities that you can use if you are in a hurry to get to your next work meeting, others have ‘open mats;’ a time when the gym is open for clients to train by themselves when classes aren’t scheduled, and of course, almost every gym offers personal training sessions with their coaches if you can afford them.

2) Know Who Can Get You There

Muay Thai World Champion Penaek Sitnumnoi delves deep into proper techniques.

Now that you know where you are going and what resources you have at your disposal to reach your destination, it is time to find yourself someone to guide your way there. That someone will be your trainer (or trainers). Think of them as your navigator. They should have a wealth of knowledge and experience about the Muay Thai landscape that they can draw on to ensure that you don’t get lost or suffer a breakdown in your journey.

If you are new to the sport, it can be hard to tell which gyms have experienced coaches who have a lot of knowledge and wisdom to impart to their students and which gyms misrepresent their coaching abilities to gain more members. Luckily, there are a few questions you can ask that can help you tell the difference between the two.

What Experience Do The Coaches Have?

You cannot assume that just because someone is a great fighter they will be a fantastic coach, but it is still a good question to ask as you begin narrowing down your list of potential gyms. An extensive fight career shows that your prospective trainer has lived experience in the sport, knows what it takes to prepare someone to compete, and has tested the techniques that they are teaching.

When you’re researching gyms consider asking whether the coaches have fought before and if so what kind of experience they have. Did they fight professionally or as an amateur? On local shows or internationally? Did they win titles and if so, who were their opponents? Many fighters are humble and may not be open to sharing their experience for fear that it may be misconstrued as bragging and if that is the case you can often find this information online.

Have They Helped Others Achieve Your Goal?

Muay Thai World Champion Kwankhao Mor. Rattanabandit tying the prajead for a student.

When you’re looking up your prospective gyms online look out for posts advertising that their students are achieving goals similar to those you have set for yourself.

Maybe you want to learn Muay Thai as a way to lose weight. If that is the case, then you can look for posts about weight loss. Have they advertised about members transforming their figures? If so, how many? The more they advertise something, the more likely it is to be something they specialize in helping their members achieve.

The same can be said if you are joining a Muay Thai gym for the social aspect. Gyms that have fostered a tight-knit community will often post about social events and coaches will happily share stories of their members’ “wins” no matter how big or small.

3) Take Your Gym For A Test Drive.

Pad work is one of the most crucial elements of Muay Thai training.

Searching for a new gym is a lot like buying a new car. All of them might look roadworthy from the outside but you’re going to need to take them for a test drive to see how comfortable it is to be behind the wheel. Most gyms will let you try a class for free so you can get a feel for what it is like to be a member at their gym, and you should definitely take them up on that offer before you sign up for a full membership.

While you take your trial classes you should take note of the pros and cons of each gym to help you determine which one is the right fit for you.

Some things to look for might include.

Does It Have Everything You Need?

Every Muay Thai gym will no doubt have pads and bags for you to kick during training, but many gyms will also have several other facilities that members can use to help them meet their individual goals. Keep an eye out for the added extras that might make achieving your easier. These might include things like changing room and shower facilities, free Wi-Fi, weights, and cardio areas.

Is It Easy To Get There?

A Muay Thai class at Evolve MMA (Far East Square).

No matter how strong our commitment to training may be, there will inevitably be work/life conflicts that make getting to your Muay Thai class difficult. Plan ahead for those last-minute work meetings and family emergencies by asking yourself if there is public transport or accessible parking nearby.

Is The Gym Clean?

You’re probably not going to buy a car if its tires are bald, its oil is leaking and there are fast food wrappers under the seats. Likewise, you’re probably not going to want to train in a messy gym. Dirty gyms are a breeding ground for infections like staph and ringworm so the gym you choose must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Who Else Is Along For The Ride?

Surrounding yourself with a community of like-minded individuals not only makes achieving your goals easier but also adds an element of fun to everything!

If you have a strong commitment to achieving your training goals, then you’re going to be spending a lot of time with your coaches and training partners. Choosing a gym where you have a good rapport with friendly, supportive trainers as well as happy, like-minded members will make your Muay Thai training more enjoyable, and you are more likely to achieve your goals if you enjoy the journey too.

Consider Training At Evolve MMA

Evolve MMA is ranked as the best Muay Thai gym in Singapore. All of our Muay Thai instructors are world champions with a passion for teaching their beloved sport and with five world-class gyms across Singapore, each with a comprehensive timetable and state-of-the-art facilities we are confident that we can help you achieve all of your Muay Thai and fitness goals. If you’re looking around for a Muay Thai Gym, why not consider Evolve MMA?

Book your complimentary trial class with our World Champions below!

If you have any other questions regarding Evolve MMA and the programs we offer, you can get in touch with our membership executives at the following locations:

Evolve MMA (Far East Square)
26 China Street
Far East Square #01-01
Singapore 049568
Phone: Evolve MMA (Orchard Central)
181 Orchard Road
#06-01 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Phone: Evolve MMA (KINEX)
11 Tanjong Katong Road
#02-52 KINEX
Singapore 437157
Phone: Evolve MMA (Clarke Quay Central)
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#04-18 Clarke Quay Central
Singapore 059817
Phone: Evolve MMA (Star Vista)
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-26A The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Phone: (65) 6539 9590