Home › For beginners › Long Island City, NY

Muay Thai for Beginners in Long Island City

5 gyms in Long Island City, New York show real evidence — from their own sites or students' reviews — of being a welcoming place to take your very first muay thai class. That first class is simpler than the nerves suggest: you don't need to be fit, you won't be thrown into sparring, and a patient coach walks beginners through technique on the pads and bags at their own pace. Wear comfortable athletic clothes, bring water, and expect a warm-up, some shadowboxing, and a few strikes learned slowly — most gyms lend gloves so you don't need to buy anything yet. Gyms are ranked below by local reputation (rating weighted by review count), and with 5 beginner-friendly options in town, it's worth calling ahead, saying it's your first time, and asking which class on the schedule they'd start you with.

A note on nerves and safety: you won't be made to spar on day one — beginner classes focus on technique, pad-work, and conditioning at your own pace, and sparring (where a gym offers it) is introduced slowly, kept light, and opted into. Ask each gym about its sparring policy, and if you have any injury or health condition, check with a doctor first. General information, not medical advice.

1. LIMMA Team Savage

4.9 ★★★★★ 95 reviews

24-09 41st Ave, Long Island City, NY

Beginners welcome Free trial Fitness classes Kids & teens Private lessons

“Amazing gym - big, clean and extremely well organized. The coaches are knowledgeable, professional, and care about progress. Members are welcoming and supportive. It’s a great…” — Felicia

2. Hinds Combat Sports

4.9 ★★★★★ 58 reviews

44-16 23rd St, Long Island City, NY

Beginners welcome Free trial Fitness classes Kids & teens Private lessons

3. Kings Combat Sunnyside

5 ★★★★★ 50 reviews

37-04 Queens Blvd #202, Long Island City, NY

Beginners welcome Free trial Kids & teens Private lessons

4. Raktan Muay Thai

4.6 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

2, 38-30 31st St, Long Island City, NY

Beginners welcome Fitness classes Kids & teens

“Trainer very friendly and respectful so fun to training muaythai boxing basic drills with gym mates ,trainers . I’m a smallest professional muaythai & kickboxer in Tokyo I would…” — A

5. Premier Muay Thai

5 ★★★★★ 25 reviews

Entrance on, 36-01 36th avenue, 36th St 5th floor, Long Island City, NY

Beginners welcome Free trial Kids & teens

“Joel is hands down one of the kindest and most honest people I've ever met. I first started training with him in 2016, and his approach to teaching is nothing short of phenomenal.…” — George

Booking your first class in Long Island City: practical notes

Call ahead and say you're new. Ask which class they'd start a beginner with — many gyms have a fundamentals or all-levels class that's a gentler introduction than the main floor. A good front desk loves this question.
Ask about the sparring policy. You won't be made to spar as a beginner; find out how and when a gym introduces it so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
Keep gear simple. Comfortable athletic clothes and water are enough for a first class — most gyms here lend gloves, so you can try muay thai before buying anything. See the what-to-wear guide.
Go at your own pace. Being winded the first time is normal and expected. Take breaks, drink water, and let your fitness build over your first few weeks — nobody expects a beginner to keep up with the regulars.
Use a free trial. Many gyms offer a free trial class — the cheapest, lowest-pressure way to find the room that fits. See free muay thai trial classes.

Beginner muay thai near Long Island City

Beginner muay thai in Astoria, NY (3 · 2 mi)
Beginner muay thai in Woodside, NY (2 · 2 mi)
Beginner muay thai in New York, NY (17 · 3 mi)
Beginner muay thai in Hoboken, NJ (3 · 5 mi)
Beginner muay thai in Flushing, NY (2 · 6 mi)
Beginner muay thai in Brooklyn, NY (16 · 7 mi)
Beginner muay thai in Jersey City, NJ (3 · 7 mi)

All muay thai gyms in Long Island City, NY → · All beginner muay thai cities →