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Babalu’s Iron Gym

5 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Cerritos, California

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fight team

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule babalubjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (562) 467-0600

Hours

Monday 9–11 AM, 4–8 PM
Tuesday 9–11 AM, 4–8 PM
Wednesday 9–11 AM, 4–8 PM
Thursday 9–11 AM, 4–8 PM
Friday 5–7 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Babalu’s Iron Gym, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 22 mentions

“Before signing up my son, he was lazy, just wanted to play video games all day and didn’t really like to do physical activities because he didn’t like to sweat.”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

🛡️ Self-Defense

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Babalu’s Iron Gym — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 12 mentions

“This incredible experience has not only honed my skills in BJJ but has also contributed significantly to my personal growth.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

🏟️ MMA

“Getting an instruction from an mma legend in Renato “Babalu” Sobral is absolutely amazing!”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 68 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Everyone is welcoming, prices are economical comparing to other Jiu Jitsu gyms in the area.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 29 mentions

“This is the perfect gym for every family and especially for competitors looking for advanced training to prepare for competition.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Babalu and Professor Ricky take the time to teach the techniques properly and effectively.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“Before signing up my son, he was lazy, just wanted to play video games all day and didn’t really like to do physical activities because he didn’t like to sweat.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“I've been able to bring my daughter here and it's been amazing to see her confidence and attitude improve in the last year.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“This place is reasonably priced and worth every penny and a good investment for your children or even to yourself.”

From the reviews

Joining this gym and family has been one of the best decisions we have ever made! Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai help us stay connected as a family, keeps us all humble, disciplined and of course healthy. It’s been a major lifestyle change, but definitely for the better.

★★★★★ — Uhl, Jan 2022

We love to see the happiness of our kids when its jiu jitsu day at Babalus Iron Gym. They love the coaches and the extremely friendly staff. Thank you so much for your love and patience.

★★★★★ — Henrique, Oct 2023

This is a way long overdue review. We really highly recommend this place, this place will not just teach your child the skill but other more important life skills such as discipline, self defense, great sportsmanship and more.

★★★★★ — The, May 2023

My son has been training with Professor Babalu Sobral and Professor Ricky Gonzalez since 2016, when he was 7 years old. My wife has trained there, my daughter has trained there, and I train there as well.

★★★★★ — Walter, Feb 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 68 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Babalu’s Iron Gym

Babalu’s Iron Gym comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first muay thai class at Babalu’s Iron Gym

Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Babalu’s Iron Gym

19112 Pioneer Blvd, Cerritos, CA90703

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.