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Back to Basics Martial Arts & Fitness

5 ★★★★★ 75 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Boston, Massachusetts

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Fitness classes Fight team

Plan your first class

  • 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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
  • Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule backtobasicsboston.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (339) 927-1951

Hours

Monday 12–9:30 PM
Tuesday 12–9:30 PM
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday 12–9:30 PM
Friday 5–9:30 PM
Saturday 11 AM–1 PM
Sunday 10 AM–2:30 PM

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 Back to Basics Martial Arts & Fitness, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 9 mentions

“Regarding the one Jiu-jitsu class I attended , Wed 7-9:30pm no gi beginners and advanced class: Top class gym Jeff the head coach is a legend and creates a great environment.”

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💪 Women's Muay Thai 2 mentions

“I am new to this kind of stuff but vic (Victoria) made me feel so special and welcome in the Sunday women’s only class.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“Not only do you receive masterclass lessons and private classes, but the community built within this gym is like no other.”

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🥊 Sparring 4 mentions

“Provides context and references for the techniques he teaches Sparring was quality.”

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🏆 Fight Team 3 mentions

“Whether you’re new to combat sports or a seasoned fighter, there's a place for you in this gym Every person who teaches lessons here is highly skilled and talented.”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai

“For quite a while, I had been looking for a safe space where myself and my daughter can learn self defensive techniques and more.”

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Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Back to Basics Martial Arts & Fitness — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 14 mentions

“Regarding the one Jiu-jitsu class I attended , Wed 7-9:30pm no gi beginners and advanced class: Top class gym Jeff the head coach is a legend and creates a great environment.”

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

🏟️ MMA 3 mentions

“Last summer, I was living in Boston for my job and was unfamiliar with the area's MMA gyms.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🤸 Wrestling 2 mentions

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 75 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 4 mentions

“Regarding the one Jiu-jitsu class I attended , Wed 7-9:30pm no gi beginners and advanced class: Top class gym Jeff the head coach is a legend and creates a great environment.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 17 mentions

“Regarding the one Jiu-jitsu class I attended , Wed 7-9:30pm no gi beginners and advanced class: Top class gym Jeff the head coach is a legend and creates a great environment.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 15 mentions

“Warm welcome, skilled and supportive instructors, and flexible membership options - everything you need for great training.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“For quite a while, I had been looking for a safe space where myself and my daughter can learn self defensive techniques and more.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“The coaches are encouraging, they genuinely care about your progress and your goals, and you will get the best workout in all of Boston!”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 14 mentions

“Back to Basics was not my first gym, but the anxiety of simulating a fight in a room full of strangers was all the same when I decided to visit.”

From the reviews

I've been training with Coach Jeff for about a year now in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and fitness in both a private and class setting. I can without hesitation say that I am in the best shape of my life both physically and mentally thanks to this training.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Jul 2021

Last summer, I was living in Boston for my job and was unfamiliar with the area's MMA gyms. After researching several options, I decided to check out Back to Basics. From the first class, I knew it was the perfect place for me to spend my summer training.

★★★★★ — Anthony, Feb 2023

I'm a Berklee student and the gym is damn near crawling distance from school. The atmosphere is great for beginners and seasoned athletes combined wether you're trying for the first time, visiting on vacation, or just looking to get better.

★★★★★ — Rafael, Mar 2024

If I could rate ten stars, I would. I started BJJ on a whim and was so nervous I would be completely out of my element, but I felt so accepted and encouraged with Jeff and the team.

★★★★★ — Xanthea, Aug 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 75 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Back to Basics Martial Arts & Fitness

Back to Basics Martial Arts & Fitness comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Back to Basics Martial Arts & Fitness

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 Back to Basics Martial Arts & Fitness

338 Newbury St 3rd floor, Boston, MA02115

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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.