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Balance Studios: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai
4.8 ★★★★★ 71 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Authentic Thai — reviews and the gym's own info point to coaching rooted in Thailand's muay thai tradition. If lineage matters to you, ask where the coaches trained and about their kru.
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 balancestudios.net — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 215-636-9661
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–9 pm |
The classes they run
“There’s a great mix of beginner to advanced students with plenty of opportunities for good training.”
“I respect that this school has place for everyone: children, women, people w older age, this is very rare based on my experience.”
“Highly recommend for anyone wanting to fight, compete, learn how to protect yourself, or just feel happy and enjoy training!”
“Here you can learn whatever suits you best: self defense, MMA, improve mobility/ endurance or progress into higher level and participate in various competitions.”
Other martial arts here
“Their Jiujitsu studios have served as a safe space for me to develop street self defense, Jiujitsu understanding, and most importantly self-actualization.”
“Here you can learn whatever suits you best: self defense, MMA, improve mobility/ endurance or progress into higher level and participate in various competitions.”
What members say
“There are lots of options for classes and all the coaches are really knowledgeable and helpful, no matter your level.”
“They have something for everyone, all levels are always welcome and there is an emphasis on humility and always having a “beginner’s mind”.”
“Everyone is always friendly and helping everyone else get better at jiu-jitsu and mma.”
“Each class builds off the previous class, the techniques are well covered and easy to learn and the vast amount of high levels students are always helpful.”
“Here you can learn whatever suits you best: self defense, MMA, improve mobility/ endurance or progress into higher level and participate in various competitions.”
“The level of hospitality made me feel like I wasn’t just some random drop in, but that they authentically care about everyone who trains there.”
From the reviews
I dropped in here for two classes during a recent visit to Philly. After visiting many JiuJitsu schools across the country, I've got a good eye for quality of instruction and culture. I'm happy to report that this place hits the mark on both counts.
Awesome school and even better people. Me and my brother both train here and have a phenomenal experience. First of all the pricing is on par with most schools in the city. We have checked literally every school in the city and no one has the amount of black belts that can teach you and that you can roll with.
I love Balance with all my heart. I mostly trained in Center City, but sometimes visited Fishtown location. This place literally became my home. I did both, bjj and Muay Thai. I endlessly grateful to best of the best mentors and teachers. They made me better, the push my limits, they believed in me.
Balance is a such a great place to train! There are lots of options for classes and all the coaches are really knowledgeable and helpful, no matter your level. The training partners you have and people you meet there are the best and everyone seems genuinely interested in having fun while getting better.
New to muay thai? Start at Balance Studios: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai
Balance Studios: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai 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.
Your first muay thai class at Balance Studios: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai
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.
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