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Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai

4.9 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Muay Thai gym 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 balancestudios.net — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 215-988-9347

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

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 Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 3 mentions

“All locations have amazing kids classes with safety as a priority while teaching applicable and age appropriate self defense.”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

🏆 Fight Team 2 mentions

“If your a parent looking for something positive for your child, looking to train as an adult, or you're a UFC level fighter, call or visit Phil and Ric.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 7 mentions

“If you're interested in learning self-defense, the balance curriculum keeps true to the core principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and focuses on real, proven self defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai

“I quickly fell in love with training even as a beginner.”

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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 Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 26 mentions

“There are plenty of other Jiu-Jitsu schools minutes from my home, but none of them match the quality, environment, and high level of the teaching that Balance Studios provides.”

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

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 81 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 5 mentions

“Great Place to get some quality Brazilian Jiujitsu Training, Phil and Rick are great instructors, and the level of athlete in the gym is very high.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The instructors are all top notch, the training is world class and, most importantly, you'll never meet a more welcoming and inviting group of straight up killers.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 13 mentions

“From the passionate and dedicated instructors, the endless amount of talented training partners, and the family like atmosphere is what sets Balance Studios apart from the rest.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 4 mentions

“If you're interested in competing, the competition training will get you where you need to be and then some.”

🇹🇭 authentic Thai roots 2 mentions

“As a black belt in two traditional martial arts (aikido and kendo) I came in to Balance in order to find that evasive “real life” training experience most people talk about.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 3 mentions

“Phil and Ricky are always there to help and the experience has always been an experience worth the time.”

From the reviews

I started training jiujitsu about 3 years ago and I happen to google best places at the time and came to Balance Studios. I quickly fell in love with training even as a beginner.

★★★★★ — Dina, Jun 2017

I trained at the Center City location for a few years. Would even ride my bike n the freezing cold so I consider myself extremely lucky they opened a gym in Fishtown.

★★★★★ — Mark, Feb 2018

If you're interested in starting martial arts, or experienced looking for something better, Balance Studios is the place to join. Work, life and distance keep me loving Advanced Martial Arts in North Brunswick, NJ, but when I have time I travel, with my instructor Brian Katz's encouragement and blessings, to train at…

★★★★★ — Jay, Jan 2017

Long winded review coming through. If you are in for short review - here it is: go join Balance. If you want to hang around, keep on reading. As a black belt in two traditional martial arts (aikido and kendo) I came in to Balance in order to find that evasive “real life” training experience most people talk about.

★★★★★ — Timur, Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai

Balance Studios HQ: 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first muay thai class at Balance Studios HQ: 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.

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 Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai

1314 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA19125

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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.