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California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai
4.9 ★★★★★ 49 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in San Francisco, California
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.
Authentic muay thai gym with classes for kids and adults, as well as helpful staff.
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 cmasf.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (415) 359-9294
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 12–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I started practicing Muay Thai a little over a year ago under Coach Dave Engel's instruction, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor as a complete beginner.”
“Just like Dave, you can tell that Joe loves martial arts like a kid loves Christmas, and he's equally stoked to pass that joy on to his students.”
“They offer classes, but also have a fight team, consisting of some very skilled fighters.”
“Since I first started training, I was able to learn the basics from how to have a fight stance, to competing in six bouts across California.”
Other martial arts here
“This is definitely not the cardio-kickboxing type of gym and has a very technical approach, but I'm sure your cardio will be tested.”
What members say
“All the coaches are incredibly knowledgeable and push you without creating a hostile environment.”
“I started practicing Muay Thai a little over a year ago under Coach Dave Engel's instruction, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor as a complete beginner.”
“Being at this gym has gotten me through some rough times, including losing family, and Dave and Joe were incredibly supportive throughout it all.”
“Their attention to detail will help develop a fundamental understand of the sport and is perfect for all ages and skill level.”
“Don’t miss Saturday conditioning ;) I take privates with Coach Xyler, and he helped me unlock so much more punching power than I had before.”
“Since I first started training, I was able to learn the basics from how to have a fight stance, to competing in six bouts across California.”
From the reviews
This is the best Muay Thai gym you could find in the Bay Area! Joining CMA was the best decision I could make 3 years ago. The coaches are very knowledgeable about Muay Thai and genuinely care about their students.
California Martial Arts has been a fantastic place for my daughter to learn Muay Thai. The fact that they offer classes for kids three days a week has provided her with a consistent and engaging learning experience.
Look no more, this is an amazing gym. If you want to learn, grow and improve, this is the place for that. As a soccer coach and school teacher myself, I can tell you that the instructors are what top tier coaches/mentors/teachers should be. They are masters of their craft.
I started practicing Muay Thai a little over a year ago under Coach Dave Engel's instruction, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor as a complete beginner. Dave is clearly extremely passionate about the sport and has dedicated his life to it, and you can also tell that he genuinely enjoys teaching it to others.
New to muay thai? Start at California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai
California Martial Athletics - 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 California Martial Athletics - 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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