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Clinch Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 78 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Frederick, Maryland

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fitness classes 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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule clinchacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (301) 682-8589

Hours

Monday 10:30 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 10:30 AM–9 PM
Thursday 11 AM–9 PM
Friday 10:30 AM–8 PM
Saturday 9 AM–1 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 Clinch Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 7 mentions

“It can be intimidating walking in to a martial arts studio when you have no experience or no idea what to expect.”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai 20 mentions

“Now, a few years later, I'm a blue belt under Professor Luke Rinehart, a coach the kids program, and I am an amateur MMA fighter and they're mixed martial arts program.”

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Teen Muay Thai

“I have two teens enrolled in the BJJ classes here, and could not be happier.”

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🤼 Clinch 33 mentions

“When I first walked into Clinch Academy my freshman year at school at Hood College in Frederick Maryland, I was immediately struck by the family friendly atmosphere.”

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🏆 Fight Team

“Now, a few years later, I'm a blue belt under Professor Luke Rinehart, a coach the kids program, and I am an amateur MMA fighter and they're mixed martial arts program.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“In addition to exercise, coordination, and self confidence, I love that my son and daughter are gaining critical self defense skills.”

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🔥 Muay Thai Fitness

“Updated 7/18/2015 Still enjoying the great workouts at Clinch.”

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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 Clinch Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“If you've ever been curious about training Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, or MMA, the best day to start is today!”

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🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 10 mentions

“I received my purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Sept and attending 4-5 classes a week: mix between BJJ and workouts.”

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🏟️ MMA 5 mentions

“After researching and attempting to look for a good MMA establishment that was right for my son, we chose Clinch.”

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 78 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 3 mentions

“Doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or advanced, the coaches/instructors are great with all levels of experience and are able to share their vast knowledge of Muay Thai.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“Doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or advanced, the coaches/instructors are great with all levels of experience and are able to share their vast knowledge of Muay Thai.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 18 mentions

“When I first walked into Clinch Academy my freshman year at school at Hood College in Frederick Maryland, I was immediately struck by the family friendly atmosphere.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“Now, a few years later, I'm a blue belt under Professor Luke Rinehart, a coach the kids program, and I am an amateur MMA fighter and they're mixed martial arts program.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 5 mentions

“Now, a few years later, I'm a blue belt under Professor Luke Rinehart, a coach the kids program, and I am an amateur MMA fighter and they're mixed martial arts program.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 10 mentions

“Our confidence has increased as we've learned how to protect ourselves, how to build solid health habits for everyday living and how to be a respectful and dedicated team player.”

From the reviews

After researching and attempting to look for a good MMA establishment that was right for my son, we chose Clinch. From our first interaction with Tommy and Luke’s (owner) son, were very welcoming and made my son feel at home. My son, age 12, has been attending Clinch for about 5 months now.

★★★★★ — Absolute, Dec 2017

My daughter and I are beyond thrilled about being a new part of the Clinch family. From the warm welcome Coach Josh gave prior to signing up for the free trial membership through present day of my daughter attending classes 4 days a week, we have not been disappointed.

★★★★★ — Monique, Jul 2022

Updated Fall 2018 I've now been at Clinch since Nov 2014. I received my purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Sept and attending 4-5 classes a week: mix between BJJ and workouts. Best place to train in Jiu Jitsu and keep in shape with great people and instructors.

★★★★★ — David, Oct 2018

I've been attending various classes at the Clinch Academy since the beginning. Luke is a world class instructor, a loyal friend and all around good guy. The BJJ instruction is rigorous and deep, the fitness classes are fun yet tough, and the children's classes are an excellent way to help your kids learn…

★★★★★ — Matthew, Dec 2016

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 78 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Clinch Academy

Clinch Academy 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 Clinch Academy

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 Clinch Academy

500 Highland St, Frederick, MD21701

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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.