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Core Martial Arts and Self Defense

5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Gulf Breeze, Florida

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 coremartialartsflorida.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 850-585-0950

Hours

Monday 10 am–8 pm
Tuesday 10 am–8 pm
Wednesday 10 am–8 pm
Thursday 10 am–8 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
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 Core Martial Arts and Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 32 mentions

“Our son can get easily distracted, as most 6 years olds can, but Scott does a wonderful job keeping a large group of kids focused, all while being friendly and fun.”

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Teen Muay Thai

“I know he will head into high school and off to college with the skills and knowledge to be aware of his surroundings and deal with any situation that may arise.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“They provide you quality one on one training and tips to perfect your form, whatever path you choose for competition, self defense or simply a great workout.”

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🔥 Muay Thai Fitness 2 mentions

“Whether you’re looking to train seriously, get in shape, or just want a positive environment for your kids to learn martial arts, Core MMA is the place to be.”

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🥊 Sparring

“Sparring is his favorite part!”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 9 mentions

“Scott and Carrie really took the time to find organizations that are true to the art, while really teaching self defense tactics and real world scenarios to apply the technique!”

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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 Core Martial Arts and Self Defense — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“The Core Fit Kickboxing class has been a great benefit to my life.”

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🏟️ MMA 6 mentions

“He is comfortable defending himself if he ever needs to, and he's transitioned into the MMA class.”

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🛡️ Krav Maga 3 mentions

“My husband took him and finished his first Krav Maga class, but wasn't too sure if he wanted to stand for the Hapkido class.”

Other gyms that also teach krav maga →

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 37 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 3 mentions

“The coaches do an amazing job of making the classes fun while still teaching discipline, respect, and solid technique.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Highly recommend Core for it's cleanliness, professionalism, top notch instruction, and welcoming atmosphere.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 20 mentions

“Our son can get easily distracted, as most 6 years olds can, but Scott does a wonderful job keeping a large group of kids focused, all while being friendly and fun.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Scott and Carrie really took the time to find organizations that are true to the art, while really teaching self defense tactics and real world scenarios to apply the technique!”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“They provide you quality one on one training and tips to perfect your form, whatever path you choose for competition, self defense or simply a great workout.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Scott and Carrie provide a safe learning environment that has allowed my son to grow in confidence, stature, and increase his social skills.”

From the reviews

My son noticed Core when we passed by on our daily commute. After much thought, he asked if he could give it a try. My husband took him and finished his first Krav Maga class, but wasn't too sure if he wanted to stand for the Hapkido class. My husband encouraged him to stay.

★★★★★ — Tracey, Jul 2017

I have a background in Tae Kwon Do, and when I moved to the area, I was originally looking into TKD schools and found that they were not Korean based organizations. When I visited Core, I immediately felt a connection!!

★★★★★ — Nicole, Sep 2016

My son, now 13 has been attending classes at Core Martial Arts for a few years. He started in the juniors program and now attends the Hapkido class. It has been amazing watching him grow into a strong, confident young man with Scott and Carrie by his side.

★★★★★ — Maria, Apr 2018

Core Martial Arts has been a wonderful addition to our family. My 3 kids thoroughly enjoy the kids classes because Mr. Scott and Ms. Carrie are amazing teachers. They look forward to every class. As a parent, I love that my kids are learning important self defense tactics.

★★★★★ — Courtney, Jul 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Core Martial Arts and Self Defense

Core Martial Arts and Self Defense 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 Core Martial Arts and Self Defense

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 Core Martial Arts and Self Defense

3483 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL32563

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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.