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East Side Muay Thai
4.9 ★★★★★ 115 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Virginia Beach, Virginia
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
- 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
- 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 eastsidemuaythai.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (757) 648-8594
Hours
| Monday | 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–1 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–1 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The gym offers a welcoming and supportive environment that caters to all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced fighters.”
“We have our children in classes, but the drive to be and do better as well as the sincerity with which they teach is contagious so I am looking into joining as well.”
“I am more than impressed and pleased with the gym, instructors, classes provided and the one on one training options to fit our hectic schedules.”
“Whether you’re looking to compete or just get in shape, you’ll find like-minded individuals to train with and support you along the way.”
“The classes are well-structured, focusing on technique, conditioning, and sparring, ensuring a comprehensive approach to Muay Thai training.”
“Whether your goal is to learn Muay Thai to compete, lose weight (like myself), tone up, or learn self defense, East Side Muay Thai can take care of all your needs.”
“I had the pleasure of assisting the introduction classes during my time here, and the level of detail placed on the basics is marveling.”
“Whether your goal is to learn Muay Thai to compete, lose weight (like myself), tone up, or learn self defense, East Side Muay Thai can take care of all your needs.”
Other martial arts here
“Either way, you will learn how to really defend yourself, unlike fitness classes at "cardio kickboxing" gyms.”
What members say
“Coach Jose is not only an excellent coach, but also a great friend to have.”
“The gym offers a welcoming and supportive environment that caters to all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced fighters.”
“The gym offers a welcoming and supportive environment that caters to all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced fighters.”
“I have been to other Muay Thai gyms and they throw you into a class of people who are experienced, they don’t take the time to teach you technique.”
“The classes are well-structured, focusing on technique, conditioning, and sparring, ensuring a comprehensive approach to Muay Thai training.”
“Whether your goal is to learn Muay Thai to compete, lose weight (like myself), tone up, or learn self defense, East Side Muay Thai can take care of all your needs.”
From the reviews
I joined East Side Muay Thai for my initial intro class midway through March. Initially I had doubts wether I would stick around since I live an hour away driving, sometimes more depending on traffic.
I have been training at ESMT for over 2 years now and will never train anywhere else. Fighters come from all over the country to train at ESMT. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive and the camaraderie with all the gym members is incredible. The skills taught in the kids, youth, and adult classes are unmatched.
East Side Muay Thai has been a game-changer for my martial arts journey. I started training in Muay Thai at 15 but had to leave my previous gym due to management issues that nearly made me quit altogether. That's when I found East Side Muay Thai, renowned in the area.
I have been training at Eastside Muay Thai for the past several months, and I can confidently say that it is one of the best gyms on the east coast . The gym offers a welcoming and supportive environment that caters to all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced fighters. The coaching staff is exceptional.
New to muay thai? Start at East Side Muay Thai
East Side 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 East Side 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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