Home › Ohio › Columbus › Ho-I Kung-Fu & Tai-Chi
Ho-I Kung-Fu & Tai-Chi
4.9 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Columbus, Ohio
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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule hoikungfu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 614-263-4701
Hours
| Monday | 6–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–7:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–7:45 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 1–2:30 pm |
| Sunday | 5–6 pm |
The classes they run
“Classes are offered for beginners twice a week and as you progress through the ranks, you are eventually admitted into the Advanced class.”
“I have been attending Master Mollicas class along with my 11 year old, whom I enrolled in their youth class for 2 years now.”
“I developed my mind and body in some really neat ways, and I learned very practical and effective self defense techniques and fighting systems.”
Other martial arts here
“There's kickboxing, karate, MMA, and all the rest.”
“There's an advanced class you can work your way toward on tuesdays and other classes offered such as taichi and a chinese wrestling course.”
What members say
“Classes are offered for beginners twice a week and as you progress through the ranks, you are eventually admitted into the Advanced class.”
“Master Shumaker and Sifu Paul are extremely friendly and engaging, and Ho-I has established a very nice community for newcomers!”
“I developed my mind and body in some really neat ways, and I learned very practical and effective self defense techniques and fighting systems.”
“It is an honor and a joy to study under such an authentic and prestigious Kung Fu master such as Grandmaster Mollica.”
“Shaolin Kung-fu is very practical and Mollica keeps it that way by focusing on techniques you can actually use for self defense.”
From the reviews
I had the pleasure of studying at Ho-I for about 12 years, before moving away from Columbus. I developed my mind and body in some really neat ways, and I learned very practical and effective self defense techniques and fighting systems. Grand Master Mollica is the real deal, and a very good man.
This is a great place to learn the martial arts. It can be confusing and frustrating trying to find a good place to start. There's kickboxing, karate, MMA, and all the rest. Kung Fu appealed to me because of it's interesting history. I go to a gym regularly and have been taking yoga for years.
I have been studying under Master Mollica for over four years now and it has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. The variety of self defense techniques and Kung Fu styles that Master Mollica has in his arsenal is quite amazing.
In the midst of the pandemic, the Ho-I school is operating with extreme caution. All are wearing masks, and pushing thru with excellence. The instructors are incredible, and are coming up with vigorous workouts, and maintaining social distancing. Top notch martial arts school.
New to muay thai? Start at Ho-I Kung-Fu & Tai-Chi
Ho-I Kung-Fu & Tai-Chi comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Ho-I Kung-Fu & Tai-Chi
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.
More muay thai gyms near Columbus
Short North Muay Thai
4.7 ★★★★★ 41 reviews
Ronin Training Center
4.6 ★★★★★ 139 reviews
🥊 Free trial class — check their site
Mad Max's Academy (MMA)
5 ★★★★★ 25 reviews