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Institute of Combat
4.8 ★★★★★ 63 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Arcata, California
Gym offering muay thai boxing, wrestling, and other martial arts classes.
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
- 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
- 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 instituteofcombat.org — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (707) 499-7217
Hours
| Monday | 3:30–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 3:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 3:30–8 PM |
| Friday | 3:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or training to be a professional, everyone is welcome.”
“They made my granddaughter feel so welcomed, that she wants to keep going back even though she is sore from such a good workout.”
“There is sparring and rolling after most classes and the sparring partners know how to control their moves so both partners learn.”
“Also Cass Bell the owner and head coach is a real bellator fighter who has competed at a pro level.”
“I know I can protect myself if I ever get attacked which is a great feeling to have in life.”
Other martial arts here
“I have been training here for over a year and a half for Boxing, Wrestling, etc.”
“I instantly became addicted to no gi jiu jitsu.”
“Since the very beginning, the highly experienced team of trainers, led by MMA expert Cass Bell, have treated us like family.”
“My son started wrestling at IOC before we moved out of town, was always great coaching and a great atmosphere in the gym.”
What members say
“My son started wrestling at IOC before we moved out of town, was always great coaching and a great atmosphere in the gym.”
“A welcoming atmosphere with all the essential tools and support needed for strengthening the mind body and spirit.”
“I was nervous about walking through the door of a place called "Institute of Combat" but as soon as I walked in everybody was so welcoming, helpful and patient.”
“There is sparring and rolling after most classes and the sparring partners know how to control their moves so both partners learn.”
“Top notch coaches, a spacious and clean facility, and a place that feels like home.”
“My coach, Cass Bell, trains me, along with everyone else, with professional, personal attention and focus.”
From the reviews
Great place to train. Been coming here for years. Great wrestling program for kids and IOC trains Humboldts first pro MMA fighter. As for Tristan and Riley who left 1 star reviews Tristan was booted after assaulting a female and Riley has never even attended. Come check the gym out for yourself.
Let me tell you how awesome this place really is! Quick response on Messenger when i requested info about the gym. So i showed up for a Muay Thai class. Met Coach John, liked him immediately!
This gym is amazing for my children. I have tried other gyms in eureka and mckinleyville, and they do not compare. Having professional fighters help my kids and also get on the Matt and roll with them is amazing.
The Coaches and team are great. There is a wealth of knowledge at the gym and there is an emphasis on technique. There is sparring and rolling after most classes and the sparring partners know how to control their moves so both partners learn.
New to muay thai? Start at Institute of Combat
Institute of Combat 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 Institute of Combat
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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🥊 Free trial class — check their site