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John Wai Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 508 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Plantation, Florida

Muay Thai gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 johnwaimartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (954) 382-2228

Hours

Monday 8:30 AM–12:45 PM, 3–9 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–12 PM, 3–9 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM–12:45 PM, 3–9 PM
Thursday 6:30 AM–12 PM, 3–9 PM
Friday 8:30 AM–12:45 PM, 3–8 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM–2 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 John Wai Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 2 mentions

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai 22 mentions

“From the very first day I brought my son to John Wai Martial Arts Academy, I could tell that discipline is a core value in everything they do.”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“Instructors and all staff are incredibly friendly and take the time to welcome you and explain everything from procedures to proper technique.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I highly recommend John Wai Martial Arts Academy to any parent who wants to help their child develop discipline, respect for others, focus, confidence, and self-defense skills.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at John Wai Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“The kickboxing class , is more fitness based according to them, but they still help teach you form and teach you proper technique.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 4 mentions

“We first tried BJJ with my son a couple of years ago, but he didn’t take to it at the time—maybe he just wasn’t ready.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

🏟️ MMA 4 mentions

“John Wai MMA has truly become a family environment for our son and all the other families who consider this place home.”

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 508 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 4 mentions

“Not only do i have the best coaches, but this gym is a great family, no need to look anywhere else, john wai is the place to be!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“From the very first day I brought my son to John Wai Martial Arts Academy, I could tell that discipline is a core value in everything they do.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 15 mentions

“Instructors and all staff are incredibly friendly and take the time to welcome you and explain everything from procedures to proper technique.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Instructors and all staff are incredibly friendly and take the time to welcome you and explain everything from procedures to proper technique.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“2 week trial for 15 bucks is a great way to get a vibe for the classes.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 14 mentions

“If a child is very active they find a way to help that child focus, if a child is sad they identify it and take the child aside to have a conversation with them.”

From the reviews

Its not everyday that someone wakes up and decides to train in a martial art. The day I decided to go through with john wai and start my membership, my life has changed for the better physically and mentally.

★★★★★ — Kevin, Jun 2024

The best investment I’ve made for my tween. I knew nothing about martial arts before we joined the gym and 10 months later I’m so happy we did. My tween has grown stronger, more confident, more motivated, and self-regulated. The benefits have carried over into her home life & personal development.

★★★★★ — Katherine, Jul 2024

I’ve been at John Wai Martial Arts for about a year now and it’s been an incredible experience. Every coach here is dedicated and truly cares about their students. Over the past year, I’ve grown so much not just as a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner but as a person.

★★★★★ — Dominic, Oct 2025

Started 8 months ago. 2 week trial for 15 bucks is a great way to get a vibe for the classes. Now I'm hooked, doing 6-10 classes a week. I got my kids started, too. Being able to train in different styles is awesome. The kids get a really well rounded experience. The coaches are fantastic. All with immense experience.

★★★★★ — Sergio, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 508 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at John Wai Martial Arts

John Wai Martial Arts 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first muay thai class at John Wai Martial Arts

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 John Wai Martial Arts

222 S University Dr, Plantation, FL33324

Get directions

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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.