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MBD Martial Arts Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 158 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Des Plaines, Illinois

Muay Thai gym Free trial Kids & teens Private lessons Fitness 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
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes (ages 3–17) — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule mbdmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (847) 297-2788

Hours

Monday 5–9 PM
Tuesday 11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 4–10 PM
Thursday 11 AM–9 PM
Friday 4–9 PM
Saturday 9 AM–3 PM
Sunday 9 AM–12 PM

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 MBD Martial Arts Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 27 mentions

“My son thrives on positive reinforcement and Sensei Mike does a great job of pointing out when kids are following directions, doing moves correctly, and giving their best effort.”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

Teen Muay Thai 2 mentions

“Sensei Mike is phenomenal with little kids as well as teens.”

All gyms that run teen muay thai →

👤 Private Lessons

“Very family oriented, individualized, and personal training.”

All gyms that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“He has so much fun at his sessions, and is learning better self-discipline and self-defense.”

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 MBD Martial Arts Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

“We have been doing BJJ for about 3 years and karate before that.”

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

🎽 Karate 5 mentions

“My 9 year old son started taking karate classes twice an week almost one year ago and has so far moved up from a white belt to a yellow belt!”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

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 158 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“They are very welcoming, they teach you very practical self defense maneuvers/tips, they’re involved in the community, offer free classes, birthday parties, scout events and more.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 19 mentions

“They are very welcoming, they teach you very practical self defense maneuvers/tips, they’re involved in the community, offer free classes, birthday parties, scout events and more.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“My son thrives on positive reinforcement and Sensei Mike does a great job of pointing out when kids are following directions, doing moves correctly, and giving their best effort.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 15 mentions

“Our little one has dealt with social anxiety for as long as we can remember but through MBD, she has grown confidence and has really started opening up!”

From the reviews

We love MBD! My 9 year old son started taking karate classes twice an week almost one year ago and has so far moved up from a white belt to a yellow belt! He has so much fun at his sessions, and is learning better self-discipline and self-defense. He’s looking forward to one day becoming a black belt!

★★★★★ — Nancy, Dec 2025

My son’s been doing MBD for a little over a year now, and the results are amazing. We signed him up mainly for his health, and it’s really paid off — he’s stronger, more energetic, and a lot more confident. I also love the discipline and how the coaches work with the kids.

★★★★★ — Rai, Jun 2025

I am beyond impressed with my son’s experience at MBD Martial Arts. In just one month, he has learned so much and has truly developed a passion for karate. He looks forward to every class and is excited to continue improving his skills.

★★★★★ — Riris, Apr 2025

My 5 year old son has been attending classes at MBD for about 1.5 years now and we are very happy with his progress. We hit some rough patches, but we continued on and I'm glad we did because he is doing so great in his class now.

★★★★★ — Melissa, Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 158 reviews →

Your first muay thai class at MBD Martial Arts Academy

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 MBD Martial Arts Academy

1508 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL60016

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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.