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Minnesota Kali Group

4.9 ★★★★★ 146 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Free trial Authentic Thai Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Fitness classes

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

  • 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
  • Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule mnkali.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 612-821-6800

Hours

Monday 4–8:30 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–1 PM, 4–9 PM
Wednesday 4–9 PM
Thursday 9 AM–1 PM, 4–9 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 8:30 AM–1 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM–1 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 Minnesota Kali Group, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 8 mentions

“The best martial arts gym in the Twin Cities for people with all levels of conditioning and skill.”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai 3 mentions

“My daughter takes their youth classes and is absolutely beaming and excited after every hour spent with their instructors.”

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👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“There are also family options (the best deal for folks in the same household) and private training packages if you want direct tutelage.”

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🔥 Muay Thai Fitness 2 mentions

“It's a great workout and very rewarding.”

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🥊 Sparring

“It has a friendly welcoming atmosphere that is geared toward fitness and learning for beginners all the way up to people who want to spar.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“Learning self defense is a plus too!”

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Other martial arts here

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

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 2 mentions

“I have taken Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes here for almost 2 years and can’t speak highly enough of the experience.”

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

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 146 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 2 mentions

“Everyone from the front desk staff, to the other folks taking adult classes and as mentioned the amazing instructors are just an absolute joy to be around.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 15 mentions

“It is a very welcoming environment and offers a variety classes to challenge you mentally and physically.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 19 mentions

“It has a friendly welcoming atmosphere that is geared toward fitness and learning for beginners all the way up to people who want to spar.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 6 mentions

“The best martial arts gym in the Twin Cities for people with all levels of conditioning and skill.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“It’s also super women friendly!”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“The seminars are second to none, with experienced guidance in different disciplines of martial arts.”

From the reviews

Listen, if you want to be a part of an outstanding group who loves training, truth, and good times….you need to check out the world-famous Minnesota Kali Group. I believe Rick Faye is one of the premier martial arts instructors of our time. His instruction is always insightful, relevant….and fun!

★★★★★ — John, Jun 2021

My daughter takes their youth classes and is absolutely beaming and excited after every hour spent with their instructors. Joe, Tim, and Kyle are truly wonderful humans who have found a perfect balance between instructing, inspiring, encouraging discipline and excellence but injecting the air with humor and kindness.

★★★★★ — Sarah, Feb 2024

My experience of MKG is primarily based on seminars held in the UK and hosted by Guro Rick Faye and his excellent team consisting of Guro Linda Ramsay. While I'm not an actual member, I feel I have been welcomed into the family just as any other member might be.

★★★★★ — Andy, Jan 2024

This is a high quality martial arts studio and I'm glad I got to train here while I was traveling. The instructors are knowledgeable and creative. The workouts are pretty good too. You get a mind workout too. There is training in all stages of martial combat.

★★★★★ — Derik, Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 146 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Minnesota Kali Group

Minnesota Kali Group 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first muay thai class at Minnesota Kali Group

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 Minnesota Kali Group

4532 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN55407

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.