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Muay Thai Chicago Aiki Training Hall
4.9 ★★★★★ 77 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Chicago, Illinois
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
- 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
- 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 aikitraininghall.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 866-998-8933
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–1:30 pm |
The classes they run
“Another thing I love about Aiki is that from Day one, I felt welcomed and comfortable in the space, when I was beginner.”
“While you will also get in a great workout, Aiki's focus is on making sure you get every inch of your form correct from the positioning of your feet to your breathing.”
“You won't be hit by anyone unless you ask to spar, which is usually recommended for people who have learned a bit more and want to do it.”
“I’ve been training here for 13 months now, lost 20+ lbs, and had the pleasure of training with One Championship fighters, complete beginners, and everyone in between.”
“Dario, one of the trainers, took the time to make sure I knew the basics and sent me videos and training skills to practice.”
“Whether you are looking to get in shape, learn self defense or looking to be a competitive combat sport athlete this is a great place to achieve any of those goals.”
Other martial arts here
“or worse, they'll only teach Dutch-style kickboxing while claiming traditional roots.”
“They live and breathe Muay Thai and boxing.”
What members say
“TLDR: Aiki is arguably the best martial arts gym at which I’ve trained; if you’re interested in learning authentic Muay Thai - this is one of the best gyms in the country.”
“Another thing I love about Aiki is that from Day one, I felt welcomed and comfortable in the space, when I was beginner.”
“Everybody here from the coaches to the members is very respectful and friendly, and it's always a very pleasant experience to come in and train and socialize with the community.”
“While you will also get in a great workout, Aiki's focus is on making sure you get every inch of your form correct from the positioning of your feet to your breathing.”
“While you will also get in a great workout, Aiki's focus is on making sure you get every inch of your form correct from the positioning of your feet to your breathing.”
“I’ve been training here for 13 months now, lost 20+ lbs, and had the pleasure of training with One Championship fighters, complete beginners, and everyone in between.”
From the reviews
As a 40 plus year practitioner of a multitude of martial arts. I highly recommend learning Muay Thai at the Aiki Training Hall. I have know the principals many years, Rick Sollo, Dario and Sherwin, instructors that truly care, to teach real martial arts.
Without a doubt, Aiki Training Hall is the best Muay Thai gym in Chicago, and in my opinion, one of the best in the country. I have been training Muay Thai for over four years as of the time of this review and have competed twice with this team.
I have been a member of Aiki Training Hall for about a year and a half, and coming here is always the highlight of my week. It was the first place I truly practiced Muay Thai, and I could not have asked to a better spot to learn. The coaches are very knowledgeable and have impressive teaching pedigree.
TLDR: Aiki is arguably the best martial arts gym at which I’ve trained; if you’re interested in learning authentic Muay Thai - this is one of the best gyms in the country.
New to muay thai? Start at Muay Thai Chicago Aiki Training Hall
Muay Thai Chicago Aiki Training Hall 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 Muay Thai Chicago Aiki Training Hall
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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