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National Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 106 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Poughkeepsie, New York

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fitness classes Fight team

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
  • Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule nationalmartialartsandfitness.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 845-483-7675

Hours

Monday 4–10 pm
Tuesday 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4–10 pm
Wednesday 4–10 pm
Thursday 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4–10 pm
Friday 4–10 pm
Saturday 10 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 National 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

“I would recommend this gym to any beginners who want to try something new in a safe, judgement free space!”

All gyms that run beginner muay thai →

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 33 mentions

“My kids are happy with the program and will continue learning life skills skills with other sports such as wrestling just mention one I love the program, every kid try it”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“He is dedicated to helping kids learn the tactics of self defense, specializes in Jiu-Jitsu, Tang Soo Do, Karate and martial arts.”

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

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 4 mentions

“He is dedicated to helping kids learn the tactics of self defense, specializes in Jiu-Jitsu, Tang Soo Do, Karate and martial arts.”

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

🎽 Karate 4 mentions

“He is dedicated to helping kids learn the tactics of self defense, specializes in Jiu-Jitsu, Tang Soo Do, Karate and martial arts.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

🤸 Wrestling

“My kids are happy with the program and will continue learning life skills skills with other sports such as wrestling just mention one I love the program, every kid try it”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 106 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 3 mentions

“Thank you to Christian and his team of excellent instructors!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The environment is welcoming and engaging, and the classes follow an enjoyable format that encourages developing muscle memory and trying out a fun mix of techniques.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 6 mentions

“The environment is welcoming and engaging, and the classes follow an enjoyable format that encourages developing muscle memory and trying out a fun mix of techniques.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“The environment is welcoming and engaging, and the classes follow an enjoyable format that encourages developing muscle memory and trying out a fun mix of techniques.”

🧒 strong kids program 7 mentions

“Our son’s confidence has gone through the roof, he’s advanced his skills and has received several different belts which he has been so proud of.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 13 mentions

“Over the course of the year and a half he has been with the school we have seen his confidence grow tremendously and not just in regards to his martial arts studies.”

From the reviews

My daughter loves going to her martial arts class. She is hard to keep focus, but the instructor Christian Lacey is so good with kids and is able to keep her engaged during training.

★★★★★ — Ana, Nov 2016

I LOVE ASSISTING MY MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES. I LEARN SKILLS FOR MY DAILY LIFE AND I ENJOY THE FRIENDSHIP THAT I AM building with my other classmates. Any kid that comes to class would enjoy the learning material and instructors are all amazing

★★★★★ — Derrick, Jun 2024

So far, so good!!! Christian has been incredibly patient with the kiddos. It’s been about a month since I started taking my toddler to learn martial arts, and I’ve seen such a positive difference.

★★★★★ — Sandi, Feb 2026

Both of my daughters, 3 and 6, have been taking classes here since the spring. They both love it and enjoy every class! The other kids are welcoming and kind and the instructors are all engaging and knowledgeble. Something that makes this place stand out is the focus on making the class enjoyable for the kids.

★★★★★ — Margaret, Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 106 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at National Martial Arts

National Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. 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 National 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 National Martial Arts

473 Violet Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY12601

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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.