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New England Kudo
5 ★★★★★ 10 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Hamden, Connecticut
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
- 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 newenglandkudo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (475) 209-7008
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 6:30–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 5:30–6:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9–10 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Kudo is a very fun martial art for both beginners and advanced practitioners looking to learn something unique.”
“The instructor: Sensei Jim, is tough yet encouraging, always promotes good technique, and focuses on pragmatic solutions in sparring.”
Other martial arts here
“But Kudo also includes Jiu jitsu, elements from boxing, and Muay Thai/Dutch Style kickboxing as well.”
“But Kudo also includes Jiu jitsu, elements from boxing, and Muay Thai/Dutch Style kickboxing as well.”
“But Kudo also includes Jiu jitsu, elements from boxing, and Muay Thai/Dutch Style kickboxing as well.”
“Kudo is a hybrid martial art combining mainly elements of Kyōkushin Karate and Judo.”
“Kudo is a hybrid martial art combining mainly elements of Kyōkushin Karate and Judo.”
What members say
“The community and instruction was by far the biggest stand out quality, everyone was extremely welcoming and made the gym feel like a second home.”
“The community and instruction was by far the biggest stand out quality, everyone was extremely welcoming and made the gym feel like a second home.”
“He's got the patience to teach, he makes sure everyone understands what they're doing and pays close attention to the details necessary for efficiency and growth as well.”
“The instructor: Sensei Jim, is tough yet encouraging, always promotes good technique, and focuses on pragmatic solutions in sparring.”
“The facilities were wonderful with clean equipment, mats, and a designated shower area.”
“The instructor: Sensei Jim, is tough yet encouraging, always promotes good technique, and focuses on pragmatic solutions in sparring.”
From the reviews
I've been training at New England Kudo for almost 2 years now. The facilities are great, spacious clean mats, heavy bags, and showers. It’s every martial artist’s dream gym! The instructor: Sensei Jim, is tough yet encouraging, always promotes good technique, and focuses on pragmatic solutions in sparring.
Kudo is a hybrid martial art combining mainly elements of Kyōkushin Karate and Judo. But Kudo also includes Jiu jitsu, elements from boxing, and Muay Thai/Dutch Style kickboxing as well. New England Kudo is a branch of a greater organization.
Wow, what an incredible studio. When you're looking for a good martial arts studio, you want to find: 1. A patient and capable coach/sensei. 2. A community of people who want to work hard together, but also treat each other with kindness and respect. 3.
This place is a truly unique place not only because Kudo is a fairly rare martial art in the US, but also because the culture of training here is something that’s rare. It’s all about experimenting, having fun, and truly developing your own techniques and style that suits you.
New to muay thai? Start at New England Kudo
New England Kudo 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.
Your first muay thai class at New England Kudo
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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