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New England Submission Fighting
4.9 ★★★★★ 43 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Amherst, Massachusetts
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 (ages 8–14) — 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
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule amherstmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (413) 345-2021
Hours
| Monday | 4–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4–9 PM |
| Friday | 4–9 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It is the perfect environment to learn as a beginner or someone who is more experienced, and the instructors and people who attend classes are all wonderful.”
“I never felt out of place as a woman attending MMA classes and was happy to see how many women train at NESF.”
“I continue to enjoy private lessons as well as the group classes.”
“Its approachable enough for people who are new to martial arts but always challenging enough to keep more experienced fighters wanting to come back.”
“In addition to the MMA classes it is also a great place to learn self-defense.”
Other martial arts here
“Aside from safety, most importantly, a growth-oriented mindset was championed: it was clear the focus was to improve our jiu-jitsu and not "prove" anything against the new guy.”
“Whether you are looking to start training mixed martial arts as a new hobby, or you want to take your game to the next level, NESF is the place to be.”
“I love the variety in styles (wrestling, MMA, standup, jiu jitsu) so there is really something for everybody.”
What members say
“It is the perfect environment to learn as a beginner or someone who is more experienced, and the instructors and people who attend classes are all wonderful.”
“The atmosphere in the gym is like that of a family, and both instructors, Dave and Kirik, are very helpful teachers and have taught me a lot already in just a few months.”
“Techniques were demonstrated with a high level of detail, but not overwhelmingly so, and the competition class was challenging and safe!”
“Its approachable enough for people who are new to martial arts but always challenging enough to keep more experienced fighters wanting to come back.”
“People here make NESF a great gym.”
“I never felt out of place as a woman attending MMA classes and was happy to see how many women train at NESF.”
From the reviews
I am a personal trainer and have been in the fitness industry a long time. I have never been to a place with such a great family environment. This is by far the best place I have ever trained at. It makes training easy and fun. I would recommend this place to anyone willing to learn or just get in shape!
We're so lucky to have a BJJ and MMA gym like NESF out in western Massachusetts. Dave Roy is a really great instructor with an incredible amount of knowledge. I've been training here for about a year and a half now and I still look forward to going to train every day.
Whether you are looking to start training mixed martial arts as a new hobby, or you want to take your game to the next level, NESF is the place to be. Coach Dave's black belt level instruction is accessible to newcomers while remaining technically deep for those with experience, ensuring everyone continuously improves.
I'd never practiced any kind of martial arts before and this was the perfect place to start. Dave, the main coach, is an extremely patient and detailed instructor and I was immediately hooked.
New to muay thai? Start at New England Submission Fighting
New England Submission Fighting 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 Submission Fighting
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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