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NME Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Irvine, California
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.
Friendly academy for Muay Thai and other martial arts disciplines.
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule nmemartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (949) 350-1530
Hours
| Monday | 4–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–10 PM |
| Thursday | 4–10 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Highly recommended for anyone interested in martial arts, whether you're brand new to training or have been doing it for decades”
“The workouts are structured for a wide range of abilities and there are also advanced classes for those who want to spar and learn more ringcraft.”
“Advanced classes and fight teams means there is always room to grow.”
“He also offers Kali class which uses sticks, knives, self defense and much more.”
Other martial arts here
“I was introduced to Coach Dennis through the Muay Thai and Kickboxing class at UCI and joined NME soon after.”
What members say
“Coach Dennis is an amazing and experienced instructor and will push you to become a better martial artist.”
“Coach Dennis met me right where I was, fully dedicated to helping every student grow, whether beginner or professional.”
“Though the class is challenging, he is always supportive and ready to correct your form and answer any questions I’ve had.”
“He really cares about each of his students, and the classes are formatted in a way that beginners to advanced students are challenged and learning.”
“I would recommend for anyone who is fighting to come take classes with him.”
“Kru Dennis has a lot of traditional Muay Thai knowledge to offer.”
From the reviews
This is an amazing studio, with a great coach! Coach Dennis takes his time to help each individual student gain confidence in their Muay Thai abilities. The team is very welcoming, and respectful. Even if you are brand new, you don’t feel like you are being talked down to or anything like that.
Coach Dennis is an excellent martial arts guru with years of experience training both young and old. I joined his Muay Thai class in the evening and enjoyed every bit of training quintessential for growing both physical and mental strength.
Great training in a friendly environment. Coach Dennis structures classes expertly with a focus on technique and always makes time to improve his students training. Advanced classes and fight teams means there is always room to grow.
NME Martial Arts is a great place to learn Thai boxing for all skill levels! The workouts are structured for a wide range of abilities and there are also advanced classes for those who want to spar and learn more ringcraft.
New to muay thai? Start at NME Martial Arts
NME 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.
Your first muay thai class at NME 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.
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