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Original 8 Muay Thai & Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 52 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Elmhurst, Illinois
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 trainoriginal8.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 331-262-3917
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–8 pm |
| Friday | 5:30–7 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, or are an experienced fighter, I can guarantee you will receive excellent instruction and guidance.”
“As an adult, I haven't participated in the children's class.”
“Tonight class went a little over and I did some bag work while coach was signing up some new students so this was a little more than a 1:15 class but it's a great workout.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, or are an experienced fighter, I can guarantee you will receive excellent instruction and guidance.”
“The coach is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and motivating, pushing you to reach your full potential while ensuring proper technique and safety.”
“I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something new, fun and challenging to stay in shape, all while picking up valuable self defense skills.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“The coach is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and motivating, pushing you to reach your full potential while ensuring proper technique and safety.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, or are an experienced fighter, I can guarantee you will receive excellent instruction and guidance.”
“The gym’s a very welcoming fun environment, offering excellent value for anyone looking to learn or improve their Muay Thai skills while feeling part of an encouraging community.”
“Tode is a great teacher, and spends a lot of personal time helping correct form and tactics.”
“This place is a great spot, and so much more engaging and exciting than mindlessly pumping iron or doing cardio at a gym for hours.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, or are an experienced fighter, I can guarantee you will receive excellent instruction and guidance.”
From the reviews
Everyone says their gym is run by cool/stand-up people, but very few people are genuinely cool and stand-up; Tode and the gang are cooler than cool (ice cold). It's a nice sized gym, a relaxing yet extra hard working environment, run by a super duper friendly and very knowledgeable man, attended by other cool people…
The trainer is incredibly skilled and passionate, creating a welcoming and motivating environment. The facility is well-equipped and offers a variety of classes for all skill levels. Original 8 gym is definitely worth checking out!
I’ve been training at Original 8 Muay Thai for a little over a year now, and I can confidently say this is the real deal. Tode is a super knowledgeable, patient, and extremely skilled coach.
The facility is clean, well-equipped, and organized, making every session a seamless experience. What really sets this gym apart is its strong community vibe—everyone is welcoming and supportive. I’ve gained not just skills but also confidence, discipline, and some great friends along the way.
New to muay thai? Start at Original 8 Muay Thai & Fitness
Original 8 Muay Thai & Fitness 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 Original 8 Muay Thai & Fitness
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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