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Santa Monica Striking
5 ★★★★★ 55 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Santa Monica, 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.
Plan your first class
- 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
- 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 santamonicastriking.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (213) 507-6163
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–7 PM |
The classes they run
“Lance and Dean are amazing teachers for not only beginners but also intermediate to advanced levels of Muay Thai and many other forms of combat sports.”
“I’ve also seen them do some incredible classes for kids and can’t wait to have my kid take lessons when he’s a bit older.”
“And if you’re new to Muay Thai — or even just want to sharpen your skills — I would highly recommend personal training with Coach Lance Dixon as confidence boost.”
“Santa Monica striking is a great group of fighters and it wouldn’t be what it is today without Dean’s love for fighting and passionate instruction.”
Other martial arts here
“Incredibly knowledgeable and well rounded I have both may Thai ,kickboxing,Sanda exp”
“I had previously been training at my local youth boxing club in high-school and dropping in and out of muay thai gyms occasionally.”
What members say
“Dean is a hardworking knowledgeable coach who really does go the extra mile, I know that because I met him in the states at a clinic for how to take coaching to the next level.”
“Lance and Dean are amazing teachers for not only beginners but also intermediate to advanced levels of Muay Thai and many other forms of combat sports.”
“Santa Monica Striking is an incredible facility with a welcoming and supportive community.”
“Lance and Dean are amazing teachers for not only beginners but also intermediate to advanced levels of Muay Thai and many other forms of combat sports.”
“Santa Monica striking is a great group of fighters and it wouldn’t be what it is today without Dean’s love for fighting and passionate instruction.”
“If you’re looking for a challenging workout that keeps you engaged (especially if you get bored easily with traditional gyms), this is such a great place to try.”
From the reviews
One of the hidden gems in Santa Monica. A modest gym with highly experienced fighters. They take the time to help you learn techniques. They accommodate beginners to advanced fighters. The prices for hour and a half classes are unbeatable in this over-priced city.
Dean and Lance are amazing teachers to both beginners and intermediates. When I started going to Santa Monica Striking I learnt a lot about the fundamentals of Muay Thai. The classes are a great work out and I felt very comfortable training in their environment!
Lance Dixon us a great coach honest and a good guy. Incredibly knowledgeable and well rounded I have both may Thai ,kickboxing,Sanda exp
I started with sms about 3/4 years ago back when classes were at the park during covid time. I had previously been training at my local youth boxing club in high-school and dropping in and out of muay thai gyms occasionally.
New to muay thai? Start at Santa Monica Striking
Santa Monica Striking 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 Santa Monica Striking
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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