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SHIFT Combat Sports
5 ★★★★★ 247 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Newport News, Virginia
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
- 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
- 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 shiftcombatsports.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (757) 940-0281
Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Friday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | 5–8 PM |
The classes they run
“The atmosphere is welcoming, motivating, and respectful — whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned fighter, you'll feel right at home here.”
“This place is THE BEST gym to get a great workout in, learn a traditional martial art (Muay Thai), and have fun while.”
“Every class is structured, intense, and fun, with a great balance between conditioning, technique, and sparring.”
“The atmosphere is welcoming, motivating, and respectful — whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned fighter, you'll feel right at home here.”
Other martial arts here
“For those who have experience in boxing or just brand new to the fighting experience, this is the place for you.”
“Fantastic MMA gym with experienced coaches and an amazing community that welcomes everyone, no matter your background or skill level.”
What members say
“Fantastic MMA gym with experienced coaches and an amazing community that welcomes everyone, no matter your background or skill level.”
“The atmosphere is welcoming, motivating, and respectful — whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned fighter, you'll feel right at home here.”
“The team at SHIFT and the entire community makes you feel welcome and like family, whether it's your first Headstart class or you most recent conditionng for a fight.”
“They take the time to correct technique, push you to improve, and encourage growth both physically and mentally.”
“After completing the Head Starter, you transition into the wider range of classes Shift offers — all of which will get your heart racing and have you dripping in sweat by the end.”
“The team at SHIFT and the entire community makes you feel welcome and like family, whether it's your first Headstart class or you most recent conditionng for a fight.”
From the reviews
This place is THE BEST gym to get a great workout in, learn a traditional martial art (Muay Thai), and have fun while.doing so. The team at SHIFT and the entire community makes you feel welcome and like family, whether it's your first Headstart class or you most recent conditionng for a fight.
Trained with Coach Adam and the rest of the Shift Fight Team. Top notch martial arts training. The Muay Thai program is second to none. Coach Adam is well respected across the Muay Thai community. Grateful to have trained with this crew. Will drop back in when I’m in the Hampton Roads area.
Fantastic MMA gym with experienced coaches and an amazing community that welcomes everyone, no matter your background or skill level. I personally had little to no MMA experience before joining in August, and the Head Starter course was perfect for building a solid foundation — from learning proper form to…
I've been training at Shift combat sports for a couple months now, and I can honestly say it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. The atmosphere is welcoming, motivating, and respectful — whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned fighter, you'll feel right at home here.
New to muay thai? Start at SHIFT Combat Sports
SHIFT Combat Sports 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 SHIFT Combat Sports
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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