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Side Quest MMA Academy

4.5 ★★★★★ 26 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Homestead, Pennsylvania

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fight team

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
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule sidequestmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (412) 759-7976

Hours

Monday 12–8:30 PM
Tuesday 2–8:30 PM
Wednesday 12–8:30 PM
Thursday 2–8:30 PM
Friday 12–8:30 PM
Saturday 12–3 PM
Sunday 12–6 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Side Quest MMA Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 4 mentions

“As someone who had no experience prior, Waterfront MMA BJJ coaches did an excellent job teaching me the basics in a positive and patient learning environment.”

All gyms that run beginner muay thai →

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 7 mentions

“Great kids programs and they're talking about adding more.”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

🏆 Fight Team

“I absolutely loved that I could experience more than just BJJ, including a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience and train in Muay Thai with a professional fighter!”

All gyms that run fight team →

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“My daughter was all princesses and rainbows, and she's been doing great there, making friends and getting a great foundation in self defense that she'll carry into adulthood.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“My daughter was all princesses and rainbows, and she's been doing great there, making friends and getting a great foundation in self defense that she'll carry into adulthood.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Side Quest MMA Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“Excellent gym for mixed martial arts, BJJ, and kickboxing!”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 7 mentions

“As someone who had no experience prior, Waterfront MMA BJJ coaches did an excellent job teaching me the basics in a positive and patient learning environment.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

🏟️ MMA 8 mentions

“When I first called Waterfront MMA, Frankie invited me to come in and take a tour of the facility, participate, and meet others in a class before I made the decision to sign up.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 26 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“As someone who had no experience prior, Waterfront MMA BJJ coaches did an excellent job teaching me the basics in a positive and patient learning environment.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 7 mentions

“When I was looking for another gym to start BJJ again, I wanted to make sure that I found a welcoming environment that also pushed and motivated me.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“I've learned a ton because the instructors are great at breaking down moves and drilling so we can nail the techniques.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Great kids programs and they're talking about adding more.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 2 mentions

“I absolutely loved that I could experience more than just BJJ, including a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience and train in Muay Thai with a professional fighter!”

From the reviews

Joining the gym and training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the owner Frankie and coach Sang was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've been training there almost as long as it's been open and it has evolved and come a long way since its inception.

★★★★★ — Nick, Feb 2022

If you want to train with people who will help you grow, regardless of your experience level, this is the place for you. When I first showed up, I was surprised to find a hugely diverse group who all supported one another and who instantly welcomed me into the family.

★★★★★ — Nick, Mar 2022

As someone who had no experience prior, Waterfront MMA BJJ coaches did an excellent job teaching me the basics in a positive and patient learning environment. And not just the coaches either, but the other patrons were respectful to know I was a beginner and would help me with drills & movements when I needed it.

★★★★★ — Becky, Mar 2022

When I was looking for another gym to start BJJ again, I wanted to make sure that I found a welcoming environment that also pushed and motivated me. When I first called Waterfront MMA, Frankie invited me to come in and take a tour of the facility, participate, and meet others in a class before I made the decision to…

★★★★★ — Lexus, Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 26 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Side Quest MMA Academy

Side Quest MMA Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first muay thai class at Side Quest MMA Academy

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.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Side Quest MMA Academy

113 West Bridge St, Homestead, PA15120

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.