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South Sound Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Tacoma, Washington

Free trial Authentic Thai Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fitness classes Fight team

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

  • 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 southsoundmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 253-655-7292

Hours

Monday 5–8 pm
Tuesday 5–8 pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 5–8 pm
Friday 5–8 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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 South Sound Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 4 mentions

“Best gym in the pierce county area for kids martial arts striking training hands down!”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

🏆 Fight Team

“This gym is a family of passionate caring fighter.”

All gyms that run fight team →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at South Sound Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 22 Google reviews — in their own words.

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 6 mentions

“This Gym has been our family since 2009 and are by far are best around!”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 2 mentions

“This gym is a family of passionate caring fighter.”

🇹🇭 authentic Thai roots 2 mentions

“Longest running and most Authentic Muay Thai - Kun Khmer gym in the Tacoma area.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“The instructors are the best here and they will help you with your techniques, cardio, and discipline.”

From the reviews

My son and I went to one class. It is a great place! They made us feel very welcomed. The day we went the son of the Master trained us. He is very talented and dedicate. I was a little annoyed with the no structure part. But having a son who is around the same age. I understand.

★★★★★ — F, Jul 2022

This gym is a very family oriented martial arts gym. The instructors are the best here and they will help you with your techniques, cardio, and discipline. The only Kun Khmer gym in Washington State.

★★★★★ — Odyssey, Feb 2024

Authentic, kick your a**, and welcoming gym. Every instructor is there to guide you and leaving you feel burned out in the best way. Muay thai focused, everything I wanted! Thank you SS!

★★★★★ — Char, Mar 2025

Been going here for about 7 months now best possible investment, have enjoyed every minutes and the coaches are nice and fun, every student in the gym helps and are especially fun.

★★★★★ — Callmegum, Feb 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at South Sound Martial Arts

South Sound 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first muay thai class at South Sound 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.

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 South Sound Martial Arts

2610 E 26th St, Tacoma, WA98421

Get directions Instagram

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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.