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Striking Institute

5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Little Canada, Minnesota

Muay Thai gym Free trial Beginners welcome Fight team

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
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·

Hours

Monday 5–9 pm
Tuesday 7–9 am, 4–9 pm
Wednesday 7–9 am, 4–9 pm
Thursday 7–8 am, 5–9 pm
Friday 7–8 am, 4–9 pm
Saturday 9 am–12 pm
Sunday 9 am–1 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 Striking Institute, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 7 mentions

“I would highly recommend Striking Institute to anyone who wants a fun environment to train in, beginners who want to start off, or veteran trainers looking for a new home.”

All gyms that run beginner muay thai →

🏆 Fight Team 4 mentions

“Kaitlyn and Ryan are both champion fighters, and they’ve been coaching martial arts professionally for decades now.”

All gyms that run fight team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“There are a wide array of students, ranging from competitive athletes, hobbyists, fitness focused to self defense.”

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Other martial arts here

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

🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“The Striking Institute is a great school to train Muay Thai and Kickboxing and the name says it all.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🏟️ MMA

“Home to many high level kickboxing/Muay Thai/MMA athletes.”

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 22 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 5 mentions

“Top notch facility with world class coaches, couldn’t recommend this place enough!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“A great gym geared towards all levels of individual interested in learning Muay Thai or sharpening their striking skills.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 8 mentions

“Great atmosphere, genuine group of humble people and world-class instruction.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Ryan is an encyclopedia of cool techniques to use against your opponent.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 9 mentions

“Kaitlyn and Ryan are both champion fighters, and they’ve been coaching martial arts professionally for decades now.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 4 mentions

“A great gym geared towards all levels of individual interested in learning Muay Thai or sharpening their striking skills.”

From the reviews

The best gym I've ever been to! Not only are Ryan and Kaitlin well known and respected in the MN Fight Community, they run an excellent ship! Every time I go there, I feel very welcome, expertly taught, and cared for. I signed up instantly after my first class.

★★★★★ — R, Jul 2020

The Striking institute has very knowledgeable and experienced fight trainers. Ryan is an encyclopedia of cool techniques to use against your opponent. We get both the physical and mental strategies of fighting. The schedule offers a wide mix of class times, both day and evening. And weekends are offered as well.

★★★★★ — Leigh, Jul 2020

The Striking Institute is a great school to train Muay Thai and Kickboxing and the name says it all. Kaitlyn and Ryan are both champion fighters, and they’ve been coaching martial arts professionally for decades now.

★★★★★ — Ken, Jun 2020

Technical, Combat Tested Martial Arts (Gym reconfigured to meet social distancing guidelines) Owned by a current and former professional fighters with decades of fighting and coaching experience . There are a wide array of students, ranging from competitive athletes, hobbyists, fitness focused to self defense.

★★★★★ — Moses, May 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Striking Institute

Striking Institute 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.

Your first muay thai class at Striking Institute

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. 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 Striking Institute

3225 Country Dr #120, Little Canada, MN55117

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.