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T-Town MMA/Checkmat Tacoma
4.8 ★★★★★ 74 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Tacoma, Washington
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule ttownmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–12:30 pm, 5–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:45–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–12:30 pm, 5–8 pm |
| Thursday | 4:45–8 pm |
| Friday | 5–8 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | 9–10:30 am |
The classes they run
“TTown also has a great women's program that creates a fantastic environment for women to either sharpen their skills or try BJJ for the first time!”
“TTown also has a great women's program that creates a fantastic environment for women to either sharpen their skills or try BJJ for the first time!”
“I visited Checkmat for their open mat/women's class during my recent travels to the area.”
Other martial arts here
“I‘ve been taking kickboxing classes for a year now and I really enjoy the atmosphere at this gym.”
“I've trained BJJ at T-Town for two years now (after first starting BJJ at another gym out of state), and it's got a great vibe.”
“The team at T-Town MMA welcomed me in for a trial class and it was excellent experience.”
What members say
“All the coaches are super knowledgeable - I love that each coach has a different training style to make it well-rounded and a kickass workout.”
“TTown also has a great women's program that creates a fantastic environment for women to either sharpen their skills or try BJJ for the first time!”
“Everyone here will make you feel like family while teaching you amazing martial arts skills that can be used at the highest level of competition.”
“And because there is a plethora of coaches of coaches and black belts the curriculum is always fresh and informative.”
“Everyone here will make you feel like family while teaching you amazing martial arts skills that can be used at the highest level of competition.”
“TTown also has a great women's program that creates a fantastic environment for women to either sharpen their skills or try BJJ for the first time!”
From the reviews
I have been training at T-Town MMA Checkmat since 2011. Great instructors who really know what they are teaching. Great classes for people of all fitness levels and goals. This school has wonderful connections within the community.
I'm new to BJJ and have only been with T-Town for ~6 months. I wasn't sure I'd stick with it after my trial class, but what made me officially sign up were the people. When I say everyone has been welcoming, I mean every single person. The patience and sincerity in this gym is beyond amazing.
I've been going to this gym for the last three years and I couldn't recommend it more emphatically. Since day one Coach Jimmy has been exceptionally inviting and made me feel like part of the team. The gym is a reflection of the culture that the coaches push of team above self. This is the Miagi-Do and not Cobra Kai.
I've been training here for 9 months, and this place has become my home. The coaches are extremely knowledgeable and also extremely welcoming. From day one I was sure this was the place for me to train, and I'm positive anyone who walks through that door will feel the same way.
New to muay thai? Start at T-Town MMA/Checkmat Tacoma
T-Town MMA/Checkmat Tacoma 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 T-Town MMA/Checkmat Tacoma
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.
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🥊 Free trial class — check their site