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Thai Kickboxing Organization (TKO)
4.9 ★★★★★ 126 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Statesville, North Carolina
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
- 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
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule tkomuaythai.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 704-380-2049
Hours
| Monday | 12–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–8 pm |
| Thursday | 12–8 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The way that y’all call for respect and discipline while still being so patient with the kids is unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else!”
Other martial arts here
“Thanks Thai Kickboxing Organization-TKO for your hospitality while I was in the area.”
What members say
“Nathan(Kru) and every other instructor are very welcoming and kind to every single student to walk through the front door.”
“Nathan(Kru) and every other instructor are very welcoming and kind to every single student to walk through the front door.”
“If you are not only looking for a fun way to sweat, but also challlenging, this is a great place.”
“Our son loves it, and we love seeing how much he is learning.”
“They highly reinforce no fighting outside of class but they deliver a butt kicking in class.”
“TKO is led by genuinely kind and experienced leaders who focus not only on teaching the art of Muay Thai but also highlighting the importance of good moral character.”
From the reviews
We joined TKO about two years ago after my daughter expressed interest in trying something new. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we've ever made. The program is incredibly well-structured and fits seamlessly into our daily lives.
I started attending classes later in life than most, and I love it. You learn the basics of martial arts, but you also learn life lessons that go well beyond the mats. The owners are great teachers, and even better people who go above and beyond to help their students. And it’s the most fun workout you’ll ever do.
We started our journey at TKO when we signed up our oldest son (8 at the time). Within 3 months, our whole family was signed up. TKO is led by genuinely kind and experienced leaders who focus not only on teaching the art of Muay Thai but also highlighting the importance of good moral character.
I don't even know where to begin. I've been a student here for over 8 years. The owners are some of the nicest people I've ever met. The children learn lots of discipline and confidence in the kids classes. I've seen plenty of kids go from being super shy to very confident.
New to muay thai? Start at Thai Kickboxing Organization (TKO)
Thai Kickboxing Organization (TKO) 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 Thai Kickboxing Organization (TKO)
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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