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The Next Element Academy
5 ★★★★★ 143 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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 thenextelementacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 10–11 AM, 6–7 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Derrick’s ability to teach beginners and push advanced students at the same time is unmatched.”
“One of the black belts there works at my barbershop, so I slowly met some of the fellow members, and when my son asked to sign up for jiu-jitsu, I knew exactly where to bring him.”
“Visiting from Co I dropped in to the Saturday open mat and had a blast, super technical room!”
Other martial arts here
“One of the black belts there works at my barbershop, so I slowly met some of the fellow members, and when my son asked to sign up for jiu-jitsu, I knew exactly where to bring him.”
What members say
“Facility is top notch, Derrick is a great instructor, and everyone there was just genuine and good people.”
“From kids taking their very first class to seniors staying active and confident, everyone is welcomed with genuine respect and encouragement.”
“I'm super appreciative to be apart of this family and am thankful that DK opened up The Next Element Academy because I couldn't see myself training anywhere else.”
“The attention to detail you’ll receive from all the instructors and higher belts is second to none.”
“Finding a gym is easy, but finding a clean gym you can trust and be and feel 100% yourself is priceless.”
“Not only learning BJJ but also learning humbleness, confidence, discipline and many other social skills that make us all better human beings.”
From the reviews
10/10! Can't say enough good things about this gym!! The amount of time and effort the coaches and staff put into their students is incredible but what's even better is the consistency and commitment they have to ensuring their growth and leveling up their knowledge.
We have had four of our kids at Next Element Jiu-Jitsu Academy over the past six years, and we truly cannot say enough good things about this place. It has become such an important part of our family’s life. The environment is positive, structured, and incredibly supportive.
Absolutely amazing Academy, it’s hands down the best place to learn and roll In the Myrtle Beach area. DK And his team of coaches are top-notch, they are consummate professionals who show each and every student the personal attention they need to develop and they make it a point to make everyone at the gym, feel…
I was just taking about this place the other day and figured I’d leave a review. I dropped in here during a family vacation. I went to probably 4 different schools over the week I was there (I train a lot), and this was the only school I went to multiple classes at.
New to muay thai? Start at The Next Element Academy
The Next Element 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.
Your first muay thai class at The Next Element 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. 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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