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Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 83 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in East Hartford, Connecticut
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 (ages 5–17) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule thorntonmartialartsandfitness.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 860-289-1662
Hours
| Monday | 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 4–9 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–1 pm |
The classes they run
“The environment is super welcoming for beginners, but also has great structure for those who want to advance.”
“My kids and I joined the gym in November 2020 where we have developed a regular schedule to stay active.”
“Whether you're looking to get in better shape, learn a new skill, or compete in the ring, I would highly recommend checking out Thornton Martial Arts.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Best place to go and meet other people to just have a good time, feels like a second home with the people that train there always welcoming and trying to make you better everyday”
“Best place to go and meet other people to just have a good time, feels like a second home with the people that train there always welcoming and trying to make you better everyday”
“Muay Thai is a great martial art to gain skill , technique and also fitness , I would recommend anyone in a heartbeat.”
“I recently joined the Muay Thai fundamentals class and the strength and conditioning.”
“Whether you're looking to get in better shape, learn a new skill, or compete in the ring, I would highly recommend checking out Thornton Martial Arts.”
“The staff are friendly, coaches are knowledgeable, and the facility is clean and adheres to cleanliness standards that are up to par.”
From the reviews
Love this place! My daughter started the Muay Thai class this past summer and she loves it. The staff are friendly, coaches are knowledgeable, and the facility is clean and adheres to cleanliness standards that are up to par. I recently joined the Muay Thai fundamentals class and the strength and conditioning.
My kids and I joined the gym in November 2020 where we have developed a regular schedule to stay active. All of the staff there including the coaches have provided me with advise that has helped with my fitness journey. I am so grateful to be a part of this team.
Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness is a the best Family oriented, Face Smashing, Leg Breaking, Close Quarter Combative Training facility that you'll find. If you want to defend yourself from this cruel world while meeting new people and getting in shape, I'd suggest You Join Thorntons.
I've only been a member for 4 weeks but I couldn't be happier with the decision to attend Muay Thai classes here. The staff and coaches are friendly, patient, and welcoming. Kru Ed challenges his staff and his members to do their best and have fun learning the different martial arts styles offered.
New to muay thai? Start at Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness
Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness 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 Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness
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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