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Tiger Smalls Boxing
4.8 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Spring Valley, California
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.
Boxing gym offering classes, including Muay Thai, and a weightlifting area.
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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule sdcombatacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 619-303-0402
Hours
| Monday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–12 pm |
The classes they run
“I had almost no experience coming into jiujitsu, but PJ and the other staff here made me feel welcome, no matter what my skill was.”
“My daughter LOVES learning from coach Ronnie and I'm willing to bet that your child will too!”
“Our class was small but that meant we had quite a bit of one on one attention from the coach (or professor not sure how they address higher belts and black belts).”
“For all you early morning risers, the 6AM cardio kickboxing will literally kick box the sweat right out of you.”
“The instructors are all fighters with years of experience.”
Other martial arts here
“I've been to a bunch of MMA and kickboxing gyms in San Diego, and I will say this is the CLEANEST, and probably one of the biggest around with the top of the line equipment.”
“Along with an extensive weight area, this gym has a boxing ring, class area with boxing bags, and a caged jiu jitsu area.”
“Coach Ronnie Labella is one of those Great coaches, which is why I travel over 20 miles to have my 7 year old daughter learn Jiu-Jitsu from him.”
“I've been to a bunch of MMA and kickboxing gyms in San Diego, and I will say this is the CLEANEST, and probably one of the biggest around with the top of the line equipment.”
What members say
“I've been a regular here since it first opened, and has quickly become my favorite place to work out at with great instructors and impressive amenities.”
“I tried a couple of other gyms but when I had my first class at 10th Planet, oh man the vibe, the people, I felt at home.”
“The entire staff is friendly, the class instructors are very informative, and the owners are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about fitness.”
“The entire staff is friendly, the class instructors are very informative, and the owners are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about fitness.”
“I am now in the best shape of my life and despite having a disadvantage with sickle cell trait, I am now competing, something I never thought I could do especially in my 30's.”
“Along with an extensive weight area, this gym has a boxing ring, class area with boxing bags, and a caged jiu jitsu area.”
From the reviews
There are good coaches in this world, and then there are GREAT coaches! Coach Ronnie Labella is one of those Great coaches, which is why I travel over 20 miles to have my 7 year old daughter learn Jiu-Jitsu from him.
This is the place you want to come to train, wether it’s for jujitsu, Muy Thai, yoga, or MMA in general. The guy that runs that place, Josh, is a great guy and he also hops in classes sometimes to teach you some crazy moves. It’s a great learning environment to learn and better your technique to be the best you can be.
Awesome location. Amazing staff. Always helpful and friendly. Huge facility is well-maintained. Several classes and price options to choose from. They are more than willing to work with you if you have questions. These guys have taken great care of me. Get your butt in the gym and get to work!
This will be my last stop on hunting for a new gym. It has everything I need personally and more. This place motivated me to start fighting again after 9 years.
New to muay thai? Start at Tiger Smalls Boxing
Tiger Smalls Boxing 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 Tiger Smalls Boxing
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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🥊 Free trial class — check their site