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Total Defense Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Staunton, Virginia

Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 6–16) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule totaldefensema.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (540) 968-0045

Hours

Monday 5:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 5–8 PM
Wednesday 6:15–8:30 PM
Thursday 5–8 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 9–11 AM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Total Defense Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 14 mentions

“This martial arts school offers outstanding instruction in both American Style Boxing and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu for children and adults alike.”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“I have been training in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program and I can definitely say that it has helped me in more ways than just self defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai

“Whether a beginner or experienced, this would be a great place to train BJJ.”

All gyms that run beginner muay thai →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Total Defense Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing 5 mentions

“This martial arts school offers outstanding instruction in both American Style Boxing and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu for children and adults alike.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 12 mentions

“This martial arts school offers outstanding instruction in both American Style Boxing and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu for children and adults alike.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

🎽 Karate

“The facility is scrubbed and cleaned daily, not weekly like most karate and taekwondo schools.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 33 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 6 mentions

“Brian is a great coach and the quality of his instruction is up there with the best of them (also just an all around good guy).”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“Everyone is super welcoming, from the instructors on down to the lowest white belts.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 18 mentions

“I'm in the Filipino martial arts class and the instructor is very friendly and extremely knowledgeable of his class.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“They teach good clean technique and everyone I've rolled with there was respectful and safe to roll with (no unnecessary roughness or uncontrolled movements).”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 8 mentions

“The school was clean, organized and most importantly had an atmosphere that showed the most important aspects of jiu-jitsu; humility and respect.”

From the reviews

I've been in the law enforcement and security field for over 20 years the stuff our great coaches are teaching is phenomenal. From the kids classes to the adults the coaches are very vested in there students. If you want to learn BJJ or get your kids involved in it this school is the place to do it.

★★★★★ — Chris, Oct 2023

I'm in the Filipino martial arts class and the instructor is very friendly and extremely knowledgeable of his class. I've met all the instructors. They all focus on teaching both self defense and fitness while keeping a a safe family oriented environment.

★★★★★ — Adam, Aug 2019

This martial arts school offers outstanding instruction in both American Style Boxing and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu for children and adults alike. The instructors are patient, knowledgeable, and thorough in their instruction. The environment is friendly, and students are made to feel welcome and appreciated.

★★★★★ — Jay, Sep 2018

This is a great gym! Everyone is super welcoming, from the instructors on down to the lowest white belts. They teach good clean technique and everyone I've rolled with there was respectful and safe to roll with (no unnecessary roughness or uncontrolled movements).

★★★★★ — P, Dec 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 33 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Total Defense Martial Arts

Total Defense Martial Arts 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first muay thai class at Total Defense Martial Arts

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.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Total Defense Martial Arts

708 D St, Staunton, VA24401

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.