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Underdog Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 132 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Asheville, North Carolina
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- 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
- 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
- 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 underdogmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (828) 747-0033
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 AM, 11 AM–1:30 PM, 3:30–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–7 AM, 11 AM–1:30 PM, 3:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 11 AM–1:30 PM, 3:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6–7 AM, 11 AM–1:30 PM, 3:30–8 PM |
| Friday | 6–7 AM, 11 AM–1:30 PM, 3:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Brian and Colleen are amazing coaches and unbelievably supportive, especially if you’re older or a complete beginner like I was.”
“My child loved the kids class and had so much fun while I enjoyed the heavy bag class.”
“I see coach Brian myself for personal training sessions.”
“They taught jui jitsu, muy tai, grappling, ground game, and I hope to get into striking and sparring eventually!”
“I am an old man that used to compete and find myself improving and pushing myself here at Underdog.”
“My first class was the Self Defense weekend intensive and it was so fun that I kept going back for weekly Self Defense classes!”
“I enjoy all of the classes but especially enjoy meeting new people at open mat on Saturday morning.”
“I love that you get a great workout as well as personal attention to your form for both the HIIT moves and the kickboxing moves.”
Other martial arts here
“I love every class: self-defense, jiu jitsu, kickboxing, and Heavy Bag HIIT, which will leave you drenched in sweat and already planning your next class.”
“I’ve been practicing BJJ for six years, and as someone who travels a lot but still makes a point to roll three days a week, I’ve seen my fair share of gyms.”
“Welcoming atmosphere too, I appreciated how approachable they made MMA training.”
“I really enjoy the kickboxing classes and self defense and have dipped my toes in jiu jitsu and turns out I love wrestling!”
What members say
“I’ve been a member of Underdog Martial Arts for a few months now, and I’ve paid for my fair share of high-level seminars and worked with many great coaches.”
“I can't explain the relief there is in finding a gym community that is as trauma-informed, accessible, and welcoming as this place.”
“I can't explain the relief there is in finding a gym community that is as trauma-informed, accessible, and welcoming as this place.”
“Moving to the area, I've been looking for a place to form a sense of community while still getting in a workout and learning an new skill.”
“I love every class: self-defense, jiu jitsu, kickboxing, and Heavy Bag HIIT, which will leave you drenched in sweat and already planning your next class.”
“My child loved the kids class and had so much fun while I enjoyed the heavy bag class.”
From the reviews
Update 3-29-2025: it’s been a little over 9 months since I joined, and I still love this place. Brian and Colleen have done a wonderful job building an awesome culture. There’s something for all ages, backgrounds, and skill-levels at Underdog. I’ve been going for a little over a month and I’m addicted!
I never thought I’d be a full time member at a fighting gym. I’ve never kept a consistent membership at any gym. To my surprise Underdog has become a very special place to me. I really enjoy the kickboxing classes and self defense and have dipped my toes in jiu jitsu and turns out I love wrestling!
This gym is such a gem. It’s extremely clean, has great energy, and the coaches are knowledgeable and supportive. I’m currently on crutches, and they went out of their way to modify the workout so I could still participate. I felt completely included.
I've seen a lot of gyms with generic 5 star reviews in the Asheville area. Some were based on gimmicks and not as great as people said. Thankfully, Underdog is a place actually deserving the the 5 star ratings it has, including mine.
New to muay thai? Start at Underdog Martial Arts
Underdog 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.
Your first muay thai class at Underdog 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.
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