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Vanguard Defense
5 ★★★★★ 16 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Hot Springs, Arkansas
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
- 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
- Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule vanguarddefensear.wixsite.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 501-991-4849
Hours
| Monday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The instruction is top-notch and the community feels welcoming for all levels.”
“She even tried to arrange for some of the other kids to be there so our daughter would have training partners.”
“The instructors are beyond competent and qualified, and it is a legitimately safe place for women to train martial arts.”
Other martial arts here
“If you're in Hot Springs looking fir a school to try out BJJ or kickboxing this is the place.”
“If you’re visiting Hot Springs and looking for a place to train, I can’t recommend Vanguard Jiu Jitsu enough.”
What members say
“Excellent environment, great coaching and useful training!”
“The instruction is top-notch and the community feels welcoming for all levels.”
“The instruction is top-notch and the community feels welcoming for all levels.”
“They are incredible teachers - taking time to ensure you know the fundamentals and movements and are always ready for questions.”
From the reviews
If you’re visiting Hot Springs and looking for a place to train, I can’t recommend Vanguard Jiu Jitsu enough. While we were on vacation, my husband took our daughter to a class, and it ended up being an incredible experience. Vanguard was the only gym in town that welcomed them to drop in and train.
This place is something special and the people are welcoming. You will gain confidence under the instruction of Felix and Chad that you can overcome any obstacles put before you. If you're in Hot Springs looking fir a school to try out BJJ or kickboxing this is the place.
10/10 the best gym culture I've ever experienced. The instructors are beyond competent and qualified, and it is a legitimately safe place for women to train martial arts. Highly recommend for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
The owners of Vanguard Defense are fantastic—so kind, patient, and truly care about the people they work with. Anyone taking classes there is in great hands!
New to muay thai? Start at Vanguard Defense
Vanguard Defense 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 Vanguard Defense
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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