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Viking Muay Thai
5 ★★★★★ 47 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Chicago, Illinois
Friendly, gym featuring group and private instruction in Muay Thai and boxing.
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
- 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 vikingmuaythai.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (515) 991-8009
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–2:30 PM |
The classes they run
“I came in as a complete beginner to Muay Thai at the start of summer looking for a way to change up my workout routine.”
“I started out as a complete novice and now I am comfortable sparring.”
“Whether you want to become a pro fighter or, like me, you’re a professional looking for a good workout (and some key nuggets for fighting).”
“Kale, alongside his team, bring a solid foundation of Muay Thai knowledge and concepts to integrate into your style of fighting.”
“Viking Muay Thai itself is a haven for those seeking to improve their physical fitness, learn self-defense techniques, or simply immerse themselves in the discipline of Muay Thai.”
Other martial arts here
“I’ve been going to VKMT for about 6 months now for boxing, working with coach Jason and coach Kale primarily.”
What members say
“The coaches are outstanding—knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping every student improve.”
“I came in as a complete beginner to Muay Thai at the start of summer looking for a way to change up my workout routine.”
“The atmosphere is welcoming yet focused, with Kale leading by example in both his training and coaching style.”
“Viking Muay Thai itself is a haven for those seeking to improve their physical fitness, learn self-defense techniques, or simply immerse themselves in the discipline of Muay Thai.”
“Taking lessons with him is such a great way to get in a workout while also building foundational Muay Thai skills.”
“Kale, alongside his team, bring a solid foundation of Muay Thai knowledge and concepts to integrate into your style of fighting.”
From the reviews
I love training with Coach Kale, Christian, Rosie, and Isiah at Viking Muay Thai (VKMT)! Each coach offers me a different kind of support from pushing me to train harder to giving me practice tips for the days out of the gym, to giving me a pep talk before my first off-site sparring event.
Kale (owner) is one of my favorite humans. I have trained with him for several years having started with boxing and expanding that to include some muay thai and other martial arts It can be intimidating to go to these gyms that are strictly geared towards training in any combat (as opposed to doing a group boxing…
Kale is an excellent instructor! I started weekly training sessions with him during the pandemic as a way to exercise and get out of the house. Throughout all of the complications of life during covid he has been professional and accommodating- always respecting any concerns or requests I had regarding safety.
Kale is an outstanding coach! I came to him years ago wanting to fight, 3 years after that I already had 10 plus fights under my belt. He is great with beginners and fighters alike! I tend to be more shy and nervous when it comes to performing or any kind of sport.
New to muay thai? Start at Viking Muay Thai
Viking Muay Thai 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 Viking Muay Thai
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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