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Watson Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 160 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in St. Louis, Missouri
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
- 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 watsonbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (260) 255-4785
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–12:30 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–12:30 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–7 AM, 10–11 AM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–2 PM |
The classes they run
“There are all levels from beginner to expert with a large number of black belts on the mat.”
“I was back in town to visit family and reached out for a private lesson.”
“Great workout, high level instruction, very friendly atmosphere.”
Other martial arts here
“Louis, Missouri for three weeks on a work trip and had the opportunity to train at Watson’s Martial Arts Jiu-Jitsu during that time.”
“Best mma academy in whole st Louis, highly recommended 👌”
What members say
“Colin is a super skilled and intuitive coach - the workout was great and got to hone my technical skills as well.”
“I connected with Kyle the owner and was immediately impressed with how welcoming and hospitable he treated me and my friends who came along.”
“I connected with Kyle the owner and was immediately impressed with how welcoming and hospitable he treated me and my friends who came along.”
“Great workout, high level instruction, very friendly atmosphere.”
“Kyle runs a great gym and clearly cares about both the quality of instruction and the culture he’s built.”
From the reviews
Attended a Saturday class as a drop-in from WA state. I get nervous visiting new gyms, but you do not need to feel this way with Watson MA. From the get-go, we were welcomed by someone at front desk, got us waivers, and showed us to the locker rooms.
Came through town for a visit and was looking for a place to get some BJJ roles in and was recommended Watson from another gym. I connected with Kyle the owner and was immediately impressed with how welcoming and hospitable he treated me and my friends who came along. Made it to a couple classes and had a great time.
We stopped in for a drop-in class on our way through St. Louis. Kyle and everyone at Watson made us feel right at home. Everyone we spoke with and rolled with was so friendly and welcoming. This is definitely a gym where people take care of each other and support each other.
I joined the free Muay Thai lesson yesterday and wow - what a great experience. Kyle was extremely nice & helpful. To say it was a great workout is an understatement! I’d highly recommend this gym - this is such a great place to be introduced to the huge world of martial arts.
New to muay thai? Start at Watson Martial Arts
Watson 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 Watson 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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🥊 Free trial class — check their site