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Ya Boi Fitness Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Muay Thai gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fight team

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
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule yaboifitness.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 205-747-0051

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–6 pm
Saturday 10 am–1 pm
Sunday 12–2 pm

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 Ya Boi Fitness Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 10 mentions

“Some places advertise that way but when you get there everyone is pretty much fighter level which makes it hard to keep coming back if you are a beginner.”

All gyms that run beginner muay thai →

🏆 Fight Team 3 mentions

“You get to learn from a seasoned professional fighter who has had 19 UFC fights.”

All gyms that run fight team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“He focuses on teaching real-world self defense skills while also making it a workout.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Ya Boi Fitness Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 4 mentions

“The kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu classes keep him active and learning new skills every week.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 8 mentions

“Ya Boi Fitness is an outstanding BJJ gym with a welcoming, respectful, and driven culture.”

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

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“Eryk and the other members are welcoming and make you feel at home whether you’re new to mma or have been doing it for years.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🤸 Wrestling

“After five years of college wrestling, this place has got me going again!”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 3 mentions

“The coaches were very experienced and knowledgeable.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 14 mentions

“Some places advertise that way but when you get there everyone is pretty much fighter level which makes it hard to keep coming back if you are a beginner.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 12 mentions

“Eryk and the other members are welcoming and make you feel at home whether you’re new to mma or have been doing it for years.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Whether you’re brand new or have experience, he takes the time to break things down so you really understand the technique.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 3 mentions

“Whether it's classes, weights, cardio, or open mats, options are available along with the guidance to help you become the best version of yourself.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 4 mentions

“You get to learn from a seasoned professional fighter who has had 19 UFC fights.”

From the reviews

This gym is phenomenal. I didn’t find kickboxing until I was 37 and consider myself NOT to be an athlete . I have struggled to find a gym for kickboxing where I felt at home and didn’t feel judged because of my lack of experience.

★★★★★ — Shauna, Oct 2025

Ya Boi Fitness is an outstanding BJJ gym with a welcoming, respectful, and driven culture. Coach Eryk is an accomplished MMA and BJJ competitor who brings a true champion’s mindset. He is engaging, wise, and welcoming, while holding a high standard for everyone in the room.

★★★★★ — John, Dec 2025

Like Guy Fieri who travels for food...I travel for the gyms and mats. Absolutely love this place! The energy is amazing and Eryk is phenomenal. GREAT VIBES all around. Doors are open from way before sunrise to way past sunset giving you plenty of time and opportunities to achieve your goals.

★★★★★ — Ardita, Oct 2025

Eryk is extremely knowledgeable and a great coach. Whether you’re brand new or have experience, he takes the time to break things down so you really understand the technique. He keeps the focus on both skill and safety, which makes training tough but still approachable.

★★★★★ — Breanna, Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 33 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Ya Boi Fitness Academy

Ya Boi Fitness Academy 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 Ya Boi Fitness Academy

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 Ya Boi Fitness Academy

1014 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL35216

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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.