SAN DIEGO'S MUAY THAI GYM
Welcome to our San Diego Muay Thai gym. We offer traditional Muay Thai boxing classes with the legendary Master “Kru Mark”, who has been training and coaching Muay Thai for over 50 years. Kru Mark’s Muay Thai system passed down from father to son for 5 generations, is the most authentic of any Muay Thai school in San Diego. We also offer top-tier competitive Muay Thai training for those who want to learn to fight or compete on a high level.
Muay Thai is an extremely effective and powerful Martial Art. Utilizing hands, elbows, knees and feet, it is respectively known as “The Art of 8 Limbs”. The practice of Muay Thai is equally applicable for fitness, fighting, and self-defense.
MUAY THAI CLASSES
Kru Mark teaches our traditional San Diego Muay Thai classes. Kru Mark is the best known Muay Thai Coach in San Diego and teaches his family’s style of Muay Thai called Deth Ko Sin. It has been passed on from father to son for 5 generations. This is an excellent self-defense system as well as a great way of maintaining fitness.
We start off new students with solid fundamentals, including correct stance and footwork, so they can quickly learn how to properly punch, elbow, kick and knee. From there, we teach appropriate defensive skills before moving on to intermediate and advanced training.
MUAY THAI TRAINING
Once students have mastered the fundamentals, we continue to our intermediate and advanced Muay Thai training at our San Diego gym. Students go on to learn clinch work, advanced striking combinations, additional defensive skills including counter attacks and even takedowns and throws.
We also provide frequent sparring for those who wish to further accelerate their training. We make these sparring sessions open to Muay Thai fighters, as well kickboxers and MMA fighters working on their striking game. This allows our San Diego Muay Thai students to receive increased exposure to different fighters and systems.
MUAY THAI MASTER COACHES
Our Head Muay Thai Coach is Kru Mark, whose official name is Boungnaphonh Makthepharaks. Originally from Laos and Thailand, he is a Master Muay Thai instructor who has been training and coaching for over 55 years.
Like his father, 4-star General and former Commander-in-Chief of the Laotian army Bounpone Makthepharaks, Kru Mark started training Muay Thai at the age of 5. Kru Mark also served in the Military, working with U.S. Special Forces in Vietnam. After escaping a POW camp, Kru Mark came to the U.S. and has been teaching his family’s style of Muay Thai ever since.
COACHED MUAY THAI LESSONS
SUCCESS STORY: GABRIEL P.
“One of my coworkers recommended this place, so I’ve been here ever since. I live in Chula Vista and it’s worth driving over here to San Diego. The place is huge. Plus the price, can’t beat it. The Muay Thai coaches are excellent. They work with you, they care about you. They got love for you and want to see you progress. My experience here on a scale from 1 to 10? It’s 11 or 12. Everybody here puts 110% into everything they do. There’s no half-assing it. They just encourage us to do better.”
ADVANCED MUAY THAI TECHNIQUES
SUCCESS STORY: ADRIAN M.
“I’ve fought professionally in Muay Thai. I fought here in the United States, internationally, over in the Philippines and Mexico. I fought in Thailand. That was a good experience. First came to The Arena in San Diego about three years ago. I was getting ready for a fight, and Joe opened the doors and Mike opened the doors, and everybody here made me feel really welcome as soon as I stepped through their doors. Ever since then, I haven’t looked back. If there’s anybody I trust to get me ready for anything, I trust these guys.”
TEAM ARENA: COMPETITION MUAY THAI
Ready to take it to the next level? Want to compete for one of the best teams in Muay Thai? Then become part of Team Arena. Preparing athletes for competition is the backbone of The Arena and one of the primary reasons why we do what we do here. All you need to do to start on the path to compete for us in Muay Thai is to complete our “Ready to Compete for The Arena” form.
Whether you’re just beginning in Muay Thai, or you want to compete in a Muay Thai Championship Match, we have you covered. No matter your current level, we work with you to take you to the next level. Our competitive Muay Thai team is an opportunity for anyone in the San Diego area to come, learn and compete at their highest level.
OUR PROGRAMS
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MUAY THAI FAQs
Why is The Arena among the top Muay Thai schools in the US?
Out of all of the San Diego Muay Thai gyms, the Arena has the most training space and daily Muay Thai classes. Our Muay Thai Master Coach, Kru Mark, has decades of experience and leads our team of elite experts here to coach techniques 1 on 1 with students.
What are the benefits of Muay Thai lessons?
Muay Thai will teach you a functional martial art that can be used for self-defense or sport, while increasing your physical fitness.
What's the best type of Muay Thai training
Muay Thai is all about positioning yourself for optimal striking impact, you should find a coach and training program that emphasizes body mechanics and weight distribution as it relates to sparring with an opponent.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai, is a martial art originating in Thailand translating to “Thai Boxing.” With its roots in Thai military dating back to the 13th century, it’s considered to be the national sport of Thailand.
What is the Art Of 8 Limbs?
Muay Thai is also referred to as the “Art of 8 limbs” because you use 8 different parts of the body to strike at your opponent. Those parts are two fists, elbows, feet and knees, eight in total.
How is Muay Thai different than other martial arts?
Muay Thai has a particular focus on striking and therefore emphasizes body positioning and weight distribution for maximizing the power behind each strike at an opponent’s vulnerable areas.
Do I need Muay Thai sparring gear?
For any type of Muay Thai sparring or intense sparring drills, you won’t need a lot of equipment but we’d suggest the following:
- 16 oz gloves
- Shin guards
- hand wraps
- Mouthguard
The Arena Pro Gear Shop can outfit all your Muay Thai sparring equipment needs.
Is muay thai a good martial art for beginners?
What areas do you serve?
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This is who we are, and this is what we do. We offer every class you need to get started on your Martial Arts journey. Get in and train!
Arena Windbreakers Back In Stock!
The Arena is excited to announce that our Arena black camo windbreakers are back in stock! Our stocks are limited so be sure to grab yours before they run out. See the front desk to get yours today!
New Arena Rashguards Available Now
The Arena Gym is excited to announce that we have just received an order of our brand new Arena rash guards! If you would like to purchase one of these limited edition items from our pro shop, please see the front desk while supplies last!
