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New Wave Jiu Jitsu

🌊 Muay Thai (Ages 13+)

Power, Technique & Warrior Spirit!

Unleash your strength and discipline in our 90-minute Muay Thai program for teens and adults (13+). Known as "The Art of Eight Limbs," Muay Thai combines punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes into a devastatingly effective striking system. Whether you're looking for self-defense, fitness, or competition training, our classes will push your limits while building confidence and mental toughness.

Class Highlights

🥊 Fundamental Strikes – Master punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and defensive techniques
🦵 Clinching & Knee Work – Dominate close-range combat with authentic Thai-style grappling
💥 Combinations & Counters – Develop fluid, fight-ready striking sequences
🛡️ Defense & Footwork – Enhance agility, head movement, and blocking skills
💪 Functional Conditioning – Build explosive power, endurance, and core strength
🥋 Pad Work & Sparring – Apply techniques with partners in controlled, progressive drills
Why Train Muay Thai With Us?
✅ Authentic Instruction – Learn from experienced coaches with real fight and teaching experience
✅ All Levels Welcome – Beginner-friendly while challenging advanced students
✅ Fitness & Self-Defense – Burn 800+ calories per session while gaining real-world skills
✅ Competition Opportunities – Optional fight team training for aspiring nak muay
📅 Class Duration: 90 minutes
👊 Ages: 13+ (Teens & Adults)
🔥 No Experience Needed – Just Bring Your Fighting Spirit!
Transform your body, sharpen your mind, and awaken your inner warrior. Step into the ring and discover what you're truly capable of!
Sign up today and throw your first strike with confidence! 🥊💥

TESTIMONIALS

What our students are saying

"I am so grateful.."

"I am so grateful that my kids have got to be a part of this amazing martial arts studio. The kids not only learn judo/jiu jitsu, but learn respect through their training while having fun and think they are playing and having fun."

- JOSH K.

"top-notch instruction"

"A spacious, clean, and modern gym with large, well-maintained locker rooms, showers, and saunas. The trainers are true professionals in their fields, offering top-notch instruction. When it comes to Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo training, this is the only place you need to be."

- GULSELI K.

"place is awesome"

"This place is awesome. We've been coming here for about two years now. Great instructors, safe environment, wonderful for kids and adults alike."

- TARIK P.

Q&A: Muay Thai for Teens and Adults (Ages 13+) | New Wave Jiu Jitsu

Muay Thai for Teens and Adults (Ages 13+)

Program Benefits & Suitability

Absolutely! Muay Thai is an excellent martial art for teens and adults of all fitness levels. Known as the "Art of Eight Limbs," Muay Thai offers:

  • A complete full-body workout that builds strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance
  • Practical self-defense skills using punches, kicks, knees, and elbows
  • Mental discipline and focus that transfers to school, work, and daily life
  • A supportive community environment that welcomes beginners
  • Classes structured to accommodate various fitness and experience levels

Our instructors adapt training methods to each student's ability, making it accessible whether you're an athletic teen or an adult looking to start a new fitness journey. Many students find Muay Thai more engaging than traditional gym workouts while delivering superior fitness results.

Muay Thai training offers numerous physical and mental benefits:

  • Physical Benefits:
    • Exceptional cardiovascular conditioning
    • Increased strength and muscular endurance
    • Improved coordination and reflexes
    • Enhanced flexibility and mobility
    • Significant calorie burn (600-1000 calories per class)
    • Functional fitness that applies to everyday movements
  • Mental Benefits:
    • Stress reduction through physical exertion
    • Increased confidence and self-esteem
    • Improved focus and mental discipline
    • Healthy outlet for releasing tension
    • Goal-setting and achievement mindset
  • Life Skills:
    • Respect for self and others
    • Perseverance and resilience
    • Self-control and emotional regulation
    • Time management and commitment

Many students report improved sleep, reduced anxiety, better posture, and increased energy levels after just a few weeks of consistent training.

Muay Thai stands apart from other martial arts in several distinctive ways:

  • The "Art of Eight Limbs": Unlike boxing (two points of contact) or karate (primarily hands and feet), Muay Thai utilizes eight "weapons" — punches, kicks, knees, and elbows — creating a more complete striking system.
  • Clinch Work: Muay Thai incorporates a unique standing grappling position called the clinch, where fighters control opponents using their arms while delivering devastating knee and elbow strikes.
  • Cultural Traditions: Authentic Muay Thai includes traditional practices like the Wai Kru Ram Muay (pre-fight ritual dance) and Mongkon (ceremonial headband), connecting practitioners to centuries of Thai culture.
  • Practical Application: Training emphasizes realistic techniques that work under pressure, making it highly effective for self-defense and MMA competition.
  • Conditioning Emphasis: Muay Thai training develops exceptional cardiovascular endurance and leg strength through intensive pad work, bag training, and body conditioning.
  • Balanced Training Approach: Classes typically include technique drills, partner work, pad holding, bag work, and optional sparring for a comprehensive skill development experience.

While many martial arts focus primarily on sport or self-defense, Muay Thai provides a balanced blend of combat effectiveness, athletic development, cultural appreciation, and practical fitness.

Definitely not! One of the greatest aspects of Muay Thai is its accessibility to people of various ages, fitness levels, and athletic backgrounds. Here's why:

  • Age is just a number: We have successful students who started in their teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Each age group brings different strengths to training.
  • Self-paced progression: Every student works at their own pace, gradually building stamina, flexibility, and technique over time.
  • Modified training: Instructors provide alternatives for movements that may be challenging based on your current fitness or mobility.
  • Supportive environment: Our community welcomes beginners and focuses on personal improvement rather than comparison to others.
  • Fitness follows technique: As you learn proper form, your fitness will naturally improve. Many students who considered themselves "out of shape" discover hidden athletic potential.

Remember that everyone starts somewhere. Some of our most dedicated and successful practitioners began with no martial arts experience and limited fitness. The key is consistency and a willingness to learn, not prior athletic ability.

Our instructors are experienced in helping beginners of all ages and fitness levels find their path in Muay Thai. We meet you where you are and help you build from there!

Safety & Training

Yes, our Muay Thai program is designed to be safe for complete beginners. Safety is our top priority, and we've implemented several measures to ensure everyone can train effectively while minimizing risk:

  • Progressive curriculum: We start with fundamental movements and basic techniques before advancing to more complex combinations.
  • Controlled environment: All training is structured and supervised by experienced instructors who monitor technique and intensity.
  • Proper equipment: We ensure all students use appropriate protective gear during partner drills and pad work.
  • Technical focus: Beginners emphasize proper form and technique development rather than power and speed.
  • Partner selection: We pair beginners with appropriate training partners who understand how to work safely with newcomers.
  • Optional sparring: Light technical sparring is only introduced when a student is ready, and always with proper protective equipment. Sparring is never required for those who prefer not to participate.

Our instructors are trained to recognize and accommodate different learning styles and physical capabilities. They'll help modify techniques when necessary and ensure you progress at a pace that's challenging yet safe for your individual circumstances.

Like any physical activity, Muay Thai carries some inherent risk, but our structured approach minimizes these risks while still providing authentic training. Most injuries in martial arts occur when students push beyond their current abilities or train without proper supervision—both situations we actively prevent.

Our classes are designed to accommodate students of all fitness levels through several key approaches:

  • Scalable intensity: All drills and exercises can be modified to match your current fitness level. Instructors provide options for increasing or decreasing intensity as needed.
  • Self-paced work periods: During round-based training, you control your own work rate. Advanced students might push for maximum output, while beginners focus on technique and gradual conditioning.
  • Modified repetitions: We provide guidelines for rep counts that vary based on experience level, allowing everyone to work appropriately challenging sets.
  • Partner matching: When working with partners, we try to pair students of similar size and experience when possible, especially for beginners.
  • Progressive warm-ups: Class warm-ups build gradually, allowing everyone to prepare their body properly while accommodating different fitness levels.
  • Technique-focused segments: Portions of each class emphasize technical development rather than conditioning, giving everyone recovery time between more intense sections.

Our instructors are skilled at managing mixed-level classes and providing appropriate guidance to each student. We encourage everyone to respect their own bodies and limitations, taking breaks when needed while still challenging themselves.

Many students find their fitness improves rapidly with consistent training. What seems challenging in your first few weeks often becomes manageable as your body adapts to the specific demands of Muay Thai training.

Injury prevention is central to our training methodology. We employ multiple strategies to ensure safe striking practice:

  • Proper technique first: We emphasize correct form before power or speed. This approach not only makes techniques more effective but also reduces the risk of self-injury.
  • Graduated impact conditioning: We slowly build up the body's ability to deliver and receive strikes through progressive training methods.
  • Quality equipment: We use professional-grade pads, bags, and protective gear that properly absorb impact and distribute force.
  • Correct hand wrapping: Students are taught proper hand-wrapping techniques to protect the small bones and joints of the hands and wrists.
  • Appropriate glove sizing: We ensure students use properly sized gloves with adequate padding for their weight class and training type.
  • Controlled power application: Students learn to adjust power levels based on the training context—lighter for technical drills, controlled for partner work.
  • Progressive shin conditioning: Proper techniques for gradually developing shin durability without causing injury.
  • Comprehensive warm-ups: Each class begins with joint mobility and muscle activation specific to the movements used in Muay Thai.
  • Regular technique correction: Instructors continuously monitor and refine student technique to prevent development of harmful movement patterns.

For teens in particular, we take extra precautions due to developing bodies. We modify certain high-impact exercises and ensure appropriate training volume based on age and physical maturity.

By building a foundation of proper movement patterns and gradually increasing training intensity, most students develop resilient bodies that are less susceptible to common martial arts injuries.

Competition & Growth

Competition is always optional, but available for those interested after gaining sufficient experience and preparation. Here's our approach to competition:

  • Foundation first: We typically recommend a minimum of 6-12 months of consistent training before considering competition, though this varies based on individual progress, previous athletic experience, and natural aptitude.
  • Beginner-appropriate events: For first-time competitors, we select carefully matched exhibition matches or novice-friendly tournaments with appropriate rule sets and safety measures.
  • Dedicated preparation: Students interested in competition receive additional guidance on conditioning, strategy, and mental preparation specific to their upcoming event.
  • Supportive environment: Our team atmosphere means competitors receive encouragement and help from fellow students and instructors throughout the preparation process.
  • Age-appropriate opportunities: For teen competitors, we ensure participation in properly sanctioned youth divisions with enhanced safety protocols.

It's important to understand that competition is just one aspect of Muay Thai training. Many students train for years without competing, focusing instead on technical development, fitness, and self-improvement. Others find that competition accelerates their growth and provides valuable experience.

If competition interests you, discuss your goals with our instructors. They can provide realistic feedback on readiness and help develop a preparation timeline that ensures you'll be adequately prepared for a safe and positive competitive experience.

Muay Thai delivers comprehensive fitness benefits that extend far beyond the training floor:

  • Complete Physical Conditioning:
    • Cardiovascular endurance from high-intensity interval training patterns
    • Muscular strength development through resistance-based movements
    • Core strength enhancement from rotational striking and stability requirements
    • Improved flexibility through dynamic movement patterns
    • Better balance and proprioception from single-leg striking positions
    • Enhanced coordination between upper and lower body movements
  • Sustainable Fitness Habits:
    • Engaging training that keeps motivation high for consistent attendance
    • Skill-based progress that provides achievement beyond physical changes
    • Community support that encourages long-term commitment
    • Varied training methods that prevent plateau and boredom
  • Holistic Wellness Benefits:
    • Stress reduction through physical exertion and mindfulness during training
    • Improved sleep quality from appropriate physical fatigue
    • Enhanced body awareness and movement quality that transfers to daily life
    • Natural endorphin release that improves mood and mental outlook
    • Healthy outlet for processing emotions and releasing tension

Many students report that Muay Thai training creates a positive cascade effect in other areas of health—improved nutrition choices, better hydration habits, and more consistent sleep patterns often follow regular training as students become more attuned to how lifestyle factors affect performance.

For teens especially, Muay Thai provides healthy physical development during crucial growth years while establishing positive exercise habits that can last a lifetime.

Absolutely! Muay Thai training can be especially beneficial for various personality types and temperaments:

  • For shy or socially anxious individuals:
    • Structured partner interactions create natural social connections without awkward small talk
    • Shared focus on training creates immediate common ground with others
    • Physical confidence often translates to greater social confidence over time
    • Achievement in class builds self-esteem that carries into other areas of life
    • The supportive community offers positive social reinforcement
  • For those with anxiety or stress:
    • Physical exertion provides healthy processing of stress hormones
    • Focus required during training creates periods of mental respite from worries
    • Controlled breathing techniques have calming effects on the nervous system
    • Progress in training demonstrates ability to overcome challenges
    • Consistent schedule provides stability and routine
  • For high-energy or ADHD-type personalities:
    • Intensive physical outlet for excess energy
    • Structured environment with clear expectations and boundaries
    • Multiple short, focused activities maintain engagement
    • Physical fatigue can improve focus in other areas of life
    • Training rewards controlled power and precision, not just energy output

Many of our most dedicated students initially came to Muay Thai to address specific personal challenges. Teens often discover improved confidence and social skills, while adults frequently report better stress management and mental clarity after establishing a regular training practice.

The combination of physical exertion, technical focus, social interaction, and achievement creates a uniquely effective environment for personal growth regardless of your starting temperament.

Getting Started

For your first class, you'll need minimal equipment to get started. Here's what to bring:

  • Essential items:
    • Comfortable athletic clothing (t-shirt/tank top and shorts or athletic pants)
    • Water bottle
    • Small towel
    • Athletic shoes for warm-up (training is done barefoot)
  • Optional items for first class:
    • Hand wraps (we have some to borrow if needed)
    • Mouthguard (not typically needed for first class but good to have)
  • Don't need immediately but will eventually want:
    • Boxing/Muay Thai gloves (12-16oz depending on your size)
    • Shin guards (for partner drills once you advance)
    • Muay Thai shorts (traditional training attire)

Additional tips for your first class:

  • Arrive 15 minutes early to complete any paperwork and meet your instructor
  • Trim fingernails and toenails to prevent scratches
  • Remove all jewelry before class
  • Eat a light meal 1-2 hours before class (don't train on a full stomach or completely empty)
  • Get a good night's sleep beforehand
  • Come with an open mind and don't worry about making mistakes—everyone was a beginner once!

After your first few classes, our instructors can provide specific recommendations for equipment based on your training goals and body type. We also have partnerships with quality equipment providers to help you get the right gear at reasonable prices.

To make the most of your Muay Thai training, consider these key strategies for consistent progress:

  • Consistency is key:
    • Regular attendance (2-3 times per week minimum) creates momentum
    • Establish a sustainable training schedule that fits your life
    • Short, frequent sessions are better than occasional long ones
  • Focus on fundamentals:
    • Master basic techniques before pursuing advanced moves
    • Perfect your stance, balance, and movement patterns
    • Develop proper form before emphasizing power or speed
  • Embrace the process:
    • Set realistic short-term goals alongside long-term aspirations
    • Celebrate small improvements and technical breakthroughs
    • Compare yourself only to your previous performance, not others
  • Supplementary practices:
    • Basic strength training supports technical development
    • Mobility work maintains and improves range of motion
    • Cardio conditioning enhances training capacity
    • Proper nutrition and hydration support recovery
    • Adequate sleep enables skill acquisition and physical adaptation
  • Mental approach:
    • Maintain a beginner's mindset—always open to learning
    • Ask questions when techniques aren't clear
    • Practice visualization between classes to reinforce techniques
    • Accept that progress isn't always linear—plateaus are normal

Remember that everyone's journey is unique. Some students progress quickly in certain areas while taking more time in others. Our instructors provide individualized guidance based on your specific attributes and goals.

For teens, balancing Muay Thai with academics and other activities is important. Our instructors can help develop an appropriate training schedule that supports well-rounded development without creating excessive pressure.

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