I've been training Muay Thai for 3 years, even visiting Thailand, and I'm currently preparing for my first fight. During a trip to Sacramento, California, for business, I didn't want to lose my shape, so I searched for a Muay Thai gym.
From the name alone, this gym stood out as the most authentic Muay Thai experience in the area. I decided to give them a call, and Coach Joshua answered around 7 PM. He was very flexible with scheduling and set up a private class for the next day. He also provided clear directions on how to find the gym.
About Coach Joshua--he's an ex-pro fighter with over 80 fights under his belt, and he has deep roots in Thailand. He hasn't lost touch with the traditional style. His training is a perfect blend of the hardcore Thai style and the more strategic approach of Westerners, creating a really good balance.
When I arrived for my first private session, the first thing I noticed was the old-school Thai music playing. That was a clear indicator of the gym's authenticity. The gym is small, accommodating about 8 people, but I see that as a benefit.
Only those who are serious about their training are there, as each session must be booked via phone. This ensures a dedicated and focused group, unlike larger gyms with 40+ participants where it's easy to get lost in the crowd.
The gym is well-equipped with good mats, soft walls, and plenty of new gear--pads, belts, mitts--everything you need. There's only one heavy bag, but I prefer working on pads and one-on-one contact with partners, which feels closer to real-life scenarios.
I also appreciated how keen Coach Joshua is on cleanliness, always emphasizing the importance of washing your hands and feet before stepping onto the mats--a very good practice.
Since I was traveling, I didn't have much gear with me--just my shorts, small 4oz gloves, and a mouthpiece. Coach Joshua was kind enough to provide the rest--big gloves, knee and elbow pads, and shin guards--so I could fully participate in the group sessions. I felt very welcomed by this gesture, especially considering that a much larger gym in Manhattan Beach, LA, couldn't provide loaner equipment, which made my training there more cautious.
I did 4 sessions over 4 days:
The first was a private session--really insightful.
The second was a group session focused on clinching--I was gassed but loved every moment.
The third was drills and light sparring.
The last was full sparring for the entire session.
The people were all very nice and friendly. There was a great mix of pro fighters, established amateurs, beginners, and intermediates, which allowed me to push hard in some areas and ease up in others. I really enjoyed my time.
I've visited many gyms worldwide, but I can confidently say this is probably the most authentic Muay Thai gym in California. I'm actually considering moving to Sacramento for a month or two to have a fight camp here. Hopefully, one day that will be possible.
Thank you for the amazing reception over the past 4 days. read more