3 years ago i tried a class at a gym: free trial, awesome! I was pumped, only to be let down. I went to the class and I was lost in the crowd, beat up, and just ran around. I walked away from that class not learning anything. I was sold on never going back. Dreams crushed. A month or two later a buddy of mine told me to come try the class at TAG. I did not want to go, so I made excuses for while. About a year later, my buddy was still persistent, so I decided to give it a try! 1 hour was all it took to for me to fall in love! The difference: there were about 15 people there at the time, but the best part about it was although Christopher Aboy was teaching the whole class, I was special! He made me feel like I was the one getting personal training! Giving me the attention that I needed! I walked away from the class learning something! Eureka!!! 2 Years later, I'm still here! I am having fun learning new actual techniques every class! In the two years I have made amazing new friends through out all walks and stages in their lives! I have met Ajarn Brian Dobler, who is the head of Thai Boxing Association and Ajarn Chai Sirisute, as well as being the first to bring Muay Thai to the US. That's not it. The gym actually cares about the community and that means a lot to me. We go out and do seminars for kids and adults, and the big winner is that we go and teach legit self defense to women and kids( also men)! It's good to be a part of all these things! The most important part is that I get to have fun! Come and fall in love like I did. read more

TAG Muay Thai is an authentic Muay Thai gym. It's run by Kru Chris Aboy, the owner & founder whose well versed in the art of eight limbs. You'll learn Thai Boxing skills & practical self defense with real life applications. It's a Martial Arts school, not in a traditional sense, but everything in class starts & end with respect. It's also Martial Science. You'll learn techniques & skills that are useful, practical & effective. The only requirements are to listen to instructions & keep an open mind. There are no secret techniques here! It's all about training hard & putting in the work to improve & better yourself. I learned invaluable skills from Kru Chris! He got me into fighting shape though I was in my mid 40's & even prepared me to fight in the ring. The coaches here will help you improve & all about trying to help you get better. No egos here, no tough guys! It's just a group of guys training hard to make everyone better. Even after a hard training session or a tough sparring class, everyone here is a Martial Artist, everything here starts & end with respect. Grateful for being a part of TAG Muay Thai family! So if you're looking for a gym or a Martial Arts school to train & learn self defense, regardless of your background or fitness level, I highly recommend TAG Muay Thai. It's one of the best gyms in the NOVA area. Give it a try & you'll have an awesome experience! read more

Awesome time with Kru Chris and his team of coaches! Kru has a depth of knowledge in the art of Muay Thai... he could hear the nuances of my technique execution without even having to look - a true sign of a lifetime of living and breathing Muay Thai! Kru Chris has a direct approach with students, so you know where you stand with him. There's no guessing in what he actually meant when he is explaining how things should be done for maximum effect. His curriculum is logical, well thought out and organized. Definitely progresses naturally, so a highly recommend for students who have zero experience to begin with. Experienced students will fall in and won't feel bored either, as the classes are separated into different skill levels. His team of coaches follow in his footsteps and are all very personable and work with the kids class extremely well. It helps that some of the coaches are elementary school teachers for their day job! The kids listen and understand directions given and have a blast with everyone they interact with at the gym. Very welcoming and safe environment for the kiddos. The gym space itself, is cleaned and sanitized before and after every class. Class equipment is provided and personal equipment, like gloves, is high quality and available for a reasonable price. read more

I travel very frequently for work and found it difficult to maintain my training. I was fortunate enough to run into TAG Muay Thai while on a two week long work trip. Having been to multiple gyms in NYC and on the road, TAG is one of the best out there. This is not a gym where people are looking to prove themselves or where more senior trainers assert their dominance over newer students. No one is looking to hurt anyone. Rather, everyone was very welcoming and truly looked to improve others in addition to themselves. The wide variety of skill levels makes it easy for a newbie or someone with some experience like myself to jump right in. The classes were very well structured and each drill flowed seamlessly to the next. I had the opportunity to train with people of different sizes and skill levels - which improves my abilities. The classes were not just skill building. Rather, it was a tough HIIT workout built into the training session. The facilities were clean and had sufficient ventilation. The trainers were very knowledgeable but did not expect you to worship them. This is what a modern training facility should entail. The TAG model works well for anyone looking to learn a new skill or get in shape. I will definitely return when I'm in the area. read more

TAG Muay Thai is an exceptional facility operated by Chris Aboy, whose leadership shines both in and out of the gym. Chris is not only an amazing trainer but also an inspiring role model who uplifts everyone around him. I had the honor of being invited to his gym, and it was an incredible experience. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with dedicated fighters from all walks of life, each united by their passion for Muay Thai. The training sessions were well-structured, challenging, and rewarding, catering to individuals of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the fundamentals or an experienced fighter aiming to sharpen your skills, TAG Muay Thai offers a supportive and motivating environment. Chris's leadership fosters a sense of community and respect, making it a perfect place to work out, meet new friends, and grow both physically and mentally. What truly stands out about TAG Muay Thai is the blend of professionalism, camaraderie, and dedication to excellence. If you're searching for a top-notch Muay Thai gym with outstanding leadership, TAG Muay Thai is the place to be. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to enhance their skills, build lasting connections, and train under one of the best in the business. read more

TAG is a top notch gym for real Muay Thai! Not karate, not American kickboxing, and not vague mma kickboxing, but real Muay Thai! Coach Chris can prepare you whether your a seasoned fighter or someone who has never trained in martial arts before. He uses a systematic approach teaching you the strong basic fundamentals of footwork, offense and defense in a format that is designed to teach you through bag work, pad work, and working with partners up to and including sparring and competition if desired. Coach/Kru Chris also teaches combatives from a base of Muay Thai for law enforcement specific situations and self defense for the street. Coach Chris is a long time veteran of law enforcement agencies, he understands the needs of LEOs and people that need to defend themselves in violent domestic situations. TAG Muay Thai also has kids classes available! I believe this is the best place in Northern VA for honest to goodness, traditional Muay Thai, accept no substitutes! read more

I have experience at a couple different Muay Thai gyms and wanted to find one I really enjoyed as it is an expensive sport! T.A.G. was recommended by a friend who is a member. The owner, Chris, knew who I was as soon as I walked through the door from emailing back and forth and he was so welcoming - as were the other members. He focuses on learning and developing proper technique whether you have never taken martial arts before or whether you have fought in the ring before. The members take the sport seriously and motivate eachother to get better which is exactly what I was looking for. If you are someone who eventually wants to get in the ring, Chris will help you get there. The gym is not convenient for me - an hour from where I live - but worth the commute for the experience. I especially like that it is more of a warehouse style gym than a commercial/overly marketed gym. I would recommend T.A.G. to both beginners and experienced fighters. read more

For the longest, the owner has been telling me about his gym at work. I always made excuses about going but when I finally did, I regretted waiting so long! When you walk into the gym, it feels like you are already part of it. They welcome you in like you have been there for years. Everyone is super friendly and wants to help each other grow in the art. If you are new to it, they have patience and will help you grasp the move they are teaching. The owner is super down to earth and puts his whole heart into the gym. With all the cool pictures, you can see that the owner has more than enough experience and credentials to have the gym. He also has written a book! In it, a user can learn about the art, how it helped the owner grow into who he is today, and how it could help you as well. This gym is for everyone! If you needed a sign to check it out, let this be it. I highly recommend it and hope you visit and give it a try! read more

When I first came to TAG I was very tentative. I had never done any sort of Martial Art before, and I was only coming because my boyfriend wanted me to understand his passion for Muay Thai. Also, I didn't want to be the only girl, and luckily there are plenty of us at the gym. Through my time at TAG, I have also come to have a passion for Muay Thai. However, my passion does not lie in competing with the sport; I have a passion for learning the technique, and helping others learn the technique. I also feel that I have learned enough that if I were to need to use what I have learned, I would be able to defend myself. I am very appreciative of Kru Chris, as he even turns some of the classes into self defense seminars, so that we can learn how to use the techniques in a self defense scenario. It has been about a year and a half since I joined TAG and I am truly grateful for everything I have learned. read more

I wanted to learn some legit and authentic Muay Thai. I did some research and found the TBA (Thai Boxing Association) was the certifying organization for instructors. TAG was the only school in the area that met this criteria with a certified instructor. Further research of the school showed its STRONG lineage to the source and origin of Muay Thai in the US. I decided to try out TAG, and instantly loved it. Kru Chris (Head Instructor) is a very knowledgeable and experienced teacher and the students are very respectful. The technical skill involved in the curriculum is the best in the area, not to mention the fun workout aspect that comes with the Art. If you want to learn to defend yourself in the real world, and not just score points in sport, I highly recommend TAG as your go-to school of choice! read more

I come to TAG to learn Muay Thai as a means of self-defense. Top-notch instructors and students alike are respectful, patient, and encouraging. Even though I am completely new at the sport, I am never made to feel inadequate or out of place. Instead, everyone is attentive to helping build each other up, working with me until I understand. There is a sense of goodwill and camaraderie that puts at ease even the initially timid, myself included. At the same time I am challenged and supported to be my best self. Through practical drills and realistic self-defense lessons, I have already expanded my mental and physical toolbox. I have been going consistently for two months now and have never regretted my decision in choosing this gym. Many thanks to Kru Chris, the coaches, and the students. read more

Great place to learn or enhance your Muay Thai game. I am very pleased with the quality of TAG Muay Thai practices. Very welcoming school, everyone is super friendly. Very trustworthy and safe. The main coach/instructor, Kru Chris, is a man that has an all encompassing love and passion for his practice. He personally teaches every class with an extremely pragmatic approach to Muay Thai. In addition, his openness to his student's input and questions is unprecedented. He pays attention to everyone,take notes and do correct techniques or positioning or movements. Met some really nice people there, gave me loads of good advises on fighting techniques. Great energy! In short, awesome experience, very much enjoying each practice therefore I highly recommend TAG Muay Thai and Kru Chris. read more

I've been training with Chris for several years. I can tell you he sincerely pours his skill and passion into every session; he can spot a technical error no matter how minut from across the gym. Chris has a vested interest in the success of each person who walks thru his doors and he makes you feel it. From day one when you decide to drop in for a free session you feel the energy, encouragement, and most importantly- never judged by your level of fitness or understanding of the sport. Your probably not going to be the next big MMA fighter but he and his team make you feel like your getting that level of undivided technical skill training. If you ever thought of trying Muy Thai look nowhere else. Kru Chris and his talented instructor cadre are waiting for you! read more

I've been training at T.A.G. for a few months now, and I highly recommend it to anyone interesting in learning or practicing Muay Thai kickboxing, whether they are a beginner (like me) or someone with experience coming in. The Phase 1 classes are made up of students of varied skill levels and ages, which allows newer students to pick up skills quickly. Kru Chris and all the coaches push the students to work hard, but always in a constructive way. More advanced classes are offered as well, in addition to opportunities for fights and other events for those interested in that. As someone who had never done any martial arts before, I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy the classes, but after only a few months I'm sure I made the right decision to try it out! read more

TAG Muay Thai is good gym which teaches authentic Muay Thai. I have trained at half a dozen gyms over more than a decade, and am well aware of how difficult it is to find someone who can teach authentic Muay Thai on the east coast. Most gyms either have an MMA program centered around Jujitsu and lack in striking, or the Thai boxing program is American Kickboxing with a few knees and elbows. For someone living in Northern Virginia interested in truly learning the art of eight limbs, I would highly recommend TAG. TAG is not just a fighting gym however. It is great for people who just want to learn and train for fitness, as well as a family friendly environment for kids. The instructors are knowledgeable and very attentive to the students. read more

If you're looking for authentic and traditional Muay Thai training, T.A.G. is the place to go. Having trained in martial arts throughout my entire life, being a part of the T.A.G. family made me realize how a real gym operates. T.A.G. offers various classes depending on skill level and the level of interest, whether you're looking for fitness, competition, and even kids classes. T.A.G.'s head coach, Kru Chris, has over 20 years of experience in martial arts and Muay Thai, and is a certified World Thai Boxing Association (WTBA) instructor. There are no egos within T.A.G., and everyone is there to help each other achieve their goals. I would recommend T.A.G. to everyone and anyone! read more

Was a great time when I did it and learned a lot. I enjoyed doing the main classes on Tuesday and Wednesday along with the additional classes on Monday and Wednesday - also the occasional Friday. You initially learn the basics of punching and kicking for the first week or so before being thrown into the fire and moving at the pace as the rest of the class - though the classmates are patient, kind, understanding, and most importantly - they also want to help you learn and grow with them. The classes consist of a great community, a great Kru who is definitely interested in wanting you to learn and a wonderful vibe/atmosphere that I looked forward to coming to every day. read more

Came in with 0 martial arts experience, looking for both a good workout and to develop some fighting skill. Been training here for little over a month. The atmosphere is fantastic here, even given the adversity of them being between gyms until June. The pace is what you make of it. Whether you're new or experienced you can fit right in and begin to work at your pace. The instructors are humble, patient and passionate about what they do, especially Kru Chris. While the first class was definitely a step outside the comfort zone for me, I quickly became comfortable within a few classes thanks to all the support from students and instructors alike. read more

I have only done two sessions so far but it feels like I've been apart of the team for a long time. T.A.G Muay Thai has an outstanding environment and great sense of brotherhood. The coaches and veterans always strive to help you improve your technique and will see even the smallest wrong detail so that you can perfect the craft. That in itself shows you how much they care about not only the art but also about you. They have a very client based program and they do not force you to do anything unless they know you can do it. You will not be only joining a team but a family. Nothing but love for T.A.G Muay Thai! read more