In 2023 I lived in the mesmeric city of Chiang Mai for 4 months and trained at several Muay Thai gyms across the city.
If you’re moving here, or just passing through, you have to give Muay Thai a go. There are so many great gyms to choose from but here are some of the best for you to try:
Why listen to me: I’ve been boxing as an amateur for 6 years and trained in countless boxing gyms around the world from Seattle to Spain. I’ve learnt that picking the right gym can literally change your life and want to help you do the same. Learn more about me here.
PLEASE leave your own opinions and experiences about Muay Thai gyms in Chiang Mai in the comments at the bottom and I’ll continuously update this page to make it as useful as possible!
The 8 Best Muay Thai Gyms in Chiang Mai🥊
1️⃣ Sereephap Muay Thai
- Summary: Authentic, passionate, family culture. The real deal.
- Address: 66 Suriyawong Alley
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: M-Sa: 9am-8pm, Su: 9am-5pm
- Pricing: 500 THB / private class
- Best for: those wanting to progress lightning fast
- Online: Instagram, Facebook
You can tell you’re in a real deal Muay Thai gym when there are only on a handful of foreigners and a bunch of local Thai’s training.
Sereephap will give you an authentic, old school experience, away from the touristy areas. This is a gym that’s intimate, intense, and with a rock solid family feel to it.
Be warned: this mean’s they’ll work you damn hard in the two hour training classes!
The head coach Santos is a tough as steel, like any seasoned Muay Thai fighter, but also extremely friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. He’s and the owner Big Mama have managed to create an awesome culture where members get to know each other and go to each others fights.
The don’t do group classes, only private, which means you’ll learn huge amounts very quickly.
Only good things to say about Sereephap, highly recommended, especially for those wanting to go all in on Muay Thai, learn the true sport, and get the genuine experience.
Probably the best all round Muay Thai gym in Chiang Mai.
2️⃣ Dang Muay Thai
- Summary: A great facility with friendly trainers
- Address: 43, 1 Arak Rd, Si Phum Sub-district
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: M-Su: 7:30am – 6:30pm
- Pricing: 350 TBH per class
- Best for: beginners and intermediates
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
I may be a little biased as this is where I trained most days. (That’s me throwing a kick with trainer Tao in the pic above).
I kept coming back for a few reasons: firstly, it’s very conveniently placed on the west side of the Old City which is near where I lived. (I’d strongly recommend getting a scooter while here to enable you to get to any gym more easily).
Secondly, the facility itself is awesome. It is spacious, new (they rebuilt it in 2023), and full of bags, a ring, and ice baths.
The trainers are all very friendly and most speak just enough English. They also have multiple group classes everyday for you to choose from (350 TBH) and also private classes (550 TBH).
The group classes are 90 mins long and consist of a mix of cardio, bag work, pad work with a trainer, and sparring if you’re up for it. Book all classes in advance on their website.
The only downside to Dang is that in high season (Nov-Jan) it can get very busy and they sometimes squeezed up to 30 people in a class which is too many.
They have accommodation if you want to go all in, and can also help you get a long-term visa.
It is welcoming for people of all levels and they separate the class based on experience so don’t be intimidated if this is your first time. They’ve got you covered! If you’re looking to train to compete then they can arrange that to and regularly send fighters into local fights.
Dang Muay Thai is a great gym. Go check it out.
3️⃣ Santai Muay Thai Gym
- Summary: authentic, real deal gym / training camp outside of town
- Address: 79, San Kamphaeng
- Google rating: 4.9
- Opening hours: M – Sa: 6am – 7pm
- Pricing: pricing is for long term packages, see website for details
- Best for: those focusing purely on Muay Thai
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
Santai is an old-school authentic Muay Thai gym that is passionate about real training and sends many fighters to local and national competitions.
If you’re coming to Chiang Mai just to focus on Muay Thai then this could be the place for you as it’s situated in the countryside about 20 kms outside of the city. So there’s not much to do here except fight!
Most people who train here stay at the onsite accommodation which is pretty decent, and includes a swimming pool.
Be prepared though, if you stay at these authentic gyms the training schedule is demanding: you’ll have at least two classes everyday and a group run, 6.5 days a week. Not for the faint hearted but a great way to rapidly advance.
The training here is top class thanks to the coaches who have decades of experience under their belt. Most have had +300 fights! (That’s not a typo). Rest assured you’ll learn the true sport if you’re brave enough to train at Santai.
I would give Santai 10/10 if it weren’t for the fact that it’s hard to get to and not suited to those wanting to train casually.
4️⃣ The Bear Fight Club
- Summary: small but passionate gym tucked away in the Old City
- Address: 13/3 Ratchamanka Soi 6
- Google rating: 4.9
- Opening hours: T-Su: 8:30am – 6pm
- Pricing: 300 THB / class
- Best for: beginners and intermediates
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
Bear is one of three gyms (the others being Dang and Chiangmai Muay Thai Gym) situated in the Old City, making it very convenient for anyone living or staying in the actual city of Chiang Mai (which is where you almost certainly will be when you’re here).
What I liked about Bear is that the classes are small (~10 people) and have plenty of focus on proper technique. Lots of people who train here are training for competitive bouts so you know you’ll be surrounded by passionate fighters and top quality coaches.
It’s far from being a big commercial gym and is perhaps a little rough around the edges but all the best fighting gyms are, and it has tons of character.
It has group classes (2hrs long) or private classes, and is welcoming to people of all abilities. Training in my class were two first timers, and one guy who had dozens of fights under his belt. No need to book classes, just show up.
The vibe is friendly and low key, and the coaches, like every in Thailand, will have a laugh with you while they work you to death.
Definitely one of the best gyms in town. Highly recommended.
5️⃣ Hongthong
- Summary: all round great authentic gym with a super friendly and passionate vibe
- Address: 129/4 หมู่ที่ 5 ถนน เชียงใหม่
- Google rating: 4.9
- Opening hours: M-Sa: 9am-6pm
- Pricing: 300 THB / class (or long term packages)
- Best for: everyone and anyone wanting the full experience
- Online: Instagram, Facebook
Hongthong is a much loved Muay Thai gym popular among westerners looking to take their training seriously but in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. People often describe it as a family.
This place is suitable for all levels, and whether you’re a first-timer or have hundreds of fights behind you, the top notch trainers will welcome you and get the best out of you (and always with a smile on their faces).
If you’re looking to train to compete in a fight (surely a bucket list item?!) then they can easily arrange that for you here. They regularly organise fights in local stadiums and you can compete in one after a little as one month of solid training. No pressure to do so, though.
The accommodation isn’t bad but is fairly basic so if you like to do things in style then consider staying elsewhere and getting a moped to travel easily.
There’s a reason people keep coming back to Hongthong. It’s undoubtedly one of the best authentic Muay Thai gyms in Chiang Mai.
6️⃣ Chiangmai Muay Thai Gym
- Summary: ideal for beginners and tourists wanting to try Muay Thai
- Address: 76 Wiang Kaew Rd
- Google rating: 4.4
- Opening hours: M-Sa: 8:30am-7:30pm
- Pricing: 400 THB / class
- Best for: beginners and tourists
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
Located in the Old City, Chiangmai Muay Thai Gym is likely to be conveniently located for anyone who is briefly visiting the city and who may want to try out some Muay Thai while they’re here.
However, it’s perhaps not the most authentic Muay Thai gym in Chiang Mai and is more geared towards tourists and giving you a intense workout rather than diving into the details of technique.
If you’re a beginner, then this place would be a great place for you to try and get a feel for the sport. The trainers are all welcoming and the atmosphere is very friendly and respectful.
The class sizes are usually fairly small at ~10 which means the place doesn’t feel too crowded and you’ll get plenty of attention from the coaches.
The facility isn’t bad: it’s very spacious with lots of natural light, although the floor is astroturf which felt a little unusual.
7️⃣ The Camp Muay Thai Resort and Academy
- Summary: top class facility, but a little overpriced
- Address: 417 หมู่ 12, Nong Kwai, Hang Dong District
- Google rating: 4.8
- Opening hours: M-Su: 8:30am-7pm
- Pricing: 700 THB per class
- Best for: those wanting an onsite immersive experience
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
What’s strange about The Camp is how much more expensive it is that the other gyms I trained at in Thailand. I never paid more than 350 TBH (~$10) for a group class apart from here where it is 700TBH.
While the facility itself is cool: it is huge and modern with four full size rings, it doesn’t justify the extra cost.
It is also about 30 mins south of the center of the city so is quite inconvenient if you’re not staying at the actual onsite camp.
Having said all that, this would be a great option if you want to go all in on your Muay Thai training by staying at their accommodation and training 2 times everyday.
The trainers are all great, and, as I mentioned, the facility is vast and well equipped. They also have ice baths to help you recover after a tough session!
8️⃣ Heavy Hit Boxing Gym
- Summary: more of an exercise studio than a proper Muay Thai gym
- Address: QXM4+FVQ, Tambon Su Thep
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: M-Sa: 9am-12pm & 3:30-7pm, Su: 9am-12pm
- Pricing: 300 TBH per class
- Best for: fitness fanatics
- Online: Instagram, Facebook
I read plenty of good reviews about Heavy Hit so had high expectations but quickly realised that it is more of a exercise studio than a real Muay Thai gym.
The trainers are very experienced but there is no opportunity for actual combat here and the hour long classes focus on pad work and cardio. There is no ring at the facility which is a bit of a giveaway.
I also noticed that most of the other people in the class, which they keep to a good small size of ~6, were women more interested in filming themselves for their Instagram than actual fight training.
You have to book classes in advance by sending them a message over Facebook or Whatsapp. I didn’t do this but they thankfully squeezed me in. They don’t have a website.
In short, Heavy Hit is great if you want to get in fighting shape but is not the right place for you if you’re looking to try some proper Muay Thai.
Related articles:
How to pick a Chiang Mai Muay Thai gym❓
- Convenience of location and class timings – this is key. Find somewhere close, and I’d highly recommend renting a scooter while you’re here to help you get around. It will save you so much time and make you more motivated to go!
- Other services like accommodation and visa – some places have onsite accommodation if you want to go all in and really live the experience. They are also often are able to help get you a year-long Muay Thai visa.
- Gym focus – I don’t have a problem with exercise classes, but make sure you know what you’re signing up for if you join one of these. Exercise classes are very different than actually learning how to fight and getting sparring experience. If you truly want to learn Muay Thai then you need to box. That involves punching other people and getting punched yourself.
- Coaches – Muay Thai is the national sport in Thailand so all of the coaches have tons of experience. Most have done over 300 fights! So I wouldn’t worry about this too much – anywhere you go will have good coaches, just don’t expect great English!
How much do Muay Thai gyms in Chiang Mai cost? 💰
- Class by class: this is the best option if you just want to try out the sport. Most places change around 300 THB ($10) for a 1.5/2 hour class.
- Monthly memberships: if you’re looking to go all in and perhaps train for a fight, most places will offer monthly packages where you can train multiple times a day. This will cost about 8,000 THB ($230).
- One-on-one personal training: Depending on the gym, costs are around 500 THB ($15) per class for an hour.
12th Round 🔔
If you love boxing, you’ll love Muay Thai. It felt awesome to expand my arsenal of combat sports by training in this brutal discipline for a few months.
There are so many top class Muay Thai gyms in Chiang Mai. You can’t go wrong with the likes of Sereephap, Dang, Bear, or Hongthong. Go check them out for a single class before committing to longer.
Happy fighting! 🥊🥊
“Muay Thai is an art that weaves a tapestry of discipline and honor, a symphony of mind, body, and spirit.”
Abhysheq Shukla
