You can learn Muay Thai in Great Yarmouth at Union Thai. We are a martial arts gym in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk. Beginners are welcome. Adults and children both train here.
This is the main guide to Muay Thai at Union Thai. It answers the questions people ask before their first session. Each section has a short answer first, then more detail. At the end you will find links to our other guides.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. It is a stand-up striking art. You strike with your fists, elbows, knees and shins. That is why it is often called the art of eight limbs.
Most striking sports use two weapons. Muay Thai uses eight. Two fists, two elbows, two knees and two shins. You also learn the clinch. This is a close grip where you control your partner and work with the knees.
It is a real combat sport. It is also one of the best workouts you can find. A class builds fitness, power and coordination. It also tends to build a calm head, because you learn to stay relaxed while you work.
Is Muay Thai good for beginners in Great Yarmouth?
Yes. Muay Thai suits complete beginners. You start with the basics and go at your own pace.
Many people are nervous before their first class. That is normal. Nobody expects you to know anything. The coach will show you where to stand, how to hold your hands and how to throw your first strikes.
You do not need to be fit to start. You get fit by training. You do not need to be flexible either. Flexibility comes with time.
If you want a place to start, read our guide for first timers: Muay Thai for beginners: your first session.
What happens in a Muay Thai session at Union Thai?
A session follows a simple shape. You warm up, learn technique, work with a partner and finish with conditioning. A typical class runs like this:
- Warm-up and skipping
- Technique drills on pads
- Partner work and clinch
- Conditioning and stretch down
The warm-up gets your body ready. The pad work is where you learn to throw strikes with good form. Partner work lets you practise timing and balance. The clinch work teaches you close range control.
Conditioning is the hard part for most people. It builds the fitness that Muay Thai needs. Then you stretch down and finish. Check the timetable for session times.
What should I bring to my first class?
Bring water and wear comfortable clothes. Shorts or leggings and a t-shirt are fine. You train barefoot.
You do not need your own gloves. We can lend gloves for your first session. Please do not buy kit before you have tried a class. Ask us first, and we will tell you what is worth having.
Arrive a few minutes early. Tell the coach it is your first time. That way they can look after you from the start.
Who coaches Muay Thai at Union Thai?
Our head coach and owner is Marcos Lopes. Marcos has over 40 years of experience in Muay Thai. He also coaches BJJ, boxing and MMA.
Joao Lopes has 15 years of experience in boxing and kickboxing. Tye Riches has 17 knockouts. He is the Super Fight Series 69kg semi-pro national champion and the NEK1 Pro 65kg British champion. He holds 14 other titles. Brett Semtex is a pro wrestler and a multi-title K1 champion with 18 years of experience in martial arts.
You can read about the whole team on the coaches page.
Will I have to spar?
No. Sparring is optional. It never happens in your first session.
Beginners start with technique and pad work. Contact is built up slowly. You only spar when you are ready and when you want to. Many people train for years and never spar.
If you do want to test yourself, the coaches will tell you when you are ready. They pair you with a partner at your level.
How fit do I need to be to start Muay Thai?
You do not need to be fit. You get fit by training. Go at your own pace, rest when you need to and build up over time.
The first few sessions can feel hard. That is normal for any new sport. Your breathing improves fast. Your balance and coordination improve too. Most people notice they can do more within a few weeks.
If you have an injury or a health worry, tell the coach before the class. We would rather know.
Can children train Muay Thai at Union Thai?
Yes. Kids have their own classes. Children train in their own sessions, separate from the adults.
They learn discipline, respect and confidence. The sessions are safe, supervised and fun. Ask about junior sessions on the contact page.
For more, read our guides for parents: Kids martial arts in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston and Martial arts and confidence for kids and teens.
How often should I train?
Twice a week is a good start. Come more as you get comfortable.
Muay Thai is hard on the body in a good way. Rest days matter. Two sessions a week gives you time to learn and time to recover. If you want to train more, the monthly membership covers all disciplines. You could mix in MMA or BJJ.
What does Muay Thai cost in Great Yarmouth?
The cost depends on how you pay. We have three options. A monthly membership, session packs and pay as you go.
Pay as you go is a single session with no commitment. It is a good way to try a first class. We do not list prices in this guide, because they can change. See the memberships page for the current options.
What are the benefits of training Muay Thai?
The main benefits are fitness, skill and confidence. A class works your whole body. You build stamina, strength and balance. You also learn a skill that gets better the longer you train.
Many people say the biggest change is in their head. Pad work gives you something to focus on. Hard sessions teach you to keep going. Over time you learn to stay calm when things get tough. That carries over into work and home.
There is also the people. A gym is a community. You train with the same faces week after week. You push each other on and you get to know one another.
What is gym etiquette in a Muay Thai class?
Be on time, be respectful and look after your partner. That covers most of it.
Listen when the coach is talking. Keep your kit clean. Keep your nails short. Take off jewellery. Look after your partner in drills and work at a pace that suits both of you. If you are not sure about anything, ask. Everyone in the room was a beginner once.
How do I start Muay Thai at Union Thai?
Pick a session on the timetable. Read the Muay Thai class page for more detail. Book your first session and turn up.
If you would rather speak to someone first, use the contact page. You can also read about how Muay Thai compares with other classes in MMA or Muay Thai: which should you choose?.
Which guides go with this one?
Each guide below goes deeper on one question.
- Muay Thai for beginners: your first session. What to bring, what to expect and how to behave in your first class.
- Boxing and kickboxing in Great Yarmouth. Learn striking in Gorleston-on-Sea, with coach Joao Lopes.
- Kids martial arts in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston. What children gain from training, and what to ask before you book.
- Martial arts and confidence for kids and teens. How training builds confidence, and what to ask before booking.
