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1Up MuayThai Academy
5 ★★★★★ 99 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Alexandria, Virginia
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Cardio kickboxing classes high-energy cardio kickboxing on the bags and pads — a fun, sweaty workout built for fitness and weight loss, at your own pace
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule 1upmuaythai.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 240-640-6226
Hours
| Monday | 9:30 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–4:30 pm |
| Sunday | 9:30 am–4:30 pm |
The classes they run
“While my children have been coming here they’ve blossomed, even their grades are up in comparison to last year.”
“The environment is welcoming and beginner-friendly for people of all ages and genders, while still offering challenging and rewarding classes for more experienced practitioners.”
“The group classes are a great way to go and on Friday nights they have fun sparring based classes.”
“My husband and I joined 1UP Muay Thai when they first opened over a year and a half ago, and it has been an incredible experience.”
“Had absolutely no idea what I was getting into and had never done any form of boxing or martial arts.”
Other martial arts here
“My husband and I joined 1UP Muay Thai when they first opened over a year and a half ago, and it has been an incredible experience.”
“Had absolutely no idea what I was getting into and had never done any form of boxing or martial arts.”
What members say
“Kai and Coach Kerem do an amazing job emphasizing proper technique while also adapting training for all skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced.”
“The environment is welcoming and beginner-friendly for people of all ages and genders, while still offering challenging and rewarding classes for more experienced practitioners.”
“Amazing workouts and really thorough instructions and technique is taught, it’s great for all skill levels/ages and very professional.”
“Amazing workouts and really thorough instructions and technique is taught, it’s great for all skill levels/ages and very professional.”
“From the moment I stepped in, the coaches and members made me feel like I belonged there, even as a total beginner trying to figure out how to do a simple kick.”
“It’s not just about learning kicks and punches—it’s building confidence, discipline, and friendships too.”
From the reviews
Coach Kerem and Dr. Kai teach an amazing program at 1Up. Amazing workouts and really thorough instructions and technique is taught, it’s great for all skill levels/ages and very professional. The group classes are a great way to go and on Friday nights they have fun sparring based classes.
Walking into this gym for my first Muay Thai class, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I didn’t expect was how incredibly welcoming everyone would be. From the moment I stepped in, the coaches and members made me feel like I belonged there, even as a total beginner trying to figure out how to do a simple kick.
I’ve been training at 1Up MuayThai Academy for about four months now, and my experience has been excellent. When I first joined, I had no prior combat sports experience, but I quickly noticed significant improvement in my skills and overall fitness.
Today I visited 1UP Muay Thai with my three kiddos, and we had the most amazing experience Dr. Kai and Coach Kerem were absolutely phenomenal. They were welcoming, encouraging, and very knowledgeable in what they were teaching the children.
New to kickboxing? Start at 1Up MuayThai Academy
1Up MuayThai Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first kickboxing class at 1Up MuayThai Academy
Nervous about walking into a kickboxing gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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