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California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai

4.9 ★★★★★ 49 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in San Francisco, California

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Authentic muay thai gym with classes for kids and adults, as well as helpful staff.

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
  • Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule cmasf.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 415-359-9294

Hours

Monday 7 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday 12–8:30 pm
Wednesday 7 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 12–8:30 pm
Friday 7 am–7 pm
Saturday 10 am–2:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 5 mentions

“Just like Dave, you can tell that Joe loves martial arts like a kid loves Christmas, and he's equally stoked to pass that joy on to his students.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“I started practicing Muay Thai a little over a year ago under Coach Dave Engel's instruction, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor as a complete beginner.”

All gyms that run beginners →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“Training here has kept me grounded and sharp — especially since I also compete regularly as a dancer.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🦵 Muay Thai 21 mentions

“I started practicing Muay Thai a little over a year ago under Coach Dave Engel's instruction, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor as a complete beginner.”

All gyms that run muay thai →

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“Nice muay thai boxing gym !”

All gyms that run boxing →

Other martial arts here

Kickboxing gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Muay Thai 21 mentions

“I started practicing Muay Thai a little over a year ago under Coach Dave Engel's instruction, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor as a complete beginner.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want muay thai, boxing, or MMA alongside your kickboxing, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 49 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 3 mentions

“Both Dave and Joe are great trainers.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“I started practicing Muay Thai a little over a year ago under Coach Dave Engel's instruction, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor as a complete beginner.”

💦 killer cardio workout 2 mentions

“Don’t miss Saturday conditioning ;) I take privates with Coach Xyler, and he helped me unlock so much more punching power than I had before.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 3 mentions

“Training here has kept me grounded and sharp — especially since I also compete regularly as a dancer.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“Speaking from a female perspective, CMA offers a very safe and welcoming space for women to learn about Muay Thai and workout.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 13 mentions

“Being at this gym has gotten me through some rough times, including losing family, and Dave and Joe were incredibly supportive throughout it all.”

From the reviews

This is the best Muay Thai gym you could find in the Bay Area! Joining CMA was the best decision I could make 3 years ago. The coaches are very knowledgeable about Muay Thai and genuinely care about their students.

★★★★★ — Catherine, Aug 2024

California Martial Arts has been a fantastic place for my daughter to learn Muay Thai. The fact that they offer classes for kids three days a week has provided her with a consistent and engaging learning experience.

★★★★★ — Claudia, Jan 2024

Look no more, this is an amazing gym. If you want to learn, grow and improve, this is the place for that. As a soccer coach and school teacher myself, I can tell you that the instructors are what top tier coaches/mentors/teachers should be. They are masters of their craft.

★★★★★ — Tonio, Feb 2024

I started practicing Muay Thai a little over a year ago under Coach Dave Engel's instruction, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor as a complete beginner. Dave is clearly extremely passionate about the sport and has dedicated his life to it, and you can also tell that he genuinely enjoys teaching it to others.

★★★★★ — Sibyl, Jul 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 49 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai

California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai

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.

Kickboxing is a contact sport. Warm up, pace yourself, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find California Martial Athletics - Muay Thai

1217 Polk St, San Francisco, CA94109

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.