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Chicago Thai Boxing Academy
4.7 ★★★★★ 92 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Chicago, Illinois
Family-run location for Thai boxing, self-defence, fitness training, and martial arts, including classes for children.
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 chicagothaiboxingacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 773-295-4851
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–1 pm, 5–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“As a beginner, the trainers have given me extra help even in a group setting.”
“I truly felt they have become a second family in town and recommend anyone to try out this gym for purest Muay Thai training.”
“I'd wanted to learn about Thai boxing for years, and I was very happy to find CTBA from a simple web search.”
“I burn about 900-1200 calories a work out with these guys!”
Other martial arts here
“I truly felt they have become a second family in town and recommend anyone to try out this gym for purest Muay Thai training.”
“Would highly recommend this facility for any parent who wants their child to learn self defence and confidence”
What members say
“JJ The owner is the best coach and owner in Chicago of the best Muay Thai Gym.”
“I was out of shape before coming to CTBA and the crew here is so welcoming and the place is super clean kept!”
“Through consistent training, discipline, and the guidance of the coaches, I’ve transformed in ways I never imagined.”
“Everyone is treated with respect, the coaches are great, the gym is clean and most importantly, we learn real technique from day one and always train hard!”
“Would highly recommend this facility for any parent who wants their child to learn self defence and confidence”
“I was out of shape before coming to CTBA and the crew here is so welcoming and the place is super clean kept!”
From the reviews
Chicago Thai Boxing Academy has completely changed my life. I started training here back in 2022 when I weighed around 230 lbs and was in a very different place both mentally and physically. I originally joined just wanting to lose weight and learn Muay Thai, but this gym quickly became so much more than that.
I'm very happy here! As a beginner, the trainers have given me extra help even in a group setting. My experience so far is that, if you let them know about what's going on with you, they'll work with you. I'd wanted to learn about Thai boxing for years, and I was very happy to find CTBA from a simple web search.
If anyone is on the fence about joining, feel free to message me. JJ is about everything he says. When i walked in day one he and everyone else treated me like i had been there for years. And without asking i was given individual attention that helped craft me into a proper fighter.
Hands down great time and quality instructors! My work brings me around a lot of different cities- so finding quality locations to train is hard to come by. Immediately when walking in I was greeted and welcomed by friendly staff. I see plenty of people of all shapes and sizes....love it.
New to kickboxing? Start at Chicago Thai Boxing Academy
Chicago Thai Boxing 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 Chicago Thai Boxing 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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