Utah Muay Thai and Kickboxing Gym
Absolute MMA is a great place to learn Muay Thai, or Kickboxing as Americans know it, in Utah. We focus on teaching Muay Thai to anyone who has an interest. Our entire gym supports families and we have youth programs and classes for various Mixed Martial Arts techniques, including Muay Thai.
From beginner-friendly classes to more advanced, competitive classes, our goal is to serve people in Utah looking for a great experience.
Absolute MMA is NOT a gym only focused on training professional fighters. Whether you want to compete, learn self-defense, or stay in shape, this gym will meet any MMA needs you may have.
That includes children, pre-teens, teenagers and adults. We love serving families in Utah and teaching them proper Kickboxing technique.
When you come to Absolute MMA for Muay Thai classes, you’ll find instructors that are well trained and professional. We seek to teach Muay Thai but also emphasize principles like self-respect, self-discipline, and we empower our students to be healthy mentally, emotionally, and physically.
You may come to learn Muay Thai, but you’ll leave each session with so much more.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai & Kickboxing are stand-up or striking combat sports that utilize kicks, punches, knees, and elbows. Muay Thai fighting is one of the most popular striking styles in contemporary Mixed Martial Arts and stands on its own as an internationally beloved sport.
Traditional Muay Thai began in Thailand as a tool of war, but today it exists as a striking system used for fitness, Mixed Martial Arts, and Muay Thai bouts.
Our Muay Thai program combines traditional Muay Thai, Dutch Style Kickboxing, and Western Boxing to form a devastating stand-up style for hobbyists, fitness-enthusiasts, and amateur and professional fighters.
Muay Thai classes are separated into fundamental and advanced classes. Fundamental Muay Thai classes include an emphasis on footwork, foundational strikes, and defense. Our Advanced Muay Thai classes include the use of elbows, sparring, and dynamic partner drills. Our head coach, Rob Handley received his instructorship from Ajarn Sakasem “the Punisher” Kanthawong. Read more about what Muay Thai is.
Five Common Questions About Our Youth Muay Thai Program
Will my child get hit in class?
No. Our classes are structured around physical exercise and technical education. They will learn how to use all of their limbs for self-defense, including defending against strikes.
They will also be engaged in circuit type training to include obstacle courses, light weights, bodyweight training, and cardiovascular work.
What if my child is really nervous?
Most children are nervous when they start. We find that as soon as everyone starts running, crawling, jumping and climbing feel right at home.
Our staff is right there to encourage and explain what we’re doing which helps them be a part of the group quickly.
Do they have to spar?
No. Our sparring program is for those children and parents who want to participate. Sparring is not required. Gear is used by all students whether engaged in sparring or not.
Do you talk about bullying in class?
Yes. Bullying is an issue we tackle head-on. Many families come to us because of bullying and we find good success when we team up with parents to address it.
I’ve heard learning how to punch and kick makes kids more likely to use it. How do you deal with that?
We actually find the opposite.
We talk about it and when we use martial arts. We talk about respect, self-control, communication, and the importance of being humble.
We encourage parents new to our program to hear what current families on our team have to say about that as well.
Q&A about Muay Thai with Professor Rob….
1) When did you start training in Muay Thai?
I started training Muay Thai in 1997. I’ve had many great teachers over the years. Many to whom I’m very grateful for and respect dearly. Each has had a very profound influence on my life. I try to learn and train with everyone I can.
2) Why did you begin training Muay Thai?
I started training Muay Thai and Kickboxing because I was naturally interested in other martial arts, I came from a competitive striking background and really enjoyed the no-nonsense, hardcore, work hard mentality of Muay Thai.
3) What makes Absolute’s Muay Thai program different from gyms in your area?
That’s a great question. I don’t really pay much attention to what the others are doing but I can tell you about what we do well and our results speak for themselves.
We incorporate all aspects of striking, while Muay Thai in it’s traditional form is the core of our striking program, however, we’ve added some things from our experience borrowing from the Dutch style of Kickboxing, Western Boxing, Karate and Tae Kwon do.
4) What advice would you give to people who have just started training in Muay Thai?
My only advice is to learn the basics, train and practice them as much as possible, keep it simple and work hard. You can’t go wrong mastering the basics.
5) What’s something you enjoy most about Muay Thai?
I love punching and kicking! I like that Muay Thai is not only a striking martial art but it also has a natural grappling component in the clinch techniques. It’s well rounded; the use of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. I really enjoy the timing, tactics, and techniques in Muay Thai.
Muay Thai FAQs
What kind of equipment do I need for Muay Thai?
For safe and successful training, you will need Muay Thai gloves, which should be lightweight and allow for flexible movement.
You’ll also want Muay Thai shorts, which allow a full range of motions for your legs.
Do I need headgear for Muay Thai?
Headgear isn’t required for Muay Thai, but if you want to use it, you can.
How do I wrap my hands for Muay Thai?
We will teach you the proper way to wrap your hands when you come to your first class.
How long does it take to learn Muay Thai?
Like any new skill, it takes several years if you want to become a master, but we can teach you the core techniques in a matter of months.
Am I too old for Muay Thai?
Are you too old? Did you seriously just ask that? Of course, you aren’t. Come join us for a class.
What is Kickboxing?
Kickboxing is a combat standup sport which uses a blend of punching and kicking. This MMA form combines the art of Karate and Boxing to create a sport that is multi-faceted in its benefits.
It teaches self defense, promotes personal fitness, and provides competition for those who wish to compete at a high level.
Kickboxing FAQs
What kind of equipment do I need for Kickboxing?
You will need Boxing gloves (actual boxing gloves – not bag gloves). You will also need a mouth guard and shin guards to use while sparring. Hand wraps are also a good piece of equipment to keep your wrists safe.
Do I need headgear for Kickboxing?
If you are planning on sparring, then yes, headgear is essential. If you are only looking for cardio workouts, headgear is not necessary.
As with all contact sports, injury is always a possibility. At Absolute MMA, we pride ourselves in our low injury-to-fun ratio.
The American College of Sports Medicine ranks martial arts training very high in regards to safety when compared to many other nationally-recognized sports within the U.S.