The best Muay Thai in Kaohsiung: Learn from champions!A review of 3 Kaohsiung Muay Thai gyms and their classes

My friend and I rode scooters to our Kaohsiung Muay Thai experience. There are plenty of scooter parking spots nearby, but it can still take a bit of searching to find an open one. If you're driving, there are roadside parking spaces and paid parking lots in the vicinity.

Celine signed up for the Muay Thai A1 trial class, which took place on a Tuesday morning. Including my friend and me, there were three women in total. Our Taiwanese instructor was excellent; I particularly appreciated how clearly she explained every detail. She also managed the class pace and atmosphere very well, and we could ask questions at any time. The coach observed everyone's condition and provided immediate guidance.

Throughout the session, she would remind us to drink water and check if anyone needed a break due to fatigue. After class, having showers available was fantastic—a 100% comfort score for someone who sweats as much as I do. Celine felt the class intensity was perfectly fine for most women's fitness levels. These classes are incredibly stress-relieving and highly recommended for women with free weekday mornings.

My boyfriend and I visited Muay Plus for a Kaohsiung Muay Thai session, and it was a bit tricky to find. We wandered around the ground floor for a while before realizing we needed to take the stairs to the 3rd floor, then an elevator to reach the venue. First-timers should take note to avoid getting lost.

Stepping out of the elevator, you'll find showers and a water dispenser immediately to your right, perfect for rinsing off after a sweaty workout. Straight ahead is the spacious training area, clearly divided into changing rooms, lockers, and a lounge. Muay Plus operates on an online reservation system; after purchasing a course, you can book directly through their app, which was a godsend for my introverted boyfriend.

We booked the "Beginner Muay Thai" class, taught by a Muay Thai fighter who had just retired last month. His solid physique alone told us he wasn't to be trifled with. The class began with a warm-up of running laps and jumping jacks. Next, we practiced specific moves on the punching bags, while the coach pulled students aside one by one for individual pad work. Then came partner drills, with the coach guiding our movements, and finally, a cool-down stretch.

This class was absolutely exhausting! During the punching bag segment, everyone was already drenched in sweat. When it was my turn for one-on-one pad work with the coach, my leg muscles, core, and biceps/forearms were already aching, but I had to keep kicking—it was truly a joyful agony. The coach had just transitioned from fighter to instructor and was still getting used to it; his teaching was a bit average at the start, but by the middle and end, it felt like a proper class, and I learned many solid techniques. Overall, this class was incredibly satisfying and delivered exactly the training effect I was looking for.

If you're seeking truly rigorous Muay Thai training, Muay Plus is an excellent choice! Just remember to pick a coach based on your own level and ability. Some coaches are absolutely relentless, training students like professional fighters, which might be too intense for beginners.

If there's one minor drawback at Muay Plus, it's that the rental boxing gloves can be quite smelly, requiring extra hand washing after class. If this bothers you, consider borrowing gloves from a friend before you go—it's much more hygienic!

Super D is conveniently located near the Kaohsiung Arena, with a prominent sign and ample space for scooter parking right under the venue's wide arcade. The moment you step inside, you're hit with the vibrant energy of a Kaohsiung Muay Thai gym: bright, spacious, and filled with the sounds of training, instantly getting your blood pumping!

This time, I booked a 2-on-1 private coaching session. After checking in at the front desk, I was led to the VIP area on the second floor. The atmosphere up there was a complete contrast to downstairs; I was genuinely surprised by the luxurious feel, like walking into an airport lounge. The decor is clean, bright, and stylish, complete with restrooms, a sofa lounge, and a coffee machine. You can even shower and blow-dry your hair after a tough workout!

The Kaohsiung Muay Thai class began with the coach's introduction, followed by a warm-up that included basic stretches, leg raises, dynamic exercises like running in place, and squats. I was already sweating profusely before even throwing a punch. After a short break, the coach guided us through the fundamental moves: left punch, right punch, elbow strike, knee strike, and kick, explaining each one in meticulous detail. Once we were comfortable with the individual moves, we moved on to combination drills.

The coach occasionally had one student work on the punching bag while the other practiced with him on the pads, ensuring no time was wasted. By the end of the class, I was utterly exhausted but the feeling of sweating so much was incredibly invigorating. Every punch and kick felt like it was releasing stress from my body!

While the Thai coach's Mandarin still has room for improvement, being able to learn authentic Kaohsiung Muay Thai means you don't have to worry about incorrect form. If you're like me and experience high stress from daily life or work, I highly recommend coming to this venue for a great stress-relieving workout!