Auckland CBD · 76 Anzac Avenue
Muay Thai for beginners in Auckland CBD
No sparring. Just the foundations of Muay Thai.
That is the honest answer to the thing most people are actually worried about. JAI 101 is our absolute beginners class, it runs every day, and it is full of people who walked in for the first time not knowing how to punch or kick.
Your first class is free.
Book your free class
Start here
What JAI 101 actually is
Stance, guard, movement, punches, kicks, and how to wrap your hands. Simple things repeated until they stop feeling awkward.
It is about 60% technique and 40% conditioning, so you will work, but the point of the hour is learning rather than being destroyed.
Stay in JAI 101 as long as you want. Some people do two classes and move on, some do it for a couple of months. Nobody is going to push you along.
Do I belong here?
Why people train here
Some train for fitness. Some train for competition.
Some train for their mental health. Some because it regulates their mood. Some because they feel lost without it. Some for stress release.
Some train for the community. Some for discipline. Some because they want to inspire their kids to be fit.
Some just enjoy hitting a bag. Some find regular cardio boring. Some train because it makes them feel empowered. And some train because they dream of being a champion.
They are all legitimate reasons and we respect every one of them. You do not need to know which one is yours before you start.
“I don’t like gyms, but I like sports. Also self defence!”
Member, legal research, 28
No pressure to spar. Ever.
You will not be made to fight
Most of our classes have no contact at all. Just technique, pads and fitness.
There is no sparring in JAI 101, and none in Kick Start either. Sparring exists at JAI and we are proud of it, but it sits behind an instructor clearing you first, it needs its own safety gear, and it is always optional. Plenty of people train here for years and never do it.
If you need to stop mid-class, stop. Sit out a round, get some water, come back in. Everyone does it, nobody is watching, and no trainer will make anything of it.
“I’m a big guy (170kg) so every time I walked into a combat gym I would be pressured to fight. At JAI I got to learn with other guys in the same boat from the beginning. Yes we were pushed and it was hard work, but never have I been pressured to spar or fight. In fact, the trainers told me if I ever want to fight I have to prove that I’m ready!”
Viraj
Your first day
What happens when you turn up
Come 15 minutes early. We will meet you at reception, show you where the changing rooms are, and get you wrapped and gloved before anything starts.
Wear shorts or leggings and a t-shirt, and bring a water bottle and a towel. Bare feet, no shoes on the mats.
We lend you gloves. You will need handwraps, which we sell at the gym for $17, or bring your own if you already have a pair. That is the only cost involved in a free class, and we would rather tell you now than at the door.
You do not need to get fit first. That is what the classes are for.
The map
Where you go after JAI 101
| Never trained | JAI 101 |
| Got the basics | Kick Start |
| Basics are solid | Intermediate |
| Want the hard one | Muay Power |
| Open to everyone, any time | Clinching |
| Ready for fight training and sparring | Ring Craft, then Sparring |
Ring Craft and Sparring both need an instructor to approve you first, and you will need your own safety gear. You move up when you are ready, not on a schedule.
Times
When the beginners classes run
We run over 40 supervised classes a week, seven days, with a beginners class every day. The timetable changes week to week, so check the live timetable and pick a time that suits you.
Honest answers
The questions people actually ask us
Am I too old?
We have members from 6 to 60. As long as you can kick and punch, you can train Muay Thai.
You are never pressured to spar, and you are welcome to work on your own on the bags or on the pads with a partner. If you would rather have one on one attention because of a specific need, we can put together a personalised programme instead.
“Give it a try. Great for beginners through to advanced levels.”
Member, lawyer, 50
I have a bad knee or a bad back. Can I still train?
Talk to your doctor first about what you are allowed to do, and we will adjust the movements accordingly.
Get clearance from your medical professional, then get in touch and we will talk through a session with you. Personalised training is usually the best place to start, because we can build it around you. No punching if that is the problem, no holding pads, and we can avoid particular movements entirely.
Can I come on my own?
Most people do. You will be partnered up for pad work and the trainer sorts the pairs out, so you are not standing there hoping somebody picks you. The person holding pads for you is usually someone who was new themselves a few months ago.
“Just do it. I joined on my own as well despite being extremely anxious and I can say it’s the best choice I’ve made in a while.”
Member, student, 23
Are there women in the class?
Yes, in every class. JAI is owned by Su-Lin, an former female fighter, and building a place where women get all the benefits of Muay Thai in a genuinely inclusive environment is the reason this gym exists.
“Being a woman on my own, I’m no longer scared to walk alone at night.”
Member, business development manager, 32
Another member put it more simply: “I tried the first trial and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in boxing. Plus, it is women friendly. Trainers taught us good basics so it’s good for starters as well.”
Are there showers?
Yes. Changing rooms and hot showers on site, and a pro shop if you forgot something.
Where can I park?
On-street: often the cheapest, especially after 6pm. Paid parking on Anzac Ave, Eden Crescent, Beach Road and Fort Street. Check the signs for current rates and time limits.
Wilson Parking, 73 Anzac Ave: directly opposite the gym and the most convenient option. Flat evening rate of around $15 if you enter after 4pm.
Can I get there without a car?
Easily. Britomart is a 10 minute walk, which covers every train line and the downtown ferry terminal. Buses run along Symonds Street and Queen Street nearby, and the red CityLink and green InnerLink both stop within walking distance.
If I come once and never come back, will I get chased?
We are always aiming to improve, and your feedback is the main way we do that. So we will get in touch, but it is to ask what you loved and what we could do better.
There is no obligation to come back.
Straight up
Who JAI is not for
JAI is not for people with an ego. It is not for people who do not want to learn proper Muay Thai technique. And it is not for people who want to rush into fighting.
Everything else is welcome.
Proof
What first-timers say
“I was nervous to begin at first as I have never done anything like this before, but everyone was so friendly and welcoming.”
Jacob Blaikie
“Had a blast at my first free trial class. Came in with absolutely no experience and super unfit but felt supported and motivated by the amazing instructors and had a great time!”
Lauren Townley
“Jai is a fun, friendly and safe training environment that is perfect for beginners or the less ‘athletically talented’.”
Michael White
“It’s much easier to start than you expect.”
Member, operations, 35
“It’s absolutely normal to have good days and also not so good days. When you’re starting out you’re going to feel like you get beat up a lot, but after a few weeks of classes it starts to make sense.”
Member, student, 19
“We were all there some time ago, and they will get better.”
Member, business development manager, 32
Your first class is free
Pick a time on the next screen and you are booked. We will email you the details straight away.
Book your free class76 Anzac Avenue, Auckland CBD, five minutes from Britomart
09 366 3980 ·
Hello@jaithaiboxing.com
