STRENGTH, CONFIDENCE, COMMUNITY
muay thai in philadelphia
At Burning Spirits Muay Thai, we’re passionate about helping our students get in the best shape of their lives, learn authentic Muay Thai, and develop practical self-defense skills – all while having fun in a supportive community!
WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!!!
At Burning Spirits Muay Thai, our doors are open to students of all skill levels - from complete beginners taking their first steps into the world of Muay Thai, to seasoned Nak Muays looking to further refine their craft. We have a place for you in our vibrant Philadelphia Muay Thai community.
ADULT MUAY THAI
Learn authentic Muay Thai here in Philadelphia from our coaches who were trained by the famous Sityodtong Muay Thai camp in Thailand. Our proven curriculum teaches you Muay Thai fundamentals. Graduate to our Advanced curriculum where you will learn even more, and develop your own style.
WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING
I've been training at Burning Spirits for just over two years now. It's been one of the best decisions I've ever made regarding my mental and physical health.Kru Derek is an incredible coach, his passion and knowledge of Muay Thai is unmatched. His program makes it easy for anyone to learn the art of eight limbs.The Burning Spirits community is full of some of the most friendly, welcoming and supportive people you'll ever meet. You will train together, sweat together, and bond over the journey of continuous self-improvement.Muay Thai may seem intimidating from an outside perspective. But if you take the leap like I have, you truly will not regret it.I cannot recommend Burning Spirits enough.
Coach Derek is one of the best around! Very knowledgeable, caring and awesome! If you’re in the area I highly recommend going to Burning Spirits!!
I've been with Burning Spirits for about 3 months and this place has a lot of green flags:1. The gym culture is the best of any gym I've trained at. Head Coach Derek demonstrates his concern for the safety of his students. Sparring is fast but controlled and light, authentic Thai style.2. Derek as well as the junior coaches give excellent instruction. I've trained at other gyms that advertise themselves as Muay Thai but the only techniques we learn are punches and kicks. In my *first* session, Coach Carrie taught me how to throw a knee.3. Burning Spirits takes authenticity seriously. Derek has been training for multiple decades and brings students on a yearly trip to Pattaya, Thailand.4. The vibe of the gym is very welcoming. In previous gyms it felt like a revolving door of anonymous faces that I train with once and then never see again. The folks at Burning Spirits are friendly, accepting and *leave their egos at the door*. Before coming to Burning Spirits, I didn't know a gym like this existed.
Coach Derek has a strong love for and commitment to the art of Muay Thai as well as to his students. At this school you will learn traditional Muay Thai from the Sityodtong lineage. Highly recommend checking them out if you are in the area..
I've been training muay thai pretty consistently over the last decade. I met coach Derek initially at another gym 8 years ago. I was immediately drawn to his style. He makes muay thai look beautiful, as it should. His techniques and style are unique to this area and very technical. When I visit other gyms and spar with various ufc vets and other pro fighters from the area they sometimes even recognize the training and ask me where and who I've trained with previously. When I tell them they usually go "I recognized some of the style. How is he doing?" Derek has been around a long time and has worked with and cornered some of the best fighters in the area. His gym is immaculate, well laid out, and has the nicest ring in philadelphia as far as I've seen. He asks a lot of his fighters, but if you are ready to make the commitment and do the roadwork he will turn you into a dangerous Nak muay.
I enjoy burning spirits entirely too much. This has been by far the best feeling I’ve had in a very long time. I decided to take my fitness seriously while simultaneously picking up a new life skill (the art of muay thai) & both adventures have been successful thus far. I am absolutely learning so much and slowly but surely mastering the martial art all while shedding off weight and feeling better about my body. Leaving class everyday I feel energetic and better then when I walked in. Every body at the gym from members to coaches are very friendly and welcoming. As a newbie, I don’t feel pressure to be a pro. They allow me to work at my pace & make mistakes all while teaching me how to improve at the same time. It feels like a safe space. I highly recommend this gym.
Kru Derek has a wealth of knowledge and his muaythai experience speaks for itself. If your looking for a friendly environment, look no further than bsmt and kru Derek
Burning Spirits Muay Thai is fantastic! Coach Derek and his excellent team are welcoming and skilled. Great onboarding program. As a beginner, the coaches do an outstanding job to ensure that your form and techniques are proper. The gym is clean, spacious, and inclusive. People are friendly. All skill levels are welcome. Muay Thai training is a phenomenal workout and will get you in optimal shape.
The most welcoming muay thai gym around! Quality teachers and training that can't be found anywhere else. I absolutely love it here and so do all my friends who have joined. Whether you're looking for authentic fight training or quality workouts, this is the place to go!
Been training at Burning Spirits for almost two years and it’s been the best martial arts experience I ever had. If you are looking for detailed instructions and community this is definitely the place. Everyone is friendly and gym is always clean! As someone who’s been to different gyms in the past Burning Spirits and Kru Derek is the real deal!
Have been going to burning spirits for almost a year now. Great coaches, great facilities and friendly people. The harsh learning curve of muay thai has been much easier to handle with a robust schedule of classes and open matt time on Fridays. Whole heartedly recommended to anyone looking to start.
All of the students and coaches are so welcoming and supportive. It’s a great environment to learn the art of Muay Thai and to challenge yourself physically and mentally!
I've only done a few classes here, but so far I'm very impressed. This is a welcoming, supportive, and passionate school, with coaches who are ready to meet you at whatever skill and fitness level you're at.
Burning Spirits is my Muay Thai gym of choice. While there are several gyms in the area, none can match the pedigree or teaching expertise of Burning Spirits. Coach Derrick, who has been a friend for many years and even taught at my MMA gym, has proven his abilities time and again. What really sets Burning Spirits apart is its ability to teach students of all skill levels, from complete beginners to the highest caliber fighters. If you're searching for a Muay Thai gym where the coach truly cares about your skill improvement, Burning Spirits is the place for you.
Joining Burning Spirits is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I first knew about Burning Spirits in 2021, and wanted to join for so long. I finally pulled the trigger and can genuinely say that Burning Spirits and its community are amazing in every aspect. Learning and practicing Muay Thai at Burning Spirits has been so rewarding and I am so happy to be there, and so excited to learn the art of 8 limbs from the best gyms in Fishtown.
Kru Derek is an amazing coach and has been around the Muay Thai scene for decades. His knowledge of Sityodtong style and his passion makes him a great teacher. Highly recommend to train muay thai in the philly area!
I’ve know and trained with Derek for more than a decade while I was competing in kickboxing and MMA. Derek possesses both a passion for and a deep knowledge of Muay Thai. As a coach, Derek is patient, insightful, and dedicated. I have found his instruction to be nuanced and clear, and is easily tailored to meet your skill set no matter what your level of experience. If you want to learn Muay Thai, or sharpen your already existing skill set, Derek is easily the best and most authentic Muay Thai instructor in the city.
I highly recommend Burning Spirits for Muay Thai training.I joined Burning Spirits over a year and a half ago with hopes to get in shape, challenge myself to learn something new and find a healthy outlet for the stressors of work and everyday life.What I got what so much more than that. Burning Spirits is an incredible, supportive and vibrant community and I am so thankful to have met everyone there. Today, I am proud to be in the best physical and mental shape of my life, while also having developed a deep love for the art of Muay Thai.Kru Derek is a phenomenal coach who will support you in your path to achieve your Muay Thai goals - whatever they may be. He is a brilliant teacher with unparalleled knowledge and expertise who puts his heart, sould and care into every student and every class. He has built a truly inclusive, supportive and welcoming enviornment. It is a pleasure to be part of the community.I am so happy to have joined Burning Spirits and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to train.
The training staff is really hands on and responsive. The community is warming, welcoming, and supportive! Thrilled to continue my journey with this gym.
Can't recommend Burning Spirits enough, great coaches, great community! Very welcoming! Fun and challenging workout, will definitely get you in shape. I've been going for about a year and look forward to it every week. I feel myself getting stronger every week. Plus they play great music in class!
Amazing Gym. Caters to beginners and experts alike. Going beyond great workouts, you build confidence, meet some really cool people, and you feel both part of a community and a lineage. The coaches are fantastic. Burning Spirits is such a valuable gym in the neighborhood, I am so grateful to have tried it and become a member.
This gym is fantastic, it has excellent atmosphere with highly supportive and experienced instructors. I felt instantly at ease during my first class and look forward each new session. My Muay Thai journey with this gym has been great!
Great gym! Great Community. From the very first time I set foot in the gym, I felt right at home. The facilities are super clean. The class schedule is super reasonable, and Coach Derek is an excellent teacher.
I joined Burning Spirits with little knowledge of Muay Thai, but it has quickly become one of my favorite places to be. The coaches are great, and the environment is very welcoming to all students regardless of background or skill level. The gym is clean and well maintained, and you can tell that the coaches are dedicated to providing a positive experience for their students. Joining this gym has given me countless physical and mental health benefits, and I've met some awesome people through training here. Whether you're looking to try a new hobby, get into better shape, or fight competitively, Burning Spirits has you covered.
Burning Spirits is a very welcoming atmosphere for all levels of experience. I’ve enjoyed my first few weeks as a beginner and everyone has been very helpful
10 out of 10 gym. Thorough classes with alot of attention from the instructors. Great gym for beginners and pros. Excellent enviorment. Do not miss out!!
Such an awesome gym! Great coaches who are very patient, precise and help you be better every single class. Gave me confidence in ways I didn’t even know I needed. Highly recommend!
The coaches at Burning Spirits love Muay Thai and it shows in how they run their gym. They truly care about their students and teaching them proper form while still having fun. The bag classes are great for cardio and you will definitely sweat. They created a nice community where I feel comfortable going even though I'm not a typical "fit" person.
Whether you're looking for authentic Muay Thai training or just looking to cook up a sweat slugging on a bag, Burning Spirits is the spot for you. Derek and his team are knowledgable about the art and have created a clean and welcoming environment with a vibrant community to boot. With roots to a Thai gym (as well as an annual Thailand gym), Burning Spirits is a traditional Muay Thai vibe with a Fishtown Hardcore twist. You don't need to commit up front - check out the 3 day introductory course (they provide the gloves) to see if it's the right fit for you 🙂
I joined the gym with zero Muay Thai experience. My goal was to get into shape for my wedding. Not only do you get a great full body workout, there really is something special about the gym. Derek and all of the coaches go out of their way to cultivate an environment of hard work and fun with a sense of community. Cannot recommend more highly.
I can't say enough good things about my experience at Burning Spirits. The atmosphere is so welcoming, even for a beginner like myself. Joining a fighting gym can be really intimidating, but I felt comfortable here from day one. The coaches and other members are super friendly, everyone pushes each other to do better and celebrates one another's successes. Also- the gym is super clean and has tons of equipment. There are bags/gear for boxing but also weights if you want to strength train between classes. I highly recommend Burning Spirits, I honestly can't imagine going to any other fighting gym.
Been a member at the gym for a few months. Derek is a great coach to work with and always keeps the classes exciting. I especially love the bag classes. Gym is always spotless and working with the other students is excellent. If you are in the Fishtown area this is a great place to train. Check them out!
Absolutely sick Muay Thai gym; coaches are awesome and lessons have made me rediscover my love of martial arts.
If you’re interested in learning traditional Thai based Muay Thai, this is your spot. Amazing coaches, stellar training partners with a weekly changing curriculum to keep you focused on learning techniques instead of feeling like you’re muscling through slap box matches.
Having zero experience in martial arts, I decided to go to the free trial class, and felt immediately welcomed. I've been a member for the last month or so, and it's been such a great experience, even as a beginner. Between the experienced coaches, wonderful community, and the satisfying workouts, I have nothing to say but great things about Burning Spirits.
Burning spirits is a great gym. I started on a 6 week trial and tried as many classes as I could, ive always learned and the coaches are great. I'm going to continue training here as long as I can.
Fantastic gym and amazing coaches! A lot of open space and plenty of heavy bags to utilize. The coaches are extremely knowledgeable of the martial art and of the culture, and they do a great job of passing that knowledge down to their students.There's a great curriculum in place that allows beginners to learn and practice a basic foundation each week (boxing, kicks, knees and elbows, defense, etc.). For more experienced students, advanced techniques are also taught in rotation. There are even dedicated classes for strength/conditioning, and heavy bags.Learning Muay Thai at Burning Spirits has been an incredible experience so far. Looking forward to the next class!
Burning Spirits is a very welcoming gym, clean and filled with people who are eager to learn and have fun together! I’m so happy I found it and suggest it to everyone who is interested in training in Muay Thai!
