The Art of Eight Limbs
Muay Thai is Thailand's ancient national sport and one of the world's most complete and effective striking arts. While boxing uses two weapons (fists) and kickboxing uses four (fists + feet), Muay Thai uses eight — fists, elbows, knees, and kicks — earning it the name "The Art of Eight Limbs."
Its combination of power, range, and technique makes it one of the most effective striking systems for self-defense, competition, and fitness training in the world.
Training at Excel Combat Academy
Our Muay Thai program is led by David Perez Padua, a former professional Muay Thai fighter with 40+ years of combined martial arts experience. Excel Combat Academy is affiliated with both the Federation of Muay Thai Puerto Rico and WBC Muay Thai — ensuring our training standards meet international competition levels.
Assistant coaches Juan Acevedo and Brunny Cruz support classes with expert pad holding and individual attention for students of all levels.
What a Typical Class Looks Like
- Warm-up — skipping rope, shadow boxing, and dynamic stretching
- Technical drilling — jabs, crosses, kicks, knees, elbows — drilled in combinations
- Pad work — partner training with focus mitts and Thai pads, guided by a coach
- Bag work — heavy bag rounds for power and conditioning
- Conditioning circuit — bodyweight exercises to build fight-ready fitness
- Cool-down — stretching and reflection
Classes run 60–75 minutes. Beginners work alongside experienced students in a supportive environment.
The Weapons of Muay Thai
Punches (Chok)
Standard boxing punches — jab, cross, hook, uppercut — with Muay Thai guard and footwork.
Kicks (Te)
Long-range weapons targeting the legs, body, and head. The Thai kick — thrown with the shin, not the foot — is one of the most powerful strikes in all of martial arts.
Elbows (Sok)
Short-range, devastating tools in the clinch and at close distance. Elbows are what make Muay Thai truly unique among striking arts.
Knees (Khao)
Used in the clinch and from the outside, Thai knees to the body and head are among the most fight-ending weapons in combat sports.
Clinch (Plum)
The Thai clinch allows fighters to control their opponent at close range while landing knees and elbows. It's an essential self-defense skill and a unique part of Muay Thai that distinguishes it from other striking arts.
Who Muay Thai Is For
- Beginners wanting to learn a complete striking system from scratch
- Fitness seekers who find the gym boring and want a real workout
- Self-defense minded people who want effective striking skills
- Fighters looking to add Muay Thai to their MMA or competitive game
- Anyone who wants to move better, hit harder, and feel more confident
Competition & Fight Team
Excel Combat Academy has an active competition team competing in local, regional, and international Muay Thai events. If you have competitive goals, Coach David will work with you on fight preparation, strategy, and conditioning. Competition is never required — but the option is always there.
Start with Two Weeks Free
Curious about Muay Thai? Try it free for two weeks. No gear required for the trial — just show up ready to sweat. We'll take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Do I need to be in shape to start Muay Thai?
No — fitness comes from training, not before it. Our classes are structured so that beginners build conditioning progressively alongside their technique. You'll be surprised how quickly your cardio improves when you're actually enjoying the workout.
02 What is Muay Thai clinch work?
The clinch is close-range fighting where practitioners control each other with their arms while delivering knees and short elbows. It's one of the defining features of Muay Thai and an essential self-defense skill. Our coaches teach clinch technique progressively in a safe, controlled environment.
03 What equipment do I need?
For your free trial, just wear comfortable athletic clothing and bring water. We provide gloves and pads for beginners. Once you decide to continue, you'll want your own boxing gloves (8–16 oz depending on size), hand wraps, and optionally a mouth guard and shin guards for sparring.
04 Is Muay Thai good for weight loss?
Extremely. A one-hour Muay Thai class can burn 500–800+ calories depending on intensity. Combined with the full-body conditioning drills and pad work, it's one of the most effective workouts for body composition — and far more fun than a treadmill.
05 Do you train fighters for competition?
Yes! We have an active competition team for students who want to test their skills. Coach David provides full fight preparation including sparring, strategy, and mental coaching. That said, competing is completely optional — most students train purely for fitness and self-defense.
- Fundamental striking technique classes
- Pad work with experienced instructors
- Clinch and knee technique training
- Bag work and conditioning rounds
- Sparring sessions (when ready)
- Competition team and fight preparation
- WBC Muay Thai & Federation of Muay Thai PR affiliated
- 2-week free trial included
- Build real striking power and precision
- Torch calories — Muay Thai burns more than most workouts
- Develop elite cardio and functional fitness
- Learn dangerous and effective self-defense skills
- Sharpen your focus and relieve stress through intense training
- Train with instructors affiliated with top Muay Thai organizations
Ready to start?
Try Muay Thai free for 2 weeks. No commitment required.
Start Free 2-Week TrialStart Your Free 2-Week Trial
Interested in Muay Thai? Fill out the form and we'll reach out within 24 hours to schedule your first class.