Koh Samui Muay Thai Gyms - 5 of the BEST you should be visiting in 2024
As part of what I do with the Warrior Collective I get to visit an extraordinary amount of the best Koh Samui Muay Thai gyms on a regular basis. This allows me a great insight into which places would make ideal places to visit for one-off training sessions, training holidays or fight camps, and gyms to live at whilst training or fighting long term in Thailand.
- Lionheart Muay Thai
- Lamai Muay Thai Camp
- Superpro Samui
- Yodyut Muay Thai
- Punch It Muay Thai Gym
Koh Samui Muay Thai Gyms
What then makes an awesome gym to join/visit for someone wanting to train Muay Thai in Koh Samui?
I had to have a think about this. Obviously I am a huge fan of all the Muay Thai gyms that I visit. I could well just have ended up listing each one I have ever been to!!!
I have made this list by focusing on the following;
- Quality of facility
- Experience of instruction
- Amount of training available to a member or visiting athlete
- Level of partners available
- History of success within Muay Thai competition
- And of course, my own personal experience
After much deliberation, here are 5 that I recommend. Ideal for those wanting a phenomenal Koh Samui based Muay Thai gym to visit in 2024;
Lionheart Muay Thai
Out of all the gyms on this list, Lionheart Muay Thai is the one I have spent the longest amount of time at. That alone should tell you how much I love this particular camp! Founder and head coach Tony Olin is an Irish Muay Thai fighter whom I met for the first time many years ago when I was doing a filming tour of gyms in Dublin. Not long after that, he and his family made the bold move to swap Ireland for Thailand, and have never looked back since.
The gym itself is located on the very north of Samui in the Mae Nam region. The facility is split into a mixture of accommodation (beachside villas and garden villas), beachside restaurant and main gym areas. The main gym is set a few hundred metres back from the beach and is easily accessible from the main road or from its accompanying range of accommodation. As with most gyms in Thailand, the main area is open plan with no walls to most sides of the training spaces. The training facility is made up of a large S&C/fitness area to the rear, two full size boxing rings in the centre and an equally large matted space to the front (with accompanying bags and crossfit rigs lining the outside). These then lead onto a great onsite cafe and separate seated area.
The training on offer is currently a mix between Muay Thai and Fitness (another arm of Lionheart is their Fitness retreat brand FitKoh), with both being catered for brilliantly. Alongside Tony, the team of coaches leading the Muay Thai include a phenomenal selection of individuals that include the likes of Kru Nong-B, Kru Chat and Kru First. Having trained personally with a number of these guys (Nong-B and First mainly), I can vouch firsthand for how great they all are! On my most recent trip to Lionheart, I was accompanied by Damien Trainor, our families and some mutual friends. All of whom loved training at Lionheart. My 14 year old daughter especially loved training with Kru Cheng!!
Like most people who go to Koh Samui, the beaches, vibe and local spots are all part of the pull to visit alongside the training. As we all stayed in the Lionheart villas during our stay, we were able to spend a lot of time both in their onsite pool and on the beach located there. I cannot recommend either enough. Only a short taxi ride away are a number of night markets and stadiums to visit so plenty to keep you occupied when not in the gym as well (my personal favourites were the Fisherman's Village night market and Phetch Buncha Stadium).
I already have plans to go back early next year with my daughter and some friends to stay and train once again! It would be difficult for me to recommend them more than that!! I absolutely love Tony, Lionheart Muay Thai and all of the coaches there, and I am sure you will do too!
Don't take my word for it though! Check out some of what makes Lionheart Muay Thai so special and why I have included it in this list of 5 of the best Koh Samui Muay Thai gyms you should be visiting in 2024 by visiting their website and following them on their social media below.
- Website - https://www.lionheartsamui.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lionheartsamui/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LHkohsamui
- YouTube - Lionheart Muay Thai
If you want to learn more about what's on offer at Lionheart Muay Thai, check out some footage of the gym in action below
Lamai Muay Thai Camp
The officially sanctioned WMC (World Muay Thai Council of Thailand) Lamai Muay Thai Camp is the longest established Muay Thai gym on Koh Samui (having recently celebrated their 25th year anniversary)! Although originally founded by a group of westerners, it is British legend of the game Ralph Beale who has spearheaded its evolution over recent years to it becoming one of the most visited and popular gyms in Thailand.
Situated close to Lamai beach, this facility is open 6 days a week from 7am to 7pm. The Training sessions for beginners and/or fighters are run twice daily. The first from 7am to 9am, and the second from 5pm to 7pm. Sandwiched in between are slots for private lessons, open training, runs and whatever else you want to do whilst training. The gym itself is large and open plan with two full size rings central to a large surrounding matted space. Bags align the walls on two sides and there is a small selection of fitness/S&C equipment to the rear. The onsite shop has a good selection of apparel and equipment for you to purchase.
Having personally spent time here with my daughter and some friends, I can personally attest to the great coaches you will find on the mats at Lamai. Alongside Ralph, you will find exceptional individuals such as Coach Jack and Coach Oh in every training session.
The surrounding area is very popular with tourists and you will find plenty to do outside of training. The beach is one of the best on Koh Samui. If you want to catch fights then you are literally a stone's throw away from one of Samui's main stadiums. Lamai Boxing Stadium is within walking distance from the gym and its card often has fighters on it from Lamai Muay Thai Camp.
World class fighters and coaches such as Jonathan Haggerty and Christian Knowles frequent Lamai whenever they head to Thailand. I can't say that I blame them as I can't wait to go back in 2024. Book yourself a visit and I am sure you will love it too!
Don't take my word for it though! Check out some of what makes Lamai Muay Thai Camp so special and why I have included it in this list of 5 of the best Koh Samui Muay Thai gyms you should be visiting in 2024 by visiting their website and following them on their social media below.
- Website - https://www.lamaimuaythai.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lamaimuaythai/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lamaimuaythai
- YouTube - Lamai Muay Thai Camp WMC
If you want to learn more about what's on offer at Lamai Muay Thai Camp, check out some footage of the gym in action below
Superpro Samui
There is no getting away from it. Superpro Samui is a monster gym. Unlike the others on this list Superpro does not singularly focus on Muay Thai as its only combat sport. It also offers BJJ, MMA and much more on its extensive training timetable. I had been planning to visit when I was last in Samui but logistics did not work out. The coaches I was going to be spending time with had an overseas fight come up last minute and it was impossible to rearrange my visit over to them. This Dutch owned facility has been hugely popular with foreign visitors for many years now and is often used by international promotions such as Enfusion for large scale fighter training.
Located not far from the Southern end of Chaweng beach, this gym truly has something for everyone. 400sqm of mat space is complimented by a full size ring, full size MMA cage, full size swimming pool, yoga studio and a dedicated space for both ice baths and breathwork. The timetable is huge! Classes run from 8am to 8pm during the week and include sessions in Muay Thai, BJJ, MMA, Crossfit, Yoga, Breathwork and Swimming.
Multiple times Muay Thai World Champion Julie Kitchen has been frequenting Superpro for many years. The mantle has recently been taken up by her daughter and ONE Championship signed super talent Amber Kitchen, who now regularly visits to take advantage of the training on offer. As you might expect from such a monster facility, Superpro has a large and exceptionally talented team of coaches based there. Muay Thai coaches such as Kru Beau and BJJ Black Belt Hyago Medeiros are two of the many such individuals you will find on the mats there.
Chaweng itself is one of the most popular areas to visit on Samui. The beach is amazing and you are not far from either Phetchbuncu or Samui Stadiums if you wanted to catch a fight outside of training.
Superpro Samui is on my must go-to list when I get back to Koh Samui in 2024. I thoroughly recommend you join me in visiting this amazing gym!!
Don't take my word for it though! Check out some of what makes Superpro Samui so special and why I have included it in this list of 5 of the best Koh Samui Muay Thai gyms you should be visiting in 2024 by visiting their website and following them on their social media below.
- Website - https://www.superprosamui.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/superpro_samui/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/superprosamui
- YouTube - Superpro Samui
If you want to learn more about what's on offer at Superpro Samui, check out some footage of the gym below
Yodyut Muay Thai
Yodyut Muay Thai is a Koh Samui camp that is something of a hidden gem. Those in the know, know how much of a truly amazing place is it to both visit and train. Those that don't, often aren't even aware of its existence on the North East tip of Samui. Located not far from Rock beach and within a short drive from the airport, Yodyut Muay Thai plays host to numerous high level fighters from across the world. British über coaches Richard Smith and Lisa Houghton-Smith of the legendary Bad Company gym in Leeds are two such individuals that travel to this phenomenal Muay Thai gym on a regular basis.
The facility itself is large and open plan. A large matted training space is complimented by multiple full size rings and an adornment of hanging bags along the walls. Expect to also find a great outside area being used for sprints and tyre pulls, as well as a substantial amount of S&C equipment located throughout.
The gym's location means that it is slightly away from the main tourist areas of Samui, without being so far that a short drive does not bring you into Chaweng, where you can easily take advantage of night markets, Muay Thai fights or whatever else you want to do outside of training. Yodyut is also close to the Big Buddha Temple and numerous beautiful beaches that can be found in the area.
Training is scheduled for 6 days a week, with the Muay Thai sessions timetabled for both morning (8am-10am) and evening (5pm-7pm). Also included each day are numerous classes for fitness/S&C and BJJ. The coaching team at Yodyut is what keeps people returning year in, year out. 11 exceptional Muay Thai instructors form the core of what is an outstanding group of individuals. A number of which I cannot personally wait to train with when I next visit Koh Samui.
Don't miss out on all the brilliance on offer at Yodyut, join me in visiting them in 2024!!
Don't take my word for it though! Check out some of what makes Yodyut Muay Thai so special and why I have included it in this list of 5 of the best Koh Samui Muay Thai gyms you should be visiting in 2024 by visiting their website and following them on their social media below.
- Website - https://www.yodyutmuaythai.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yodyutmuaythai/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yodyutmuaythaigym
- YouTube - Yodyut Muay Thai
If you want to learn more about what's on offer at Yodyut Muay Thai, check out some footage of the gym in action below
Punch It Muay Thai Gym
Punch it Muay Thai is the second gym on this list located not far from the tourist hot spot that is Lamai beach. Unlike others though, Punch It started life as a brand and Swiss based facility before it came to open up its doors on Koh Samui. The gym is ultra modern and beautifully laid out. Expect to find a large matted space complimented by a Boxing ring and selection of hanging bags in the inside section of the gym. Connected just off this is a smaller ring, training area and bag wall specifically for children and juniors.
As you might expect from a brand that originated in Switzerland, this gym plays host to a wide range of foreign visitors throughout the year and garners an incredible amount of positive reviews for its trouble from across the length and breadth of social media.
The coaching team matches the facility in both its quality and depth. Expect to find the likes of Kru Eak, Kru Bao and Kru Boy on the mats alongside the many other brilliant instructors resident at Punch It 6 days a week. The timetable itself offers training Sunday to Friday in Muay Thai for adults and children. Advanced sessions are on at 7am and 4pm each day, whilst beginners train separately at 8.30am and 6pm.
Alongside the many Muay Thai sessions on offer, you will also find Breathwork & Ice Baths on the schedule and enjoy the onsite Fitness/S&C area open to all daily.
Being near Lamai beach allows all those who train to have the option of enjoying one of the most beautiful and popular locations on the island. Trips to the local Lamai Boxing Stadium could not be any easier and there is a multitude of different activities to take advantage of locally as well.
I look forward to heading to Punch It the next time I am in Koh Samui. Make sure you bookmark this fantastic gym as a must visit destination whenever you are on the island!
Don't take my word for it though! Check out some of what makes Punch It Muay Thai Gym so special and why I have included it in this list of 5 of the best Koh Samui Muay Thai gyms you should be visiting in 2024 by visiting their website and following them on their social media below.
- Website - https://www.punchitgym.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/punch_it_gym_thailand/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/punchitgym
- YouTube - Punch It Muay Thai
If you want to learn more about what's on offer at Punch It Muay Thai, check out some footage of the gym in action below
5 of the BEST Koh Samui Muay Thai Gyms
It was actually pretty hard not to make this list containing my thoughts on 5 of the BEST Koh Samui Muay Thai Gyms to visit bigger as there were a few others that could have easily been on it! What do you think of these gyms? Are there any others that you think I should have included???
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