My son loves it at East Side! He absolutely loves his coaches! All the kids have such respect for their coaches here bc they are great at what they do. The owner is great, you can see his passion for what he does and love for teaching. He runs a great gym. Everyone there makes you feel like family, it’s a great atmosphere. The amount of training you get here for such a low price is awesome! My son has never complained about going to his classes here, like he has done for soccer and other things he’s tried. He can’t get enough here at East Side! My 10yo is going to start and my 13yo. We love it here … check it out I promise you won’t regret it.

East Side May Thai is hands down one of the top gyms in Hampton Roads to train at. Kru Jose and his team run such a fun yet disciplined program. There is something for all ages!

After thoroughly researching a gym that focuses strictly on Muay Thai I found that East Side seemed to be the best. From day one I could tell I found my gym. Jose and the other staff are great instructors. The speed of training is not too fast, or slow and they give you the tools you need to take it to the next level. I highly recommend this gym for all levels whether its your first time, or you come from different fighting backgrounds. The price for the intro class was more than reasonable and well worth it. The entire staff is awesome. I look forward to becoming a member and hope to see you there in the near future.

I trained at East Side Muay Thai while I was stationed in Virginia Beach from October 2019 to July 2020. I have trained at several other Muay Thai gyms throughout the last ten years, but East Side is by far the best. Coach Jose is not only an excellent coach, but also a great friend to have. I had the pleasure of assisting the introduction classes during my time here, and the level of detail placed on the basics is marveling. Jose breaks down Muay Thai into a game of chess, focusing on timing, rhythm, movement, angles, and sometimes deception. His philosophy of fighting is focused not just on becoming strong, but smarter. This gym is a must-go for serious athletes who want to pursue Muay Thai on a dedicated level. However, there are many classes available for those who simply enjoy the fitness aspect of the sport. Either way, you will learn how to really defend yourself, unlike fitness classes at cardio kickboxing gyms.The price of instruction is very affordable.The atmosphere is very tight and family oriented.Members of the gym maintain good cleanliness after each class, sweeping, mopping, and wiping down pads/bags.East Side takes pride in being an authentic Thai gym and I genuinely recommend this gym to anyone who seeks self mastery through martial arts.

Wanting to try something new and challenge myself, I joined the East Side Muay Thai Adult Intro course with absolutely zero MMA experience or knowing anybody in the field. It turned out to be one of the best choices Ive ever made!! The staff is incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, professional, and helpful. The coaching is very well done. You can tell there is a plan/curriculum in place that runs at a smooth pace, not too fast/slow. The intro course definitely gave me the tools and confidence I needed to move forward! I have already signed up for the next level. Highly recommended!!!

Brittni spoke so highly of East Side Muay Thai that I had to check it out myself. I wish I could give them 10 stars! All around fantastic place to go! If your looking for a clean, supportive and encouraging environment to go to then “LOOK NO FURTHER”. This is where you want to be!

I’ve trained at other places but East Side is far and away my favorite. The culture and atmosphere at East Side really makes you feel like you’re part of a team, even when you’re first starting out. Awesome place to train highly recommend it!

I been training at East side Muay Thai for about 8 months. I used to think my striking was good. then I walked into the gym and it gave me a whole new perspective. East side is really a home of champions. The classes are structured very well and the coaches there have a wealth of knowledge. And I continue to get better daily working with the best. Iron sharpens iron and they have classes for all levels. I definitely recommend East side for the best striking gym in Hampton roads. You’ll notice the difference too

I started boxing with coach Jose a few months ago. It’s so much fun and I recommend it for anyone wanting to try a new sport. He’s a great Coach and I promise you’ll love it.

This place is amazing! Great people and great staff! I always love coming here! This place deserves more than 5⭐️! I have learned so much mentally and physically! Hands down the best place in Hampton Roads! 💪

If you’re looking for a place to learn real no nonsense Muay Thai look no further. Kru Jose has a great teaching style with the expertise to back it up. Classes are well organized and straight forward. The group of individuals training here are very welcoming and lack ego. I’ve been to a few gyms in the area and this one is my favorite by far! Pricing is fair and the paperwork is easy to understand. Contrary to some other posts I’ve read about military contracts, they will definitely allow you to break contract WITHOUT penalty fee as long as you provide orders showing that you’re leaving! This is a STANDARD practice for any martial art gym you’re signing a contract with. On top of that they offer military discounts! Long story short come and train you won’t be disappointed.

Great place. Started my training here in July and do not regret a second of my time here. I’ve learned a lot. Some of the workouts have me wanting to quit and go home but the warrior mentality instilled here keeps me going. My brother got me into it and I havent stop since.

To say that ESMT changed my life is an understatement. Before training here, my self confidence and self defense techniques were seriously lacking. Now, I walk through a room emanating confidence knowing that if something were to happen, I would be fully capable in handling it. Whenever I leave the studio, I walk out a new man (new knowledge, techniques, mindset), eagerly waiting with anticipation for the next available session.“ONE TEAM ONE FIGHT” isn’t just some cheesy motto either. My peers and classmates are like my family. Camaraderie is present every where I look. I would feel comfortable asking my extended family for help with a problem outside of Muay Thai. ESMT has an accredited fight team with numerous Muay Thai championship victories and belts.If you’re looking for a way to change your life for the better, look no further. Jose and his team will take care of you.

Had a great time completing the intro course, and I believe its an excellent value for a 6 week course. Jose was an excellent coach that made sure we were strong in the fundamentals of Muay Thai. I will continue to train at this gym after taking the intro course.

Brittani Baker referred me to this gym & i love it so far! great communication from the instructor & 1 on 1 training. I’ll definitely continue going!

This is by far the best Muay Thai gym I’ve trained at. I’ve been here since the middle/end of 2019 to now. I’m also one of the junior fighters here at the gym, but throughout my time here I’ve gained more knowledge than I ever thought I would. When I walked in here I was well over 200 pounds and for my first fight fought at 160. I come out of state from North Carolina to train here not only for the knowledge but for the level of attention that Coach Jose provides to all that walk in the gym.

I have children that attend classes here, Ive seen such a positive change in them! U def feel comfortable here.The instructor teaches well.My kids have learned a great deal.

While visiting from out of state, we stopped by this gym and were extremely pleased. Jose, instructor/owner, is very knowledgeable and not only was the class a great workout, but the drills were well explained, followed a progression, and I had never seen them before. Definitely check this place out if youre in the area!

I recently took an intro class at East Side Muay Thai. Overall it was a fun experience. The instructors are knowledgeable and are dedicated to making sure you learn the proper technique.

The staff are all very knowledgeable and kind. If youre thinking about giving Muay Thai a try the beginners 6 week course is worth every penny.

Very energized workout I leave feeling like I have accomplished a goal you will learn something new every time rather about yourself or Muaythai

Such a great gym for the Hampton Roads community! Jose Aguirre is an amazing instructor & great mentor to his students! If you have any passion for muay thai, this is the place to be!

My daughter and I both take classes here and it’s worth it! We gained strength and they go into detail to help correct your form for good technique! I’m on my second to last week of intro and feel more confident about me! Definitely taking All Levels next.

Very happy with the instruction that I have received here! Kru Jose is extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to the success of his students!

I paid for classes there a few months ago and had to cancel because Im in the military and I found out that I had to go on a surprise detachment last minute. When I told the front desk the woman there told me to wait for Jose, the owner, to come in. I waited around for a while and when he finally came in he told me to email them at their email address. I did this and waited for about a week to get a response to my email containing a receipt. Eventually, I came in and told them I was fed up with it and I wanted my money back. Jose had me on the phone with his co owner, the woman who does their financials, and she told me I had to supply them with a LETTER proving I was going on a detachment. There is no such thing, but she wouldnt give me my money until I provided her with one. Eventually, I gave up on the $130 I gave them.If you are in the military, do not take classes here.

Jose is one of the best coaches out there. Tough love . I would highly recommend going here if your new to Muay Thai or have been doing it for awhile . I learned so much from the intro class . Came in at 185lbs and in less then 9 months was 135 lbs and was fighting in my first tournament . Great people and friendly atmosphere .

Eastside Muay Thai has been an amazing experience for my family as a whole! My daughter, wife, and I all take classes here and it’s worth every minute of our time! Coach Jose is a hands on instructor who has a personal investment in each students progress. Each day he pushes you to be better than the last time you stepped in the gym. His attention to detail is impeccable and his teaching style is like no other! He focuses on technical aspects of Muay Thai and prides himself in teaching authentically.As for the Muay Tinys class, my daughter wakes up talking about practice! She loves her Instructors(Brad, Summer, Bunny, and Landon) and has gravitated to their teaching style which is welcoming and conducive for 5 year olds! A plus to this is she is learning from champions who are actively competing and winning at a high level! This atmosphere is family oriented and very encouraging to build self confidence, discpline, and a solid foundation of Muay Thai for your young ones!!! Its the best decision I have made for my family and I am glad to say Eastide Muay Thai is our second Home!!!

I have been hesitant to try a combat sport as Im on the cusp of 34, but with the intro class and intermediate class I have been able to see myself grow and enjoy the sport of muay thai

If you only read one sentence of this review, know that you absolutely should try this studio and you will NOT regret it... one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.I had been looking to try something new, because a lot of my normal pastimes have been closed during the pandemic. I’ve wanted to try martial arts since I was a kid, but music and dance rehearsals were always in the way. I started doing research into which kind I would be most interested in... I landed on Muay Thai and immediately started researching studios.East Side Muay Thai is one of the top rated studios in Virginia and on the East Coast, and it has WELL earned that spot.I came in for the Intro Course and quickly fell in love with the sport. Coach Jose is tough, no question about it. But he is quick to identify progress and he is committed to seeing you perfect your fundamental techniques so you can build on your speed and power from there. He wants to see every single student improve. He gives excellent instruction and correction and I felt like I knew exactly what I was doing well and what I needed to work on at the end of every class.Assistant Coach Zed also comes to almost every class to assist Jose. While his correction is much more subtle, he has a sharp eye for how to improve your technique and communicates it clearly. I peppered him almost daily with additional questions that he was always happy to answer.Christina is the receptionist, and is probably the nicest human on the planet. When I decided both on a martial art and on the studio, I decided to randomly stop in and see if I could ask some questions in person. She was so patient, explaining everything to me in detail what I could expect and how everything worked. I continued asking questions about Level 2 and what that entailed until my final day of Intro, when I committed to moving on to the next level. She is a WONDERFUL, kind and supportive person and an absolute asset to the team at ESMT.In short, ESMT blew me away from start to “finish” with its excellent staff, professionalism and in-class practices to see every student succeed and build confidence. I love this place and I consistently find myself at work wishing it was Tuesday or Thursday so I could go to class.By far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made to start this journey, and I would recommend it to anyone from 8 to 88. Whether you’re looking to learn some basic self-defense, or get in some extra cardio and muscle building, or if you’re really looking to be pushed and pick up a new sport, this place has it. I wouldn’t ever consider going anywhere else.I’m moving on to Level 2, where I’m sure I’ll get my butt kicked, and I absolutely cannot wait!

Great instructors pay attention to details of your training fun environment great people

I love this gym and its for a great price! Im in the military and tried every gym in the Hampton roads area and nothing compares to East side muay thai. The classes are well structured and the coach, Jose really elevated my overall game. I even got the family to join. My wife and kids loved the intro course!

Best Muay Thai training, Couldnt ask for a better experience for myself and my 9 yr old!!

ESMT is awesome. I complicated the into course the last week of October and jumped straight into a full membership. The into class got me back into shape after many months of not working out and also prepared me well for the full membership classes. The all levels classes are intense but rewarding. If you’re looking to get in shape, learn to defend yourself or actually compete in Muay Thai ESMT is the place to be.

Great, friendly environment. If you’re looking to train/learn Muay Thai, this is the place. For both kids & adults with affordable prices & great instruction!

Great place for sure. Def will be coming back.

Best coach in VB! The only place you’re gonna want to train at period!!!!💪

Greatest Muay thai gym in the Hampton roads area! Not only do you get the technical aspect (which is good for kickboxing, traditional muay thai, and mma) you get a conditioning aspect. They also have intro level courses if youre just starting out and they have seasoned fighters. Great family fun gym, come on in!

4 month ESMT goer,One of the best Muay Thai gyms in VA. Coach Jose preaches and practices pure Muay Thai for those of you interested in getting a full Thai-like experience. The ESMT team moves in a pact like a family and we would love to bring on new members.

I started training at East side muay thai a couple months ago and I immediately feel in love. Great family friendly environment with some great quality training. Coach pushes you but not too hard that you wont want to come back in. The muay thai is also very good for traditional muay thai,kickboxing, or even mma! And if.you want to get into shape its also a great fit with the bag classes or intro courses. Come on in

Absolutely the best in the VB area. If youre looking to train hard, and learn muay thai, or even just get in shape- this is the the gym to be.

I have been at East Side Muay Thai for about 7 weeks now. I had never taken any martial arts in the past but luckily East Side Muay Thai has an intro class for beginners. The class is awesome as it teaches you the fundamentals of Muay Thai. Signing up with East Side Muay Thai is one of the best decisions I have ever made. The head instructor Kru Jose and his staff are excellent teachers. Also, everyone I have worked with at the gym are very helpful. The schedule is very flexible as they have both morning and evening classes. Whether your goal is to learn Muay Thai to compete, lose weight (like myself), tone up, or learn self defense, East Side Muay Thai can take care of all your needs. If you are thinking about taking Muay Thai and you are in the Hampton Roads area, please consider East Side Muay Thai as I would love to train with you.

I finished the intro course excited to continue my journey in muay thai. I have never been physically challenged as I have by coach Jose. I came for the intro and drawn in by the challenges and community of East Side.

I joined Eastside after I realized that i needed a structured workout environment to meet my goals. Coach Jose is great at evaluating where you are and helping develop a pace that works for you. The 6 week intro course was fun, challenging, and truly motivated me to get in shape so I can become a better version of myself. I recommend this gym to anyone that wants to get into marital arts, regardless of your physical conditioning and experience. I look forward to training every day and if you sign up you will too

Wow! This gym is awesome! Great leadership and great community. ESMT offers classes for every level, age, and shape. I started with the intro to Muay Thai class because I had never done anything like this before. By the end of 6 weeks I’m thirsty for more and we’ll equipped for it! Jose has been a perfect instructor. He is great at explaining everything and pushes you to be better every time. Highly recommend.

Took a trip to VA for 3 weeks and Jose’s classes were the highlight. Every partner there was encouraging. He offers a 10-class card if monthly doesn’t fit your schedule. Jose trains elite fighters who demo (watching them is worth a trip alone) and gives concise feedback during drills. His private lesson improved technique immediately, and will be instructive for long term goals. Felt very welcome as a newcomer to the sport.

This is a great gym for people of all ages and all levels who are interested in learning more about the sport of Muay Thai kickboxing. Each of the coaches has an engaging and encouraging style of teaching. There are classes for kids as young as three and adults of any age. The classes focus not only on technique, but on building confidence and skill. The peewee class is particularly impressive, and many national champions have come from that program. Overall a great gym to be a part of!

One of the great schools for learning Muy Thai in the area.-Grand Master Hoy Lee

East side Muay Thai changed my life. The atmosphere, the people, the training, all of it is absolutely amazing. The people really do become your family. The trainer ( Jose Aguirre ) cares about every single person in the gym. He puts all his heart and time into the kids and adults that train there. East side is a great place to train for exercise, and has an amazing fight team that is always ready for competition. I absolutely 100% recommended for your kids and for adults to train here!!

The absolute BEST! Jose and his entire crew are beyond skilled. Jose is an amazing coach. Ive watched him train children barely big enough to hold gloves, and seniors trying to get in shape. He knows how to work with all of them. He is great with our teenage daughter and even our special needs son. The entire staff is disciplined, motivating and inspiring. Bringing my kids into ESMT was one of the best decisions Ive made, and their mother and I may even start attending soon as well. The gym is clean, the atmosphere is inviting and they offer plenty of classes for all ages. I recommend it to ANYONE looking to get into Martial Arts.

I am more than impressed and pleased with the gym, instructors, classes provided and the one on one training options to fit our hectic schedules. Jose as well as each and every coach and instructor put their all into every class, from the smallest little ones training to the more veteran fighters classes. I honestly couldnt imagine a better gym.We have our children in classes, but the drive to be and do better as well as the sincerity with which they teach is contagious so I am looking into joining as well. I 100% recommend East Side Muay Thai!

I’ve been going here for over a year now and I LOVE IT! The owner is very authentic with his instruction and the atmosphere is awesome! It’s a very enjoyable way to get in shape and learn some self defense too!! 10/10Come here first if you’re looking for a martial arts gym!

Awesome instructors (thanks Kim and Jose!), great atmosphere, and good energy from the members!If youve never done any sort of combat sports, this is the place you want to start at. Learn the basics properly and safely!If youve got a few years under your belt, youll also want to be here to work out those little details that you might be missing. Cannot recommend this place enough!

East side Muay Thai is a great place to train, work out etc. Jose.the owner is very motivational and nevwr allows me to.give up even when my body is saying quit.. I have been training with him for over 7 mos now and It has been life changing. Training is not just physical, but it is mental well. He works great with children and is always professional. #eastsidemuaythai4life

East Side Muay Thai is the home of champions. The head trainer, Jose Agurrie is the best Muay Thai coach in the area. My son has been training there since it opened 4 years ago and is now a 6x champion and is getting ready to compete in Thailand, with Jose by his side! You wont find a more dedicated coach.

East Side Muay Thai can change your life. You dont know what you can accomplish until you try and Kru Jose Aguirre will help push you beyond your self imposed limits. He is Kru to many champions and is recognized as one of the top instructors around. He not only provides you with the how to on technique he explains why and when you would use that technique. Plus, its an awesome workout as well. One class and youll be hooked, go do it! Youll be thankful that you did.

I travel to Virginia Beach fairly often and Im flippin happy Ive found East Side. I stopped in the other night to check them out and Jose was great! He was very technical and spent time with everyone, fixing what needed fixing. The other students were great and very welcoming. I look forward to dropping in again!

East Side Muay Thai is a fantastic gym and with an amazing kids tradition Muay Thai curriculum. The training encompasses physical fitness training with great martial arts instruction.

I trained with Kru Jose and Kru Zed for 3 weeks in February 2019 and was more than impressed with their expertise, friendliness and genuine desire to help you improve. I came to class with a desire to improve my clinch game and Kru Jose and Kru Zed gave me much more than solutions to my clinch strategy. I have trained with excellent Muay Thai coaches in the past but Kru Jose’s and Kru Zed’s attention to detail is at the highest level. They dissect these techniques in great detail and show you how each body part plays a role in the complete technique. They give you multiple options, offering counter-for-counter responses to an opponent’s reaction. Drills are conducted safely, but realistically. In the few weeks that I trained with them, I advanced my ability to apply the techniques but also understand them better. I now view Muay Thai from a different perspective and this experience was perfect in helping me take my skills and knowledge to the next level. But don’t take my word for it. I have always judged teachers by how skilled their students are. Do yourself a favor and watch their kid athletes at practice. They will shock you with their skill because they are awesome! This place is legit and whenever I am in the area, I will make ESMT a part of my travels. Thanks and congratulations to Kru Jose and his students for their tremendous accomplishments. I can’t wait to return to train with ESMT at my next vacation. You guys are the best. Aloha and Mahalo from Hawaii.

Great instructors and amazing family atmosphere. Whether its to learn proper traditional muay thai, get in better shape, and/or increase your self confidence East Side Muay Thai can help. They teach all levels and have adult, kids, and pee wee classes as well as muay thai fitness classes. Very fun, very engaging and a good work out.They offer a free class so stop by, give it a try and join the family.

Joining the East Side Muay Thai family was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am a 40+ yo woman who was looking for a way to get in shape and learn some self defense skills while my husband was deployed. I ended up at ESMT by chance because they have their class schedule listed on their website and I wanted to take weekday morning classes. I was very intimidated to attend my first class, but everyone was extremely nice, helpful, and friendly. I joined after my first class (great rates for military) and started attending morning adult classes and also starting taking private one-on-one lessons (again, great rates for private sessions). What I have learned over the last 9 months is that my whim to join a Muay Thai gym based on a class schedule landed me in one of the best Muay Thai gyms in the country.Jose runs a world class program, which is obvious by the wall of championship belts his team has won, the level of respect his fighters have for him, and the respect with which he treats his team. He is a great instructor who can help you (or your child) become an elite Muay Thai fighter, or just help a middle aged woman become a little bit of a bad-a**.Jose clearly loves the sport and art of Muay Thai and is able convey that respect and pride to his students. He is able to break down the basics of the sport in a way that makes sense to a beginner, and guide you through the process of improving your skills and your confidence. He is kind and helpful, but also pushes you to perform your best at every class or private session. This is a no excuses zone where you will learn to be the best version of yourself possible, a version of yourself you didnt even know existed.It is hard to express in a review how much joining ESMT and being trained by Jose has impacted my life. I have learned that I can do things I never thought possible and push myself physically in ways that I never thought possible and that is thanks to ESMT and Jose.

Awesome gym for Muay Thai kickboxing. Our entire family feels like family here.

The best Muay Thai gym in the area hands down!