Muay Thai is one of the most popular sports on the globe. The reasons for that are clear. First, it’ll teach you how to fight, which is a scarce skill in today’s world. Another reason that can explain its popularity has to do with the endless benefits it provides to its trainees.
However, a big hurdle on your way to starting your Muay Thai journey can be the pricing of the classes themselves. A common thought many people have is that the membership fees or the monthly payment for the classes are the only payment you’d have to make.
Then, they commence their training and they’re surprised at the number of additional unexpected expenses. This is why I’ve decided to write this article, so you’ll know precisely how much you’ll need to pay to start your Muay Thai training. I’ll include all possible expenses, so if you already have any, you can check them off and deduct them from the total price.
This is also what my aim with this article; it’s to give you a PRECISE price for how much your Muay Thai journey is going to cost you. Once you see the price, you’ll be able to decide whether you want to start or pursue a different activity.
I’ve had this issue in my own Muay Thai training. Muay Thai costs more than just the membership fee or class rate, and you’ll be surprised to see some of the expenses out there.
So now, let’s dive into the first and most obvious expense.
Expense #1 – Membership Fees or Class Rates
The first expense you’ll face is the membership fee or class rates. This is the most obvious one, as you’ll get the price from the Muay Thai gym you’ll go to.
I personally go to a martial arts gym that teaches MMA, Muay Thai, and BJJ. You can see their price on their website. You’ll often be able to find this price by either calling the gym you want to attend or by visiting their website. Today, most businesses have websites, making it easy to see which ones are costly and which are more affordable.
The price of different Muay Thai gyms will vary depending on many factors, such as location, instructor expertise, and class duration. I’m about to attend a boot camp in Thailand, which costs much less than the prices in my current country. So it varies widely.
However, I want you to know how much it’ll cost approximately. Remember, my goal with this article is for you to have a specific price. That’s why I’ve gathered tons of data from many gyms worldwide and summarized it in the table below. Here’s the average price for a weekly Muay Thai class in distinct countries:
| Country | Average Monthly Price for Weekly Muay Thai Classes ($) |
|---|---|
| US | 125 |
| UK | 99 |
| Thailand | 265 |
| Sweden | 107.5 |
| Netherlands | 90 |
| Canada | 110 |
| Australia | 80 |
Before we move on, I want to explain why the prices are so high in Thailand. Typically, this price includes accommodation, which makes the price much more expensive. People who train Muay Thai in Thailand typically want to stay in their fighting gym and not live somewhere else, which is why their pricing is higher.
Expense #2 – Equipment and Gear Expenses
Now that you are familiar with the first expense, which is also the largest one, we can move on to the second expense you’ll face. When you show up to training, you can’t show up bare-handed. You need to have the essential protective gear on you.
This gear includes:
- Muay Thai Gloves
- Hand Wraps
- Mouthguard
- Shin Guards
There’s more equipment out there, but these are the most essential ones. Without them, you won’t be able to train in Muay Thai. That said, you’ll be able to train without the other ones, such as headgear and ankle support.
Let’s examine how much we’ll spend on the essential equipment:
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Muay Thai Gloves | 86 |
| Hand Wraps | 10 |
| Mouthguard | 17.5 |
| Shin Guards | 93 |
| Total | 206.5 |
The average price also includes premium products, which are much more expensive. The reason I included them in my calculations, however, is due to the fact that I recommend you buy the premium items, as they provide the best protection, comfort, and the highest quality materials.
The total cost for this expense would be, on average, $206.5.
It can be easy to buy low-quality Muay Thai gear and pay for that mistake along the road. If you want to buy only the most reliable products out there, here are the articles you want to read:
The 5 Best Muay Thai Pads to Maximize Progression
Choosing the Best Muay Thai Hand Wraps – Showdown!
The 5 Best Muay Thai Shin Guards for Your Money
The 7 Best Muay Thai Gloves for Beginners – Knockout Guide
Best Muay Thai Gym Bags for Hygiene and Transportation
Expense #3 – Additional Costs
I think it’s worth mentioning that there are four major expenses when you’re starting your Muay Thai journey. Thus far, we’ve reviewed two (which are the most expensive!) And now, let’s move to additional costs.
That said, if anyone is a Muay Thai fanatic like myself, he might end up spending the most money on this expense, which is amusing. Additional costs are everything you’ll purchase that isn’t mandatory to train, but it’s stuff that makes training either more comfortable or more enjoyable.
Here are some additional expenses you MIGHT want to invest in:
| Additional Expenses | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Private Classes | $25/h |
| Courses | $20/m |
| Muay Thai Shorts | 41 |
| Gym Bag | 50 |
| Supplements | 70 for Creatine 20 for Electrolytes 70 for Protein Powder 13 for Multivitamin |
| Merchandise | N/A |
Now, go ahead and add the cost of everything you’d like to get here. If you want to buy creatine, then make sure to add 70 to your calculator.
Here are articles you’ll be interested in if you’re interested in any of these additional costs:
Best Muay Thai Gym Bags for Hygiene and Transportation
How to Choose a Muay Thai Gym Bag – Comprehensive Guide
Best Muay Thai Supplements: For Performance and Recovery
How to Choose Muay Thai Shorts – Comprehensive Guide
The 7 Best Muay Thai Shorts for Your Money
The 5 Best Muay Thai Shorts for Big Guys
Expense #4 – Hidden Costs and Unforeseen Expenses
The last expense we’ll review is hidden costs and unforeseen expenses. These are the ones you never expect to pay. Furthermore, they usually don’t involve paying as much money and are, for obvious reasons, not a fixed price.
This section is dedicated to some logistics you want to know exist. Once you’re already training in a Muay Thai gym and are already with all the essential equipment, you’ll need to remember these exist since they might surprise you.
| Hidden Costs | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Registration Fees | N/A |
| Competition Entry Fee | N/A |
| Accommodation | N/A |
| Medical Fees | N/A |
If any of these are a current concern of yours, make sure to add them to your calculators!
Bonus Section – Some Things to Consider
The last part of this article will include some things you want to consider when you’re considering the equipment you’ll buy, the gym you’ll attend, and even your accommodation. Let’s get straight into the first thing you want to consider, which can save you a lot of money in the long term.
Membership Discounts and Deals
Every business has discounts. Whether they’re available to the public is another question. However, there are always membership discounts and other forms of deals that you can utilize to save money.
Make sure to research the local gym you’re about to sign up to and check for any discounts or promotional deals they might offer. My current martial arts gym has done many bring-a-friend and get-one-month free deals, which I could have utilized if I had any friends :(.
On a more serious note, check for any membership discounts and deals in your local Muay Thai gym.
Evaluating the Value: Quality vs. Cost
The cheapest option is rarely the highest quality one. The same applies to essential equipment. For instance, the difference between premium and low-quality shin guards can sometimes get to 1000%. This number is intimidating for people unwilling to spend a lot of money on equipment.
I want you to evaluate the value you’re gaining in everything you buy or sign up for. For example, evaluate the value of the most expensive Muay Thai gym that you want to get into and the one that’s in your budget. Which one provides the most value?
There’s another term you want to know, which is cost-effectiveness. You want to compare the cost of a certain service against the value it brings. The most cost-effective option will be the one that provides the most value compared to its listed price.
While premium shin guards can provide more value, their cost-effectiveness might be lower than medium-quality ones that are 4x less expensive, for example.
My Personal Experiences
I’ve been waiting for this section for the entire process of writing this article, so I’m glad it finally came. If you’re reading these words right now, I want to say how much I appreciate you as a person. You’re taking active steps toward bettering yourself and achieving your wildest goals.
Starting to train in a dangerous martial art that will put you in uncomfortable situations, to say the least, is more than frightening. You’ll fight people who are bigger, stronger, and more experienced than you, which will be mentally fatiguing and physically uncomfortable.
You’ll feel pain, sweat, and you’ll probably bleed. However, there’s a big point I’d like to address here.
The number of results you’ll gain will equal the amount of suffering you endured. The harder you work, the easier it’ll be to get results and start bettering your life. I know it can be difficult, but trust me, it’s worth it.
The price you’ll pay for the amount of benefits and results is meager. I paid around $200 for essential and additional equipment and I’ve been using the same equipment for months now. This price is nothing compared to the skills gained, friends made, and results experienced. Trust me when I say that.
Final Words
I would like to hear from you, the reader, about a few things (if you’re willing to share.) How much do you pay for your Muay Thai training? How much did your equipment cost you? Other readers will definitely benefit from this information, which might make them more inclined to start training. Leave your answers down below in the comment section!
Hopefully, this article has cleared some misconceptions regarding the price you’ll pay for training in Muay Thai. Although it can be expensive, it’s definitely worth the price, which is the primary takeaway from this article.
Regardless, you can always start training at home by buying a punching bag, hand wraps, and gloves, which will cost less long-term than actual classes.
If you want to start training Muay Thai at home, I wrote a complete guide for those who are interested in training Muay Thai at home. It includes the basics, including how to kick, punch, elbow, knee, and defend yourself. Also, it includes all the equipment and the knowledge you’ll need to start. So check it out!
Here are other articles you’ll benefit from reading:
Muay Thai 101 – Complete Guide for Beginners
9 Amazing Benefits Muay Thai Training Will Give You
Muay Thai Glove Sizes – Which One Should I Get? (6-16OZ)
The Ultimate Guide to Muay Thai Gear: Must-Have Equipment
The 7 Best Muay Thai Combinations for Beginners (For KO’s)
