A Thai boxing school on Pukuatua Street in the Fordlands area of Rotorua. Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, is a striking art that uses fists, elbows, knees and shins, and it is trained in a gym where students work on pads, bag work and sparring. The school's classes are open to people of all ages and skill levels, which suits a family looking for something to share as much as an adult who wants a demanding workout.
Thai boxing trains balance, timing and footwork as much as power, so a beginner's first weeks are mostly about learning stance and movement before the strikes come together. Training at a Rotorua school also means practising in a city with a strong sporting community around the lakes and the Fordlands area.
Our pick in Rotorua for someone who wants to learn a striking art from the ground up.