Boxing is hands only. Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, adds kicks, knees and clinch work. Both will get you fit, both will teach you to fight, and with us both follow the same eight-week camp and end in three 2-minute rounds on fight night. The right one is the one you'll keep turning up for.
Side by side
- StrikesBoxing: punches only. Muay Thai: punches, kicks and knees, plus the clinch
- FootworkBoxing: light, mobile, lots of head movement. Muay Thai: more upright and square on, so you can kick and check kicks
- FitnessBoth are hard. Boxing leans on your shoulders and lungs. Muay Thai adds legs, hips and core
- KitThe same gloves, wraps, head guard, gum shield and groin guard. Muay Thai adds shin guards
- Our rulesMuay Thai: no elbows, no knees to the head, one grab and knee in the clinch
- Where we trainBoxing: Gymbox Victoria, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 19:30. Muay Thai: Gymbox Farringdon, Mondays 18:00 and Wednesdays 19:00
Choose boxing if
- You want to get sharp with your hands, fast
- You like the idea of slipping punches and making people miss
- Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in Victoria suit you
Choose Muay Thai if
- You want to use your whole body, not just your hands
- You've got a background in dance, football, running or any sport that uses your legs
- Monday and Wednesday evenings in Farringdon suit you
- You want something a bit different: other white collar clubs in London only offer boxing
Which is harder?
Neither is easy, and both will find you out in round three. Muay Thai has more to learn because there are more weapons, so the first few weeks can feel busier. Boxing has fewer techniques, so the detail goes deeper. Everyone starts from the same place either way: 85% of our fighters started with less than three months' experience.
Which is safer?
On our shows both are fought under the same safety rules: matching on age, weight and experience with no more than 5kg between you, full protective kit, a medical before and after, and professional referees with medics ringside. Muay Thai adds shin guards, and our rules ban elbows and knees to the head. More in is white collar boxing safe?
Still not sure?
Take the 60-second quiz. It tells you which sport suits you. Or sign up for the one that appeals most and talk it through with the coaches at the intro meeting, before you commit to anything.
Want the background on each sport? Read what is white collar boxing? and what is Thai boxing?
Questions
What's the difference between boxing and Muay Thai?
Boxing is hands only. Muay Thai adds kicks, knees and clinch work. With us, both follow the same eight-week programme and finish with three 2-minute rounds on fight night.
Is Muay Thai harder than boxing?
There is more to learn in Muay Thai because there are more weapons. Both are hard, and both are taught from scratch.
Can I switch from boxing to Muay Thai?
Yes. You choose your sport for each camp, and returning fighters are matched on experience.
Do I need different kit for Muay Thai?
The same kit as boxing, plus shin guards padded from knee to instep.
Your first round starts here
Eight weeks of free coaching, then a real fight night. Sign up in two minutes, then hear everything at the intro meeting before you commit to anything.
Join the camp →Take the 60-second quiz