Muay Thai for Beginners: The Art of Eight Limbs, Explained
3 min read · Updated Jul 3, 2026
Muay Thai is a striking martial art from Thailand, and it is often called the art of eight limbs. That name is the whole idea in three words. Most striking sports give you two weapons, your two fists. Muay Thai gives you eight points of contact: both fists, both elbows, both knees, and both shins. A beginner class at Team 515 is not a fight. A coach walks a small group through the fundamentals one piece at a time, everyone works at their own level, and there is no live sparring on your first day. You show up, you learn how to stand and how to throw one clean strike, and you leave knowing more than you did when you walked in.
The eight limbs, explained simply
Start with what you already picture when you think of striking. Punches with your fists, the same as boxing. Muay Thai keeps those and adds three more tools.
Elbows are your close-range weapon, used when someone is right in front of you. Knees come from the clinch, which is a standing grappling position where you control the other person's head and posture and strike from up close. Kicks are thrown with the shin, not the foot, because the shin is a harder and safer surface to land with once you learn the technique.
You do not learn all of this at once. Your first weeks are mostly stance, balance, and one or two basic strikes done slowly and correctly. The eight limbs are the map, not the first lesson.
What a beginner class looks like
Plan to arrive about fifteen minutes early so you can find the place, meet a coach, and settle in. Wear comfortable workout clothes. You do not need any gear for your first class. Bring water.
A class usually starts with a warmup, then a coach teaches the technique for the day and has you drill it. A lot of that is pad work, where a coach or a partner holds padded targets and you practice striking them with control. You are paired with people at your level, and nobody is trying to hurt you. You are never thrown to the wolves.
You get in shape by training, not before it
The most common worry is being too out of shape to start. You are not. Nobody arrives in fighting condition. The conditioning is part of the training, so your first few weeks are how you build the wind and the strength, not a test you have to pass first.
This is a room with no egos, and all levels are welcome. The gym's saying is "sweat more, bleed less," a plain way of putting the hard work in practice so you stay safe and keep learning. You go at a pace you can handle, and it gets easier faster than you expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Muay Thai classes?
Muay Thai runs Monday through Thursday at 6:00 PM. Times can shift with the season, so call (903) 930-4599 to confirm before you come in. The gym is at 320 E. Tyler St. in Longview.
How much does it cost?
Muay Thai is $105 a month. It is month-to-month with no contract, so you are never locked in.
Is it only for adults?
No. The Muay Thai program is open to teens and adults.
Come see it for yourself
Reading about eight limbs will only take you so far. One evening on the mat tells you more than any article can. Your first class at Team 515 is free, so you can feel what a real class is like before you decide anything. We are on Tyler Street in Longview and train people from all over East Texas, from Kilgore and Gladewater to Marshall and Tyler. When you are ready, come train free or see the schedule and pick a night that works.