Business Details
11 Years
experience
Your Premier Muay Thai Gym in Chicago
Since 2015, Chicago Thai Boxing Academy has been a family-run martial arts gym dedicated to providing authentic Muay Thai training in Portage Park, Chicago. Our instructors, many of whom are neighborhood residents with championship experience, teach traditional Muay Thai techniques combined with modern western methods for self-defense and sport fighting. We emphasize full-body conditioning, technical mastery, and community development through programs tailored for all skill levels, from absolute beginners to advanced competitors.Our Pro Shop offers exclusive Muay Thai equipment from trusted brands like Twins and Fairtex, while our youth programs focus on discipline, confidence-building, and physical development for children aged 6-17. As a community pillar, we actively engage in local development through mentorship and inclusive training environments that foster personal growth and mutual respect.
Services
Muay Thai Training
Elite8 Fitness Program
Pro Shop
Sparring Sessions
Youth Classes
Private Coaching
Competition Team
Fitness Tracking
Heart Rate Monitoring
Martial Arts Workshops
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- Our instructors are championship-level Muay Thai practitioners with ring-tested experience
- Family-run gym fostering inclusive, community-focused martial arts education since 2015
- Exclusive Pro Shop with professional-grade Muay Thai equipment from top brands
- Customized programs for all skill levels from beginner fundamentals to advanced sparring
- Specialized youth development programs building discipline and self-confidence
What people say
Experienced instructors
Inclusive environment
Effective training
Community-focused
Youth development
Services
Muay Thai Training
Comprehensive Muay Thai instruction combining traditional techniques with modern western methods. Programs develop striking skills, defensive maneuvers, and full-body conditioning through pad work, drills, and sparring. Suitable for all levels from beginners to competitive fighters seeking technical refinement and physical development.
Elite8 Fitness Program
High-intensity fitness program integrating boxing techniques with HIIT training. Uses heart rate monitoring technology to track progress and gamify workouts while improving strength, cardio, and technical proficiency. Includes personalized effort tracking through wearable devices and digital performance metrics.
Youth Development
Structured martial arts programs for ages 6-17 focusing on discipline, confidence-building, and self-defense. Age-specific curricula teach Muay Thai fundamentals while emphasizing safety, teamwork, and character development through progressive skill training and physical conditioning tailored to different developmental stages.
Pro Shop Services
Specialized retail offering authentic Muay Thai gear including gloves, apparel, and training equipment. Carries premium brands like Twins, Fairtex, and Top King. Provides expert guidance for selecting competition-grade equipment and essential training accessories for practitioners at all levels.
Competition Team
Advanced training program preparing athletes for Muay Thai competition. Includes technical refinement, sparring sessions, and conditioning specific to ring requirements. Led by championship instructors with proven track records in fight preparation and competition strategy development for amateur and professional fighters.
People
JJ Liwanag
Head Coach / Owner
Co-founder and head instructor with championship experience in Muay Thai. Oversees training programs and competition development while maintaining technical standards across all classes.
Ness Liwanag
Gym Mom
Co-founder managing day-to-day operations and community engagement. Ensures welcoming environment for all members while supporting instructors in program implementation.
Kru Robert Lee
Senior Instructor
Experienced Muay Thai practitioner specializing in technical instruction. Focuses on proper form, technique refinement, and progression tracking for students at all skill levels.
Kru Steven Greenfield
Instructor
Certified instructor with competitive fight experience. Teaches fundamentals through advanced techniques while emphasizing safety and proper training methodology.
Erika Rivera
Academy Manager
Manages administrative operations and member services. Coordinates class schedules, onboarding processes, and community engagement initiatives to support training programs.
Questions
What should I wear to my first Muay Thai class?
Wear shorts and t-shirts or rash guards. Avoid sweatpants, leggings, or loose clothing for safety and mobility.
Do you offer beginner Muay Thai classes?
Yes, our Adult Fundamentals class requires no prior experience and focuses on basic techniques and conditioning.
Are there youth Muay Thai programs available?
We offer age-specific programs for children aged 6-17 focusing on discipline, confidence-building, and technical skills.
What equipment do I need to start?
Bring boxing gloves and hand wraps if possible. We provide loaner gloves and sell complete Muay Thai gear in our Pro Shop.
Can I try a free trial class?
Yes, register through our Zen Planner system for a free trial class to experience our training environment.
Do you offer sparring sessions?
Sparring is available for intermediate and advanced students with proper supervision and safety equipment.
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