our programs
Muay Thai
The Capital Muay Thai Program, with its emphasis on cardio conditioning, is the ultimate martial arts course in the striking aspects of combat. Drawing heavily on the techniques of Muay Thai, Boxing and Kickboxing, students learn the most effective ways to use knees, punches, kicks and elbows against an attacker. At the same time, each class is an intense cardio, flexibility and fat-burning workout covering valuable self-defense striking skills from standing and in a clinch.
Everyone, from women looking for a self-defense workout to aspiring mixed martial arts ("MMA") fighters, can benefit from Capital Muay Thai classes, the safest, most fun and most practical striking classes in Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, Washington DC metro, Alexandria, Falls Church and Arlington. The professionalism of our staff and our welcoming environment makes Capital the perfect place to train Muay Thai. If you're serious about learning a striking art that works from the best instructors while getting in shape, the Capital Muay Thai program is for you.
Muay Thai students pracitice hitting pads during a class in Alexandria.
What is Muay Thai
Muay Thai (translated as "Thai Boxing") originated hundreds of years ago in southeast Asia. Commonly referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs," Muay Thai practitioners rely on the hands, shins, elbows and knees to strike an opponent. Thus, an experienced Thai Boxer can attack with eight points of contact, thus distinguishing Muay Thai from other styles of martial arts such as Karate, Tae Kwan Do, Kung Fu, Kickboxing and Boxing that rely primarily on two points (fists) or 4 points (fists and feet). Muay Thai is further distinguished from other striking martial arts, such as Kickboxing, in its extensive use of the clinch, allowing Thai fighters to use stand-up grappling to compliment their strikes. Because of its effectiveness, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters typically favor Muay Thai over other striking-oriented martial arts, such as Tae Kwan Do, Karate and Kung Fu. Muay Thai is simply the best, no-nonsense striking martial art around.
Friendly Muay Thai sparring in Loudoun County.
Adult Patch Rankings at Capital Muay Thai
- Level 1: White Patch
- Beginner Student. Demonstrates membership and commitment as a student of Muay Thai. A White Patch tee shirt may be worn, or a white patch may be sewn onto the front/right side of the student's Muay Thai shorts.
- Level 2: White Patch with Yellow Trim
- Advanced Student. After attending the requisite 25 classes, students may be promoted to "Advanced Student". This simply means that they now have sparring privileges. Of course it is a privilege, not a requirement. Prior experience will most definitely be taken into consideration.
- Level 3: Yellow Patch
- Assistant Coach.
Knowledge Requirements: Students must understand Thai Culture, The Ring and know Wai Kru and Ram Muay (find additional Ram Muay information here).
Technical Requirements: Offense: Six Basic Punches, Inside/Outside Leg Attacks, Push Kick (Teep), Elbow Strikes (downward, upward, straight, reverse swinging, spinning), Knee Strikes (walking, switch, skip), Leg Conditioning. Defense: Kick Defenses (Fundamental, Advanced), Clinch/Knee Defenses (Cross Shin Block, Marching). Movement: Fighting Stance, Four Directional Movements. Clinching: Body Grips, Muay Thai Clinch (Single Collar Tie, Double Collar Tie). Pad Work. Sparring: Shadow Boxing, Mirror Sparring, Intensity Control. - Level 4: Orange Patch
- Coach.
Knowledge Requirements: Count to ten in Thai.
Technical Requirements: Offense: Leg Trapping, Leg Sweeps, Takedowns. Clinching: to Elbow Attacks, To Knee Attacks, Mid Level Defense, High Level Defense. Pad Work: Intense pad work 3x3 minute rounds with 1 minute of rest between rounds. Sparring: Smoker (3x3 minute rounds with 1 minute of rest between rounds). - Level 5: Green Patch
- Assistant Instructor.
- Level 6: Blue Patch
- Instructor.
- Level 7: Black Patch
- Kru. Minimum 30 years of age.
- Level 8: Red Patch
- Arjan. Minimum of 40 years of age.
Capital Mixed Martial Arts & Elite Fitness brings Muay Thai, MMA and Elite Athlete training to residents of Northern Virginia. With three locations in Takoma Park Maryland, Old Town Alexandria/Arlington VA and Loudoun County/Dulles, we serve residents of Arlington VA, Brambleton, South Riding, Chantilly, Fairfax, Del Ray, Crystal City, Pentagon City, Herndon, Falls Church, Fairlington, Shirlington, Mt. Vernon, Burke VA, Sterling, Ashburn,Springfield VA, Annandale VA, Great Falls, Wax Pool VA, Reston, Oak Grove, Centreville, Lorton and everywhere in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area.