Kickboxing vs Muay Thai
Kickboxing vs Muay Thai: what’s the difference?
Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport, known as the art of eight limbs. Kickboxing is a family of striking styles built on punches and kicks. Our kickboxing program blends Western and Filipino-style boxing with kicks, and brings in Muay Thai from time to time.
In short
The main differences
Eight limbs
Muay Thai strikes with fists, elbows, knees and shins. Most kickboxing uses punches and kicks, and some styles add knees.
The clinch
Muay Thai fighters hold and control each other up close to land knees. Kickboxing mostly stays at punching and kicking range.
The kicks
Muay Thai is famous for its shin roundhouse. Kickboxing tends to mix kicks into fast punching combinations.
At Safeguard
Our kickboxing blends Western and Filipino-style boxing with kicks and knees, and some classes bring in Muay Thai. You don’t have to pick a style on day one.
Side by side
Muay Thai and kickboxing compared
| Muay Thai | Kickboxing | |
|---|---|---|
| Comes from | Thailand, with roots going back centuries. It’s the national sport. | Japan, the Netherlands and North America from the 1960s and 70s, mixing karate, boxing and Muay Thai |
| Strikes | Punches, kicks, knees and elbows: the “art of eight limbs” | Punches and kicks, with knees in some styles |
| The clinch | A big part of it: holding and controlling to land knees | Limited, depending on the style |
| Kicks | The famous roundhouse, thrown with the shin | Kicks mixed into fast punching combinations |
Choosing
Which one should you pick?
Choose Muay Thai if…
you want to learn elbows and the clinch, and you’re drawn to Thai traditions and fight style.
Choose kickboxing if…
you want striking that’s quick to start, with boxing-style hands, strong kicks and a serious workout.
Want a bit of both?
That’s our kickboxing program: Western and Filipino-style boxing, kicks and knees, with Muay Thai in the mix. Your first week is free. Comparing boxing too? See kickboxing vs boxing.
Classes
Kickboxing at Safeguard
Kickboxing · ages 13 and up
Teen & Adult Kickboxing
A full-body evening workout with real technique. Complete beginners welcome.
Free 1-week trialClasses & prices
Kickboxing · ages 8 to 12
Youth Kickboxing
Pads, footwork and fast hands: a high-energy class that builds fitness and confidence.
Free 1-week trialClasses & prices
Reviews
From Safeguard families and students
5.0 from 76 reviews on Google
Read them all on Google★★★★★
I have been attending the kickboxing class offered to teens and adults for about 5 months now after taking the free trial, and the experience has been fantastic. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and have created a learning environment that is welcoming to both beginners and more experienced athletes. Additionally, the monthly fee is incredibly reasonable.
Marcus R. · January 2023
Questions
What people ask us
Is Muay Thai harder than kickboxing?
Neither is easy, and both start gently with beginners. Muay Thai adds elbows and clinching, which take longer to learn safely, so many beginners find kickboxing quicker to pick up.
Which is better for self-defence?
Both teach powerful, practical striking. Muay Thai’s knees, elbows and clinch are useful up close; kickboxing’s boxing work gives you fast hands and good footwork. Ours borrows from both.
Do you teach Muay Thai?
Not as a separate class. Muay Thai techniques come into our kickboxing program from time to time, alongside Western and Filipino-style boxing.
Do I need any experience?
No. Most people start with none. You learn stance, guard and footwork first, and partner work is controlled, supervised and never forced.
Do you teach MMA or Brazilian jiu-jitsu?
No. We teach kickboxing and karate: striking, on your feet, with no ground fighting.
How much does kickboxing cost?
The first week is free. After that it’s from $179 a month on a 12-month plan, with unlimited classes in your division.
Book your trial
Try a full week of unlimited classes for free.
Pick a time below to book it in Gymdesk, our booking system. You’ll get a confirmation by email. After the trial, Teen & Adult Kickboxing is from $179 a month.