Astoria Muay Thai: A Beginner’s Guide to Gear and Etiquette
Starting Muay Thai can feel a little intimidating—especially if you’re walking into your first class in a popping neighborhood like Astoria. But don’t worry: whether you’re here to get fit, learn self-defense, or dive deep into the art of fighting, this guide will walk you through exactly what you need to bring and how to carry yourself at any Astoria Muay Thai gym.
Basic Gear You’ll Need
If you’re brand new, most gyms (including ours at ITC New York) will have some loaner equipment available. But once you’re hooked—and you probably will be—you’ll want your own set of gear. That being said, the only thing you need to bring when you first walk into the gym is comfortable clothes. For most people, that’s a t-shirt and shorts or leggings. We’ll provide you with the gloves for your trial class, which is the only mandatory equipment for our All Levels and Fundamentals classes.
Once you’re a member, though, here’s what you’ll need:
Boxing gloves: 14–16 oz gloves are standard for training. Skip the boxing brands like Title or Everlast and go for the brands that Muay Thai fighters trust like Fairtex or Twins, or those used by MMA fighters like Hayabusa and Venum.
Hand wraps: These protect your knuckles and stabilize your wrists. We’ll help you learn to wrap them properly.
Shin guards: These are only necessary once you’re taking part in our sparring classes. Same instructions as far as brands goes as when you were picking your boxing gloves.
Mouthguard: This, too, is for sparring. No one should ever be in need of a mouthguard during a regular class when you’re not in active fight camp mode.
What to Expect at a Queens Muay Thai Gym
While every gym has its own style and personality, most Queens Muay Thai programs share a few common elements:
Structured warm-ups that build cardio and coordination
Technical drills focusing on strikes, blocks, and clinch work
Pad work or partner drills to apply what you’ve learned
Conditioning and cooldowns to finish off class
Expect to be challenged—but in a good way. The community vibe is often tight-knit and welcoming, especially in places like Astoria, where people from all walks of life come together to train.
Etiquette to Keep in Mind
Every Muay Thai gym has its own rhythm, but showing respect and being a good training partner are universal. Here are a few things that go a long way in any Astoria Muay Thai gym:
Stay humble: No one cares how tough you are. What matters is how hard you work and how well you treat others.
Be coachable: Listen more than you talk. If an instructor is speaking, give them your full attention—it shows respect for their time and your training.
Help out: If the mats need to be cleaned or equipment put away, jump in. It's everyone's gym, and pitching in builds community.
Own your lateness: If you're late, give a quick apology or acknowledgment to the coach, gear up quickly, and try to join in. If everyone is already partnered up, jump on a bag and do what you can. Coaches oftentimes are creating lesson plans based on the number of students in the class. Joining in mid-drill means you may have to wait until the next drill to participate with a partner.
Train with control: You're here to learn, not win. Communicate with your partner and keep the intensity appropriate.
Keep your gear clean: Show respect through hygiene too.
These small actions create a better experience for everyone—and help you earn the trust and respect of your coaches and teammates.
Final Thoughts
We can’t emphasize enough how we know that entering the gym can be extremely intimidating, especially if you have never trained combat sports. With that said, you can’t find a more welcoming environment in Queens than ITC New York. We are so excited to see anyone, regardless of experience or fitness level, join our community and we want to make it as easy for you to do that as possible.
Starting your Muay Thai journey in Astoria means more than just picking up a new workout. It’s a chance to learn discipline, grow confidence, and become part of a community that pushes you to be your best.
At ITC New York, we see new students every week—some looking for fitness, others for a challenge, and many just curious. Regardless of where you’re coming from, the most important step is walking through the door.
