World Muay Thai Team USA

So Far the Best Gym Ive been to in San Francisco.
No shitty attitude from the other guys so far. A couple of girls feel they have something to prove but thats normal.
The instructors seem invested in the students development. The Fighters take it serious without going dark. This is not normal. Ive seen plenty if Pussys go right to that dark place in every other gym in SF, especially weight lifting /​crossfitgyms.
The most unusual thing about this gym compared to others in SF. The teachers or instructors work one on one with you.
My only criticisms as a Muay Thai fight school.
They dont have a double end bag, which means slow hands.
They dont have a young Thai Fighter from Thailand on staff.
You just cant learn to turn up and down the intensity second hand the way you can from a good young thai fighter.

Felt like following up with my old review in regards to the Muay Thai training here. So after the negatives, obviously the gym lost it’s lease and nice space from Ocean Ave and now they took over the old Gym 445 location and are ¹⁄₃ of the size they use to be. And not to mention, the gym lost their top 2 fighters/​champions, Michael Mananquil and Ky Hollenbeck, who I’m happy for that they finally aren’t «Ajarn Sam’s» puppets anymore and they are accomplishing their own goals without Sam. And I heard rumors that this gym is going to fold unless Scam Sam can find a business partner to help fund him the new lease at this gym location. All I wanted to update with my old review is Scam Sam’s «ego is writing checks his body can’t cash». And as I mentioned in my previous review, he can be a good teacher if he wants to be, but he’s selective with his students and he’s highly unprofessional.

SCAM SCAM SCAM!
I join this gym in the late 2004. Money tactics from the start, stating the free private lesson is valued at $ 300, because the Michael is CHAMP… who’s Michael? required to pay for their uniforms at their price. Not including a initiation fee.
50 $ requirement to the next level? Kru Scam… I mean Kru Sam asks me to pay him $ 50 to get better… then why am I paying $ 100 a month for then? stretch for 20 mins and train for 20 mins… class ends.
Mostly young kids in there being taken advantage. Some of the instructors tend to make smart ass remarks as well. I learn more from youtube than Scamming Sam

The most unprofessional pathetic business studio that we have been a part of. When it comes to taking YOUR money, they are all over it. However, we joined their studio on Ocean Avenue for one year. Then, unexpectedly with no disclosure whatsoever, they closed the doors and covered the windows with newspaper. No one ever answered the phone or called us to give an update. So here I am 6 months later trying to get a refund, and Kru the owner is in hiding. I am now forced to go to small claims court to get a refund. PLEASE DO NOT JOIN THIS GYM if you have any integrity!

belt system for muay thai common? watered down training…

My hubby and son just joined the World Team USA family and we are all excited about it! The staff is very friendly and helpful and all questions were thoroughly answered! Kru, was awesome with the kids and my son absolutely loves his first day of Muay Thai! I will update in about 3 months!

Daughters trained here for a few years. Yes it was expensive but worth every penny invested. Discipline and self respect and a life-​long friends made here.

I train 3 times a week here in the family class with my dad. I am currently learning techniques, conditioning, and sparring. Kru Sam trains us hardcore, and he gives us a life lesson every time. At this point my goal here is to get good at what he has taught me and continue to learn more. Thanks Kru! :D

Go TEAM USA!!! I’ve been a student training at this gym back and forth for about six years. I’m currently newly training a new martial art; Brazilian Jui Jitsu at this gym! I’ve only attended four Jui Jitsu classes and learned SOOOO much! I’m orginally in fair shape, but coming to this gym as has turned me into a humble, ripped, smart fighting machine!!! Kru Sam is a great master to learn from. Kru Sam, and his instructors/​teammates are full of positive energy! Their mottos are, «Where Champions are made and Legions Return!» and, «Success Needs No Explanation and Failure Needs No Alibi!” I’ve trained Tae Kwon Do & Tai Chi before in the past, but I feel that the combination of Muay Thai & Brazilian Jui Jitsu has made me a well rounded person physically and mentally. I’m fortunate to be trained by champion instructors contracted with UFC, K-​1, StrikeForce, etc… I feel that their prices are fare given the knowledge you will gain for the rest of your life! Swing by the gym and check it out and try a class for free. They also have holiday promoting and student discounts, just drop my name, Jimmy Nguyen. :)

Obsessed with separating you from your money.
$ 25 t-​shirts
$ 30 shorts
$ 10 wrist bands
$ 50 gloves
$ 100-​$ 150 month+ huge up front costs
Impossible to cancel.
It’s not a professional business, it’s playground for the fighters to beat up on you and take your money– an adult version of a sandbox.
On top of all that, they overcharged me for my membership by way of $ 95 vs $ 85 for months on end, and ignored me when I pointed it out to them and brought my contract to them. When I sat down with the Kru guy, he bullied me and was aggressive as f*ck in not changing anything. At that point I had stopped going and they wouldn’t stop billing me and kept saying they would freeze my account. He convinces me to pay him some shitty «cancellation fee» and then charges me the next month anyway! I should have just changed my card number which in the first place, as that is what I did immediately after having the bullsh*t charges reversed.

This place is good. You rate a martial arts school by its teachers. Like Bruce Lee said, a punch is a punch, a kick is a kick. Everything else doesn’t matter.
Some of the low rating reviews below, these people can’t tell the difference between a gym and a martial arts school. Old equipments? Dirty mats? lol A real martial artist doesn’t complain about these stuff. Go to 24HoursFittness if you require babysitters.
Go to Thailand, or the Shaolin temple in China, and tell me these fighters are good because they train with good equipments and slept in clean beds every night. Pathetic.

World Team USA is by far one of the most helpful gyms I have trained in. I have dabbled in a couple other Muay Thai and grappling Gyms and I have never had the one on one attention from any of the other gyms like I had from World Team USA.
The trainers are amazing people who take the time to make sure that the technique is right for every individual person in the gym. they walk around during drills correcting the slightest details. If a student feels they need additional help, all they need to do is ask.
My hat goes off to the the trainers here because they work hard training themselves, maintaining the gym and helping train others. It is nearly unheard of to have the privilege to train side by side with world class fighters as a beginner. There are classes where they are side by side in the line up.
People come in and mop with special cleaner. Yes, It is a gym, people sweat, they get smelly and dirty (because of a great workout… which is why a lot of people come here in the first place) Luckily the floor is mopped and the front and back is vacuumed a number of times throughout the week.
The equipment? It is cleaned, updated and maintained, broken in put away then used again. It is all special ordered from Thailand and It’s good name brand equipment. The Thai Pads there are fairly new and there are new uppercut bags as well as heavy bags, leg kick bags and the speed bag.
The aim/​goal for every student is unique and that is understood here. If you want to fight, then train-​they will help you fight. The trainers are eager to help for their part, meet them half way. For weight loss, there is cardio, power conditioning and Muay Thai class. There is a focus for every person which is why there are so many different types of people who train here, because their individual focus can be met.
As far as the cost goes, I would pay double then I already have for membership at this gym. This is a place that offers far more then just a good workout, motivation, discipline, self confidence, strength, tradition, family. The list goes on. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen Kru Sam, Michael and the other trainers be there mentally for a student when they are going through tough times, fighter or not.
Kru has made exceptions for people who want to train and cannot afford it. They volunteer to help out the gym. This opportunity is rare and should not be taken for granted.
This gym encompasses the art of Muay Thai and implements tradition, culture and passion. This is a second home, and an outlet, for many people.

My friend told me that I should drop by and give Muay Thai a chance, since he knew I was interested in the sport/​art. I was reluctant at first because I knew nothing about the martial art, let alone, be able to do half of the flexible movements, techniques I saw, etc… then one day I saw him on television at my work fighting for a national championship when Strikeforce used to be all kickboxing. After knowing him for two years or so outside the gym, I figured that anyone so humble to not even speak about their «champion status» came from a good place.
I walked in and felt a bit out of place, but that’s because it was a whole new world for me and I knew I had a long road to travel if I wanted to get any good at the art, so I drove straight ahead and never looked back since.
I’ve grown very fond of the gym even though it’s only been almost two years. All the people there are down to earth and friendly for the most part. I’ve gained nothing but skills, friends and a sense of discipline that I will use to my benefit from for the rest of my life. I like all the teachers, the fighters and the extensive passion for Muay Thai which they all have. It motivates me to not only become better at the art, but better as a person being around such knowledgeable and talented individuals.
It’s an excellent hobby to have in terms of physical and mental fitness. I’ve done a lot of sports in my life, but I think this one tops them all thus far. I’ve never seen such fast and effective results in regards to my body before Muay Thai and I’d recommend it to anyone that’s looking to gain some confidence in themselves.
I can attest to all the corny and positive things that everyone says about this gym because I feel the same way about World Team USA. My loyalty stays with this gym until I either move out of the state, become terminally ill, lose two of my limbs or die! This place has revitalized me and given me something to strive for in my life! Give it a try and I guarantee you’ll feel the same as I! (=
–Jon

World Team USA, the place «Where Champions are made and Legions Return,» where «Success Needs No Explanation & Failure Needs No Alibi.» It is my home away from home. My addiction.
It took me a year before signing up for this gym because of the high impact sports it provided. Just looking at it was a whole new world, but I had one friend who led me to meet many others who then put me at ease.
I’ve tried other martial arts before coming to World Team USA and nothing compares to the gifts this school provides; the gifts of knowledge and friendship. Each instructor caters to ones abilities and assists persons struggling with techniques.
As time went on during my training I became more persistent in perfecting my technique in this sport and I now not only do I strive to learn more in Muay Thai, BJJ, Eskrima etc. I strive to learn more in life. I’ve learned to become a leader and my confidence has risen within myself due to self defense training.
One time Kru Sam asked, «What would you do without this gym?» I know that I would be sitting at home watching TV and eating. I would be as fit, I wouldn’t have the confidence I have, and I wouldn’t as many wonderful friends to hang out with, with so many different interests. You can learn more than just martial arts at this gym due to the large community it caters to, the gym has a very diverse amount of people who are dedicated to the art this gym provides. And besides the cool people who train at the gym it’s the gym with the most champions and growing.
I dedicate myself to World Team USA because it keeps me physically fit, it mentally challenges me and I gain satisfaction by the end of the day knowing I have relieved my stressors by punching and/​or kicking something and laughing with my teammates.
I just convinced one friend to come back after being away for two years, and she’s once again addicted ;D
For anyone who is looking for new workout I guarantee a great one at World Team USA. Once you try it you’ll want to come back for the best work out of your life with the best instructors from around the bay (as well as special guests).

Great place to train, and very good and skilled instructors here, but outrageously expensive especially if you want to do BJJ or some other class in addition to Muay Thai. The people who train here are very very cool and chill. So if you can afford it go for it! 5 stars for the people, and instructors. The price is a bit of a downer though even just for Muay Thai.
And to Justice T. I hear what you are saying, you are right about some of the stuff you said about Kru (he’s like a used car salesman) and the sashes. BUT Michael, Ky, John and so on earned their titles fighting legitimate fighters i.e. Malaipet, Gregory Choplin, Vuyisle Colossa. And I think you’re opinion about Kru’s favoritism is wrong almost half the gym is Filipino, and there aren’t many white people (not counting juniors), so few I can count all of them with my two hands but most of them happen to be or were amateur or professional fighters.
And I think everyone passes the 1^st sash test regardless of how bad they do, the only people who fail are the people who signed up and forgot about it.

Signed up about a month ago. Im a personal trainer, I did martial arts years back, wanted to get back into it.
WOW is all I can. I was hugely impressed with this place. Muay Thai is a hard martial art, its meant for combat, not practicing forms or giving performances. The training here is REAL. This isnt a mcdojo. The classes are workouts, they will make you sweat, and you WILL get in shape if you are consistent. From a personal trainer standout, this place is exceptional. I consider myself in great shape, and I was sweating and panting through my introductory lesson. Love it
The instructors are all top notch. Most all of them are professional fighters themselves, and this studio has a great reputation in the fight leagues and even in Strikeforce. KruSam is a master instructor and trains them all personally.
The studio is equipped with all the equipment, although you will need to buy your own. The prices are not cheap to sign up, but honestly for this level of instruction you are getting a solid deal. Come here just 3 times a week and see what it does for your mental and physical health, its worth every penny.
I saw someone mentioned in an earlier review the gym was dirty. This is a FIGHT GYM. You come here to train and sweat, not do 20 minutes on the elliptical and pointless machine exercises. You want a squeaky clean, boring environment devoid of passion and grit and intensity, go to some commercial gym and do your boring self guided workout on the sanitized leg extension and thigh machine.
You want a REAL workout that will get you in shape, be a stress release, and toughen you up, come here. If you really want to fight, you can do that as well. This place is open to everyone from novice to professional fighters, and we all work and stretch and sweat on the same floor.
Cant say enough great things about this place. I’d encourage everyone considering it to DO IT and sign up. You’ll be glad you did.

I’ve been training at world teamusa for about 2 and a half years and learned respect and leadership. The trainers tought my how to beleve in my self. They are always helping me out when I’m sad. They’re always nice and helpful and great training to.

Produces great artists with low to no ego!

Dear Michael, thanks for stepping in during the drill and repeatedly slamming me into the ground. It’s a sign of true professionalism when I can get that level of personal instruction on evenings that the class is near capacity.
I’d give this place 5 stars, but I regard such training institutions as journeys of mutual responsibility. I’ll only get out what I put in because their instruction plus my effort add up to the whole workout. In that sense, the remaining star is one I have to earn by actually showing up consistently, –not– forgetting combos in the middle of drills, and. stuff. like. that.

So my ex actually does Muay Thai and he tried to convince me in joining. I was really considering joining since I wanted to lose weight. So I watched him practice one night and they had classes at night. I was watching the females doing their intense work out and they were literally sweating within minutes. I was like, «Hey, maybe I do wanna join.» After the first 10 minutes I changed my mind. I didn’t wanna get my ass kicked because they also do punching and kicking with gloves on.

The instructors are extremely nice and know what they are doing. Great place to join if you want to lose weight and come on, they have the Champ Michael M. instructing here, what more could you ask for. (Did I mention that he’s pretty fuckin HOT? If it wasn’t for being scared about getting my ass kicked and going home with bruises every night, I would join just so he can instruct me!)