Kickboxing and Muay Thai Classes in Portola and Bayview, San Francisco
On October 19, 2026, the San Francisco Chronicle published a feature on how San Bruno Avenue and the neighborhoods around it, Portola and Bayview, have changed over the last few decades. The story follows the corridor from a single grocery store opened in 1991 to the busy row of family businesses you see today, and it reports that Portola is now almost 46% Chinese American, with Bayview-Hunters Point at about 27%.
We read it with special interest, because AB Mixed Martial Arts sits right in the middle of that story, at 2975 San Bruno Ave. We have been teaching on this street since at least 2011, and our classes look a lot like the neighborhood: families, students, workers, people who grew up here and people who just moved in.
So if you are one of the many new neighbors, or you have lived here for years and always said "one day I will try kickboxing," this post is for you.
What a kickboxing class actually looks like
This clip was filmed during a recent class at our academy. No actors, no script. Just students on the pads.
A typical class has four parts:
- Warm-up. Light cardio, mobility and shadowboxing, for every fitness level.
- Technique. The coach shows one combination, for example jab, cross and a body kick, and breaks it down: stance, footwork, turning the hip.
- Pads and bags. You practice with a partner holding pads, or on the heavy bags. This is where you sweat, and where it gets fun.
- Cool-down. Core work and stretching.
Kickboxing, Muay Thai or Boxing: which one is for you?
- Muay Thai is the kickboxing style from Thailand, known as "the art of eight limbs": punches, kicks, elbows and knees. It is the best choice if you want a full-body workout and complete striking skills. See our Muay Thai program.
- Boxing focuses on punches, footwork and head movement. Great if you love fast-paced cardio and want sharp hands.
- Not sure? Try one of each. Your first class is free and our coaches will help you decide.
Women train here too, and they love it
Interested in the self-defense side? Read our women's self-defense classes guide.
If you are a woman wondering whether a fight gym is for you, look at the photos and the clip above: they were filmed in a regular class. Training partners are matched by size and experience, there is no ego on the mat, and nobody expects you to keep up with experienced students on day one.
Andrea wrote in her Google review in September 2026: "I signed up for the free class because I had absolutely no experience with Muay Thai. At first, I was nervous and a little scared, but the coach was really nice and patient with me, especially since I had no idea what I was doing."
Class schedule
- Muay Thai (kickboxing): Tuesday and Thursday, 7 PM
- Boxing: Monday, 5 PM
- Beginner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Monday to Friday, 6 PM
- Kids Program (ages 4 to 14): see the kids page
See the full class schedule on our home page.
Prices
Your first class is free, with no commitment and no credit card. Memberships start at $180 per month on the Annual plan. Month to month is $260, with Quarterly, Semiannual and Family plans in between.
Getting here
We are at 2975 San Bruno Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134, in Portola, a short trip from Bayview, Excelsior, Visitacion Valley and Silver Terrace. The academy is a 5,000 sq ft space with mats, heavy bags and a full boxing ring.
Common questions
I have never done kickboxing. Can I join?
Yes. Most students start with zero experience. Coaches break every technique down step by step and you train at your own pace.
Is kickboxing the same as Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is a style of kickboxing from Thailand. It uses punches, kicks, elbows and knees. At AB MMA, Muay Thai is our kickboxing class, and Boxing is a separate class focused on punches and footwork.
Do I have to spar?
No. Beginners do not spar. Sparring comes later, only if you want it, and always controlled and with protective gear.
Are the classes good for women?
Yes. Women train in our classes alongside teammates of all sizes and levels. Partners are matched by size and experience.
What do I need to bring to my first class?
Comfortable workout clothes and a water bottle. We train barefoot, and you do not need to buy any gear before your free class.
How much do classes cost?
Your first class is free. Memberships start at $180 per month on the Annual plan, and Monthly is $260 per month.
Sources
- San Francisco Chronicle: How the Bayview and Portola became SF's new Chinatown (October 19, 2026)
- San Francisco Chronicle: Chinese Americans once flocked to S.F.'s Chinatown and the west side. Now they're moving elsewhere (October 13, 2026)
Your first class is free
No experience, no commitment, no credit card. Tell us who the class is for and we’ll set it up.
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