We try Jai Muay Thai, a boutique gym near Yio Chu Kang Road
Jai Muay Thai in Yio Chu Kang
Jeremy Jude is not one to rest on his laurels. Armed with over 10 years of experience as a professional Muay Thai fighter, he started his coaching journey with personal training sessions, before upgrading to an actual studio space four years later.
Jai Muay Thai is hidden in a private gym in the serene Yio Chu Kang estate, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The gym space
This isn't your usual standalone Muay Thai gym. Jai Muay Thai is housed within boutique gym The Right Fit, so you might feel a little lost if you're unfamiliar with the area. Nonetheless, upon entering the main door, their sign is hard to miss. The large, see-through window panels also make it easier to spot the studio.
After placing your belongings in the lockers, walk straight through the gym and you'll find Jai Muay Thai.
There are a total of five long and angled heavy bags. These provide an angled surface, so they're ideal for training uppercuts, body shots, and low kicks.
The class
Jai Muay Thai makes the most of its compact space with hour-long, small group classes. As the gym isn't the most spacious, each session is kept small with a maximum of six students. We thought the trainer to student ratio (two trainers to six students) was ideal and a big plus, as it meant that specialised attention can be given to every individual.
We went on a weekday evening, and there were a total of five of us. The class started with some light stretching, before we jumped into a brief warmup HIIT-style, including speed kicks and jumping knees.
The workout got more intense quickly, and pretty soon we were in the thick of it. As someone who's used to a lengthier warmup process (I normally jog and skip before training), I felt that my muscles were not fully warmed up. The strong air-conditioning didn't help either, as I got a little breathless. Considering that, if I were to return for a second class, I'd definitely factor in time for a short run prior to the actual workout.
Thankfully, that only lasted a short while, and before I realised, it was time for pad work. Every student gets two rounds of pad work. While waiting for your turn, you get to work on the bags.
A different combination is given for you to practise at each station, and the focus differs from class to class. I appreciate how every lesson follows a theme. This time round, we worked on body punches and hooks.
Another noteworthy mention is Coach Shafiq, the assistant trainer at Jai Muay Thai. The ex-Evolve trainer is a solid pad holder—take our word for it!
By the end of the hour, I took a glance at my smartwatch: 463 total calories burned. Not bad at all for a fun sweat sesh!
What we liked
- Clean training space
- Clean shower
- Quiet location
- Impressive coach to student ratio
- Small class size, which made it more beginner-friendly and less intimidating
- Each class focuses on a specific theme
- Jeremy's wealth of experience and technical knowledge
- Shafiq's solid pad work
What we didn’t like so much
- Strong air-conditioning (but some may prefer this!)
- Bags were a little soft (though we were assured that they would be filled up soon)
- Only one shower cubicle is available so you may have to wait for your turn
The verdict
While the gym isn't near an MRT station, its location is ideal for residents in the Yio Chu Kang region. Within this district, we think Jai Muay Thai is unrivalled, especially if you're talking about technically-sound Muay Thai training conducted by a legitimate coach.
We're excited to see how Jeremy brings the gym to greater heights. Hopefully, someday in the near future, we'll write about his first fight team.
To find out more about Jai Muay Thai, visit their website or drop Jeremy a call at 91052025.
Address: The Right Fit Gym, 32 Jalan Kelulut, Singapore 809049