1. I’m a complete beginner—should I still sign up for a trial class?
 

Absolutely! Both our Muay Thai and Judo classes welcome beginners. You’ll be learning alongside others who are new as well, with patient, experienced instructors to guide you through every step. Our classes are specifically designed to be accessible to beginners, with modified exercises and drills available to those who are newer.

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2. I am completely out of shape, should I get into shape first before joining?

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No! We hear all the time that people are interested in joining but "want to get into shape first." Nothing will get you physically prepared for Muay Thai or Judo except for actually partaking in Muay Thai or Judo. Someone who runs a 5K every day and someone who hasn't exercised in a decade will have very similar experiences jumping into a class for the first time. You are utilizing new muscles in new ways. Our classes are designed for all fitness levels and our training will help you build fitness and skills gradually, safely, and effectively. No one should be doing anything before signing up.

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3. What if I want to learn self-defense?

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The key to effective, real self-defense is being comfortable in utilizing the fight skills you've learned in uncomfortable situations. There is no way to become comfortable in utilizing self-defense techniques outside of actually learning and applying those techniques over and over again. Classes designed to teach self-defense quickly, or which purport to provide easy one-time-use self-defense techniques are unfortunately not effective. We never want to promise our community self-defense skills when we know they will not be able to utilize them. For that reason, we explain to everyone that if you really want to have the skills for self-defense, you have to commit to learning real fight skills. Whether it's Muay Thai or Judo, a practitioner in either art will be comfortable utilizing the techniques they've learned to defend themselves if necessary. Just as a professional fighter would know to keep their hands up, maintain proper distance, and finish the fight quickly, those same skills apply in other settings.

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4. What is the difference between Muay Thai and Judo? Which one should I do?

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Muay Thai and Judo are two very different arts. Muay Thai, considered to be a form of kickboxing, is known as the "Art of 8 Limbs" in that it utilizes punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. The vast majority of MMA fighters utilize Muay Thai as their striking discipline because it is proven effective in real fight situations. Judo is a grappling art, similar to wrestling. There are no punches, kicks, or strikes of any kind. Matches are won by throwing your opponent or submitting your opponent. Both martial arts focus on different aspects of the fight game, and both are extremely effective at self-defense.

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5. What should I bring and wear to my first Muay Thai or Judo class?

For Muay Thai, wear comfortable workout clothes, and if you have hand wraps or gloves, bring them (don’t worry if you don’t, we have loaners!). For Judo, you'll need to wear a gi (martial arts uniform) which we can provide for your trial class, but you'll have to wash it and bring it back. Bringing a water bottle is always a good idea!

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6. Will I get hit or hurt during training?
 

Safety is a top priority here at ITC New York. No one will get hit or thrown without opting in. There will never be a situation where someone is forced to do a drill, or expected to do a drill or leave. In Muay Thai, there is no sparring aside from our Advanced classes, so there’s no risk of heavy impacts. Punches and kicks are thrown safely, with all strikes being aimed at a target pad rather than a body part, until you are more advanced. In Judo, our approach emphasizes controlled throws and movements, reducing the risk of injury while still giving you a great workout and learning experience.

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7. How often should I train to see progress in Muay Thai or Judo?
 

Consistency is key! Many of our students start with two or three sessions a week and see noticeable improvements within a few weeks. However, even if you can only come once per week, if you can come consistently, you will see improvement! We help you set realistic goals and will support you in every step of your progress.

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8. How is ITC New York different from other martial arts gyms?
 

We’re a community-focused gym that prioritizes a welcoming and supportive environment. Whether you’re here for fitness, self-defense, or competitive training, we provide hands-on instruction tailored to each individual. You’ll feel part of a team that values your goals and progress. We know that gyms exist where the focus is on the fight team and no one else, and similarly, we know gyms exist which cater to brand new people to make sales, and don't focus on those who have been training for years. Come do a trial class and see how tight and welcoming our community is and you'll understand why ITC stands out!

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9. I want to fight. Do you train to compete here?

Yes. We train to compete because competition is where you can separate effective techniques from ineffective techniques. While the majority of our students don't compete, by training everyone with the intention of stepping into the ring, we can ensure that all of our students have the skills necessary to utilize what we teach if need be. That said, we have a small but up-and-coming Muay Thai fight team, and our Judo team regularly competes in competitions every month.

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10. I have more questions that weren't answered here.

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No problem! Shoot us an email at info@itcnewyork.com and we're happy to answer any questions you may have.