Lotus Thai Boxing

Don't waste your time. I've quit while signing up for the trial class. The owner is paranoid about covid and shows irrational hostility towards new members. This is the only gym in the neighborhood that makes you QUARANTINE for 14 days just to start your trial class. You are not allowed to drop in, have to make 48 hour prior appointment for a class because of covid. It's 2022. Even our government doesn't have restrictions anymore. Why are they being paranoid?

Their website said I can provide a negative result to take the class faster so I told them I'm willing to provide negative test result. Then the management literally replied with a threat saying "we will ban you if you show up before 14 days." Then they sent me another email saying they won't accept me as a member and etc while I was writing this review.

How do you expect to teach people martial arts when you are this paranoid, rude, and irrational? I've been to few local gyms here but this is by far the worst experience just by contacting them. Glad I didn't even waste my time attending here.

I just had my first class, and I absolutely loved it. Kru Carlos and Instructor Jeff were very welcoming. I am not the most athletic person, but the atmosphere of the class and the energy of the instructors made me feel like I absolutely did not want to give up when I was tired- which happened pretty quickly . I have never felt the motivation to push myself to the degree that I felt tonight. If you are having any doubts, don't! Go ahead and sign up for a class. You won't regret it.

Stuff was very rude last summer when I visited there. They physically pushed me out just because I didn't notice on their website says -- yeah, a big muscle Asian guy pushed a tiny Asian lady out of the door and yelled at her just because she didn't notice the sign -- they could have told me in a nicer way. So rude. So offensive.

I joined LTB a year ago. I was invited by a member to try their one week free trial. I was looking to transition out of basketball and into a new sport that would challenge me. I had zero martial arts experience and I didn't need any to join.

In my year at LTB I have learned so much about Muay Thai, not just the sport, but the culture that come with it. Head instructor Kru (Thai for "teacher/coach") Carlos is an amazing instructor. He teaches you not just Muay Thai, but also about being a better person in life and being a better person to your family, friends, teammates, and community.

LTB is run like a traditional Muay Thai school. There are no lockers or showers. You don't just come in for a 60 minute workout and then leave. You will sweat and your limits will be pushed. You will be encouraged and supported every step of the way. You will have teammates to help you and your teammates will depend on you to help them. Your teammates and coaches will be amazing people who will inspire you to be a better person and reach your goals (inside and outside the ring).

If you are interested, give a free week trial a shot. You will learn and you will be pushed. You will find it tough. But you won't want to give up, because everyone will be fighting and supporting each other all the way through, and also because of the fire playlists that are bumping while you're training. Are you still reading this? What are you waiting for?? Come in and get your one week free trial already!!

Everyone deserves to love themselves in a wholesome and honest way. Coming to that resolve is not an easy journey! First, you have to want better for yourself; then you need to challenge yourself. It's not all at once you wake up as a better and stronger person. It's in the hustle where you experience growth and self-appreciation.
Muay Thai is a great outlet for that. At Lotus Thai Boxing, you also gain a family of support and inspiration. There are so many skilled fighters at this gym; a plethora of years in experience complimented with different teaching/fighting styles. You will learn and get better. This isn't a business looking to collect your monthly dues, this is a family. If you step out of line, you WILL be slapped back into line. That's what it takes to be molded into a fighter.
LADIES! It's okay if to feel intimidated by the intensity of the sport! But don't let that stop you from challenging yourself! Trust me, the guys are the ones intimidated by your decision to try Muay Thai.
I am eternally grateful and indebted for the growth and strength I've gained from my LTB fam. There have been grueling and unforgiving practices where I've been tossed and bruised; felt: overwhelmed, not strong enough, not good enough. Still, I had a small drive, I couldn't give up, and my LTB fam helped me run with that. When I proved to myself that I am capable of overcoming any challenge, I loved myself even more. Even with the changes I saw in my body, I equally love myself with a six-pack and with winter blub.
LTB will make a killer out of you. Fight the good fight. Os.

Lotus Thai Boxing is more than a gym to me. It is a sacred place, a sanctuary even. My heart is at peace every time I walk through the door. Through the great leadership of Kru Carlos, I have learned how to be more humble, kind, and selfless. Nothing has pushed me to discover myself more than Lotus has been in last 7 months. I believe I am a better person now than I was 7 months ago and everyday, I am growing not only as a fighter but as a person.

It almost seems contradicting to say I find peace practicing martial art that is predicated on physical violence. But this gym helps you discover your inner battles and helps you overcome it.

There is nothing fancy about the gym. There are no high tech equipments or even a locker room. But there is heart. True and undeniable hard work, blood, and sweat can be found here. Everything we are taught and experience is as true to an authentic Muay Thai school in Thailand.

If you are on the fence about trying this school. Give a free week trial a shot. It's not going to be easy but everything you experience will be REAL. I hope others can discover their fighter inside as I have through Lotus.

Lotus convinced me to move back home.

Dead serious, I was on the verge of moving abroad but the main reason I came back was so I could continue training at Lotus.

Lotus is run like a real Thai school - hitting pads and kicking bags in a garage. Not an air conditioned boxing for fitness where you are allowed water breaks and bathroom breaks. This isn't a fancy, bourgeois workout place.This place tests your resilience and spirit. Here you won't just get in shape, you will also become a fighter. Both in and out of the ring.

But more than a gym, Lotus is family. You look out for each other, and form deep friendships. We all support each other, both in the gym and out. Offerings are given once a week to the gym, where members bring in water, towels, or whatever else the gym needs.

Kru Carlos is a premier Muay Thai fighter, and an extremely gifted and charismatic leader. He both inspires and guides my fellow fighters and I to become better people. You will not find a finer, more passionate instructor in the art of Muay Thai.

If you want a school that cares about the quality of its fighters, not the quantity of members, if you want a school that cares about the amount you give in sweat, not the amount of cash you hand over, if you want a real school that will push the limits of your physique and mind, if you want friends and family who support each other, then Lotus is for you.

Excellent training in traditional Muay Thai! Kru Carlos is a very talented & knowledgeable warrior, but he also has the skill set to pass the knowledge on to ALL of his students. Hands down favorite academy I've ever been to. Looking forward to all the training I can get!
**Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after class, as well as stretch! Good for all ages, NOBODY GETS LEFT BEHIND!

I remember when I had my first no obligation trial class a month ago, just to see if I'd like it. I loved it.

Carlos and his coaches (Andy, Antoine) do an amazing job of pushing you to your limit and helping you take it one step further. It's humbling to be able to train with people who have actually been in the ring and have fought professionally. To top it off, the instructors and the other members are patient and encouraging to even the newest of the new.

The gym is right behind the Giant. Quit reading this and start now, you'll be glad you did!

Lotus Thai Boxing (LTB) is the second Muay Thai school I've attended in my journey to become a better martial artist. And if you go to the Facebook page for my first school (Kaizen MMA), you can find my in-depth review there. I hope you'll notice that I take my training very seriously! It is a big investment and I hope my review can help you make the decision best for you.

I joined LTB after ~7 months of training, and now have ~15 months of experience. I just had my first amateur fight under the amazing tutelage of Kru (Thai for "Coach/Teacher") Carlos Lopez, but I still have vivid memories of being a complete and clueless beginner.

Here are the factors I consider when it comes to a gym/fight school:

CONVENIENCE OF TIME/LOCATION--

LTB has an amazing location right in the mall right across from GMU Fairfax. While it doesn't have multiple locations like some of the bigger schools in the area, it's centrality to the region more than makes up for it, especially for the small-family feel I'll talk about later.

It's also surrounded by a bunch of amenities, such as grocery stores, dry-cleaning, fast food/bars/restaurants, and a movie theatre, so it's perfect if you're always on-the-go and you want to cross off some errands along the way.

Classes are Tue/Thurs @ 7:30PM, and Sat @ 1:00PM. I find these times are pretty standard and reasonable for work hours and commutes, but I understand that getting out of Arlington/DC can be tough. The good news is that advanced classes continue until 9:00-9:30PM, and all skill-levels are welcome to use the gym. You'll always find someone willing to stay after and drill some extra reps. Even on off-days.

In addition, LTB is an affiliate with Disciple MMA, and so we're also offered additional cross-training at their facilities out in Herndon.

QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION, CLASS SIZE, and CULTURE--

One thing that differentiates LTB from most other NoVA schools is the style, structure, and culture of classes. While we are by no means exclusive in our training techniques, but we do have an affinity for traditional Thai-style instruction. There's a strong focus on understanding and practicing the traditions that make Muay Thai special. As someone who's trained a couple of sessions in Thailand, it definitely feels like a class out of Thailand.

Classes are based on hard work and having fun - Kru Lopez runs class with such high-energy and positivity, sometimes you forget just how grueling the exercises can be...and they are grueling...and rewarding. I guarantee you will be in the best shape of your life, and will be surrounded by a supportive team to get you there.

In addition, Kru Lopez is one of the premiere fighters on the East Coast (and North America), and also surrounded by an equally amazing network of coaches and fighters. Top professional fighters regularly roll through the gym to cross-train, and as an amateur it's amazing to be in the presence of such talents.

That said, I can't stress enough that while LTB is a FIGHT SCHOOL (We strive to maintain an active and killer fight team), there is something there for EVERYONE. We have people of all shapes and walks of life, and the culture is extremely welcoming. I'll personally vouch for that. Some schools are too beginner-focused, or too advanced-focus. Some are both, leaving no space for intermediate students. But LTB covers all bases, the fight-mentality is extremely motivating, and ultimately it's what you want to make of it.

LTB is still growing, and at the time of this review classes are just starting to get a little bit crowded (a good problem to have) as beginners and advanced train together. This will probably change in the future, but I have full faith that you won't lose out on the personal-attention that comes with having larger classes. There are plenty of coaches and advanced students that are more than willing to step-in.

PRICE--

Price is tough, since personally speaking it's hard for me to put a value on good instruction and environment. For some people having lockers and showers is important. For folks like me it's just a roof and fun people. LTB is very reasonably-priced for the area, and by my estimates a bit cheaper than average. Where it's competitive is where it lacks in facilities (being a new school), it makes up for in terms of expertise and culture.

Highly recommended, and if you see me in class please don't hesitate to say hi!

-Stephen