Group class, gym, or private lessons?
If you're deciding how to start Muay Thai, MMA or self-defence on the Costa del Sol, here's the honest comparison. Private lessons are the most expensive per hour and the cheapest per result. Sometimes they're still not the right pick. Read on and decide.
Short version: if you want to learn properly, quickly, and without an audience, private wins. If you want a cheap sweat with a crowd, a group class is fine and I'll say so.
The three ways to train, compared honestly.
Prices for group classes and gyms are typical for the area, not quotes. Ask around and check them.
| Gym membership | Group Muay Thai class | Private lessons with me | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attention on you | None. You're on your own. | A few seconds per class, split across 15 to 30 people. | 60 minutes, all of it. |
| Pace | Yours, but nobody checks your form. | Set for the average student. Beginners fall behind, advanced students coast. | Yours, session by session. |
| Beginner-friendly | Depends on you. | Varies a lot. Being the only beginner is the number one reason people quit. | Yes. Most of my students started from zero. |
| Schedule | Open hours. | Fixed timetable. Miss it, miss it. | Booked around you. I travel to nearby towns. |
| Bad habits | Nobody corrects them. | Corrected occasionally. | Corrected on the rep they happen. |
| Typical monthly cost | €30 to €60 | €40 to €80 | €120 for 4 sessions, or €108 on the 10-pack |
| Time to feel competent | Not a goal of the format. | Months. | Weeks. You skip the lost-in-the-back-row phase. |
Your first session is an assessment, not a test.
Sixty minutes for €30, and you leave with three things:
- An honest read of where you are. Mobility, balance, coordination, conditioning. No sugar-coating, no scaring you either.
- A plan. What we'd work on over the next 5 to 10 sessions if you continue, and how often makes sense for your goal.
- Sore shoulders and a good mood. You will hit pads in session one. That's non-negotiable.
Gloves and pads provided if you don't have your own. Bring training clothes and water.
I'd rather tell you now than after you've paid.
You want the cheapest possible workout
A group class or gym costs less per month. Go there. Come back when you want to actually learn.
You want a big social scene
It's one-on-one. Some students love that. If you're after a crowd and team spirit, a club is a better fit.
You want a belt fast
I don't hand out belts and I don't shortcut them. If a coloured strip is the goal, find a school that sells them.
The questions before deciding on a format.
Are private lessons necessary for a beginner?
Not automatically. A good group class can give you what you need. Private makes sense if you want constant feedback, a pace built for you, or no audience.
How much does a private Muay Thai lesson cost?
With me, €30 for a 60-minute session, or €270 for the 10-pack. No joining fee, no contract, gloves included. In the area, private lessons usually run €20 to €40 an hour.
Can I combine group classes with occasional private sessions?
Yes, and it's one of the best uses. We set a specific goal, work it in the session, and you practise it in your group. I have a whole page on that.
How many sessions until I notice a difference?
Most people feel more coordinated after 3 or 4 sessions and look like they know what they're doing around session ten. Once a week is the minimum that works.
Where do you train?
Torre del Mar as the base. I travel to Vélez-Málaga, Nerja, Rincón de la Victoria and Málaga. The exact spot is confirmed when you book.
Decided? Book your first session.
€30, 60 minutes, gear included. Still weighing it up? That's fine. Ask me whatever's holding you back.
A private coach when you can already hit
For people who already train in a group and want to fix what nobody corrects.