Hangar HPC is launching a new Muay Thai class this December.
This class adds to our growing range of combat sports training options.
The class will be coached by experienced instructor Nav and welcomes everyone from complete beginners to those looking to develop their Thai striking skills further.
This addition strengthens our commitment to providing high-quality martial arts training in Cardiff.
Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, is one of the most effective striking arts in combat sports. At Hangar Human Performance Centre, we offer authentic training taught by qualified coaches.
Our new December class joins our existing programme, which includes MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and kickboxing.
The new class focuses on developing proper technique, conditioning, and practical application of Muay Thai skills. Whether you’re interested in fitness, self-defence, or integrating striking into your overall combat sports training at our Cardiff gym, this class provides a structured environment to learn and grow.
We’ll cover everything from fundamental movements to advanced clinch work in our purpose-built training facility.
The new December Muay Thai class at Hangar HPC brings structured training in one of the most effective combat sports to Cardiff. We offer expanded scheduling and expert coaching for everyone from complete beginners to experienced practitioners.
The Muay Thai classes at Hangar HPC will run on Saturdays 10am-12pm with coach Nav. Price is included in membership or available for £10 as a drop-in.
Each 120-minute session covers Thai Boxing techniques and clinch work. Training includes pad work, partner drills, and conditioning exercises that build both skills and fitness.
We offer an additional 11am Sunday Striking Skills class with Louie who brings MMA experience to the sessions. This class focuses on fundamental striking techniques and combinations.
All classes are included with standard Hangar membership. Drop-in rates are available for non-members who want to try a session before committing.
Hangar Human Performance Centre is located on Penarth Road in Cardiff. The facility opened in June 2017 as a family-run gym founded by local resident Faith Attwell.
The gym features a large combat sports area with a full-sized competition cage. We provide dedicated space for striking work, grappling, and conditioning.
Beyond the combat sports zone, the facility includes an APE rig, circuit training areas, and extensive barbell equipment. The purpose-built layout supports both performance training and martial arts practice under one roof.
The Muay Thai programme at Hangar HPC suits all experience levels. Complete beginners can learn proper technique from the ground up, while experienced fighters can refine their skills.
We welcome anyone looking to improve their fitness through combat sports training. The classes provide a full-body workout that builds cardiovascular endurance, strength, and coordination.
Those interested in MMA, boxing, or general striking skills will benefit from the Thai Boxing fundamentals taught in these sessions. The clinch work and striking combinations translate directly to other martial arts disciplines.
Our Muay Thai programme features experienced coaches with deep knowledge of combat sports and proven track records in developing athletes. The team includes specialists in striking arts, MMA, and various martial disciplines who create a supportive training environment.
Nav leads our Muay Thai instruction with extensive experience in traditional Thai boxing techniques. He focuses on proper form, footwork, and the clinch work that defines authentic Muay Thai.
His teaching approach breaks down striking combinations into manageable steps. He adapts his coaching style to suit beginners and challenges more experienced practitioners.
Nav emphasises the cultural aspects of Muay Thai alongside technical skills. This includes traditional etiquette, the importance of the wai kru, and respect within the training space.
Paul Jenkins works with athletes across multiple disciplines, from rugby teams to combat sports such as Muay Thai and MMA. He has coached a London 2012 Paralympic bronze medallist and a world champion gold medallist.
Paul’s cross-disciplinary experience brings strength and conditioning principles into our Muay Thai classes. He develops power, speed, and endurance specific to striking sports.
His coaching philosophy centres on building solid fundamentals before progressing to advanced techniques. This approach helps students develop confidence and prevents injury through proper movement patterns.
Amir Lak contributes expertise in combat sports alongside other qualified instructors at Hangar HPC. Faith Attwell founded the facility in June 2017 with a vision for comprehensive training in strength, conditioning, and combat sports, including MMA.
Our coaching team works collaboratively to ensure consistent instruction across all classes. Students receive complementary training whether they attend Muay Thai, boxing, or other martial arts sessions.
Additional coaches bring specialised knowledge in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, freestyle wrestling, and Filipino martial arts. This creates opportunities for cross-training that enhances overall combat sports development.
Our Muay Thai programme builds a complete foundation in the art of eight limbs. Students develop practical fighting skills while building strength and cardiovascular fitness specific to Thai boxing.
We start all students with proper stance and footwork. Our coaches teach the correct execution of the eight primary weapons: punches, elbows, knees, and kicks from both sides.
Students learn how to throw the teep (push kick) for distance management and the roundhouse kick that makes Muay Thai famous. We drill hip rotation and shin conditioning techniques from the first session.
Boxing fundamentals including jabs, crosses, and hooks integrate with traditional Thai techniques. Defence receives equal attention in our training.
We teach blocks, parries, checks, and evasive movements. These techniques keep fighters safe and create counter-striking opportunities.
Once students grasp the basics, we introduce combination striking that links punches, kicks, knees, and elbows into fluid attacks. Our advanced sessions focus on timing, distance control, and reading opponents’ movements.
The clinch represents a unique element of Muay Thai that sets it apart from kickboxing. We teach neck wrestling positions, off-balancing techniques, and how to deliver powerful knees from the clinch.
Students practise sweeps and throws that take opponents to the ground within the traditional rules of Thai boxing. Pad work forms a crucial part of our training at Hangar Human Performance Centre.
Partners hold Thai pads while coaches correct technique and build power in strikes.
Muay Thai demands exceptional cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance. We incorporate skipping rope, shadow boxing, and high-intensity interval training into every session.
Our gym includes dedicated strength training equipment that complements striking work. We use kettlebells, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises to build functional strength for Thai boxing.
Core stability work strengthens the abdominal and lower back muscles needed to generate power in kicks and absorb body shots. We programme conditioning drills that mirror the demands of actual fights, including timed rounds on bags and pads.
Muay Thai serves as a foundational striking discipline that complements the other combat sports at Hangar HPC. The techniques learnt in Muay Thai class transfer directly to our MMA training and enhance performance in kickboxing and boxing sessions.
Muay Thai shares fundamental striking principles with our kickboxing and boxing classes, making it an ideal companion discipline. The eight-point striking system in Muay Thai includes punches, kicks, elbows, and knees, while boxing focuses on hand techniques and kickboxing typically excludes elbow strikes.
Training across these striking arts develops well-rounded stand-up skills. Boxing classes refine our head movement, footwork, and punch combinations.
Kickboxing adds leg kicks and body kicks to the arsenal. Muay Thai introduces clinch work, elbow strikes, and the teep (push kick).
Key Technical Overlaps:
We recommend attending at least one session per week in each striking discipline to build comprehensive stand-up capability.
Muay Thai’s clinch work creates natural synergies with grappling disciplines like BJJ and freestyle wrestling. The Muay Thai clinch teaches us to control an opponent’s posture, balance, and positioning—skills that translate directly to wrestling tie-ups and throws.
Combining Muay Thai with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu creates a complete fighting system. Muay Thai handles the striking and clinch range, while BJJ covers ground fighting and submissions.
Freestyle wrestling fills the gap between these ranges with takedowns and takedown defence. This cross-training approach mirrors how professional mixed martial arts fighters develop their skill sets.
We use Muay Thai to soften opponents with strikes before securing takedowns, or maintain distance with kicks while defending wrestling attempts.
Our full-sized competition cage provides an authentic environment for preparing MMA competitions. Muay Thai techniques are adapted specifically for cage fighting, where the fence changes angles, distance management, and clinch dynamics.
The cage removes backward movement options, making Muay Thai’s forward pressure and clinch control especially effective. Fighters can use the cage to trap opponents while delivering knee strikes and elbows—signature Muay Thai weapons in close quarters.
Training Muay Thai alongside our other combat sports creates complete fighters ready for competition. The striking foundation from Muay Thai, combined with wrestling’s takedowns and BJJ’s ground game, addresses all phases of an MMA bout.
The Hangar HPC offers flexible membership plans that include unlimited access to all classes, including the new Muay Thai sessions.
Members can choose between monthly memberships with full facility access or pay-as-you-go options for more flexibility.
Monthly membership currently costs £60 per month with no contract or joining fee.
This membership includes everything at the facility without extra charges.
The Hangar membership uses a simple pay-monthly system.
You can cancel anytime since there’s no long-term contract. But why would you when you get all this!
Full membership gives you access to the gym during open hours and all classes at Hangar HPC.
Classes include Mixed Martial Arts, Kickboxing, Freestyle and Greco Roman Wrestling, Muay Thai, BJJ, and Strength and Conditioning.
The gym opens from 6am to 9pm, and from 9-2pm at weekend.
Members enjoy free and easy parking and access to plenty of free weights and performance equipment.
Hangar HPC provides a Strength and Conditioning programme included with membership.
Sports therapists work on-site to support your training needs.
If you prefer not to commit monthly, a day pass costs £10 and individual classes are £10.
This lets you try the facility before joining as a member.
We also offer courses where members get free access or discounted rates for certain specialist sessions.
This adds extra value beyond standard training.
The Hangar Human Performance Centre creates a welcoming space where beginners train alongside experienced fighters.
Expert coaches and a community-focused approach support everyone.
Founded by Faith Attwell in June 2017, the gym has built a reputation for high-level training and an inclusive atmosphere.
We welcome everyone at Hangar HPC, from complete beginners to competitive athletes.
No one gets left behind during training sessions.
Our coaches adapt techniques to each person’s experience level.
New members receive personalised attention, and advanced fighters get the challenge they need.
This approach helps you feel comfortable on your first day and keeps you progressing.
The friendly community feel extends beyond training hours.
Members often stay after class to share tips or encourage each other.
Faith Attwell designed the space to foster these connections.
It’s more than just a place to work out.
Our members highlight the supportive environment and quality coaching they receive.
Coach Luis regularly celebrates dedication through promotions at Hangar BJJ Club.
Members transform their fitness, gain confidence, and develop martial arts skills.
Some compete successfully, while others enjoy personal growth from consistent training.
The coaches bring experience across multiple disciplines.
You receive proper instruction whether you’re learning basics or preparing for competition.
We regularly host specialised training events. These events bring fresh perspectives to our members.
Visiting coaches often lead these sessions. Sometimes, we focus on specific techniques not covered in regular classes.
Our employability training and essential skills courses show our commitment to building a stronger community. We believe fitness includes practical life skills as well as physical training.
Members with full access receive free entry to applicable courses. They also get discounted rates on specialist programmes.
