French kickboxing in Guildford
Savate (French Kickboxing) in Guildford
Savate is a rare, elegant striking art you'll struggle to find anywhere else in Surrey. Train it at Guildford's full-time Muay Thai gym, where all levels are genuinely welcome and your first class is free.
- Good for
- Footwork · striking · fitness
- Levels
- All levels
- Ages
- Adults
- From
- Ask us (not in Muay Thai membership)
Savate, also known as French kickboxing, is one of the most distinctive striking arts in the world. It's fast, precise and surprisingly graceful, built around clean, accurate kicks and light, fencing-like footwork. If you've been searching for somewhere to try it near you, you're in the right place. Very few gyms in Surrey teach it at all.
You don't need to know anything about Savate to start. Plenty of people arrive simply curious about what "French kickboxing" actually is, and that's a perfectly good reason to come along. Others already box or train Muay Thai and want to add something different to their striking. Both are welcome in the same class.
Shin Kick is a full-time, dedicated martial arts and fitness centre with three matted areas, ten minutes' walk from Guildford town centre and the mainline station. You don't have to be a fighter to train here. Come as you are, learn at your own pace, and see why Savate is worth the trip.
New to this?
What a Savate class is really like
First things first: what is Savate? It's a French striking art that uses precise, accurate foot kicks and clean punches, all built on light, mobile footwork that looks a little like fencing. Unlike Muay Thai, there are no knees or elbows. Instead, the focus is on distance, timing and beautifully controlled technique, which makes it as much about thinking as it is about fitness.
One thing makes Savate truly unusual: it's the only striking art traditionally trained and fought in shoes. You really don't need to worry about kit for your first session, though. Come in comfy clothes and trainers, and we'll point you in the right direction for everything else. The gloves are sorted.
Your first class starts gently. You'll be shown the basics step by step, work on technique rather than being thrown into anything, and you won't be made to spar. You'll almost certainly be training alongside other newcomers. Expect to leave having learned something genuinely new, and probably keen to come back.
Why you'll love it
- Learn a rare striking art that hardly anyone else in Surrey teaches
- Sharp, fencing-like footwork that carries over into any striking style
- Precise, controlled kicking technique without knees or elbows
- A great change of pace if you already box or train Muay Thai
- Real coaching in a friendly, full-time gym, not a one-off class in a hall
- Your first class is completely free, so you can try it before deciding
This is for you if…
- You searched "savate" or "French kickboxing" and were surprised to find it locally
- You already box or train Muay Thai and want to add something fresh to your striking
- You're a complete beginner who's simply curious what French kickboxing is
- You love footwork, timing and technique as much as fitness
- You want to train a genuinely unusual art with proper coaching nearby
On the timetable
Savate this week
Times can change — check the full timetable or call us to confirm before your first visit.
- Wednesday8:00–10:00pm
Your coaches
Who teaches Savate
Good to know
Common questions
How is Savate different from Muay Thai or kickboxing?
Savate uses precise foot kicks and clean punches with light, fencing-like footwork, and no knees or elbows. Compared with Muay Thai it's faster and more mobile, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, distance and timing. It's also the only striking art traditionally trained in shoes.
Do I need experience to start?
Not at all. No experience and no particular fitness level are needed. You'll be shown the basics step by step and you won't be the only first-timer in the room. Just wear comfy clothes and trainers and we'll guide you through the rest.
Do I need special Savate shoes?
Not for your first class. Come in comfy clothes and trainers and you'll be absolutely fine. If you decide to keep training, just ask your coach and they'll point you in the right direction on footwear.
Is Savate included in a Muay Thai membership?
No. Savate is priced separately and is not part of the standard Muay Thai membership. The easy way to try it is on a pay-as-you-go basis at £15 per class, and your very first class is free. Pop in or call us on 01483 578358 and we'll talk you through your options.
Can I train Savate alongside Muay Thai?
Yes, lots of strikers love mixing the two, and the footwork carries over nicely. Just keep in mind that Savate is separate from a Muay Thai membership, so you'd pay for it on top, for example pay-as-you-go at £15 a class.
When does the Savate class run and where are you?
Savate runs at set times each week, so check our live timetable for the current day and time. We're at Weyford House, 21/22 Woodbridge Meadows, Guildford GU1 1BA, with on-site parking and about a ten-minute walk from Guildford station.
Also at Shin Kick
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Get started
Your first class is free
No experience needed, no contract to try. Come and see why beginners feel at home here — book a free trial or just give us a call.