Muay Thai in Lisbon
Be Water's striking programme
Muay Thai in Lisbon — Be Water's Striking Programme
At Be Water Lisbon you get the most complete striking programme in the city: Muay Thai on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with Diogo Calado (world and European champion). Technical striking and relentless conditioning in a martial art that transforms you.
Muay Thai uses the entire body as a weapon — fists, elbows, knees and shins — and adds the clinch, standing close-range combat. It's the most complete striking art there is: deep technique and relentless conditioning.
Muay Thai — how it works
Muay Thai is known as the "art of 8 limbs" — the most complete striking system there is, using fists, elbows, knees and shins. At Be Water you train every dimension of the art, from base technique to the clinch, in a single programme adapted to all levels.
The 8 "limbs" of Muay Thai
- Fists — jab, cross, hook, uppercut
- Elbows — elbow strikes at close range, one of the art's most devastating tools
- Knees — in the clinch and on the move, powerful and hard to block
- Shins — kicks in Muay Thai use the shin, not the foot, for maximum power and protection
The kicking arsenal and the clinch
- Low kicks — leg kicks, the most effective tool for wearing down an opponent
- Middle kicks — body kicks with the shin, powerful and fast, Muay Thai's visual trademark
- High kicks — head kicks, more technical and spectacular, developed progressively
- Clinch — standing close-range combat: throws, neck control and knees
Striking Schedule in Lisbon
| Modality | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|
| MUAY THAI | Tuesday, Thursday | 7:00 AM |
| MUAY THAI | Friday | 6:30 PM |
| MUAY THAI | Tuesday, Thursday | 7:15 PM |
Five striking sessions per week — two early mornings (Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00am) and three in the late afternoon — so you can train without compromising the rest of your day.
See full schedule →What striking classes are like at Be Water Lisbon
Muay Thai classes (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) follow the classic Thai training structure, with a focus on technique, combinations and bag rounds. They are adapted for all levels.
Warm-up and mobility
We always start with cardiovascular activation and joint mobilisation specific to striking. Hip and shoulder flexibility is fundamental.
Base technique
Work on stance, guard, footwork and mechanics of fundamental techniques. Even experienced practitioners benefit from returning to basics regularly.
Bag work
Application of techniques on heavy and speed bags. You develop power, timing and conditioning simultaneously.
Pad Work
The most technical element of the classes. In pairs, one trains and the other holds pads, recreating real combat patterns. Diogo and Rui give personalised attention to technical correction during this block.
Final conditioning
Rounds of varying intensity to build striking-specific endurance.
What you'll develop with the striking programme
Physically, Muay Thai is among the most complete workouts you can do. It develops cardiovascular conditioning, power and muscular explosiveness throughout the body, flexibility, coordination and timing — technical depth and metabolic intensity in the same class.
Technically, striking classes at Be Water will give you a solid base that is directly applicable in any context — from self-defence to MMA.
Mentally, striking teaches discipline, control under pressure, and a mental toughness that transfers to all areas of life. It's no coincidence that these are the martial arts of choice for so many athletes from other modalities.
Your coaches
Two legends of Portuguese striking, side by side. World and European champions with decades of ring experience, applying it directly to your classes.
Professional fighter and one of the most respected names in Portuguese Muay Thai. World and European champion across multiple organizations, he brings to Be Water the experience of someone who has competed among the best in the world. In his classes, he combines technique, intensity and mental focus — teaching the principles of Muay Thai with the same passion he always brought to the ring.
One of the most respected names in Portuguese kickboxing and a professional boxer. ISKA European, National and Iberian Champion in Kickboxing and Muay Thai. At Be Water, he brings decades of ring experience to Boxing and Muay Thai classes with a technical, demanding approach.
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Who is Be Water's striking programme for
The classes are for everyone — without exception. You don't need experience, to be fit, or to have any martial arts background.
Diogo and the Be Water team adapt the intensity and technical complexity to your level. If you've never done striking, the Muay Thai classes are the natural entry point — you start with the fundamentals and, over time, add elbows, knees and clinch to your arsenal.
It's especially recommended for those who want to lose weight effectively and sustainably, those who already go to the gym and want to add a technical component, those interested in MMA or self-defence, and those looking for a cardio class with real technique behind it.
What our athletes say
See our reviews on Google →“I tried the Muay Thai class with Diogo Calado and really enjoyed it, everything well prepared and organised, adapting the training to the abilities of the students there. On top of that, the whole space is very well thought out and the conditions are great! Cheers”
“Best place to train in Lisbon! Functional training, open gym, Boxing, Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu!”
“Such a great studio to train at!! I came here for a trial class and became a fan now. Fantastic challenging workouts, great coaches who pay attention to every single person attending the class and help you adapt the exercise if needed. Ambiance is super friendly too with everyone being nice and supportive!!”
“BE WATER (by Dicas do Salgueiro) is incredible. The space is top, super clean and modern, and the atmosphere puts anyone in a good, motivated mood. The boxing classes are brutal, very dynamic, and the coaches are impeccable. […] Price-wise, it's totally worth it for the quality and for having unlimited access to everything. Highly recommend!”
“Without a doubt the best workout I've ever had, with an exceptional coach, always watching each participant's performance, correcting every movement and adapting to each person's physical abilities. […] The atmosphere is perfectly welcoming and everything is well balanced - even the music, which is usually the most annoying part of most gyms. Top marks for the whole BeWater team! 👏👏👏”
“BE Water is the only gym I’ve ever truly enjoyed going to in my life! The staff are amazing and always friendly, the place is spotless, and it has everything we need. […] Since I don’t speak Portuguese, I used to feel hesitant about joining group activities or classes. But instead of excluding me, everyone welcomed me with open arms and treated me like family.”
“BeWater is the gym I was looking for. If you want functional training that combines mobility, endurance, cardio performance, flexibility and strength, away from the standard models of the "mainstream" gym chains, this is the right place. […] Here the coaches can focus on the group, with demanding dynamics adapted to each person. I was very happy to find this oasis!”
“I am super impressed buy the quality of the coachs, sessions are always super interresting and mix a variety of topics, cardio, strengh. The level differences within a group is managed perfectly as the coachs are experienced. […] I think to this date it's probably my preferred training in Lisboa and Europe in general for the mix of 90's spirit and amazing coachs skills :)”
“Bewater is simply TOP! Incredible professionals, a welcoming, family atmosphere. Jiu-Jitsu and conditioning training of the highest quality. I learn a lot from this excellent team dedicated to teaching. 100% recommended! 💪”
“best jiu jitsu classes in Lisbon!”
“Challenging and motivating functional and strength workouts, always adapted to each person's level. An excellent, very experienced coaching team, led by Salgueiro👌”
“The best training centre. The instructors are pros, the training is very varied and motivating, the facilities are impeccable, the atmosphere is great. Even for those who think they won't “handle” the workout, they always find a doable adaptation. On top of that, they have great taste in music! What's not to like?”
“Great amenities, amazing staff! The best thing about it is that I can freely choose what I want to try out, from bodywork training, martial arts. Location helps a lot, with great access from public transportation.”
“Best gym in Lisbon on every level. Brutal workouts for all kinds of people and every coach knows what they're doing. They're very good and help with everything you need. 100% recommended”
“An amazing place to train! Several disciplines (functional training, boxing, among others), the option of open training and lots of class times. A very dedicated and experienced coaching team. Great atmosphere in a welcoming space. The space and the changing rooms always clean.”
“Excellent programming and coaching. The gym is very well equipped, always clean and very well located. All the coaches are impeccable.”
“Be Water is the perfect gym for anyone who likes to train and have a good time! With coaches who are super committed to helping, adapting when needed and meeting our needs. Highly recommend!”
“Excellent atmosphere and an impeccable team. A gym that is different in a good way! 💪💪💪”
“A super welcoming space with original decor. New, quality equipment and very helpful, attentive staff. Great facilities. Definitely worth a visit.”
Try striking at Be Water
Fill out the form and we'll get in touch to schedule your free Muay Thai trial class!
See Prices →Frequently Asked Questions about Muay Thai
Do I need my own equipment to start?
For the first trial class, you don't need anything — we lend gloves and shin guards if necessary. For regular training, we recommend Muay Thai gloves (12-14 oz), shin guards, hand wraps or inner gloves and a mouth guard. Our staff will advise you on choosing equipment.
Do classes include sparring?
Sparring is introduced gradually and only when the coach considers you have the necessary technical base. Most classes focus on technique, bags and pad work. When sparring happens, it's always controlled and adapted to the practitioners' level.
Is it good for weight loss?
Extremely effective. A striking class burns between 600 to 1000 calories depending on intensity. It combines cardiovascular work with muscle development, making it one of the most efficient methods for fat loss and body composition improvement.
Can I combine striking with Jiu-Jitsu?
Yes — and it's an excellent combination. Muay Thai covers standing striking and Jiu-Jitsu covers ground combat. Together, they give you a complete martial arts base. Many of our students practise both modalities.
What's the difference between Kickboxing and Muay Thai?
The main difference is the technical arsenal. Kickboxing uses only punches and kicks; Muay Thai adds elbows, knees and clinch — which is why it's known as the "art of 8 limbs". At Be Water, the striking programme is focused on Muay Thai, the more complete and versatile system of the two.
I'm visiting Lisbon. Can I train for just one class or one week?
Yes. There is a drop-in for €15 (one class, credited toward your first membership if you decide to join) and a week pass for €50 (7 days of unlimited access to every modality and open gym), with no monthly membership. See the passes on the pricing page or read our guide to training while visiting Lisbon.
Are classes taught in English?
Yes. Classes are taught in Portuguese and switch to English whenever there are non-Portuguese speakers in the class. Our coaches speak English and are used to training visitors and expats.