A local Muay Thai dojo recently moved to a new location in Alexandria.
Atlas Muay Thai Gym opened earlier this month in its new location at 2395 S. Dove Street. The gym opened in 2023 in a former CrossFit gym at 215 N. Payne Street, part of The Link coworking office, and is owned by Muay Thai world champion Amine “The Lion” Ballafrikh.
“In the past two years, we helped so many people build confidence and strength,” Ballafrikh said. “Our oldest client is 85 years old. If you want to fight, or be healthy, or lose or gain weight, even just to clear your head, we’re a great community that supports each other.”
Ballafrikh fought his way out of Moroccan slums to be a U.S. citizen, and his gym is named after Morocco’s fabled Atlas Mountains. He moved to the U.S. more than a decade ago and opened his first gym in 2017 in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County.
“Our new location has a lot of parking,” Ballafrikh said. “We have a ring in the gym, and have doubled not only our footprint, but our offerings.”
Ballafrikh said Atlas is now offering classes starting at 6 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m.
Ballafrikh previously told ALXnow that his team works closely with clients. People can be intimidated by Muay Thai due to fear of injury.
“We are very patient and work closely with each individual,” Ballafrikh said.
