I'm looking for a foreigner friendly Thai boxing club in Istanbul, preferably easy to get to from Maslak. I'll do kickboxing at a push but prefer thai. I'm fairly experienced so the class doesn't need to be in English, I'll be able to follow it. The boxers just have to be able to tolerate foreign women.

I've had a few bad experiences in other countries!

they are around. i used to go to one here in uskudar - but he has moved.... and i dont know where. and it was proper thai kick boxing. If its a serious class i dont think you will have a problem with being tolerated - nobody will want to spar with you tho. so maybe sign up with a friend. make sure you are properly attired as well - loose pants, tshirt. thats what tends to get the men in a class uncomfortable - too much flesh.

Another dead end then! Thanks for the tips on clothing though. Guess my thai boxing shorts will have to lie dormant for another year and I'll have to wear crappy polyester uncomfortable kickboxing pants. Bof!

So far all my leads have got me nowhere. There used to be classes in Bujin gym in Etiler but they have stopped now too. I heard the teacher had moved to 'club sporium' also in Etiler but i can't find a website or number for the place.

The only other options are in Kadikoy or taksim - which are both a tad too far to travel through rush hour traffic.

If anyone else knows of anything or perhaps the website for club sporium I'd really appreciate it!

Or do all you lot just hit the pubs of an evening ?

http://www.clubsporium.com/2007/akatlar/lang_tr/ There's an English version as well. One of their branches is in Bostanci (the other side) and they have one in Akatlar.

Thank you so much! I looked on it and could see no mention of thai boxing so i gues my contact got it wrong although I will get someone to call them.

I didn't know it would be so hard to find - they're boxers not ninjas!

Maie, really..thai boxing? When in Turkey do as the Turkish women do. Get all pampered up at the hairdresser's instead!

Oh I do that too. Kicking someone in the head whilst wearing heels and without breaking a nail is an art form only mastered by a few

[quote user="banana" post="113299"] make sure you are properly attired as well - loose pants, tshirt. thats what tends to get the men in a class uncomfortable - too much flesh.[/quote]

Banana; I don't see why guys at the class would be uncomfortable due to a woman wearing Thai-boxing-style shorts. They are not of short, skimpy variety......they are loose-fitting, longish shorts (well...as far as I know, anyway).

Coco; I have just done a little bit of online search....you might want to check out the site http://www.borangym.com. They have a contact number there so even if that place doesn't provide the type of lessons/sparring you want, they might be able to show you in the right direction.

Cheers,

Cem