Xtreme Martial Arts and Fitness Center, San Jose

Xtreme Martial Arts and Fitness Center’s martial arts trainers and coaches take on students aged 3–60 in their quest to spread the art of muay thai. Far from regarding the ancient martial art—which incorporates strikes from the fists, feet, elbows, and knees—as simply a means of fighting or very forcefully hailing a cab, staff also gear classes toward fitness with their X-Fit kickboxing programs. All lessons take place in their 5,000-square-foot facility, where students battle punching bags or spar against padded partners. An additional 2,000-square-foot personal-training studio provides space for one-on-one conditioning, which removes all competitive aspects from training, aside from the quest to wipe that smug smile off of your shadow’s face.