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Beacon Mixed Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 66 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Cardio kickboxing classes high-energy cardio kickboxing on the bags and pads — a fun, sweaty workout built for fitness and weight loss, at your own pace
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule chapelhillmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (984) 999-5300
Hours
| Monday | 4–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–1:30 PM, 4–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–1:30 PM, 4–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has been doing the kids' Muay Thai program since September 2022, and it's been so great for his coordination, confidence, and physical and mental health.”
“This is my first time learning jiujitsu and sometimes I feel like I should be in the children’s classes but everyone is incredibly helpful and supportive.”
“Each sparring session starts on the feet, which better prepares students for tournament, or ultimately, for self defense, where all encounters start standing.”
“Each sparring session starts on the feet, which better prepares students for tournament, or ultimately, for self defense, where all encounters start standing.”
“If you’re looking for a spot to train, learn, and master your BJJ and/or Muay Thai/Western Boxing skills this is the place to be and the next option won’t come close.”
“If you’re looking for a spot to train, learn, and master your BJJ and/or Muay Thai/Western Boxing skills this is the place to be and the next option won’t come close.”
Other martial arts here
“If you’re looking for a spot to train, learn, and master your BJJ and/or Muay Thai/Western Boxing skills this is the place to be and the next option won’t come close.”
“If you’re looking for a spot to train, learn, and master your BJJ and/or Muay Thai/Western Boxing skills this is the place to be and the next option won’t come close.”
“We are very new to Beacon MMA and BJJ in general, but since day one I have been nothing but impressed.”
“If you’re looking for a spot to train, learn, and master your BJJ and/or Muay Thai/Western Boxing skills this is the place to be and the next option won’t come close.”
“Each sparring session starts on the feet, which better prepares students for tournament, or ultimately, for self defense, where all encounters start standing.”
What members say
“Coach Kirby does a great job of making sure that the training environment is conducive to maximized learning and provides great tips that helped me ramp up my skill set quickly.”
“I joined without ever having trained Muay Thai before and was met with a very welcoming and supportive training environment that helped me build up the necessary skills.”
“Each sparring session starts on the feet, which better prepares students for tournament, or ultimately, for self defense, where all encounters start standing.”
“My son is one of the youngest students and as a mom that made me a little nervous.”
“My son has been doing the kids' Muay Thai program since September 2022, and it's been so great for his coordination, confidence, and physical and mental health.”
“I joined without ever having trained Muay Thai before and was met with a very welcoming and supportive training environment that helped me build up the necessary skills.”
From the reviews
There are a lot of options for jiu jitsu training, particularly in the triangle. I have trained at a few different schools over the past couple years as a permanent student, or visiting while traveling. Coach Kirby Farrales is a detail-oriented instructor.
We are very new to Beacon MMA and BJJ in general, but since day one I have been nothing but impressed. My son is one of the youngest students and as a mom that made me a little nervous. Coach Kirby has been such a great instructor every moment of class.
My son (now 15) has been attending Beacon for 2 years. It has been an incredible experience for him and us. Coach Kirby is incredible and helped create a passion for this sport and amazing self-discipline for my son.
My son has been doing the kids' Muay Thai program since September 2022, and it's been so great for his coordination, confidence, and physical and mental health. Coach Kirby is patient, kind, tough, and humble.
New to kickboxing? Start at Beacon Mixed Martial Arts
Beacon Mixed Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first kickboxing class at Beacon Mixed Martial Arts
Nervous about walking into a kickboxing gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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