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Blue Life Karate & Kickboxing Centers
4.6 ★★★★★ 49 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Maplewood, New Jersey
Established in 1993, this local studio offers fitness & martial arts programs for adults & children.
Plan your first class
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule bluelifekarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 908-967-8132
Hours
| Monday | 5–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–8 pm |
| Thursday | 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 8:30 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son is learning so quickly and Sensei Howard has gone above and beyond with private instruction and great accessibility during this difficult time.”
“All children at all levels are welcomed, I’m so grateful to have stumbled upon Blue Life Karate and to see my son become apart of the family there.”
Other martial arts here
“My kids have been taking karate classes at Blue Life Karate for many years now and they love the new location at 1882 Springfield Avenue.”
“Black owned and a great environment to bring your kids to learn self defense.”
What members say
“It's hard to describe within a review the importance of the inclusive, welcoming, supportive but disciplined community Sensei has built with his business.”
“Beginners develop confidence quickly with Shihan Howard's approach and become continually motivated to learn.”
“All children at all levels are welcomed, I’m so grateful to have stumbled upon Blue Life Karate and to see my son become apart of the family there.”
From the reviews
Black owned and a great environment to bring your kids to learn self defense. I bring my 5 year old son who's very hyperactive, and he's been able to fit in perfectly with the class, learning and growing.
my boys (ages 5 and 9) have only been going for a few months, but we love it! my older son took karate at a few places when we lived in NYC and it was a total fail. they focused on silly stuff like getting them to break a board but they didn't really learn anything.
I've been a Blue Life Karate/Kickboxing program student since July 2023. I joined the 16-week challenge program to lose weight and tone my body. After completing the program, I signed up for the kickboxing program and, thus far, have lost 23 pounds.
The Karate technique is broken down for the children to easily digest. The drills teach them muscle memory so they can react to situations faster then before. Great conditioning for the kids. In a light hearted safe family environment.
New to kickboxing? Start at Blue Life Karate & Kickboxing Centers
Blue Life Karate & Kickboxing Centers comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Blue Life Karate & Kickboxing Centers
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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