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Core Martial Arts and Self Defense

5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Gulf Breeze, Florida

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Women's classes Private lessons Competition team

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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's kickboxing classes — a welcoming space to start out and train
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • 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 coremartialartsflorida.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (850) 585-0950

Hours

Monday 10 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–8 PM
Thursday 10 AM–8 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at Core Martial Arts and Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🔥 Cardio Kickboxing 2 mentions

“They provide you quality one on one training and tips to perfect your form, whatever path you choose for competition, self defense or simply a great workout.”

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🧒 Kids Kickboxing 32 mentions

“Our son can get easily distracted, as most 6 years olds can, but Scott does a wonderful job keeping a large group of kids focused, all while being friendly and fun.”

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🤜 Sparring

“Sparring is his favorite part!”

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🦵 Muay Thai

“I train Muay Thai here, and the coaching, atmosphere, and overall training experience are top notch.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“They provide you quality one on one training and tips to perfect your form, whatever path you choose for competition, self defense or simply a great workout.”

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Teens Kickboxing

“I know he will head into high school and off to college with the skills and knowledge to be aware of his surroundings and deal with any situation that may arise.”

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Other martial arts here

Kickboxing gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Core Martial Arts and Self Defense — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Muay Thai

“I train Muay Thai here, and the coaching, atmosphere, and overall training experience are top notch.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA 6 mentions

“He is comfortable defending himself if he ever needs to, and he's transitioned into the MMA class.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 12 mentions

“Scott and Carrie really took the time to find organizations that are true to the art, while really teaching self defense tactics and real world scenarios to apply the technique!”

Other gyms that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want muay thai, boxing, or MMA alongside your kickboxing, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 37 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 2 mentions

“She is very confident in her self defense and I attribute that to the amazing instructors at Core.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Highly recommend Core for it's cleanliness, professionalism, top notch instruction, and welcoming atmosphere.”

🎉 fun, high-energy classes 3 mentions

“They provide you quality one on one training and tips to perfect your form, whatever path you choose for competition, self defense or simply a great workout.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Scott and Carrie provide a safe learning environment that has allowed my son to grow in confidence, stature, and increase his social skills.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 3 mentions

“Highly recommend Core for it's cleanliness, professionalism, top notch instruction, and welcoming atmosphere.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 9 mentions

“Scott and Carrie provide a safe learning environment that has allowed my son to grow in confidence, stature, and increase his social skills.”

From the reviews

My son noticed Core when we passed by on our daily commute. After much thought, he asked if he could give it a try. My husband took him and finished his first Krav Maga class, but wasn't too sure if he wanted to stand for the Hapkido class. My husband encouraged him to stay.

★★★★★ — Tracey, Jul 2017

I have a background in Tae Kwon Do, and when I moved to the area, I was originally looking into TKD schools and found that they were not Korean based organizations. When I visited Core, I immediately felt a connection!!

★★★★★ — Nicole, Sep 2016

My son, now 13 has been attending classes at Core Martial Arts for a few years. He started in the juniors program and now attends the Hapkido class. It has been amazing watching him grow into a strong, confident young man with Scott and Carrie by his side.

★★★★★ — Maria, Apr 2018

Core Martial Arts has been a wonderful addition to our family. My 3 kids thoroughly enjoy the kids classes because Mr. Scott and Ms. Carrie are amazing teachers. They look forward to every class. As a parent, I love that my kids are learning important self defense tactics.

★★★★★ — Courtney, Jul 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Core Martial Arts and Self Defense

Core Martial Arts and Self Defense 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at Core Martial Arts and Self Defense

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.

Kickboxing is a contact sport. Warm up, pace yourself, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Core Martial Arts and Self Defense

3483 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL32563

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.