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Derby City MMA
4.8 ★★★★★ 434 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Louisville, Kentucky
Family-friendly martial arts facility with boxing options and clean mats, plus classes for adults, kids and teens.
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
- 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 derbycitymartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (502) 937-8797
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–1:30 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–1:30 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–1:30 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–1:30 PM, 5–7 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Great atmosphere for the kids part of the day the instructors are fun and my son has learned a lot especially how to punch.”
“The coaches show true interest and put so much effort into improving everyone's game whether they are a beginner or at the expert level.”
“Anytime your in Louisville, be sure to come by for the best gym and open mats in town!”
“I’ve attended camp three times and competed in a Chewjitsu tournament, and every experience has been solid.”
Other martial arts here
“Derby City MMA was by far one of the best I've attended.”
“I have been coming to this gym for nearly 3 years now, been training jiu-jitsu for 9 years this May (at time of this review).”
“Started for self defense but enjoyed the classes and now do it for fun.”
What members say
“Great staff, great instruction and cool people to roll with if you live in that area or are passing through hit them up it will be worth your time.”
“The coaches show true interest and put so much effort into improving everyone's game whether they are a beginner or at the expert level.”
“I’ve attended camp three times and competed in a Chewjitsu tournament, and every experience has been solid.”
“I dropped in again yesterday and had another positive experience — very welcoming members, great rounds, and a clean environment.”
“I dropped in again yesterday and had another positive experience — very welcoming members, great rounds, and a clean environment.”
From the reviews
Was in the area and asked if I could drop in for a class and they said come on in! Great staff, great instruction and cool people to roll with if you live in that area or are passing through hit them up it will be worth your time. Definitely my home away from home when I am in that area!
I’d highly recommend Derby City MMA. There are plenty of highly skilled, world-class people here, covering a wide variety of styles. All of the coaches are very down to earth and genuinely care about your development.
I have been coming to this gym for nearly 3 years now, been training jiu-jitsu for 9 years this May (at time of this review). In those 9 years I have trained in 3 countries, and 4 states and this is my 7th gym (I have to move around because of work). This is by far the best place that I have ever trained.
I travel a lot for work and dropped in to Derby City. This is an amazing facility and the members and staff treated me like one of their own. I've followed Chewy's YouTube channel for years, and he ran an amazing class. He's a fantastic instructor who runs a really phenomenal gym filled with great people.
New to kickboxing? Start at Derby City MMA
Derby City MMA 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 Derby City MMA
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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