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Embrace Martial Arts
4.8 ★★★★★ 98 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Wake Forest, 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
- 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 embracemartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 919-777-3649
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–12:30 pm, 3:45–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30–7:30 am, 10–11:30 am, 4:45–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–12:30 pm, 3:45–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30–7:30 am, 10–11:30 am, 4:45–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–12:30 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The Professors and Coaches do a phenomenal job of teaching and holding the students accountable but are also approachable and offer safe environment for the kids.”
“I highly recommend Embrace Martial Arts if you are experienced and a beginner.”
“People are constantly winning tournament's but is also very family friendly.”
“Professors Joel and Tiago and their coaching staff have created a safe environment to learn and grow in the arts of Jiu Jitsu and/or Muay Thai.”
Other martial arts here
“Professors Joel and Tiago and their coaching staff have created a safe environment to learn and grow in the arts of Jiu Jitsu and/or Muay Thai.”
“Embrace is a gym that offers mixed martial arts classes, and I have to say it's been an incredible experience.”
“After spending 5 years at our first gym in florida we moved here to Wake Forest, unsure that we would find a new BJJ family like the one we left behind, we tried Embrace.”
“Overall, I highly recommend this gym for anyone looking to get fit, learn self-defense, and be a part of an amazing martial arts community.”
What members say
“Great camaraderie, great instructors, family friendly.”
“The professor sincerely cares about each student and has been welcoming to myself and coworkers.”
“People are constantly winning tournament's but is also very family friendly.”
“After spending 5 years at our first gym in florida we moved here to Wake Forest, unsure that we would find a new BJJ family like the one we left behind, we tried Embrace.”
From the reviews
Embrace is a gym that offers mixed martial arts classes, and I have to say it's been an incredible experience. The trainers are knowledgeable and passionate about what they do, and they create a supportive and motivating environment for everyone. The workouts are intense and challenging, but also a lot of fun.
I have trained for many years at different gyms in the area. Professor Joel brought a new a whole new type of gym to our area. Not only does it provide the absolute best instruction for those that want to compete, this gym also is great for the everyday person who just wants to learn a martial art and get in shape.
I’ve been training at Embrace BJJ since it open and I love it. It’s a great place to train and everyone treats you like family. Professor Joel Garcia cares about the quality of instruction he teaches and even more importantly cares about his students well being. He is especially great with the kids class.
Embrace Martial Arts has provided my son with an exceptional and healthy activity with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, in only about a month and a half he has thrived. I went to other places nearby and they seemed more like a daycare than a training facility. So we chose Embrace and I am so glad we did.
New to kickboxing? Start at Embrace Martial Arts
Embrace Martial Arts 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 Embrace 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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