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First State Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Dover, Delaware

Kickboxing gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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
  • 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 facebook.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 302-450-2600

Hours

Monday 5:30–9 pm
Tuesday 6–10 pm
Wednesday 5:30–9 pm
Thursday 5–8 pm
Friday 5–8 pm
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 First State Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 3 mentions

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“From the perspective of an absolute beginner with no prior experience in any physically competitive sport, I am grateful a friend of mine referred me to FSMA!”

All gyms that run beginners →

🤜 Sparring

“Stopped by First State today for an open mat.”

All gyms that run sparring →

🏆 Competition Team 4 mentions

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🦵 Muay Thai

“They offer Gracie Jiu Jitsu as well as Muay Thai classes.”

All gyms that run muay thai →

Other martial arts here

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

🦵 Muay Thai

“They offer Gracie Jiu Jitsu as well as Muay Thai classes.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA

“Great MMA and BJJ studio!”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 7 mentions

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

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 17 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“From the perspective of an absolute beginner with no prior experience in any physically competitive sport, I am grateful a friend of mine referred me to FSMA!”

🏆 active competition / fight team 6 mentions

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 3 mentions

“The staff was friendly and professional at all times and provided a clean environment.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 9 mentions

“The people are kind and supportive, our coaches are personable, and the atmosphere is conductive for learning every aspect of BJJ!”

From the reviews

This gym has such a great atmosphere. Everyone is extremely approachable and enthusiastic about their craft. Never met such a wonderful group of people. Their classes are great for a wide range of experience levels from brand new to advanced practitioners. The coaches are extremely talented and humble.

★★★★★ — Cody, Oct 2022

Great MMA and BJJ studio! Especially for the little ones, I've had my boys going here for a couple months and they are learning new technique everyday. Highly recommend coming here and giving it a shot. From experienced to beginner it's a great opportunity. Also this is a gracie jujitsu gym

★★★★★ — Nick, Dec 2018

From the perspective of an absolute beginner with no prior experience in any physically competitive sport, I am grateful a friend of mine referred me to FSMA! The people are kind and supportive, our coaches are personable, and the atmosphere is conductive for learning every aspect of BJJ!

★★★★★ — Nic, Oct 2022

Been here for 4 years ever since I was 14 years old. Everyone is super friendly here and I’ve seen people who never compete and just go for a workout and that’s fine because the coaches don’t pressure people to compete unless they want too, but I have also seen some amazing competitors amongst the coaches and students.

★★★★★ — Tropical, Jul 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at First State Martial Arts

First State 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at First State 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.

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 First State Martial Arts

523 S Red Haven Ln #102, Dover, DE19901

Get directions

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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.