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Gauntlet Fitness

4.9 ★★★★★ 89 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Homewood, Alabama

Kickboxing gym Beginners welcome Cardio kickboxing Private lessons

Dynamic, community-focused gym with daily cross-training workouts and kickboxing classes.

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
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Website & schedule gauntletfit.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (205) 937-4552

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at Gauntlet Fitness, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🔥 Cardio Kickboxing 7 mentions

“Gauntlet offers classes that combine HIIT/cardio, strength training, and kickboxing workouts.”

All gyms that run cardio kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“She was very kind and supportive with this being my first time.”

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🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“In a city inundated with gyms of all kinds (boxing, fitness, yoga/pilates, cycle), Gauntlet tops them all with their incredible staff, amazing community, and creative workouts.”

All gyms that run boxing →

Kickboxing Bootcamp 4 mentions

“Gauntlet offers classes that combine HIIT/cardio, strength training, and kickboxing workouts.”

All gyms that run kickboxing bootcamp →

Other martial arts here

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

🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“In a city inundated with gyms of all kinds (boxing, fitness, yoga/pilates, cycle), Gauntlet tops them all with their incredible staff, amazing community, and creative workouts.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I absolutely love the gauntlet towers and all of the self defense aspects that they teach.”

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 89 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“I never thought I’d fall in love with kickboxing but Paul and the rest of the instructors create a special environment that is not only fun but extremely welcoming.”

🎉 fun, high-energy classes 2 mentions

“I love that each class includes strength training as well as running through the Gauntlet, which is so much fun.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 4 mentions

“The trainers are knowledgeable and empowering, the workouts are challenging but fun, and the playlists are always fire!”

🤝 friendly, family gym 9 mentions

“I never thought I’d fall in love with kickboxing but Paul and the rest of the instructors create a special environment that is not only fun but extremely welcoming.”

From the reviews

I can't say enough how incredible and unique this place is. If you think 'how different can it be?', trust me, you have never experienced anything like the Gauntlet!

★★★★★ — Jennifer, May 2017

You signed up to go to kickboxing so expect to get your sweat on. It is kickboxing in HIIT form. High intensity, strong movements, increased heart rate, different movements over the course of a timed session. April is great. The atmosphere is motivating and not intimidating. Regulars are encouraging.

★★★★★ — Marina, Dec 2016

What started as mere curiosity a year and a half ago turned into my favorite place to workout. I never thought I’d fall in love with kickboxing but Paul and the rest of the instructors create a special environment that is not only fun but extremely welcoming.

★★★★★ — Kat, Jun 2025

I joined gauntlet a little under six months ago and I'm so happy that I did! It's definitely a place that you can find community and not just another gym. I've quickly made friends with those that I train beside. The trainers are knowledgeable, encouraging, and very welcoming.

★★★★★ — Brooke, Apr 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 89 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Gauntlet Fitness

Gauntlet Fitness 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 Gauntlet Fitness

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 Gauntlet Fitness

2711 18th Pl S, Homewood, AL35209

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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.