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Ground Control

4.7 ★★★★★ 64 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Rosedale, Maryland

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons

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
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule groundcontrolbaltimore.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (410) 340-5925

Hours

Monday 6–7 AM, 10 AM–1 PM, 5–10 PM
Tuesday 6–7 AM, 5–10 PM
Wednesday 6–7 AM, 10 AM–1 PM, 5–10 PM
Thursday 6–7 AM, 5–10 PM
Friday 10 AM–1 PM, 5–7 PM
Saturday 9 AM–1 PM
Sunday 11 AM–12:30 PM

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 Ground Control, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 13 mentions

“The facility is beautiful, large, and upgraded, and my daughter absolutely loves it here.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“I went here for my first time a few weeks ago and found the environment to be safe, fun and most importantly - geared towards learning.”

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🦵 Muay Thai

“They just got in a new Muay Thai instructor who I haven't had a chance to learn too much from, but I feel that he is also a great source.”

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🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“The boxing instructor here, Russ Shiflett, is incredibly technically sound.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“The instructors and professors are totally legit, and you will absolutely get one-on-one treatment here.”

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Teens Kickboxing

“We couldn't be happier with our experience with the teen classes.”

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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 Ground Control — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Muay Thai

“They just got in a new Muay Thai instructor who I haven't had a chance to learn too much from, but I feel that he is also a great source.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“The boxing instructor here, Russ Shiflett, is incredibly technically sound.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🏟️ MMA 5 mentions

“Went to morning no-gi classes with coaches Tim and John and it was by far the best instruction I've received out of the four bjj/mma gyms I've been at.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 14 mentions

“Went to morning no-gi classes with coaches Tim and John and it was by far the best instruction I've received out of the four bjj/mma gyms I've been at.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

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 64 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 5 mentions

“Went to morning no-gi classes with coaches Tim and John and it was by far the best instruction I've received out of the four bjj/mma gyms I've been at.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“I went here for my first time a few weeks ago and found the environment to be safe, fun and most importantly - geared towards learning.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“The facility is beautiful, large, and upgraded, and my daughter absolutely loves it here.”

💗 welcoming to women 4 mentions
🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 4 mentions

“The environment is welcoming, and it's clear that they care about helping each student learn, grow, and build confidence.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 9 mentions

“The facilities and classes might be intimidating at first glance, but the people are friendly and amazing as long as you are eager to learn.”

From the reviews

I trained at GC for about 2.5 years. I started off at Ground Control Columbia for about a year and then moved to Baltimore and attended this location. Both are fantastic with great instructors.

★★★★★ — Jin, Jan 2018

I dropped in here back in June when I was in town for a wedding. Training here was the highlight of my weekend. The staff is kind and courteous, instructors were knowledgeable and ran a very fun class, and my training partners were all respectful.

★★★★★ — Andrew, Aug 2025

I trained at Ground Control last night and it was a fantastic experience. The I stress great. Rolling was awesome. My drilling partner was great to work with. The techniques were explained well and are effective. I highly recommend Ground Control.

★★★★★ — Christina, Dec 2020

I was only able to make it to one mid day no-gi bjj class taught by John. The facility was huge (especially coming from a guy that trains in NYC), and a shower *was* available. The instruction was personal and detailed. I am still using the guard pass taught that day.

★★★★★ — Vince, Dec 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 64 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Ground Control

Ground Control 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first kickboxing class at Ground Control

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 Ground Control

8303 Pulaski Hwy Ste b, Rosedale, MD21237

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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.