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Hammerforge: School of Combat Arts
5 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Gainesville, Florida
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
- Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule thehammerforge.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 352-363-1057
Hours
| Monday | 4–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–8 pm |
| Thursday | 4–8 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 11 am–3 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Extremely experienced coaching, excellent with all levels - beginning to experienced.”
“Whether we are doing striking drills, grappling/jiu jitsu, sparring with one another, or lifting weights, I am growing as a person with the help of Hammerforge.”
“Hammerforge is THE fight school that prepares you for the cage or real world combining grappling, striking, and a well built strength and conditioning program.”
Other martial arts here
“David Holt is the best person to train and develop these MMA skills in me.”
“Hammerforge is THE fight school that prepares you for the cage or real world combining grappling, striking, and a well built strength and conditioning program.”
“If you are looking for self defense and functional fitness, kinda like crossfit meets strength training meets strongman.”
What members say
“The instruction was provided by teaching following with a sufficient amount of sparring, and all the sparring was under a close coach. David (the instructor) is a great guy!”
“Extremely experienced coaching, excellent with all levels - beginning to experienced.”
“Hammerforge is THE fight school that prepares you for the cage or real world combining grappling, striking, and a well built strength and conditioning program.”
“He not only focuses on coaching combat techniques but also helps people to train a tough mind to fight all difficulties and stress in life: keep fighting!”
“I made wonderful friends and miss them dearly, I can say without reservation, they are my martial arts family.”
From the reviews
Hammerforge is THE fight school that prepares you for the cage or real world combining grappling, striking, and a well built strength and conditioning program. I’ve been training here since February this year and I can definitively say I want to train at this gym for as long as I can.
Prior to Hammerforge, I had been in martial arts for over seven years. I believed systems were ultimately the same, that all roads led to Rome. I was wrong, I attended a fight club organized by David and learnt the hard way that I wasn't as capable as I had thought, that was a tough pill to swallow.
I initially heard of Hammerforge last year at around this time, and I knew that it would be the right fit for me. My first few classes were provided for free by our Coach, who has always (and will always), be attentive to each of his students.
Hammerforge is a second home for me; one where I connect with brothers (and sisters) who look out for one another and support one another in becoming more empowered and prepared versions of themselves.
New to kickboxing? Start at Hammerforge: School of Combat Arts
Hammerforge: School of Combat 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 Hammerforge: School of Combat 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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