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Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts & Fitness

4.6 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Gaithersburg, Maryland

Kickboxing gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing 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
  • 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
  • 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 martialartsgaithersburg.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (240) 424-5726

Hours

Monday 6–9 PM
Tuesday 6–9 PM
Wednesday 6–9 PM
Thursday 6–9 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
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 Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts & Fitness, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 5 mentions

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My son has been training at Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts for the past four years, and I can’t say enough about the positive impact it has had on his life.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🤜 Sparring

“The students work on forms, strength, flexibility, and sparring, developing both physical skill and mental focus.”

All gyms that run sparring →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“I am 41 years old I am now a Black sash instructor and going to tournaments every year meeting new people and now apart of the Leadership team.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🌱 Beginners

“The school is located in a beautiful, brand new facility with spacious, fully-equipped rooms for both self-defense and fitness.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

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

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“The school is located in a beautiful, brand new facility with spacious, fully-equipped rooms for both self-defense and fitness.”

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 14 Google reviews — in their own words.

🏆 active competition / fight team 3 mentions

“I am 41 years old I am now a Black sash instructor and going to tournaments every year meeting new people and now apart of the Leadership team.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“It's worth the time and effort to learn and practice tai chi forms with Iron Fist staff.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 2 mentions

“His confidence, perseverance, discipline, and overall development have grown tremendously through his time here.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 3 mentions

From the reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My son has been training at Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts for the past four years, and I can’t say enough about the positive impact it has had on his life. His confidence, perseverance, discipline, and overall development have grown tremendously through his time here.

★★★★★ — Daniel, Apr 2025

It's worth the time and effort to learn and practice tai chi forms with Iron Fist staff. Shifu Rich Benassi is an excellent instructor. Patient, of course, dedicate and skilled.

★★★★★ — Ron, Jan 2024

I can't recommend this martial arts school highly enough. The instruction there is excellent and the classes are highly enjoyable. The school is located in a beautiful, brand new facility with spacious, fully-equipped rooms for both self-defense and fitness.

★★★★★ — Cyberpenguin, Jul 2013

I have been apart of Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts for most of my life when Master Joe Dunphy was the head instructor and it was named something else. When I had l to leave because of a car accident, I would come and visit to see how the school was and Master Joe Dunphy would always tell me to come back home.

★★★★★ — Whitney, Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 14 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts & Fitness

Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts & 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 Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts & 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 Iron Fist Chinese Martial Arts & Fitness

18860 Woodfield Rd Ste H, Gaithersburg, MD20879

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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.