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Knuckleheads Boxing Gym

4.9 ★★★★★ 61 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Chicago, Illinois

Free trial Beginners welcome Cardio kickboxing Private lessons Competition team

Relaxed, no-frills facility providing boxing and fitness training and sparring sessions.

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
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • 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 knuckleheadsboxing.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 773-242-2065

Hours

Monday 6:30 am–7:30 pm
Tuesday 7 am–8 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am–7:30 pm
Thursday 7 am–8 pm
Friday 6:30 am–6:30 pm
Saturday 9 am–2 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 Knuckleheads Boxing Gym, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🔥 Cardio Kickboxing 4 mentions

“They offer boxing and kickboxing, but multiple other classes include HIIT, LIFT, kettlebell, strength conditioning, and steel mace.”

All gyms that run cardio kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“Stopped in here for the first time while on a few hour train layover and needed to get some energy out.”

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🤜 Sparring

“As for the facility, plenty of bags, a ring for 1:1 training/sparring sessions, two workout squat/bench racks, cable machine, and full rack of dumbbells up to 100lb.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“If you're in the area and looking for a great workout or wanting to learn to compete, Marty and Orlando are your guys.”

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🥊 Boxing 21 mentions

“I've been training at Knuckleheads for about 2 years now, and have had a far more superior experience than any other boxing gym I've trained at across the country, over the years.”

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👤 Private Lessons 4 mentions

“Was in town for a couple of days and wanted to continue my training -- I signed up for both group boxing classes and a boxing personal training session.”

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Kickboxing Bootcamp 2 mentions

“They offer boxing and kickboxing, but multiple other classes include HIIT, LIFT, kettlebell, strength conditioning, and steel mace.”

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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 Knuckleheads Boxing Gym — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing 21 mentions

“I've been training at Knuckleheads for about 2 years now, and have had a far more superior experience than any other boxing gym I've trained at across the country, over the years.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🏟️ MMA

“I have also done boxing and MMA at multiple gyms around Chicagoland and these guys are amazing and the real deal.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 61 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 7 mentions

“This gym has the best coaches (with diverse disciplines) that will get you in the best version of yourself while having a fun time.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“My sister and I came in from out of town for a drop-in class on the first day and Marty made us feel right at home!”

🎉 fun, high-energy classes 2 mentions

“If you're in the area and looking for a great workout or wanting to learn to compete, Marty and Orlando are your guys.”

💦 killer cardio workout 10 mentions

“They offer boxing and kickboxing, but multiple other classes include HIIT, LIFT, kettlebell, strength conditioning, and steel mace.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 7 mentions

“As for the facility, plenty of bags, a ring for 1:1 training/sparring sessions, two workout squat/bench racks, cable machine, and full rack of dumbbells up to 100lb.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 7 mentions

“It was clean, welcoming, friendly and a great way to kill some time before sitting on a flight for 8 hours.”

From the reviews

Stopped in here for the first time while on a few hour train layover and needed to get some energy out. I was impressed but also intimidated by the qualifications and history of the instructors when reading about them online, but any timidity fell away when I walked in. Was welcomed with big smiles and friendly hellos.

★★★★★ — Shae, Jul 2022

This is hands down the best boxing and fitness gym with the best trainers - seriously the whole package! Coach Marty, Darian, and Alex are each so passionate and motivating. Coach Marty is a true inspiration from his boxing career to the way his personality just lights up the gym.

★★★★★ — Arnesa, Nov 2020

Really great gym with great trainers. I've followed these folks from when they were training at another South Loop gym and they are the best of the best. The classes are always fun and challenging. The location also adds to the laid back vibes.

★★★★★ — Kent, Nov 2020

I've been training at Knuckleheads for about 2 years now, and have had a far more superior experience than any other boxing gym I've trained at across the country, over the years. Marty is a excellent trainer and the classes provide a thorough and comprehensive workout.

★★★★★ — Sylene, Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 61 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Knuckleheads Boxing Gym

Knuckleheads Boxing Gym 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 Knuckleheads Boxing Gym

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 Knuckleheads Boxing Gym

633 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago, IL60605

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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.