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Lion Martial Arts Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule lionmaacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 616-319-1134

Hours

Monday 5:30–8:30 pm
Tuesday 5:30–8:30 pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 5:30–8:30 pm
Friday 5:30–8:30 pm
Saturday Closed
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 Lion Martial Arts Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 5 mentions

“My kids both loved it so much, always looked forward to it, and hated to be late!”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

Other martial arts here

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

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I appreciate his direct teaching style, his emphasis on practical self-defense application, and most of all, his sincerity.”

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 12 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 2 mentions

“The instructor, Terrell, is great, he is very knowledgeable and makes sure you break a sweat every time.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My kids both loved it so much, always looked forward to it, and hated to be late!”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“Worth it for our family to hang in there and stay connected with the Academy since class sizes are comfortably small and the energy of instruction is so good.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 6 mentions

“Worth it for our family to hang in there and stay connected with the Academy since class sizes are comfortably small and the energy of instruction is so good.”

From the reviews

I can't say enough good things about Terrell and his Kung Fu class! My kids both loved it so much, always looked forward to it, and hated to be late! The quality is obvious, and the subject is taken seriously without shaming students.

★★★★★ — Narniadreamer, Dec 2022

I love the academy!! I spent some time taking some the class and it is a WHOLE BODY workout, whew! The instructor, Terrell, is great, he is very knowledgeable and makes sure you break a sweat every time. I will be signing up my kiddo to the class as soon as he is of age. Go check it out!

★★★★★ — Carra, Jun 2024

Sifu Terrell is amazing! Location/physical space isn’t all that great as of Spring 2024, but they’re aware and working on that. Worth it for our family to hang in there and stay connected with the Academy since class sizes are comfortably small and the energy of instruction is so good.

★★★★☆ — Elizabeth, Jul 2024

I started coming here for kickboxing about two months ago and I have learned so much. Terrell is a great instructor, he's extremely motivating and just all around an amazing teacher.

★★★★★ — Jessica, Jan 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 12 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Lion Martial Arts Academy

Lion Martial Arts Academy 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 Lion Martial Arts Academy

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 Lion Martial Arts Academy

973 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI49508

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

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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.