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Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 126 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Urbana, Illinois

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Competition team

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
  • 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 mysite.vagaro.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 217-550-3877

Hours

Monday 9:30 am–12:30 pm, 5–9 pm
Tuesday 7–9 am, 5–9 pm
Wednesday 5–9 pm
Thursday 7–9 am, 5–9 pm
Friday 9:30 am–12:30 pm, 5–9 pm
Saturday 10 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 Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 8 mentions

“He loves the kids and the adults and you can see his passion in the way he coaches.”

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🌱 Beginners 7 mentions

“I came in as a total beginner with no experience and felt welcomed right away.”

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🤜 Sparring 2 mentions

“This means the instruction is of high quality, and the rolls/sparring sessions are intense.”

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🏆 Competition Team 5 mentions

“) James, the coaching staff, and the higher level belts here are the toughest competitors in town.”

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🦵 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“On top of learning Muay Thai, it’s also a great workout and the atmosphere is so positive—everyone seems to want everyone else to get better and feel welcomed.”

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🔥 Cardio Kickboxing

“On top of learning Muay Thai, it’s also a great workout and the atmosphere is so positive—everyone seems to want everyone else to get better and feel welcomed.”

All gyms that run cardio kickboxing →

Other martial arts here

Kickboxing gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“On top of learning Muay Thai, it’s also a great workout and the atmosphere is so positive—everyone seems to want everyone else to get better and feel welcomed.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA 7 mentions

“If you’re looking for a place to train Jiu Jitsu and/or other mixed martial arts this is absolutely your place.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 12 mentions

“I’ve been wanting to get back into a combat sport for a while, and several friends recommended Lycan’s for jiu-jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, or competition, Lycan’s Den provides the perfect environment to achieve it.”

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 126 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 5 mentions

“The head coach James is amazing and really nice.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“Lycan’s Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu is an outstanding gym with a welcoming and professional atmosphere.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“The kids love coming to BJJ and MMA, and the coaches are fantastic.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 5 mentions

“Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, or competition, Lycan’s Den provides the perfect environment to achieve it.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 3 mentions

“There's been a visible change in my kid's self confidence.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 14 mentions

“Lycan’s Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu is an outstanding gym with a welcoming and professional atmosphere.”

From the reviews

For all of you out there looking for a beyond phenomenal jiu jitsu coach, this is the place to be! Coach James brings an energy to the room that is just electrifying! He loves the kids and the adults and you can see his passion in the way he coaches.

★★★★★ — Kelly, Aug 2022

I was recommended this gym by a friend who spoke very well of the culture and level of training she received at a Lycan’s Den. I’ve been attending regularly for about 4 months and I couldn’t ask for a better training experience. It has been very rewarding.

★★★★★ — Dillon, Feb 2024

Been training with James and Co. for the past 3 years, and I believe they are the best choice in CU for several reasons: 1.) James, the coaching staff, and the higher level belts here are the toughest competitors in town. This means the instruction is of high quality, and the rolls/sparring sessions are intense. 2.

★★★★★ — Chris, Jul 2022

Lycans Den MMA is amazing. I tried out some other places and the staff at Lycans Den MMA are way better than all the others. The classes are great and the other members are great people and a blast to train with. You won't be disappointed in becoming a member at Lycans Den MMA.

★★★★★ — Michael, Dec 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 126 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu

Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first kickboxing class at Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu

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 Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu

1305 E Colorado Ave, Urbana, IL61801

Get directions

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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.