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MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Santa Cruz, California
Fitness studio featuring classes in Pilates, plus martial arts & self-defense.
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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule minorsan.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 831-600-5858
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 9–11 am |
| Saturday | 9–11 am |
| Sunday | 9–11 am |
The classes they run
“I absolutely love how strong and empowered I feel, and my body awareness and running has benefitted immensely from twice-weekly Kick and/or HIIT classes.”
“We had the opportunity to join Clara for a free three-hour self-defense class for moms and kids in celebration of her 40 years in business.”
“Update: After a few months, I've started to also attend the kick boxing classes!”
“I absolutely love how strong and empowered I feel, and my body awareness and running has benefitted immensely from twice-weekly Kick and/or HIIT classes.”
Other martial arts here
“Update: After a few months, I've started to also attend the kick boxing classes!”
“The FighterFit classes are my favorite because we get to apply the techniques and combos from the other classes in a self-defense space by working 1:1 with Clara and other women.”
What members say
“She kicks butt as an instructor, and I promise you will get the best workout ever.”
“Everything is clean, the other women in the classes are warm and welcoming, and Clara always instills some pertinent self-care wisdom, reaching beyond the walls of her classrooms.”
“Anyone looking for a great workout, a welcoming environment, sense of community, and teachers that go above and beyond, this is the place for you!”
“Anyone looking for a great workout, a welcoming environment, sense of community, and teachers that go above and beyond, this is the place for you!”
“All of the classes are fantastic and so effective - I feel immediate results in strength and energy after each class.”
“Everything is clean, the other women in the classes are warm and welcoming, and Clara always instills some pertinent self-care wisdom, reaching beyond the walls of her classrooms.”
From the reviews
Clara and other Minorsan instructors are great! Very motivating and supportive. I have been going for many years, and the Body Pump classes helped me rehab from a major medical trauma many years ago. Minorsan is a unique woman owned business started by Clara Minor.
I have been an active member of Minorsan for over seven years. Minorsan is always clean,fun, and filled with fun loving people who respect fitness and self defense. The owner,Clara, is amazing. A beautiful mixture of tough and tender. She kicks butt as an instructor, and I promise you will get the best workout ever.
I joined Minorsan over a year ago to take Cardio Kickboxing and Body Pump and I love it so much, this year I decided to go unlimited for all classes! The instructors are all really great, and Clara especially gets me pumped up for class and keeps me motivated to work hard all the way through the end of the hour.
I love Minorsan! I have never been very comfortable in workout classes until I came here. There is no judgment. Everyone is so kind. Clara and Robin give such excellent guidance. I feel so empowered and happy after I leave a class here. It is such an uplifting, women-centric community. It's great!
New to kickboxing? Start at MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness
MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness 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 MINORSAN Self-Defense & 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.
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