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Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts

4.7 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Davenport, Iowa

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 tarpeinsdojo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (563) 386-4240

Hours

Monday 8 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–8 PM
Thursday 8 AM–8 PM
Friday 8 AM–8 PM
Saturday 8 AM–8 PM
Sunday 8 AM–8 PM

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 Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Excellent place to train for all skill levels, I personally recommend the jiu jitsu fundamentals class every Tuesday and Thursday night at 7 pm”

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🤜 Sparring

“They'll help you perfect your moves, and if you play your cards right, they will even let you spar with them.”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Lastly, the gym is extremely welcoming to new members who don't want to compete but want to get in shape.”

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🦵 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“Any higher belts are always willing to help, regardless of whether it's jiu-jitsu, judo, muay thai, or karate.”

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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 Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“Any higher belts are always willing to help, regardless of whether it's jiu-jitsu, judo, muay thai, or karate.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA 4 mentions

“If you're looking for a mixed martial arts dojo that has as much grit as Chuck Norris's beard, then look no further.”

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🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 4 mentions

“Over the years I have gained so many new friends and learned many skills from Jiu-Jitsu and the other martial arts offered such as Judo and Kickboxing.”

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🥋 Karate 2 mentions

“Any higher belts are always willing to help, regardless of whether it's jiu-jitsu, judo, muay thai, or karate.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Overall, I highly recommend Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts to anyone who wants to get in shape, compete, learn self-defense, or be part of a fantastic community.”

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 34 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 2 mentions

“A clean family environment, Travis is an amazing coach and resource of marital arts information that's been in his family for generations.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Lastly, the gym is extremely welcoming to new members who don't want to compete but want to get in shape.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 2 mentions

“Lastly, the gym is extremely welcoming to new members who don't want to compete but want to get in shape.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 5 mentions

“That smell of cleaning solution mixed with blood, sweat, and yesterday's tacos puts a positive charge in the air that gives me more strength than the Man of Steel!”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“I have learned a great deal in my time training here and highly recommend Tarpein's to anyone that wants to learn a martial art.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 17 mentions

“A clean family environment, Travis is an amazing coach and resource of marital arts information that's been in his family for generations.”

From the reviews

Hey y’all it’s Robert BraveHeart Elfgen... I can not thank the Tarpeins family enough!! I haven’t trained more than 1day here a day there in 6 yrs... but I still find myself using something from my diligent training I did 6 yrs ago everyday today still!! Like breathing techniques, balance, longevity.

★★★★★ — Robert, Aug 2019

This is an amazing gym. The owner is really a great guy and even better instructor. He'll correct you when you do something wrong or get out of line and he'll praise you for figuring something out. Great group of people in the classes too. This is the spot to go if you want to get into martial arts.

★★★★★ — Ben, Jan 2022

I recently joined Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts, and I must say, it's one of the best decisions I've made for my fitness journey. This gym is absolutely amazing, and I give it a 5-star rating without hesitation. Firstly, the instructor Travis Tarpein is top-notch.

★★★★★ — Mason, Mar 2023

If you're looking for a mixed martial arts dojo that has as much grit as Chuck Norris's beard, then look no further. TARPEINS DOJO has got it all. Jiu-jitsu? Check. Karate? Check. Judo? Check. A little bit of that Iowan Muay Thai kickboxing? Double check.

★★★★★ — Andrew, Mar 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 34 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts

Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts 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 Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts

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 Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts

235 W 35th St, Davenport, IA52806

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.