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Peoria Athletic Club Martial Arts Academy

4.5 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Peoria Heights, Illinois

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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
  • 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 peoriaathleticclub.org — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 309-672-3090

Hours

Monday 5–8 pm
Tuesday 5–8 pm
Wednesday 5–8 pm
Thursday 5–8 pm
Friday 5–8 pm
Saturday 10 am–1 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 Peoria Athletic Club 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

“There is boxing, kickboxing, BJJ, judo, MMA, wrestling, and kids classes at three locations that you get access to with one monthly membership.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“I would recommended it to anyone from beginners to advanced students, who want to learn from truly honorable and caring cadre.”

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🤜 Sparring

“One of the best parts of doing jiu-jitsu is that many schools like this one are very open to having you drop in for a class or an open mat when you travel.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“I train nearly every day of the week as I am an avid competitor in Brazilian JiuJitsu, and whenever I am in the Peoria area I make it a point to train here.”

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🦵 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“Peplow teaches my step sons kids jiu jitsu class and my oldest daughter has been attending muay thai since ahe was 14.”

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🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“There is boxing, kickboxing, BJJ, judo, MMA, wrestling, and kids classes at three locations that you get access to with one monthly membership.”

All gyms that run boxing →

Other martial arts here

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

🦵 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“Peplow teaches my step sons kids jiu jitsu class and my oldest daughter has been attending muay thai since ahe was 14.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“There is boxing, kickboxing, BJJ, judo, MMA, wrestling, and kids classes at three locations that you get access to with one monthly membership.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🏟️ MMA

“There is boxing, kickboxing, BJJ, judo, MMA, wrestling, and kids classes at three locations that you get access to with one monthly membership.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 8 mentions

“One of the best parts of doing jiu-jitsu is that many schools like this one are very open to having you drop in for a class or an open mat when you travel.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“A great way to improve your health, self confidence, and to learn self defense!”

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 4 mentions

“Shaun is a passionate coach who gives great instruction, very friendly and welcoming members.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“I would recommended it to anyone from beginners to advanced students, who want to learn from truly honorable and caring cadre.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 3 mentions

“Nice, clean facility, easy to find.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 3 mentions

“A great way to improve your health, self confidence, and to learn self defense!”

🤝 friendly, family gym 14 mentions

“Shaun is a passionate coach who gives great instruction, very friendly and welcoming members.”

From the reviews

World class martial arts with a family friendly environment. The instructors are very knowledgeable and kind. A great way to improve your health, self confidence, and to learn self defense!

★★★★★ — Brett, Dec 2021

Highly recommend this gym, if you are considering joining or just want to try it out don't hesitate to reach out to them! Shaun is a passionate coach who gives great instruction, very friendly and welcoming members.

★★★★★ — Shepherd, Mar 2025

This is an amazing stress relieving experience!! I was going through a rough time recently and being in class made me forget about everything I was dealing with. I like how trainer Alex would correct/adjust me when I wasn't doing a move or exercise right and encouraged me when I had it correct.

★★★★★ — Sarah, Aug 2014

One of the best parts of doing jiu-jitsu is that many schools like this one are very open to having you drop in for a class or an open mat when you travel. These guys were great. Great locations and a welcoming atmosphere. We saw the Peoria gym and the Morton gym.

★★★★★ — Anthony, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 34 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Peoria Athletic Club Martial Arts Academy

Peoria Athletic Club 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 Peoria Athletic Club 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 Peoria Athletic Club Martial Arts Academy

704 E War Memorial Dr, Peoria Heights, IL61616

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.