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Practical Self Defense Training Center

4.3 ★★★★☆ 29 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Waterbury, Connecticut

Free trial Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons 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
  • 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
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • 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 psdtc.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 203-596-9073

Hours

Monday 4–10 pm
Tuesday 4–10 pm
Wednesday 4–10 pm
Thursday 4–10 pm
Friday 4–10 pm
Saturday 9 am–5 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 Practical Self Defense Training Center, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🏆 Competition Team

“If you're looking for a place to get your degree in martial arts, become an amateur fighter, or just get in shape while learning great self defense skills.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🥊 Boxing

“The facility is awesome, with all the best equipment, including a boxing ring and a cage!”

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 Practical Self Defense Training Center — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing

“The facility is awesome, with all the best equipment, including a boxing ring and a cage!”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“Their grappling and mma fighters are constantly bringing home victories and trophies.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3 mentions

“Have also attended JKD, Wing Chung, and grappling seminars and the instructors are among the best I've seen.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🥋 Karate

“I took Karate with Grandmaster Beaudoin but he passed away.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“Highly recommended for anyone seeking to enhance their self-defense capacities.”

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 29 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“The owner Ron, and the other instructors here are all immensely skilled, dedicated and are welcoming and genuine people.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 5 mentions

“The owner Ron, and the other instructors here are all immensely skilled, dedicated and are welcoming and genuine people.”

From the reviews

I studied several arts here for many years - I still train and only stopped at this location due to geography. The owner Ron, and the other instructors here are all immensely skilled, dedicated and are welcoming and genuine people. The arts taught are unique, hard to find and very effective.

★★★★★ — Brian, Mar 2018

Hands down the best martial arts university in the state. Don't believe any of these 1 star reviews. If you want to study real JKD, Kali, Kuntao, Wing Chun, and fight conditioning this place has the areas best instructors. Their grappling and mma fighters are constantly bringing home victories and trophies.

★★★★★ — A, Jun 2018

This place is top notch! I just started training here and am having a blast so far. The facility is awesome, with all the best equipment, including a boxing ring and a cage! Jesse obviously knows his stuff and it feels great to be trained by someone of his caliber. I look forward to my next class.

★★★★★ — James, Mar 2025

First rate instruction! Have been a member for over 14 years now doing Kun Tao and Kali. The Kun Tao is unlike anything you're likely to encounter anywhere else and the teaching methods are fantastic. Have also attended JKD, Wing Chung, and grappling seminars and the instructors are among the best I've seen.

★★★★★ — Christopher, Apr 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 29 reviews →

Your first kickboxing class at Practical Self Defense Training Center

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 Practical Self Defense Training Center

847 Hamilton Ave, Waterbury, CT06706

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.