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Real Movement and Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 60 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Bartlett, Illinois

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 realmmaacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 847-987-7325

Hours

Monday 6 am–7:45 pm
Tuesday 6 am–7:45 pm
Wednesday 6 am–7:45 pm
Thursday 6 am–7:45 pm
Friday 6 am–7:45 pm
Saturday 8:15–11:45 am
Sunday 8:15–11:45 am

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

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 20 mentions

“I have both my son and daughter enrolled here, and watching them grow in confidence, discipline, and skill has been amazing.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“You can tell they care about creating a positive environment for both beginners and experienced grapplers.”

All gyms that run beginners →

🤜 Sparring

“I dropped into an open mat at Real Movement MMA in Bartlett and had a great experience.”

All gyms that run sparring →

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Whether you're looking to compete and evolve your game or just looking for a place to enjoy Jiu-Jitsu, RMMA is the right place.”

All gyms that run competition team →

Other martial arts here

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

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“The competition experience, from Grappling to MMA, there is something to be gained by everybody!”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 14 mentions

“RMMA is the place to be if you want to get better at grappling 🤼‍♂️🥋 Joey's teaching is amazing, and he covers all the details with great structure.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“If your goals are fitness and self defense or competition, you’ll find your path!”

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 60 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 8 mentions

“Joey Diehl is an amazing instructor and brings years of experience, devotion, & passion to his students.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“The environment was very welcoming and everyone was respectful and focused on training.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“They are super great with kids as well as helping kids.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 4 mentions

“Whether you're looking to compete and evolve your game or just looking for a place to enjoy Jiu-Jitsu, RMMA is the right place.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 2 mentions

“I have both my son and daughter enrolled here, and watching them grow in confidence, discipline, and skill has been amazing.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 14 mentions

“I’ve been training at Real Movement and Martial Arts for the past two years, and it’s been an incredible experience—not just for me, but for my family as well.”

From the reviews

Where do I start. Real Movement & Martial Arts is much more than a martial arts school, it is a family & community. Joey Diehl is an amazing instructor and brings years of experience, devotion, & passion to his students. He is very technical, but easily translates to an audience of all levels of experience.

★★★★★ — Kenney, Jan 2023

Where to start! First: fantastic teaching and instruction. You can tell the coaches actually enjoy the art of teaching, on top of an immense amount of knowledge. I’ve never left a class and been, “lost,” so to speak. Secondly: super family friendly.

★★★★★ — Tim, Mar 2022

I took my 4 year old to Joey's kids class. Joey and coach Nolan were both great with the kids. My son had a lot of fun during the warm up with the games and activities while learning how to listen to commands. The instructions given to the little ones was clear and easy to understand.

★★★★★ — Dillon, Jan 2023

HOT YOGA - they have it here ! Amy is a great instructor, I had a wonderful session with her. Perfectly hot and the movement was great

★★★★★ — Eric, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 60 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Real Movement and Martial Arts

Real Movement and Martial Arts 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at Real Movement and 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 Real Movement and Martial Arts

891 Rte 59, Bartlett, IL60103

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.