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Shaolin Self Defense Centers

5 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in East Islip, New York

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons

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
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule eastislipshaolin.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 631-277-7109

Hours

Monday 4–9 pm
Tuesday 4–9 pm
Wednesday 4–9 pm
Thursday 4–9 pm
Friday 3:30–9 pm
Saturday 8:30 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 Shaolin Self Defense Centers, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 11 mentions

“The instructors have this amazing way of turning training into games, letting the kids build strength and learn new skills—all through laughter.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“Highly recommend this school to other women and anyone looking to feel empowered with martial arts, self defense, and boxing 🥊”

All gyms that run boxing →

🌱 Beginners

“They have classes for all ages and new beginners are always welcome.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

Kickboxing gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Shaolin Self Defense Centers — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“Highly recommend this school to other women and anyone looking to feel empowered with martial arts, self defense, and boxing 🥊”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Karate 2 mentions

“Great dojo really good teacher for self defense, boxing, jujitsu, kickboxing, and karate.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 6 mentions

“I love this place, It is Clean Has great teachers, and most importantly teaches good tips and tricks for 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 36 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“My children have loved being a part of this dojo for over a year.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“They have great deals and free lessons so you can check the place out.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 2 mentions

“Highly recommend this school to other women and anyone looking to feel empowered with martial arts, self defense, and boxing 🥊”

From the reviews

Great place! Clean, friendly staff and fairly priced. I would definitely recommend trying it out. They have classes for all ages and new beginners are always welcome.

★★★★★ — Ams, Aug 2017

Every time she goes to the dojo, she's as excited as if she's heading to an amusement park. The instructors have this amazing way of turning training into games, letting the kids build strength and learn new skills—all through laughter.

★★★★★ — Belle, Mar 2026

Sensai Miles is skilled, patient, and passionate about teaching self-defense. Through his teachings I’ve learned valuable self-defense skills and techniques that are used in the real world. As a young woman in today’s age, knowing self defense is incredibly important.

★★★★★ — Skyler, Nov 2024

5 stars in not enough stars for Shaolin. My little girl is 6 and is in absolutely everything from dance, to acting, cheerleading, acrobatics, Girl Scouts the list goes on and on but her classes at Sharon is on the top of her list of favorite activities. Miles is such an amazing person.

★★★★★ — Funcation, Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 36 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Shaolin Self Defense Centers

Shaolin Self Defense Centers 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 Shaolin Self Defense Centers

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 Shaolin Self Defense Centers

76 W Main St, East Islip, NY11730

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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.