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SHIFT Combat Sports

5 ★★★★★ 247 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Newport News, Virginia

Kickboxing gym Beginners welcome Cardio kickboxing Private lessons 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
  • 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
  • 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 shiftcombatsports.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 757-940-0281

Hours

Monday 11:30 am–1 pm, 4:30–9 pm
Tuesday 4:30–9 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am–1 pm, 4:30–9 pm
Thursday 4:30–9 pm
Friday 4:30–9 pm
Saturday 9:30 am–12 pm
Sunday 5–8 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 SHIFT Combat Sports, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🔥 Cardio Kickboxing 2 mentions

“This place is THE BEST gym to get a great workout in, learn a traditional martial art (Muay Thai), and have fun while.”

All gyms that run cardio kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 9 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming, motivating, and respectful — whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned fighter, you'll feel right at home here.”

All gyms that run beginners →

🤜 Sparring 2 mentions

“Every class is structured, intense, and fun, with a great balance between conditioning, technique, and sparring.”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Trained with Coach Adam and the rest of the Shift Fight Team.”

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🦵 Muay Thai 9 mentions

“The head-start program is an awesome way to get comfortable with Muay Thai, and both Coach Adam and John are just stellar.”

All gyms that run muay thai →

🥊 Boxing

“For those who have experience in boxing or just brand new to the fighting experience, this is the place for you.”

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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 SHIFT Combat Sports — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Muay Thai 9 mentions

“The head-start program is an awesome way to get comfortable with Muay Thai, and both Coach Adam and John are just stellar.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🥊 Boxing

“For those who have experience in boxing or just brand new to the fighting experience, this is the place for you.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🏟️ MMA 3 mentions

“Fantastic MMA gym with experienced coaches and an amazing community that welcomes everyone, no matter your background or skill level.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 247 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 12 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming, motivating, and respectful — whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned fighter, you'll feel right at home here.”

🎉 fun, high-energy classes 2 mentions

“This place is THE BEST gym to get a great workout in, learn a traditional martial art (Muay Thai), and have fun while.”

💦 killer cardio workout 3 mentions

“This place is THE BEST gym to get a great workout in, learn a traditional martial art (Muay Thai), and have fun while.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 2 mentions

“Trained with Coach Adam and the rest of the Shift Fight Team.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 4 mentions

“This gym has changed my life, the atmosphere and the energy is what motivates me to go everyday.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 9 mentions

“The team at SHIFT and the entire community makes you feel welcome and like family, whether it's your first Headstart class or you most recent conditionng for a fight.”

From the reviews

This place is THE BEST gym to get a great workout in, learn a traditional martial art (Muay Thai), and have fun while.doing so. The team at SHIFT and the entire community makes you feel welcome and like family, whether it's your first Headstart class or you most recent conditionng for a fight.

★★★★★ — Chester, Oct 2025

Trained with Coach Adam and the rest of the Shift Fight Team. Top notch martial arts training. The Muay Thai program is second to none. Coach Adam is well respected across the Muay Thai community. Grateful to have trained with this crew. Will drop back in when I’m in the Hampton Roads area.

★★★★★ — J, Jul 2022

Fantastic MMA gym with experienced coaches and an amazing community that welcomes everyone, no matter your background or skill level. I personally had little to no MMA experience before joining in August, and the Head Starter course was perfect for building a solid foundation — from learning proper form to…

★★★★★ — Jack, Oct 2025

I've been training at Shift combat sports for a couple months now, and I can honestly say it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. The atmosphere is welcoming, motivating, and respectful — whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned fighter, you'll feel right at home here.

★★★★★ — Josue, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 247 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at SHIFT Combat Sports

SHIFT Combat Sports 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 SHIFT Combat Sports

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 SHIFT Combat Sports

610 Thimble Shoals Blvd #520, Newport News, VA23606

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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.