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Striking Institute

5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Little Canada, Minnesota

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome

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
  • Today see hours ·

Hours

Monday 5–9 pm
Tuesday 7–9 am, 4–9 pm
Wednesday 7–9 am, 4–9 pm
Thursday 7–8 am, 5–9 pm
Friday 7–8 am, 4–9 pm
Saturday 9 am–12 pm
Sunday 9 am–1 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 Striking Institute, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 7 mentions

“I would highly recommend Striking Institute to anyone who wants a fun environment to train in, beginners who want to start off, or veteran trainers looking for a new home.”

All gyms that run beginners →

🦵 Muay Thai 4 mentions

“A great gym geared towards all levels of individual interested in learning Muay Thai or sharpening their striking skills.”

All gyms that run muay thai →

Other martial arts here

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

🦵 Muay Thai 4 mentions

“A great gym geared towards all levels of individual interested in learning Muay Thai or sharpening their striking skills.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA

“Home to many high level kickboxing/Muay Thai/MMA athletes.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“There are a wide array of students, ranging from competitive athletes, hobbyists, fitness focused to 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 22 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 4 mentions

“Top notch facility with world class coaches, couldn’t recommend this place enough!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“A great gym geared towards all levels of individual interested in learning Muay Thai or sharpening their striking skills.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 2 mentions

“If you are interested in competing (there is no pressure or expectation to), the gym is well versed in everything competition entails.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 4 mentions

“A great gym geared towards all levels of individual interested in learning Muay Thai or sharpening their striking skills.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 7 mentions

“Friendly, relaxed environment for people of different walks.”

From the reviews

The best gym I've ever been to! Not only are Ryan and Kaitlin well known and respected in the MN Fight Community, they run an excellent ship! Every time I go there, I feel very welcome, expertly taught, and cared for. I signed up instantly after my first class.

★★★★★ — R, Jul 2020

The Striking institute has very knowledgeable and experienced fight trainers. Ryan is an encyclopedia of cool techniques to use against your opponent. We get both the physical and mental strategies of fighting. The schedule offers a wide mix of class times, both day and evening. And weekends are offered as well.

★★★★★ — Leigh, Jul 2020

The Striking Institute is a great school to train Muay Thai and Kickboxing and the name says it all. Kaitlyn and Ryan are both champion fighters, and they’ve been coaching martial arts professionally for decades now.

★★★★★ — Ken, Jun 2020

Technical, Combat Tested Martial Arts (Gym reconfigured to meet social distancing guidelines) Owned by a current and former professional fighters with decades of fighting and coaching experience . There are a wide array of students, ranging from competitive athletes, hobbyists, fitness focused to self defense.

★★★★★ — Moses, May 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Striking Institute

Striking Institute 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.

Your first kickboxing class at Striking Institute

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. 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 Striking Institute

3225 Country Dr #120, Little Canada, MN55117

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.