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T-Town MMA/Checkmat Tacoma
4.8 ★★★★★ 74 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Tacoma, Washington
Affiliated gym — reviews and the gym's own info suggest it belongs to a known kickboxing or boxing-fitness franchise or network (think 9Round, iLoveKickboxing, CKO, TITLE Boxing Club or Jabz). Franchise gyms run a consistent class format and are often a friendly, familiar place to start. If a specific brand matters to you, confirm it on the gym's own site.
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
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- Women's classes dedicated women's kickboxing classes — a welcoming space to start out and train
- 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 ttownmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–12:30 pm, 5–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:45–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–12:30 pm, 5–8 pm |
| Thursday | 4:45–8 pm |
| Friday | 5–8 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | 9–10:30 am |
The classes they run
“TTown also has a great women's program that creates a fantastic environment for women to either sharpen their skills or try BJJ for the first time!”
“TTown also has a great women's program that creates a fantastic environment for women to either sharpen their skills or try BJJ for the first time!”
“I visited Checkmat for their open mat/women's class during my recent travels to the area.”
“This is a gym that is friendly enough for beginners and serious enough for competitors.”
Other martial arts here
“The team at T-Town MMA welcomed me in for a trial class and it was excellent experience.”
“I've trained BJJ at T-Town for two years now (after first starting BJJ at another gym out of state), and it's got a great vibe.”
What members say
“The instructor Justin has a great laid back attitude, smiling and laughing often.”
“TTown also has a great women's program that creates a fantastic environment for women to either sharpen their skills or try BJJ for the first time!”
“Great classes for people of all fitness levels and goals.”
“Everyone here will make you feel like family while teaching you amazing martial arts skills that can be used at the highest level of competition.”
“TTown also has a great women's program that creates a fantastic environment for women to either sharpen their skills or try BJJ for the first time!”
“They started from the very basics and gave me everything I needed to be safe and gradually grow in confidence and skill.”
From the reviews
I have been training at T-Town MMA Checkmat since 2011. Great instructors who really know what they are teaching. Great classes for people of all fitness levels and goals. This school has wonderful connections within the community.
I'm new to BJJ and have only been with T-Town for ~6 months. I wasn't sure I'd stick with it after my trial class, but what made me officially sign up were the people. When I say everyone has been welcoming, I mean every single person. The patience and sincerity in this gym is beyond amazing.
I've been going to this gym for the last three years and I couldn't recommend it more emphatically. Since day one Coach Jimmy has been exceptionally inviting and made me feel like part of the team. The gym is a reflection of the culture that the coaches push of team above self. This is the Miagi-Do and not Cobra Kai.
I have been attending T-town for almost 2 years now. I have trained at many BJJ gyms before this, and this by far is my favorite gym and one I call home. The fellow practitioners at t-town are extremely friendly and accommodating. No one is a stranger there!
New to kickboxing? Start at T-Town MMA/Checkmat Tacoma
T-Town MMA/Checkmat Tacoma 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.
Your first kickboxing class at T-Town MMA/Checkmat Tacoma
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.
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🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site