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The KO Nation

4.9 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Portland, Texas

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team New

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 (ages 7–15) — 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 trainkonation.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (361) 548-8041

Hours

Monday 2–8:30 PM
Tuesday 2–8:30 PM
Wednesday 2–8:30 PM
Thursday 2–8:30 PM
Friday 2–8:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM–12:30 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 The KO Nation, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 27 mentions

“& Mrs Martinez have taught my daughter discipline, courage, & strength so much so that she won an award for Recognition at a GPISD School Board Meeting.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🏆 Competition Team

“There are multiple WKL competitors and world champions who train here.”

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 The KO Nation — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“They are great instructors, you and your kiddos can learn self-defense, can gain confidence, increase discipline, balance, and self-control.”

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 27 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 7 mentions

“They are great instructors, you and your kiddos can learn self-defense, can gain confidence, increase discipline, balance, and self-control.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“& Mrs Martinez have taught my daughter discipline, courage, & strength so much so that she won an award for Recognition at a GPISD School Board Meeting.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 6 mentions

“They are great instructors, you and your kiddos can learn self-defense, can gain confidence, increase discipline, balance, and self-control.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 7 mentions

“They create a positive, supportive environment while teaching discipline, respect, and valuable self-defense skills.”

From the reviews

We have had an amazing experience with Mr. and Mrs. Martinez and their summer camp/martial arts classes. They genuinely care about the kids and do a great job balancing fun with structure, discipline, confidence, and respect.

★★★★★ — J, Jun 2026

Great martial arts instructors When I first started very new on doing martial arts. They are really great instructors on teaching me step-by-step of the ways of martial arts. They’re very fun.

★★★★★ — Noah, Jun 2026

Mr. and Mrs. Martinez have been incredible martial arts instructors for my kids. Since training with them, my children have grown stronger physically and gained so much confidence. They create a positive, supportive environment while teaching discipline, respect, and valuable self-defense skills.

★★★★★ — Jen, Jun 2026

My daughter has been training with the Martinez’s for over 5yrs now. They have been amazing instructors and have helped her achieve a lot of her goals. If you want to train with dedicated instructors who have taught and coached fighters/martial artist to an elite level I could not recommend them enough!

★★★★★ — Dru, Jul 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 27 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at The KO Nation

The KO Nation 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 The KO Nation

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 The KO Nation

1605 US-181 Suite G, Portland, TX78374

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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.