HomeIllinoisCharleston › True Force Martial Arts

True Force Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 53 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Charleston, Illinois

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons Competition team

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
  • 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 trueforcema.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (217) 508-6122

Hours

Monday 4:15–8 PM
Tuesday 4:15–8 PM
Wednesday 4:15–8 PM
Thursday 4:30–8:30 PM
Friday 4:15–9:30 PM
Saturday Closed
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 True Force Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🔥 Cardio Kickboxing 2 mentions

“I personally love the Fitness Kickboxing class, it’s a great workout and teaches valuable self defense movements/skills.”

All gyms that run cardio kickboxing →

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 15 mentions

“As a parent and grandparent I cannot praise enough what this school and instructors have done for my daughter and granddaughter.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“The school fosters an atmosphere of respect, discipline, and personal growth for students of all levels.”

All gyms that run beginners →

👤 Private Lessons

“Hughes has been with my young son in private lessons.”

All gyms that run private lessons →

Other martial arts here

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

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“I personally love the Fitness Kickboxing class, it’s a great workout and teaches valuable self defense movements/skills.”

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 53 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 2 mentions

“Hughes is an excellent instructor and makes everyone feel comfortable during class.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“The school fosters an atmosphere of respect, discipline, and personal growth for students of all levels.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My child absolutely loves being part of the True force family.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 2 mentions

“In this crazy world its nice to know that there are still people that are willing to go all out to teach respect discipline confidence and self protection.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 8 mentions

“Training sessions result in a fun learning environment that is family friendly.”

From the reviews

I can't say enough about how amazing Mr. Hughes has been with my young son in private lessons. He is sensitive to his needs and works to teach him respect, control, discipline, and general listening skills. The level of physical vs mental activity is just exactly right for my son. Mr.

★★★★★ — Britney, May 2024

I highly recommend True Force Martial Arts! The instructors are not only skilled they are experienced, patient, and encouraging. The school fosters an atmosphere of respect, discipline, and personal growth for students of all levels.

★★★★★ — Susan, Sep 2024

I absolutely LOVE this place! When you walk in you can clearly view the time and effort that Isaiah Hughes has put into this place. The workers are super nice, too! Training sessions result in a fun learning environment that is family friendly.

★★★★★ — Joseph, Jan 2022

I love this place. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and work so well with students of every age and fitness level. The facility is also very clean and spacious. I personally love the Fitness Kickboxing class, it’s a great workout and teaches valuable self defense movements/skills.

★★★★★ — Kandaice, Jan 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 53 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at True Force Martial Arts

True Force Martial Arts 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at True Force Martial Arts

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 True Force Martial Arts

606 Jackson Ave, Charleston, IL61920

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More kickboxing gyms near Charleston

Hamilton's Knucklehead Boxing Club

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

1005 Dewitt Ave, Mattoon, IL

Kickboxing gym

10.2 miles away

Precision Combat Sports

5 ★★★★★ 40 reviews

509 S 28th St, Mattoon, IL

🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 7–12

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Sparring Competition team Affiliated expert, motivating coachingwelcoming to beginnersstrong kids program

11.5 miles away

Cheeks Martial Arts Academy

5 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

555 W Nat'l Ave, West Terre Haute, IN

🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens expert, motivating coachingbuilds confidence & relieves stress

38.8 miles away

All kickboxing gyms in Charleston, IL →

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.