Home › North Carolina › Asheville › Underdog Martial Arts
Underdog Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 132 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Asheville, North Carolina
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's kickboxing classes — a welcoming space to start out and train
- 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 underdogmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 828-747-0033
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 am, 11 am–1:30 pm, 3:30–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7 am, 11 am–1:30 pm, 3:30–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7 am, 11 am–1:30 pm, 3:30–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7 am, 11 am–1:30 pm, 3:30–8 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 am, 11 am–1:30 pm, 3:30–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I love every class: self-defense, jiu jitsu, kickboxing, and Heavy Bag HIIT, which will leave you drenched in sweat and already planning your next class.”
“My child loved the kids class and had so much fun while I enjoyed the heavy bag class.”
“Brian and Colleen are amazing coaches and unbelievably supportive, especially if you’re older or a complete beginner like I was.”
“They taught jui jitsu, muy tai, grappling, ground game, and I hope to get into striking and sparring eventually!”
“You can be as relaxed or as serious as you want, brand new martial artists to competitors can find a home there.”
“I see coach Brian myself for personal training sessions.”
“I love every class: self-defense, jiu jitsu, kickboxing, and Heavy Bag HIIT, which will leave you drenched in sweat and already planning your next class.”
Other martial arts here
“Welcoming atmosphere too, I appreciated how approachable they made MMA training.”
“I have been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 8 years now and I have to say that Underdog Martial Arts is one of the most welcoming gyms I have ever trained in.”
“My first class was the Self Defense weekend intensive and it was so fun that I kept going back for weekly Self Defense classes!”
What members say
“I’ve been a member of Underdog Martial Arts for a few months now, and I’ve paid for my fair share of high-level seminars and worked with many great coaches.”
“I have been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 8 years now and I have to say that Underdog Martial Arts is one of the most welcoming gyms I have ever trained in.”
“I signed up for the Fitness membership where I do the Heavy Bag HIIT classes and they are so much fun.”
“I love every class: self-defense, jiu jitsu, kickboxing, and Heavy Bag HIIT, which will leave you drenched in sweat and already planning your next class.”
“My child loved the kids class and had so much fun while I enjoyed the heavy bag class.”
“The facility is always tidy and clean with the most adorable dogs, Buu and Tadpole, to welcome you with wagging tails or a lovely howl when you arrive.”
From the reviews
Update 3-29-2025: it’s been a little over 9 months since I joined, and I still love this place. Brian and Colleen have done a wonderful job building an awesome culture. There’s something for all ages, backgrounds, and skill-levels at Underdog. I’ve been going for a little over a month and I’m addicted!
I never thought I’d be a full time member at a fighting gym. I’ve never kept a consistent membership at any gym. To my surprise Underdog has become a very special place to me. I really enjoy the kickboxing classes and self defense and have dipped my toes in jiu jitsu and turns out I love wrestling!
This gym is such a gem. It’s extremely clean, has great energy, and the coaches are knowledgeable and supportive. I’m currently on crutches, and they went out of their way to modify the workout so I could still participate. I felt completely included.
I've seen a lot of gyms with generic 5 star reviews in the Asheville area. Some were based on gimmicks and not as great as people said. Thankfully, Underdog is a place actually deserving the the 5 star ratings it has, including mine.
New to kickboxing? Start at Underdog Martial Arts
Underdog Martial Arts 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 Underdog 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.
More kickboxing gyms near Asheville
Parabellum Jiu Jitsu MMA Academy
5 ★★★★★ 124 reviews
🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Temple Muay Thai
5 ★★★★★ 69 reviews
🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Easygoing, clean martial arts studio for adults and kids, featuring beginner-friendly classes and friendly staff.
Rogue Combat Club 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Asheville
4.9 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site