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Walker's Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 16 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Bloomington, Illinois

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Women's classes 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 (ages 3–18) — 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
  • Website & schedule walkerskicks.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 309-242-2440

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at Walker's Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 3 mentions

“It’s a great place for both adults and kids.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“I have attended numerous workshops and tournaments over the years, and have found Walker’s students to be respectful, helpful and skilled competitors.”

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 Walker's Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“He’s tough, yet encouraging and he does a great job of making classes fun, while teaching valuable self-defense AND life 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 16 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 3 mentions

“Walker’s is a family friendly school with excellent instructors, all with years of experience.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 2 mentions

“I have attended numerous workshops and tournaments over the years, and have found Walker’s students to be respectful, helpful and skilled competitors.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 11 mentions

“They care deeply about their students, and after nearly 20 years of knowing them, they’ve truly become family to me.”

From the reviews

I Attended their self defense class and it was an incredible experience! Everyone was warm & welcoming. Right off the bat you can tell that the people care, and the environment is close knit. I appreciate everyone who helped me out, they really took the time to make sure I was doing everything properly.

★★★★★ — Brittany, Jul 2022

I honestly cannot say enough about Walker’s! It’s a great place for both adults and kids. They care deeply about their students, and after nearly 20 years of knowing them, they’ve truly become family to me.

★★★★★ — Paige, Dec 2025

Master Walker is an exceptional teacher who not only masterfully teaches the techniques, but is personally invested in the success of each student!

★★★★★ — Brian, Dec 2025

The BEST martial arts facility in town! Quality black belt instructors who teach skills as well as respect and discipline. My son loves it here!

★★★★★ — Ann, Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 16 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Walker's Martial Arts

Walker's 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at Walker's 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 Walker's Martial Arts

1304 E Empire St Ste 2, Bloomington, IL61701

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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.