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Watson Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 160 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in St. Louis, Missouri
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 watsonbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (260) 255-4785
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–12:30 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–12:30 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–7 AM, 10–11 AM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–2 PM |
The classes they run
“Great workout, high level instruction, very friendly atmosphere.”
“There are all levels from beginner to expert with a large number of black belts on the mat.”
“There were 4 other women in class, and they were all great competitors.”
“Variety of classes from beginner to advanced along with BJJ, Muay Thai, and more.”
“I was back in town to visit family and reached out for a private lesson.”
Other martial arts here
“Variety of classes from beginner to advanced along with BJJ, Muay Thai, and more.”
“Best mma academy in whole st Louis, highly recommended 👌”
“Louis, Missouri for three weeks on a work trip and had the opportunity to train at Watson’s Martial Arts Jiu-Jitsu during that time.”
What members say
“I connected with Kyle the owner and was immediately impressed with how welcoming and hospitable he treated me and my friends who came along.”
“Great workout, high level instruction, very friendly atmosphere.”
“Great workout, high level instruction, very friendly atmosphere.”
“Kyle runs a great gym and clearly cares about both the quality of instruction and the culture he’s built.”
“I connected with Kyle the owner and was immediately impressed with how welcoming and hospitable he treated me and my friends who came along.”
From the reviews
Attended a Saturday class as a drop-in from WA state. I get nervous visiting new gyms, but you do not need to feel this way with Watson MA. From the get-go, we were welcomed by someone at front desk, got us waivers, and showed us to the locker rooms.
Came through town for a visit and was looking for a place to get some BJJ roles in and was recommended Watson from another gym. I connected with Kyle the owner and was immediately impressed with how welcoming and hospitable he treated me and my friends who came along. Made it to a couple classes and had a great time.
We stopped in for a drop-in class on our way through St. Louis. Kyle and everyone at Watson made us feel right at home. Everyone we spoke with and rolled with was so friendly and welcoming. This is definitely a gym where people take care of each other and support each other.
I joined the free Muay Thai lesson yesterday and wow - what a great experience. Kyle was extremely nice & helpful. To say it was a great workout is an understatement! I’d highly recommend this gym - this is such a great place to be introduced to the huge world of martial arts.
New to kickboxing? Start at Watson Martial Arts
Watson 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 Watson 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.
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