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Whaling City Athletic Club
4.9 ★★★★★ 87 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in New London, Connecticut
Mixed martial arts gym offering a range of training options, including boxing, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu.
Plan your first class
- 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 whalingcityathletics.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 860-625-0968
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 9–10 am |
The classes they run
“My husband and I did a drop in open mat and were welcomed by everyone there.”
“It's the perfect environment whether your a hobbyist, competitor, or a beginner you will find what your looking for.”
“The variety of classes the gym offers caters to all types of athletes, jiu jitsu, boxing, wrestling, or just general conditioning.”
“It's the perfect environment whether your a hobbyist, competitor, or a beginner you will find what your looking for.”
Other martial arts here
“The variety of classes the gym offers caters to all types of athletes, jiu jitsu, boxing, wrestling, or just general conditioning.”
“The variety of classes the gym offers caters to all types of athletes, jiu jitsu, boxing, wrestling, or just general conditioning.”
What members say
“I have tremendous gratitude for Kent Ward and all the supportive staff at WCAC who make this gym a welcoming and comfortable place.”
“Schedule posted online made it easy to find mat times, gym was clean, mats mopped down and everything.”
“He has Parkinson's Disease, and the classes that he takes with fellow men and women, are exactly what he needs.”
“I m came here only for couple of days for military training at the Coast Guard Academy, and they welcomed me here like a family, didnt even chargme.”
From the reviews
Truthfully, I never felt like going to the gym every single day until I joined this one. I always get that feeling everyday of either hitting the bags or the pads.
My dad has been going to this INCREDIBLE gym for years now. He has Parkinson's Disease, and the classes that he takes with fellow men and women, are exactly what he needs. When I say, this place, is the MOST caring, hands on, energetic gym, I CANNOT say it enough.
I can't say enough good things about Whaling City Athletic Club. I came to Groton over the winter time for some work for about three months and was looking for a place to train Jiu Jitsu. Whaling City was the first place I went, and I am so lucky that that's where I ended up.
An incredible gym with amazing knowledgeable staff that are always looking to help anyone in the gym whether you are new or have been coming here for years. The variety of classes the gym offers caters to all types of athletes, jiu jitsu, boxing, wrestling, or just general conditioning.
New to kickboxing? Start at Whaling City Athletic Club
Whaling City Athletic Club 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 Whaling City Athletic Club
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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