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York Shotokan Karate & Mixed Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 104 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in York, Pennsylvania

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team Affiliated

Affiliated gym — reviews and the gym's own info suggest it belongs to a known kickboxing or boxing-fitness franchise or network (think 9Round, iLoveKickboxing, CKO, TITLE Boxing Club or Jabz). Franchise gyms run a consistent class format and are often a friendly, familiar place to start. If a specific brand matters to you, confirm it on the gym's own site.

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
  • Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes (ages 5–8) — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • 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 yorkshotokan.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 717-757-2529

Hours

Monday 6–9 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 6–9 pm
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday 8–10:30 am
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 York Shotokan Karate & Mixed Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 17 mentions

“You, and your children, will have the opportunity to participate, learn, evolve, and grow with world class martial arts instruction, teaching, coaching, counseling, and mentoring.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The atmosphere at the school is always welcoming and positive, making it a great place for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.”

All gyms that run beginners →

🏆 Competition Team

“I started martial arts in 1973 and met Tony Abel about the same time, we competed together at local tournaments for years Tony is the real deal.”

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 York Shotokan Karate & Mixed Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“The mix of karate and mixed martial arts training offers a well-rounded experience for students of all ages and skill levels.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Karate 11 mentions

“The mix of karate and mixed martial arts training offers a well-rounded experience for students of all ages and skill levels.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“The instructors have been great with the kids, and we like that there is a focus on self defense and safety.”

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 104 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The atmosphere at the school is always welcoming and positive, making it a great place for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 4 mentions

“I started martial arts in 1973 and met Tony Abel about the same time, we competed together at local tournaments for years Tony is the real deal.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 11 mentions

“The whole family gained confidence, awareness, and practical real-life self‑defense strategies allowing us to feel safer and more confident in everyday situations.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 7 mentions

“The atmosphere at the school is always welcoming and positive, making it a great place for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.”

From the reviews

I must start out by saying I have known Sensei Tony Abel for nearly 40 years and there is no other instructor that I would trust to teach my children then him and his school. Because I understand the phrase" you get what you earn" and that saying is a life saying and pairs well with martial arts as well.

★★★★★ — Oran, Nov 2025

If you are looking for a truly professional martial arts school and institution that embodies the guiding principles, tradition, and culture of: ‘Excellence’, ‘Achievement’, ‘Integrity’, ‘Honesty’, ‘Respect’, ‘Humility’, ‘Dignity’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Camaraderie’, ‘Accountability’, ‘Courage’, ‘Resilience’,…

★★★★★ — Jody, Dec 2025

I’ve known Sensei Tony Abel all my adult life, and I can say without hesitation that he is the real deal when it comes to martial arts instruction. At York Shotokan Karate and Martial Arts, Tony teaches with a blend of discipline, respect, and encouragement.

★★★★★ — James, Nov 2025

A few years ago, I took a Self Defense Class at York Shotokan. It was extremely beneficial. Skillful, patient instructors and plenty of time to feel confident in a safe environment. If you are considering taking a Self Defense Class, you should definitely contact this school.

★★★★★ — Cathy, Nov 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 104 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at York Shotokan Karate & Mixed Martial Arts

York Shotokan Karate & Mixed 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 York Shotokan Karate & Mixed 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 York Shotokan Karate & Mixed Martial Arts

3195 E Prospect Rd, York, PA17402

Get directions

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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.