If you are thinking about learning kickboxing, one of the first things on your mind is probably what the cost will be, and if it will be worth the money. I called kickboxing gyms in every state to find out exactly what they are charging and what they are offering.
Most kickboxing gyms offer an unlimited access membership for a flat monthly fee of $50 to $225 a month. The national monthly membership average is $112. Some gyms require a one time start up of $20-$299 but many do not charge any enrollment fee. Gyms typically offer drop in classes for non members for $10-$30 and private lessons for $50-$100.
Since kickboxing classes vary in price throughout the country, I thought it would be really helpful to see a state by state breakdown of kickboxing gym costs. Although prices will vary within each state, this will give you a good idea of what to expect for your area. Scroll past the table to see what additional costs you could encounter, and if kickboxing classes are worth the price.
| State | Club Name | Unlimited Monthly Membership | Drop-in Classes | Enrollment Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 9Round Fitness | $79 with gloves | $10.00 | $21 |
| Alaska | Anchorage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | $95.00 | no | 0 |
| Arizona | Undisputed Tucson Gym | $85.00 | $15.00 | $0-199 |
| Arkansas | Conway Fitness | $52.00 | no | $30 |
| California | L.A.K.O. | $99.00 | $22.00 | $39 |
| Colorado | Peak Kickboxing | $129.00 | $26.00 | $200 |
| Connecticut | Plus One Defense Systems | $134.00 | no | 0 |
| Delaware | Jack’s Kickboxing Gym | $89 for non contact/ 120 with sparing | $15.00 | $150 |
| Florida | Florida Kickboxing | $120.00 | $25.00 | $100 |
| Georgia | Bangkok Boxing | $95.00 | no | 100 |
| Hawaii | UFC Gym | $89.00 | no | $74 |
| Idaho | Legacy ATA Martial Arts | $69.00 | no | 0 |
| Illinois | Mind Body Defense | $150.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| Indiana | Maxim Gym | $120.00 | $10.00 | 0 |
| Iowa | Roundkick Gym | $139.00 | no | $79 |
| Kansas | Title Boxing Club State Line | $89.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| Kentucky | Rock’em Sock’em Boxing and Kickboxing | $30.00 | no | 0 |
| Louisiana | BR Krav Maga- Kickboxing | $120.00 | no | $29.50 |
| Maine | Maine Warrior | $140.00 | no | 0 |
| Maryland | Bethesda Boxing & Kickboxing | $150.00 | $30.00 | $99 |
| Massachusetts | Hard Knocks | $125.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| Michigan | Michigan Kickboxing Academy MMA & BJJ | $130.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| Minnesota | The Cellar Gym | $139.00 | no | 0 |
| Mississippi | Gracie South Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing | $75.00 | $20.00 | $50 |
| Missouri | Glory MMA | $149.00 | no | $299 |
| Montana | Grit Training | $100.00 | no | $50 |
| Nebraska | CKO | $79.00 | $19.00 | $49 |
| Nevada | Reno City Kickboxing | $109.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| New Hampshire | Woo Kickboxing Acadamy | $75.00 | $10.00 | 0 |
| New Jersey | Fastkick Martial Arts | $55.00 | no | 0 |
| New Mexico | Guzman Sport Karate Kickboxing | $99.00 | no | $199 |
| New York | Empire Academy of Combat Sports | $120.00 | no | 0 |
| North Carolina | Eight Points Muay Thai | $149.00 | $25.00 | 0 |
| North Dakota | Fargo Brazilian Jiu-jitsu & Kickboxing | $99.00 | no | 0 |
| Ohio | Ronin Training Center | $225 Access to all martial arts | no | 0 |
| Oklahoma | Legacy Martial Arts BJJ & Kickboxing | $150.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| Oregon | Fierce Fitness Kickboxing | $99.00 | $24.00 | $99 |
| Pennsylvania | Americakick Martial Arts | $99.00 | no | 0 |
| Rhode Island | Rondeau’s Kickboxing | $159.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| South Carolina | Dynamite Kickboxing | $149.00 | $25.00 | 0 |
| South Dakota | 9Round | $78.00 | $10.00 | $50 |
| Tennessee | Total Fitness Kickboxing | $60.00 | no | $99 |
| Texas | Black Widow MMA | $150.00 | no | 0 |
| Utah | Foley’s MMA | $85.00 | $15.00 | 0 |
| Vermont | Combat Fitness MMA | $99.00 | $15.00 | 0 |
| Virginia | Powerhouse Kickboxing | $125.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| Washington | Kickboxing Academy-Brian Johnson | $150.00 | no | 0 |
| West Virginia | Fight Society Muay Thai Gym | $120.00 | $10.00 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | Resurgence MMA & Fitness | $97.00 | $20.00 | 0 |
| Wyoming | Jackson Hole MMA | $130.00 | no | 0 |
Additional Costs
You can literally do kickboxing for free if you’re doing cardio kickboxing without a bag or an opponent. Honestly, all you have to do is go to You Tube, search kickboxing videos, and start your workout…no equipment needed! But if you want to get a little more serious about the sport, there are plenty of things you can buy to make your workout more effective, safe, and fun.
Punching Bags
One of the most valuable and useful pieces of equipment you can buy for kickboxing at home is a punching bag, aka “heavy bag” or “jumbo bag”. These punching bags are heavy duty, cylindrical in shape, and usually about 13 inches in diameter. They can weigh anywhere from 30-200 pounds. They can be covered in leather, polyurethane, or canvas. There are a couple of varieties to choose from.
A free standing bag is a punching bag on a stand filled with water or sand to weigh it down and keep it in place. The downside to the freestanding bag is that they are known to slide across the floor slightly as you punch it, so you will have to readjust it from time to time while working out. But freestanding punching bags are great if you’re short on space or if you don’t have a good place to hang a bag. They are easy to reposition and store when you want it out of sight.
The cost for a freestanding bag will be between $150 and $300. If you’re looking for a high quality, reasonably priced freestanding punching bag, check out this Everlast Powercore Bag. I love it because the height can be easily adjusted. This is a huge benefit when you’re sharing a bag with someone a lot taller or shorter than you.
You can also get really lightweight bags starting as low as $30, but these bags won’t develop your muscles, strength or power, and they won’t last long.
If you have a solid place to suspend a punching bag, and you’d like to build more muscle and power in your punches, then a hanging bag might be a better choice for you.
Hanging bags are suspended from the ceiling using a chain or heavy duty rope. They are typically heavier and more solid than a freestanding bag -and the heavier the bag, the harder you can punch. Being able to punch harder, increases your potential to build strength and power.
The price of a hanging bag can run anywhere from $80 to $200. The lighter the bag, the cheaper it will be. Keep in mind that your punching bag should weigh about half your weight.
The price will also depend on the quality and materials of the bag. A leather bag will be more expensive, but it will also be more durable. If you don’t have a good place to hang a heavy bag, you could also buy a stand to hang it on which will run you about $100-$200.
Gloves and Hand Wraps
If you aren’t kickboxing at home, you won’t even need a punching bag. But if you’re going to a club for bag training, you’re going to need a pair of gloves and hand wraps.
Hand wraps protect your fingers, knuckles and wrists. They are a must anytime you are punching a bag or an opponent- even if you are wearing gloves. They are wrapped around your fingers, hands, and wrist before putting your gloves on. Wraps will cost you between $5 and $20. Try these hand wraps if you want quick, convenient, and comfy hand and wrist protection at a great price.
On top of those hand wraps, you’re going to need some gloves. You can get boxing gloves for as little as $20 and as much as $450 but I wouldn’t recommend going to either of those extremes. Bag gloves are going to protect you and if you don’t invest in a decent pair you could do some serious damage to your hands or wrists. Buying a cheap $20 pair of gloves isn’t going to offer you the protection you need.
As a beginner, you also don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a quality pair of gloves that will cushion and safeguard your hands. Expect to pay somewhere between $50-$100 if you are planning to use them often. One of my favorite pair of boxing gloves in the lower price range are the Venom Impact Boxing Glove. They’re soft and comfortable on the inside, very supportive, and reasonably priced for someone starting out.
Foot Wraps
If you are kickboxing without shoes, you will also want to wrap your feet. Foot wraps are fairly inexpensive. You can find them for around $15. These Ankle Guards have a layer of gel to protect your feet and grip pads to keep you from slipping on the mat.
More Protection You Could Need
There are a few other items you might want to invest in, depending on your kickboxing goals. If you are going to be sparing or competing you will want more protection. Here is a list and the average cost of some of the protective equipment you might need:
- Mouth Guard $10-$30
- Shin Guards $25-$100
- Head Gear $30-$100
- Groin Protector $20-$50
- Chest Protector $30-$60
Are Kickboxing Classes Worth the Price?
This is a great question, but the answer is very subjective and is entirely based on what you’re paying and what you’re getting out of it.
Kickboxing classes can be worth the price if you want to improve your technique, need motivation, or plan to compete. Kickboxing club membership prices should be within the national average range of $60-$225, and should include unlimited classes with high quality instruction that meet your particular needs and goals.
If your gym is charging on the upper end of this range, you should have access to expert instructors, numerous and frequent kickboxing classes throughout the week, and training in sparing and competing.
If you are only interested in the fitness aspect of kickboxing, you shouldn’t need to pay over $100 per month for unlimited classes. You can easily do kickboxing at home without having to pay a dime. But if you’re having a hard time sticking with it, and need someone to keep you pumped up and inspired, paying for a kickboxing gym membership is well worth the price.