Striking & Muay Thai in Rockford, IL Train with Purpose. Build Skill. Feel Confident.
At our Rockford gym, Core Combat Sports, Striking and Muay Thai classes are built for beginners and experienced students alike. You’ll learn stance, footwork, and powerful strikes with coach-led training that keeps you safe and engaged. Every session improves conditioning, coordination, and confidence without the guesswork. If you’ve been searching for martial arts close to me, you’ll find a supportive team here and a clear path to progress, one class at a time.
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What You’ll Gain From Training
Burn fat, build strength, and move better in one class. Coach-led rounds keep the pace high so you see results without guesswork.
Training builds focus and composure. You learn to stay calm, think clearly, and make quick decisions when the pressure rises.
Train with people who want you to succeed. No egos, just partners who show up, work hard, and help you improve every week at our Rockford gym.
Strength Skill Confidence at Core Combat Sports
Progress here is clear and steady. Our Striking and Muay Thai classes combine conditioning, technique, and mobility so you get stronger, sharper, and more confident each week. Coaches set a weekly focus, give direct feedback, and track simple markers so you always know what to work on at our Rockford gym.
Why Do People Keep Coming Back to These Classes?
Coach-led rounds build strength, cardio, and coordination. Get a complete workout and steady progress at our Rockford gym.
Learn distance, timing, and simple combinations you can apply. We teach control and awareness in a safe, coached setting.
Pad work and bag rounds clear your head and lift your mood. Leave class focused, energized, and ready for tomorrow.
How Core Combat Sports Striking &
Muay Thai Compares
Not all options deliver the same results. At our Rockford gym, Core Combat Sports focuses on real skills, clear coaching, and steady progress so you get more than a simple workout while still answering the question of how we compare to traditional gyms and rec sports.
Most classes focus on burning calories without teaching real skills.
Large classes or self-guided workouts often leave you figuring things out on your own.
Without a team or a goal, it’s easy to fall off track or lose interest.
Typical gym routines don’t teach practical skills for real-life situations.
You might show up and sweat, but there’s no way to measure growth or set goals.
Every class builds striking technique, timing, footwork, and body control while improving conditioning.
Coaches guide each round with step-by-step instruction and in-the-moment feedback.
Train with teammates and coaches who support your goals and help you stay consistent.
Learn distance management, composure under pressure, and how to apply skills safely in live drills.
Track rounds, combinations, and conditioning benchmarks so you can see growth and hit meaningful milestones.
Build Power Speed Endurance
Striking and Muay Thai at Core Combat Sports delivers real training that shapes your body and sharpens your mind. Each class blends technical striking with athletic conditioning for a full-body workout that teaches useful skills while improving cardio and strength.
You will build power on pads, refine timing and balance with partner drills, and burn calories while learning clean technique. Our coaches keep a close eye on form and control so you move well and stay safe as you progress.
Beginners and experienced students train side by side with rounds scaled to your level. We set clear goals, track simple markers, and help you leave each session stronger and more confident. Train at our Rockford gym and see steady progress week after week.
Leaner Body Through Striking & Muay Thai
Striking and Muay Thai at Core Combat Sports is built for results. Classes blend high-intensity pad work, bag intervals, and strength-focused movements to train your whole body and keep your heart rate up from start to finish.
You will do more than burn calories. You will add lean muscle, improve endurance, and increase your metabolism over time. The mix of rounds and clear progressions keeps training interesting, and the technical focus keeps you engaged and safe.
Whether your goal is weight loss, toning, or feeling stronger day to day, you will get a clear plan, steady coaching, and a supportive team at our Rockford gym.
Reduce Stress Gain Control Through Striking & Muay Thai
Striking and Muay Thai at Core Combat Sports gives you a healthy outlet for stress. Classes channel your energy into focused movement so you can reset, breathe, and leave feeling lighter.
Pad rounds, bag work, and simple drills demand your attention in the best way. The rhythm helps quiet mental noise while you build real skill and confidence with coach support.
You do not need to be a fighter to feel the benefits. Show up, train with a supportive team, and walk out stronger than you walked in. If you are looking for a Rockford gym that helps you manage stress and get fit, this is a solid place to start.
Train Practical Self-Defense with Striking & Muay Thai
Striking and Muay Thai at Core Combat Sports teaches practical self-defense for real situations. Known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” it develops strikes with hands, elbows, knees, and legs along with footwork, balance, and distance control. Our Rockford coaches focus on clean technique, timing, and awareness so you can protect yourself while staying safe in training. You will drill entries and exits, basic clinch control, and simple combinations that hold up under pressure. With steady practice you react faster, make smarter choices, and carry yourself with more confidence outside the gym. If you are searching for martial arts close to me in the Rockford area, these classes deliver real skills and a supportive team.
Genuine Feedback From Our Rockford Community
Hear from beginners and long-time students who train Striking and Muay Thai at Core Combat Sports in Rockford. These are real reviews from our members and families, sharing how coaching, community, and consistent training improved fitness, confidence, and life on and off the mats.
Very professional and fun for all ages! My oldest child started a year ago and has become obsessed! Can't say enough good things about all of the programs offered at Core!
I have been with core for about 10-11 months and i love it. There were times i was losing hope in myself mentally and physically but core pushed me and motivated me to be the best me i can possibly be. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wishes to learn martial arts!!
Core Combat Sports is the best place to train at in the 815. I have been training at Core for about 3 years, and my love for the martial arts has only grown. Since my first class, I have excelled in Jiu Jitsu, my wrestling skills for high school improved, and it also taught me many things. I became focused on things on and off the mat, including my schooling/homework. I have also completed an Instructor's Course, and I became the head coach for the Core Kids classes. This role was a great responsibility, after all, I was going to be a huge impact on some of these little guys/gals. In the end, teaching became a thing I loved to do, so it didn't even feel like a hard responsibility. I have also competed in Jiu Jitsu and MMA, and I was successful in both. Core Combat Sports will definitely, without a doubt, prepare you to do whatever it is that you want to do: Competing, getting in better shape, losing weight, and most importantly learn how to defend yourself. As soon as you walk in the door, you are greeted by coaches and other students. Everyone is really nice which creates a very safe and friendly environment. The walls are all murals which adds another element to the academy's atmosphere. There are plenty of training options, and at least one is bound to fit you! Whether it is Jiu Jitsu, MTK (kickboxing), wrestling, fitness, you name it! Core has it! There are just too many great things to say about Core, just check it out and see what it's about! Finally, since August 2015, I moved off to college in Iowa City, and I really miss Core and all of my Core friends! Thanksgiving and Christmas break can't come soon enough!
Been going to kickboxing for a month now and couldn’t love it anymore than I do now great people and atmosphere incredible coach just all around awesome place!!!
Great facility! My husband and myself were driving through and looking for a place to train. Found the perfect spot. Not only was everyone very welcoming, but the intermediate GI class was awesome. Great sequence of techniques and instruction taught by a top notch Black Belt, who is diverse in self defense and sport BJJ. If ever in the area we will stop back by.
I’ve been training at Core for one year now and I’m currently 28 years old. I was looking for something different to do that would keep me in decent physical shape for my career. Prior to signing up with Core, I was nervous about starting because I had absolutely no experience with Jiu-Jitsu or any other martial art for that matter. The beginner’s class is great and no one at Core gives you any problems for not knowing how to do certain drills and/or for being slow at performing the drills. I have found that training Jiu Jitsu at Core is a great work out and is fun as well. In my opinion, it beats the ordinary gym membership by just going in and running on a treadmill and/or lifting some weights. At Core, you get a great work out and you learn how to defend yourself at the same time. Like I stated before, I started with no experience (and I still have a ton to learn) but it’s been an excellent adventure thus far!
Core Combat Sports has been a God send for the Parkinson's community. Coach Tommy has run the program since early October. I feel that in my case, it has slowed the progression of the disease and has improved my determination to keep on fighting. Thank you Coach Tommy and all of the volunteers for making a huge difference in our lives.
My son has had some long standing issues. Since joining Core he has drastically improved 2 of his toughest problems. I appreciate how the Core Team does their best to get to the Core of problems beyond just what happens on the mat! Thanks Tommy & Chris! Samuel still needs much help in multiple areas but I trust you will continue to provide positive insights into whatever issues arise.
I have studied Martial Arts for a very long time. The thing that was missing in my life was ground game. I did some research and found Core Combat Sports. I have known coach Tom since I was little. I knew the passion he has for BJJ. I called him up and without hesitation he said "come try it out". I am in my 40's now so the body wasn't in great shape (totally my fault). My first workout with the adult class was very tough. I'm not going to lie about it. Everybody encouraged me to push it in a positive way in which it made me work super hard. I am in 3 months and have lost 27lbs. I am getting ready to do my first BJJ competition (which isn't required but why not?).
Tom has some highly skilled coaches on staff. Coach Ryan and coach Chris are excellent all around. I am to the point where I cant wait for class. Come give Core a chance and hopefully see you on the Mat. You won't be disappointed.
I highly recommend Core to anyone looking for an amazing and positive experience for their child. We love all of the coaches and Tommy has been amazing!
Currently I am training in Brazilian ju-jitsu and Muay Thai and couldn't be happier. Core combat sports is by far an amazing place for many different people with different goals to come to. Weather it's to lose weight, to get into shape, or learn self defense. I'm happy to be fighting underneath the core name and to have the great coaches that train me and my fellow fighters/peers. As well as being a great place to train, it is also a very friendly environment for any age. I strongly recommend core to anyone else who's considering taking classes in the martial arts
I have been training BJJ at Core Combat Sports for about a year and half now. This being my first bjj/martial arts experience, I was a bit apprehensive about trying it out but Tommy and the rest of the students were very welcoming.
I think the single greatest thing about the gym is that through jiu-jitsu and muay thai, we are helping each other work towards our individual goals. Whether its self defense, sport, or conditioning. Someone will always help you drill, work on breaking down a technique, or roll until your heart gives out. That's what keeps it fresh for me and keeps me coming back.
ACCESS OUR EXCLUSIVE
Secure your spot and get started today with our EXCLUSIVE offer!
Striking & Muay Thai FAQs
Stop by our Rockford gym and ask about our two-week beginner option with a free T-shirt for new students. We will help you pick a first class and get you set up.
Yes. Classes are scaled. We start with stance, footwork, and basic strikes so you build skill and conditioning at a comfortable pace with coach support.
Yes. Striking and Muay Thai train distance control, timing, awareness, and simple combinations from the Art of Eight Limbs. You practice in a safe, coached setting so the skills stick.
Plan for 2 to 3 classes each week. Most students notice better cardio, cleaner technique, faster reactions, and more confidence within the first month.
No. Sparring is optional. Most sessions focus on pad work, bag rounds, partner drills, and movement. If you choose to spar later, coaches guide the pace and keep it controlled.
What You’ll Gain Outside the Gym
Striking and footwork drills fine-tune balance, timing, and coordination for smoother movement in everyday life.
Core strength and proper technique carry over into how you sit, stand, and move throughout the day.
Pad work and partner drills sharpen your reflexes, helping you think and respond more quickly under pressure.
Consistent training builds patience, focus, and mental toughness that benefits work, school, and daily challenges.
ACCESS OUR EXCLUSIVE
Secure your spot and get started today with our EXCLUSIVE offer!