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Team Haanpaa Martial Arts

4.8 ★★★★★ 159 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Rockford, Illinois

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fitness classes

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule teamhaanpaa.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 815-597-2765

Hours

Monday 8 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday 8 am–8:30 pm
Wednesday 8 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 8 am–8:30 pm
Friday 8 am–8:30 pm
Saturday 8 am–2 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Team Haanpaa Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 10 mentions

“I highly recommend them for getting your children started in a new fun sport or just wanting to get an extra hour of exercise as an adult!”

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🔥 Muay Thai Fitness 2 mentions

“I recommend Haanpaa to anyone who is wants to start learning a martial art or get into fitness kickboxing.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“They have learned solid techniques in BJJ and self defense, and have also learned how to protect themselves if being bullied.”

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🌱 Beginner Muay Thai

“I have wanted to try kickboxing for so long, but was nervous to start because I am a total beginner.”

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Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Team Haanpaa Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 6 mentions

“I'm very new to kick boxing and the coaches have been great at letting me work at my own pace while also pushing me to progress!”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🥊 Boxing

“I'm very new to kick boxing and the coaches have been great at letting me work at my own pace while also pushing me to progress!”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 13 mentions

“The lineage of Haanpaa BJJ training leads to one of the most influential people to have molded BJJ (Pedro Sauer) if that doesnt tell you anything idk what will 😎.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

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 BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 159 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 5 mentions

“I'm very new to kick boxing and the coaches have been great at letting me work at my own pace while also pushing me to progress!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“We love the structure, family friendly atmosphere, great staff/coaching, and the welcoming community.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 11 mentions

“The coaches are very friendly and flexible with the schedules, the classmates are very kind and patient they make you feel comfortable I am very happy to belong to this school.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“They have learned solid techniques in BJJ and self defense, and have also learned how to protect themselves if being bullied.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 3 mentions

“Martial Arts Training, Body Conditioning, and Great Workouts!”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“We have been in the classes for only one week, but my son totally loves it.”

From the reviews

Martial Arts Training, Body Conditioning, and Great Workouts!! In Rockford! Haanpaa Martial Arts currently trains Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu. The Kickboxing classes offer a mix between technique and conditioning.

★★★★★ — Joe, Aug 2017

My kids have trained here for almost 4 years through the little ninjas class and now the kids class. It is a very family friendly gym and our kids always look forward to their classes. They have learned solid techniques in BJJ and self defense, and have also learned how to protect themselves if being bullied.

★★★★★ — Lily, Dec 2025

We are approaching the anniversary of completing our first year here, training Jiu Jitsu with the Haanpaa martial arts family, and we've happily extended the contract for a couple more years.

★★★★★ — Shawn, Jul 2024

Team Haanpaa is probably the best gym around..I am a little biased because Im a member here, but from day one I was sucked in due to everyone's kindness, willingness to teach, method of teaching. All the coaches are insanely knowledgeable and want you to succeed whatever your goals are while keeping everyone safe.

★★★★★ — Trevor, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 159 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Team Haanpaa Martial Arts

Team Haanpaa 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 program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first muay thai class at Team Haanpaa Martial Arts

Nervous about walking into a muay thai 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 on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals 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.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, 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 Team Haanpaa Martial Arts

4911 26th Ave, Rockford, IL61109

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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.