Kickboxing has given me a fun way of exercising while improving my fitness, it's also helped me gain new skills and more confidence. As for the people, they make the class, everyone is friendly, supportive and always willing to help others. I have been going for 4 years now and it's the only thing I have stuck to and enjoy it just as much now as I did when I first started.
Gemma Goodwin, 28, Heanor
Gemma Goodwin, 28, Heanor
Been kickboxing around three years with Neil at Heanor. Great place to learn the art of kickboxing, every week is different. Builds confidence improves fitness. Everybody is made welcome and put at ease, it's part of the family.
Antony Weston, 40, Swanwick
Antony Weston, 40, Swanwick
Everyone in the class is extremely friendly and welcoming and it's a great way to improve fitness - any age and any size, would definitely recommend it.
Tracey Garnham, 41, Ilkeston
Tracey Garnham, 41, Ilkeston
I started kickboxing mainly as a way of keeping fit and just getting some exercise. But after joining I enjoyed it way more than just a fitness regime, I found that I really enjoyed going for belt grades and felt really accomplished when I actually passed with merit. Something I never really thought about was sparring but it was really interesting seeing the more competitive side of kickboxing ended up really enjoying that too! The biggest thing is that every training session always has a relaxed and friendly style to it but you're still pushed to do the best you can do. I've done some Shotokan karate before and never really took to the rigid style, but with kickboxing it just seems more free flowing.
Tommy Farrell, 21, Hilton
Tommy Farrell, 21, Hilton
I've been training with Derbyshire Kickboxing for 2 years now and can't remember ever doing the same lesson; each week we do something new and exciting that pushes you further. Everyone is so friendly and approachable, and the instructors are fantastic and very supportive. I love training, it's a really fun way to keep fit and to reach your goals; I really can't recommend it enough! I wish I'd joined earlier.
Elise Peet, 17, Hilton
Elise Peet, 17, Hilton
I thoroughly enjoy the weekly training sessions with kickboxing. I also love the competitive side of the sport, with the optional tournaments that the clubs organise which allow me to use what I have learnt in training against a real opponent!
Adam Millington, 16, Etwall
Adam Millington, 16, Etwall
Really enjoy learning the art of kickboxing and have the most amazing time in the process. In the last year since I have learnt so much more than I ever expected and feeling so much healthier for it. I have a lot more confidence and really surprised myself. I never feel like I don't want to go to a class and it was the last type of sport I thought I would take up, never mind love so much.
Jane Musson, 25, Heanor
Jane Musson, 25, Heanor
I just think the lessons are really cool, I like learning all the new moves and techniques that the instructors show us. I feel like it's helped me to reach some of my goals such as becoming more flexible too.
Charlotte Fryer, 17, Scropton
Charlotte Fryer, 17, Scropton
The reasons me and my son like training is that it's a professional session, with a friendly yet disciplined coaching team who make sure every member gets the correct tuition for their ability. I also like the fact that safety is always top of the list and a wide range of equipment is always utilised and available during training
James Allen, 40, Heanor
James Allen, 40, Heanor
Wouldn't want to train anywhere else! It's a really friendly class and Neil and Mel are great instructors, keeping us all fit and making sure the technical standards are high.
Gareth Collyer, 24, Eastwood
Gareth Collyer, 24, Eastwood
It's one of the best hours of the week!
Jason Curzon, 39, Ripley
Jason Curzon, 39, Ripley
Kickboxing's great! I can honestly recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their fitness, learn self-defence or just have some fun. That's one of the benefits of the class, we have instructors who are helpful, easy to get on with and plan fun lessons - every week's different, there's no chance of being bored.
Emma Osborne, 17, Duffield<
Emma Osborne, 17, Duffield<
I absolutely love coming to kickboxing! It's the first sport I've wanted to keep up, I get bored really easily but find it exciting and look forward to coming every week. Neil and Mel are always helpful and informative, if I could, I'd train 5 times a week!
Melanie Sisson, 25, Ripley
Melanie Sisson, 25, Ripley
I really look forward to Tuesday nights to come kickboxing. My only regret is that I didn't start earlier!
Nathan Ottewell, 29, Swanwick
Nathan Ottewell, 29, Swanwick
Since joining the class I've lost almost 3 stones in weight and love the physical activity the classes encourage.
Paul Birkett, 46, Belper
Paul Birkett, 46, Belper
Kickboxing with the PKA is an excellent martial art, great cardio workout and more importantly, great fun!
Mark Jones, 45, Codnor
Mark Jones, 45, Codnor
Derbyshire Kickboxing
Derbyshire Kickboxing is a division of the Professional Kickboxing Association (PKA) operating classes for all abilities in the Derbyshire area.
🎉 this really is the best part of being a coach 🎉 awarding such well deserved black belts 🥊😀 massive congratulations to Connor from Etwall class, Alfie and Heather from Wirksworth class all gaining their 1st Dan black belt and Jane Louise for her 2nd Dan black belt 🎉 thanks to everyone who has played a part in their journey to this huge milestone and awarded against the PKA national standard🥋
Amazing ‘Get Well Soon’ gift for a member of Derbyshire Kickboxing after a serious accident (non-martial arts related thankfully) using old kit by Textiles and Crafts by Jane 🎉
Great session held at Nottingham University Sutton Bonington campus last week leading students through self defense techniques 👍💪 huge thanks to Jane Louise for helping organise it and beating me up 🤷♂️😂
🎉 Another amazing interclub with our PKA sister clubs from Kickbox UK yesterday at Clifton 🎉 58 competitors from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire coming together with over 100 bouts, plus our junior padwork category and newly formed Semi Contact Points team event 💪🥊 incredible sporting conduct, skill and technique shown across the whole day and simply couldn’t be prouder of everyone who stepped up to compete 🎉special thanks to everyone in the instructing and coaching team who helped the day run so well Martin Ellis Martin Byrne Mike Szynal Kieron Tatham Eleanor Winch Laura Ward Andy Spencer David Allen-Ashcroft David Poole Matt Brownsword Jon Davies Adam Sharman Ceri Knapgate Paul Hickman Nicki Underwood
Good luck to all students from across Derbyshire kickboxing and our sister PKA clubs at Kickbox UK attending the black belt exam today 💪🥊😀 you’ll smash it 👍
📣🎉 Thrilled to welcome Martin Ellis to the Derbyshire Kickboxing instructing team with the award of his coveted ‘blue’ trousers 🎉 Martin has worked tirelessly through a demanding Coach Confirmation Programme, demonstrating his skills in leading martial arts and couldn’t be happier that he’s joining the team 😀🎉 thanks to everyone across all our clubs that’s have helped in the journey
We have our first tournament of 2026 coming up on 10th May! 🥊
Lots of our students enjoy sparring in class, but find the tournament a bit daunting, so let’s break it down!
On the day, the tournament is between students from the Derbyshire PKA clubs, and the Nottinghamshire PKA clubs! We put all of our students into categories - juniors have age categories and adults have weight classes. So even if you’re up against someone from a different club who you don’t know, you will be evenly matched!
Students can enter into semi contact (breaks after each point is scored), light continuous (no stopping, referees take points throughout) and juniors can also enter into the padwork competition.
Our tournaments are local, and are more about having fun, having a good go at some sparring matches than it is winning titles - we want everyone to enjoy themselves more than anything!
Our next tournament is on the 10th May at Clifton Leisure Centre. As we get closer to the tournament we will have more sparring opportunities in classes, so let one of the instructing team know if you’re interested!
See your instructor for details on how to enter 😀
Lots of our students enjoy sparring in class, but find the tournament a bit daunting, so let’s break it down!
On the day, the tournament is between students from the Derbyshire PKA clubs, and the Nottinghamshire PKA clubs! We put all of our students into categories - juniors have age categories and adults have weight classes. So even if you’re up against someone from a different club who you don’t know, you will be evenly matched!
Students can enter into semi contact (breaks after each point is scored), light continuous (no stopping, referees take points throughout) and juniors can also enter into the padwork competition.
Our tournaments are local, and are more about having fun, having a good go at some sparring matches than it is winning titles - we want everyone to enjoy themselves more than anything!
Our next tournament is on the 10th May at Clifton Leisure Centre. As we get closer to the tournament we will have more sparring opportunities in classes, so let one of the instructing team know if you’re interested!
See your instructor for details on how to enter 😀
🎉 Thrilled to share that all clubs across Derbyshire Kickboxing have been certified as meeting all the required standards in safeguarding in the delivery of martial arts 🎉🥊😀 we’ve been operating to and beyond this for a long time as standard but it’s a huge endorsement to receive external accreditation and recognition for everything the team delivers every week and behind the scenes 🏆
Sad to hear the passing of Chuck Norris - a true martial arts legend who inspired generations of people across the World
In true Chuck Norris fashion and bring a smile to faces, one of my favourite legendary Chuck Norris “facts”….. when the Hulk gets angry, he turns in to Chuck Norris 😀💪 post your favourite below
Rest in peace. 👊 #legend
In true Chuck Norris fashion and bring a smile to faces, one of my favourite legendary Chuck Norris “facts”….. when the Hulk gets angry, he turns in to Chuck Norris 😀💪 post your favourite below
Rest in peace. 👊 #legend
🎉🎉 Another amazing grading day in the bag 🥊💪 over 125 students grading all the way across the PKA syllabus from Red 🔴 all the way up to Brown 🟤 belt - bucket loads of skill, effort, determination and most importantly development and improvement seen 🎉 special thanks to all the members of the instructor team who made today happen as well as the Coaching Team Melissa Osborne Adam Sharman Ceri Knapgate Paul Hickman Sean Wincott Rachael Smith Nicki Underwood Martin Ellis Jane Louise Tracey Garnham Harrison, Joel and Holly 🎉 can’t wait for the results and feedback to be handed out at next weeks classes 😀
With our first grading exam of 2026 taking place on Sunday, have a read about what happens at a PKA grading? 🤔🤔
Grading for a kickboxing belt can seem daunting, but your coaches will have prepared you in class for every step of the grading. Here’s what happens on the day:
🥊 Shadow work: everyone shows off their shadow kickboxing moves! This is where you show what punches, kicks and evasion you know without a partner holding pads. We’re looking for flowing moves, a good guard and pivots on all techniques.
🥊 Padwork routine: The coaches will give everyone a demo of a short padwork routine to work on in pairs. For higher grades, one of these will be a freestyle routine made up by you to show off your skills and how well you can hold pads. For some students, we might pair students with coaching team members.
🥊 Kickshields: You will be given both technical and power kicks to do on a kickshield. Keep your energy and guard up and give these kicks all you’ve got!
🥊 Grading sets: Our junior members will complete the first two foundation sets plus the two appropriate for awarding their next belt. Adults will complete all the grading sets across the whole syllabus in pairs. Don’t rush through these, we’re looking for energy plus great technique.
Bow out: After all your hard work, Mike Haig, founder of the PKA and association principal who oversees each grading to ensure they are all kept to the same high national standard, will bow you out.
What happens next?
Your kickboxing coach will receive feedback on how you did on the day and if you passed. If you did pass, you’ll be told if it was a Pass, Merit or Distinction mark and award your belt at the end of the your next class 🥳 You’ll also receive a certificate and important feedback notes to take forwards to your next grading exam
Good luck to everyone who has stepped up to take either their first or next belt 📆looking forwards to seeing you there 👍🥊😀
Grading for a kickboxing belt can seem daunting, but your coaches will have prepared you in class for every step of the grading. Here’s what happens on the day:
🥊 Shadow work: everyone shows off their shadow kickboxing moves! This is where you show what punches, kicks and evasion you know without a partner holding pads. We’re looking for flowing moves, a good guard and pivots on all techniques.
🥊 Padwork routine: The coaches will give everyone a demo of a short padwork routine to work on in pairs. For higher grades, one of these will be a freestyle routine made up by you to show off your skills and how well you can hold pads. For some students, we might pair students with coaching team members.
🥊 Kickshields: You will be given both technical and power kicks to do on a kickshield. Keep your energy and guard up and give these kicks all you’ve got!
🥊 Grading sets: Our junior members will complete the first two foundation sets plus the two appropriate for awarding their next belt. Adults will complete all the grading sets across the whole syllabus in pairs. Don’t rush through these, we’re looking for energy plus great technique.
Bow out: After all your hard work, Mike Haig, founder of the PKA and association principal who oversees each grading to ensure they are all kept to the same high national standard, will bow you out.
What happens next?
Your kickboxing coach will receive feedback on how you did on the day and if you passed. If you did pass, you’ll be told if it was a Pass, Merit or Distinction mark and award your belt at the end of the your next class 🥳 You’ll also receive a certificate and important feedback notes to take forwards to your next grading exam
Good luck to everyone who has stepped up to take either their first or next belt 📆looking forwards to seeing you there 👍🥊😀
