Business Details
30 Years
experience
Your Trusted Kickboxing & Muay Thai Gym in Louisville
Real Fighters Gym represents 30 years of dedication to martial arts excellence, founded on the principles of hard work, competitive spirit, and community. Located in Bluegrass Industrial Park, we serve as the home base for Team Haycraft, our renowned fight team comprising athletes, coaches, and supportive members who embody our family-oriented philosophy. Our training programs have been rigorously tested in national and international competitions, with fighters competing in prestigious events across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Head Coach Eric Haycraft brings 26 years of expertise in kickboxing and Muay Thai, having trained alongside industry icons to develop a curriculum that bridges traditional techniques with modern applications.We cater to diverse clientele through fitness-focused classes, recreational training, and professional fight development, ensuring accessibility for all skill levels. Our proven system has produced numerous champions while maintaining equal emphasis on non-competitive participants seeking personal growth. The gym's international reputation is built on authentic instruction methods that corporate franchises have attempted to replicate without success. Our commitment to quality remains unwavering, combining technical precision with character development to create well-rounded martial artists.
Services
Fitness Kickboxing
Dutch Kickboxing
Muay Thai Training
Introductory Program
Novice Level Classes
Intermediate Training
Advanced Level Instruction
Mixed Level Sessions
Fight Team Development
Beginner Martial Arts
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- 30 years of proven success in martial arts instruction and fight development
- Coaches with international competitive experience in Muay Thai and kickboxing
- Structured progression system from beginner to professional levels
- Inclusive environment welcoming all fitness levels and experience backgrounds
- Established track record producing regional, national, and world champions
What people say
Best workout ever
Experienced coaches
Judgment-free environment
Great gym family
Proper form instruction
Services
Fitness Kickboxing
High-intensity interval training combining authentic kickboxing techniques with bodyweight exercises. This 60-minute program develops cardiovascular endurance, strength, and coordination through progressive combinations on heavy bags. No prior experience required, with instructors guiding participants through proper form, hand wrapping, and fundamental techniques while maintaining an engaging, non-competitive environment.
Muay Thai Training
Comprehensive Muay Thai instruction following a structured progression system from novice to advanced levels. Participants learn traditional techniques, conditioning methods, and safety protocols under experienced coaches with international competition backgrounds. The program balances technical precision with practical application, preparing students for either competitive fighting or recreational skill development through partner drills and controlled sparring sessions.
Dutch Kickboxing
Contact-based Dutch kickboxing curriculum developed through decades of competitive experience. The program systematically advances students through five distinct levels, emphasizing proper technique development before introducing controlled contact. Participants gain practical fighting skills while building physical conditioning through bag work, footwork drills, and partner exercises that reflect authentic ring scenarios and competition requirements.
Introductory Course
Foundational program designed for martial arts newcomers requiring 5-7 weeks to complete. Instructors focus on basic techniques, safety protocols, and essential conditioning required for progression. Students learn equipment usage, proper striking form, and fundamental movement patterns while developing the physical and mental preparedness needed to advance to novice-level training and beyond.
Fight Team Development
Professional fight preparation program producing regional and national champions in kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA. Athletes receive specialized instruction in competition techniques, fight strategy, and tournament preparation. The program combines technical skill development with practical experience through international competition opportunities and televised event participation under the guidance of experienced fight coaches.
People
Eric Haycraft
Head Coach
With 26 years of martial arts instruction experience, Eric Haycraft established Louisville's first professional kickboxing gym in 1997. As both former professional fighter and coach, he has developed numerous champions across multiple disciplines while maintaining active involvement in the sport's development at all levels.
Lindsay Haycraft
Coach
National champion and international competitor with 40 professional fights across eight countries. Combines athletic expertise with academic background in physical therapy to provide technically sound instruction. Transitioned from competitive fighting to coaching while maintaining active gym involvement and family life with three children.
Questions
What martial arts styles do you teach?
We specialize in Dutch kickboxing and Muay Thai, offering comprehensive instruction from beginner fundamentals to advanced competitive techniques.
Do I need prior experience to join?
No prior experience required. Our structured programs welcome all skill levels with beginner courses designed to teach fundamentals from day one.
What equipment do I need for classes?
Basic equipment includes 14-16 ounce gloves, hand wraps, and shin guards. Optional gear varies by training level and specific class requirements.
Are there competitive opportunities available?
Yes, our fight team program develops amateur and professional fighters with proven success in regional, national, and international competitions.
What makes your gym different from others?
30 years of martial arts expertise, internationally experienced coaches, and a proven training system that combines authentic techniques with modern applications.
