Born From Demand, Built for Women: Knockouts Gym

Knockouts Gym, owned by Molly Tynan, was born out of both passion and community demand. Molly began teaching women’s kickboxing in 2021 at Unified Martial Arts in Fond du Lac, where she had been training in MMA since 2017. At the time, Unified Martial Arts was no longer offering a women’s kickboxing class, and many women began reaching out, asking if she would bring it back. With each session, interest continued to grow, more women signed up every time, and the classes quickly outgrew the available time slots.

When the space that is now Knockouts Studio became available, Molly said it felt like the perfect opportunity to create something of her own and expand class offerings. Opening a downtown location made sense, and it became clear that Fond du Lac needed a dedicated, women-only fitness space. From that vision, Knockouts Studio was born.

Knockouts Gym is dedicated to empowering women through fitness and martial arts. Its core programs include Women’s Kickboxing and Women’s Intermediate Kickboxing, alongside Youth MMA for ages 5–13, Teen MMA for ages 13–18+, and a Thursday night “Everyone Welcome” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class. While the original vision for the studio was a women-only space, many members are also moms, and there was strong interest in programming for their children. In response, the gym expanded to include youth and teen classes, as well as a coed, family-style Jiu Jitsu option. Even as the gym has grown, its commitment remains the same—women’s kickboxing classes are, and will always be, exclusively for women.

What makes Knockouts Gym stand out is that it is the only gym in the area offering kickboxing classes dedicated exclusively to women. While the classes provide an incredible cardio workout, they go far beyond typical fitness kickboxing. Members are taught authentic Muay Thai techniques—the same striking fundamentals used in real Mixed Martial Arts—giving them practical skills, not just a workout. Just as important as the training is the environment. The studio was intentionally created to be welcoming and non-intimidating, allowing women of all experience levels to train with confidence, challenge themselves in a new way, and connect with a supportive community of like-minded women.

The gym’s youth program is built on inclusion and skill development, blending Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and wrestling to give students a strong foundation in both striking and grappling. Knockouts proudly trains both competitors and non-competitors, meeting each athlete where they are, whether their goal is competition, self-confidence, or simply staying active. The coaching staff brings years of experience training athletes ranging from amateur mixed martial artists to professional competitors, including individuals who have gone on to compete in the UFC, as well as professional athletes in the NFL and NHL.

The atmosphere at Knockouts Gym is welcoming, empowering, and community driven. The culture is built on respect, encouragement, and hard work. Everyone is challenged, but never judged, and whether someone walks in for their first class or trains to compete, they are supported every step of the way.

For Molly, one of the most meaningful parts of running Knockouts Gym is getting to know every person who walks through the doors and helping them work toward their individual goals. People come to Knockouts for many different reasons—improving fitness, weight loss, learning new skills, meeting new people, or simply finding a reason to get out of the house and do something for themselves. At Knockouts, no one is just another face in the room. Beyond the gym, Molly is passionate about giving back and supporting the community. Knockouts is more than a place to train—it is a space built on connection, support, and a commitment to lifting up both its members and the community around them.

When it comes to success stories, Molly says there isn’t just one. She has received countless heartfelt messages, cards, and words of gratitude from members sharing how Knockouts has impacted their lives. For some, it has been a powerful part of their weight loss journey. For others, it has been the first time they felt safe and comfortable stepping into a gym after experiencing domestic violence. Many women have shared that training helped them feel like themselves again after having children, while others say hitting the bags after a long, stressful day has been a vital outlet for their mental health.

Looking ahead, Molly wants the community to know that Knockouts is here—and here to help. The gym’s doors are open to anyone who has ever thought about trying kickboxing or martial arts but felt unsure, intimidated, or “not fit enough” to start. Beginners are not only welcome, they are encouraged. Knockouts is a place where fitness and martial arts are meant to feel accessible, not intimidating, especially for women. As the gym continues to grow, Molly hopes to expand class times, introduce new training opportunities, and collaborate with other instructors. Knockouts Gym is a community-driven space, and in her words, they’re just getting started.

Be sure to check them out on Facebook - Knockouts - Women's Kickboxing Studio & while you're at it, check out her other small business Mollies VooDoo Dollies!

Located at 15 E 2nd Street, Fond du Lac, WI, United States, 54935