MMA Academy

This place is awesome. I have been in a funk for a while after gaining 40 pounds and could not get committed to a fitness routine. This place has brought back my interest in making fitness a part of my life again. The workouts are tough but you are in a welcoming environment and you push yourself at your own pace and fitness level. I would most definitely recommend this place if you are serious about getting in shape again. The instructors are outstanding and very patient and I like that. Do it! you won’t regret it!

I did the 6 week Krav Maga Challenge and it was a great experience, the instructors are great creating a team that would support and encourage each other. It really helped me not only in loosing a few pounds but to get healthier and stronger, knowing the basis of self defense definitely made me feel empowered and the workout, at times brutal, is absolutely worth it. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a tough mental and physical challenge.

Fantastic place to learn self defense and get fit. The people and environment are both amazing. Instructors prepare you for real life threatening situations by demonstration, explanation and positive interaction. Classmates are encouraging and help you to be your best.
I started with the six week fitness challenge and was excited to be able to join the regular class also.
I am halfway through the fitness challenge and am already down a size. Talk about feel the burn but my class is so much fun to workout with it flys by.

The best place lo learn Self defense techniques and the environment is great, the teachers and the class mates make a great team!!! Highly recommended

I had been training here for 2 years then moved to another state. I have continued my training at another school now and I really miss Mike, Anne, Vernon, and Chris. The instruction at this school has to be hands down one of the best places I have every trained. In the past 20 years I have moved around a lot and have trained in a dozen places but nothing compares to this school.
Mike and Anne have really created and awesome environment to learn and all the instructors are great and also the students are great. It is really important that the students be good to work with or that can also turn you off really fast from a school. Everyone is very nice and wants to help you be your best.
San Diegans you are privileged to have such a high caliber facility and staff in your area, you should take advantage of it. I wish I still could.

Although I go to their Vista branch, it’s an awesome place to learn AUTHENTIC Krav Maga Self Defense! This training facility is an OFFICIAL «Krav Maga Worldwide» LICENSEE (a legit Krav Maga organization). All instructors are very SKILLED and KNOWLEDGEABLE, the training facility is very NICE and CLEAN, the training atmosphere is very ALIVE, GREAT classmates, you HAVE the FLEXIBILITY to train at your OWN schedule and at your OWN pace. I would RECOMMEND this place to anyone who wants to learn EFFECTIVE Reality Based Self Defense and a GREAT workout! I’m HOOKED! Krav Maga for LIFE!!!

I have been training with the MMA Academy for just over one year.
i started out not knowing how to even hold my fist, punch or defend myself.
I can now watch out I hv a pretty mean punch.;)))
I have to give a huge THANK YOU to all the trainers/​instructors for all their support and dedication.
I now have more self-​confidence in my daily life and it’s truly changed me as a person .
I recommend this Krav Maga gym to Everyone .
It’s 5 star all the way

As a law enforcement officer and a U.S.M.C veteran I would highly recommend MMA Academy to anyone looking to learn self defense that you can actually apply in real life situations. This place provides better training than I received in the Marine Corps or as a law enforcement officer. My whole family trains here and loves it. I am thankful to have found this place and I’m sure you will be too. Thank you Mike, Anne, Vernon, Chris, Letty, Kisha, and the whole MMA Academy family!

Love this class for myself and my 8 year old son. Close to home in Vista, Ca. Great instructors and fun easy to learn and best of all we are getting in shape and leaning to defend ourselves in the best effective defense. Will be a lifer at Krav Maga!

I’m a huge fan of the Vista location. Krav Maga is a simplistic and effective form of self-​defense. The Krav classes, plus all of the optional fitness classes, has helped me condition and tone my body in a very short time, plus I’m loving the connections I make. You’ll get all the help, motivation, and encouragement you could need from the instructors. I not only recommend this group of trainers, it’s hands down the best thing I’ve ever done for my health. Get started feeling better, learn how to kick some tail if the need arises, and push yourself further than you thought you could go.

I’ve been going to this gym for about a year and a half and I have no regrets. Looking for a way to get in shape and get home safe, this is the place to be. Learning a new skill like self defense can never be taken away from you. Protecting myself and those I love is the smartest investment I’ve ever made. The instructors are very friendly and I plan to enroll my daughter in the kids classes soon!

I have been going to the MMA Academy since Jan 7^th of 2014. It has been nothing short of an awesome experience. The students I train with are all friendly. The instructors are very knowledgeable and patient. They are all certified and all awesome. They will prepare you mentally and physically for whatever predicament you may get into involving self-​defense. I can’t recommend this place enough. You get a lot of training for your money. This place is definitely not a McDojo and you will be happy you invested your time and money into this place. Whether your 1 person, a couple, or family; this place is great. Try 1 class, I promise you’ll be hooked. Thank you to the staff for your time and patience. I’ve come far in a small amount of time. I look forward to training with you guys for a long time to come.

This place rocks.
I am a woman, 62, ok shape, no fighting experience at all. Been taking level one classes for about 5 months. I went to other classes around town before I signed-​up here.
Classes are well structured to give you a good workout and also technical instruction in Krav maga. Techniques are clearly demonstrated and lots of personal help and attention is given.
The instructors I have most often, Chris and Letty, are so wonderful. They are strong and competent, patient and ever encouraging. I just can’t say enough good things about their leadership and instruction. First rate.
The facility itself is large and well equipped. You need room to move and they have plenty of space here so you don’t have to constantly think about staying out of other’s people’s way.
I highly recommend this gym. I am in much better condition now, have increased confidence I could fend off an attack, and have had so much fun in the classes. I fight along side and with younger, stronger men and women, but all of it is managed to keep everyone safe, happy, working hard and learning. Wonderful.

Man oh man! These guys are the real deal. I can’t imagine a better training experience than what I’ve been getting for the last two years. Simply put — AWESOME! Mike and Anne are the real thing and instructors Chris, Vernon, Tyler and Kisha start preparing you for life threatening encounters the second you enter the room. Without question, the best facility in San Diego — and I’ve trained in them all, believe me.
Quick note: while you would definitely benefit as an MMA fighter training here, their Krav Maga program is top rate. Don’t worry if you’re not a 200lb ripped Chuck Liddell clone who likes to roll around in a speedo. They have all sizes and age groups that train here — don’t be afraid to take the leap and do this!!! And check out their kids program too…
After 2 sessions, I guarantee you’ll love it — and be more confident that you can fight back should you ever have to.
This could save your life.

What can I say about MMA Academy? Simply put, 5 stars is not enough! I have been attending Krav Maga level 1 classes at the Tri City location for just over a month now and absolutely love it! The instructors are fantastic; they spend an ample amount of time explaining how to correctly handle a multitude of «real life situations». They also show the class examples and make sure that EVERYONE stays safe and understands how to approach situations that may arise.
Last week I moved from San Marcos to Murrieta. Due to my move and not wanting to commute to Vista, I cancelled my membership with MMA Academy — figured I would give a local Krav Maga Studio a try since they are 5 minutes away from my new house. Boy oh boy that was a mistake! The class was boring — best way I can describe it is boxing with a martial arts twist — they make you say some stupid chant on the way in & out and make you wear a belt (similar to karate), and their prices are insane! Taking one class at another Krav Maga Studio made me appreciate MMA Academy even more than I already did. Needless to say I will be resigning with MMA Academy and making the commute from Murrieta to Vista 3 days a week. These guys are way worth it!
Special thanks to Mike, Anne, Vernon, Chris and Letty! You guys are awesome!

Clean facilities and family owned. I have not seen any egos or meat heads. Safe staff. The cost is up front, no salesmen or tricks. Great workout physically and mentally as you learn krav concepts. …It sounds easy until you are close to hypoxic. The only thing i would suggest is more classes on the weekends at the vista location.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike and Anne (Owners) at MMA Academy for a number of years. The facility has grown from one training room to two monster facilities. I believe that the continued growth of the gym is a direct reflection of the quality it provides. I know from personal experience that instructors are constantly working on improving both physical and instructional skills. In addition to outstanding instruction, the community atmosphere provides students with a training environment free of egos. Everyone is welcome to come and work toward their goals.
Personally, I have taken my fitness to levels I could never reach while playing traditional sports my entire life. I have pushed myself through tough workouts as a direct result of the never say die mentality of Krav Maga/​MMA. I would highly recommend KM/​MMA as an alternative/​supplement to your boring traditional gym routines. This is your place should you choose to give it a shot.

I have been coming here for the bag workout classes only for a couple of months and I really enjoy it. I have already noticed a significant change in my body!
The bag classes are a mix of crossfit and bag work, which I both enjoy. Every class is a bit different and it keeps it interesting.
I was a bit intimidated at first since I dont take the Krav Maga classes, and everyone in the class seemed to already know each other and be close. But from the very beginning people were very nice and welcoming and a few took the time to introduce themselves to me so I didnt feel so uncomfortable.
I should make a note that I had been taking self defense at a Kempo studio (USSD in Del Mar) for over 6 months before I started taking this bag class. If I hadnt had any martial arts/​bag experience before I started this class, I probably would have been completely lost, intimidated, and very likely could have hurt myself. If you are absolutely new to this type of workout, I highly suggest you let the instructor know before the class so he can be aware of it. They teach the class like you know what you are doing.
I have my own bag gloves from USSD which are a bit different than the ones everyone else uses, and nobody has said anything about changing them. I have a feeling they are way more lenient on the «workout only» crowd than those that sign up for the Krav Maga classes.
For the workout only classes (there are 6 a week) this is a GREAT deal. Cheapest I could find in San Diego, and there was no set up fee. The only thing I didnt appreciate is that when I came in for a «trial class» they charged me $ 20, and didnt even roll that into my monthly membership fee when I signed up after the class. Seemed a bit greedy, but since there was no set up fee I didnt press it.

They’re great. Nothing else to say. The kids love it and they are learning useful self-​defense and confidence. The classes for adults are great. The staff is awesome. It’s not cheap, but it is worth the price. Also, unlike many other studios, they don’t nickle and dime you and there are no hidden expenses.

I’ve only been going to class for a few weeks but already I’m as swift as a coursing river with all the force of a great typhoon.
For those not familiar with Krav Maga you can get a synopsis on their wiki page:
In a nutshell it teaches self defense/​fighting system techniques that integrates «Eastern European streetfighting, military combat, Boxing, Muay Thai, Western Wrestling, and Ju-​Jitsu» into an anything-​goes system that’s not necessarily for sport, but in the scenario where you find yourself in a dark alleyway surrounded by 4 guys named Bubb who are all twice your weight carrying knives right after you insulted their all moms.
So in a class like this there’s two things to look for: good instructors and good classmates – people whom you trust throwing roundhouses toward your head and consecutive groin kicks at you at full force – and so far they’ve delivered on both accounts.
I’ve worked with Tyler, Jason, and Chris who are all awesome and will motivate the shit out of you, all the while being patient and highly instructive in everything they teach, making guys like me feel safe walking in my hood at night time in the mean streets of Little Italy, San Diego.
By the end of each class I’m absolutely exhausted and could probably end droughts in arid areas with my perspiration: but they’re extremely fun and addictive – in due time you’ll come away with the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon.