Looking for the perfect Philly gym to learn mixed martial arts? This article has you covered as I’ll introduce you to some of the best MMA gyms in Philadelphia.
There are various options of MMA gyms to see here, including a focus on competitive MMA, Muay Thai, BJJ, and even Kickboxing.
Table of Contents
Logic Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai & Martial Arts
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 1360 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
- Notable Coaches: Kristian Woodmansee
- Notable Fighters: Justin Greskiuewicz
Logic is Philadelphia’s upscale modern martial arts and martial arts-based gym.
The vast 10,000-square-foot facility delivers an experience not reproduced by any other gym. They strive to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome regardless of background.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai are the focus martial arts at this gym. At the same time, they also offer a Strength & Conditioning program to help you become a well-rounded combat athlete.
There are classes here at this gym suitable for just about anyone. Whether that’s fostering a new hobby or if you’re looking to compete at a high level. There are classes here to meet your experience and goals.
Logic was founded by Kristian Woodmansee. Kristian Woodmansee is a 1st-degree black belt and the head instructor at Logic. In Kristian’s BJJ competitive career, he has earned many high accomplishments:
- IBJJF World Champion
- IBJJF 3x Pan American Champion
- IBJJF 2x European Champion
- 23x IBJJF Champion
The Jiu-Jitsu program allows students to take their skills to a new level. This BJJ program was designed to help you gain and develop personal skills through goal-based training methods.
The Logic methods have even been taken to an online program, so you can learn from Kristian in the comfort of your home if you want!
And suppose you’re looking to get fit along with your martial arts training. In that case, they even have MMA Fit classes that will get you conditioned for competition or simply help you become as fit as you possibly could become.
This is an ideal gym to choose if you are looking for a predominantly BJJ experience but with the benefits of learning striking in Muay Thai and improving your overall fitness ability through their MMA Fit program at the same time.
Royal StriKing Muay Thai & BJJ
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Muay Thai / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 910 McKean St, Philadelphia, PA 19148, United States
- Notable Coaches: Aaron Meisner
- Notable Fighters: Ryan Kim Cafaro, Paul Felder
Royal StriKing is a Muay Thai specialist gym, but they also have BJJ classes on their schedule.
There are also classes for Yoga, Boxing, and a rare MMA-focused class.
Latest MMA Shorts from the Hive...Their gym offers a quality selection of equipment for your training:
- 20x20ft boxing ring
- multiple heavy bags
- battle ropes
- kettlebells
- full weights rack
- full matted sparring area
- seating area
- bathroom
- Wi-Fi and TV
The specialism here of Muay Thai is often called the “art of eight limbs” because of its use of fists, feet, elbows, and knees for striking.
Muay Thai is the martial art of the country of Thailand. Its origins date back several hundred years. It was developed to use the whole body as a weapon in close quarters.
Due to migrations from the North, The Thais were constantly under attack from nearby countries.
This demand pushed the Thai to develop fighting skills to be mandatory in the Thai military. The style grew over 500 years as generations passed the skills to the next and remains hugely active today.
Royal StriKing is a place that focuses on the culture and skills of Muay Thai. A decent gym to choose if you want to learn this martial art as a primary fighting base.
Martinez BJJ Fitness Center
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 3511 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149, United States
- Notable Coaches: William Martinez Jr., Kyle Daukaus
- Notable Fighters: Kyle Daukaus
Martinez Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers a variety of programs suitable for you and your family.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Kids, Adults, and Women Only classes at this gym, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and even Cardio & Strength Training for becoming an ultimate athlete.
Martinez BJJ was founded by William Martinez Jr., a Black Belt in BJJ under Master Carlos Machado (8th degree Black Belt).
William has also fought professionally in MMA, competing in Bellator. His MMA training started with Philadelphia Fight Factory in the mid-2000s.
He still competes in grappling tournaments on the east coast.
Most classes here are for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. Still, there are also a couple of options in Muay Thai and MMA-focused classes for expanding your abilities.
A great option to choose this gym if you want to learn the Machado style of Jiu-Jitsu with an experienced instructor who can also teach from MMA fight experience.
Balance Studios: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Muay Thai / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 2100 Chestnut St 2nd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States
- Notable Coaches: Phil & Ricardo Migliarese
- Notable Fighters: Francisco Ambrifi
Balance Studios is Philadelphia’s best instructional source for Royce Gracie BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Martial Arts for Kids, and Women’s Self-Defense. It has won many awards and is one of the best MMA gyms in Philly.
Balance is owned and operated by the Migliarese Brothers, the chief teachers.
Balance Studios first opened its doors in 2002. Since opening, the Migliarese brothers have been teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, and Yoga to their pupils, along with the help of their experienced team.
For over 30 years, they have been active in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Boxing. Both are considered an extended family of the Gracie line and are professional educators and coaches.
Fishtown (headquarters), Center City, and North East are their three sites.
Balance Studios is an MMA gym that focuses on families. They feel that the atmosphere is one of the most crucial parts of any effective martial arts school.
They spent the last 30 years developing the most beginner-friendly and level-specific activities.
This is a great gym to choose if you are looking for a high depth of knowledgeable and experienced Jiu-Jitsu teachers with the option to expand into striking and MMA.
Commando Krav Maga and Diamond Mixed Martial Arts
Our Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 1816 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148, United States
- Notable Coaches: Joe Diamond
- Notable Fighters: Stan Moelius
Commando Krav Maga and Diamond Mixed Martial Arts offer a combined gym where you can learn the variety of martial arts available alongside self-defense mastery. There is plenty on offer here at this gym.
Their knowledgeable teachers tailor lessons to your specific needs and level of physical endurance. You’ll remain in shape, feel better, and learn to protect yourself in various situations.
They promise health, a better mentality, and bodily synchronization with many increased reflexes regardless of your ability.
This gym was founded by Joe Diamond. In 2021, Master Diamond obtained his 5th degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu from Luiz Palhares, the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Federation’s 8th degree Black Belt.
Master Diamond spent ten years as a part of the Rickson Gracie International Competition Team.
After a grueling tryout in which he placed first out of 18 candidates, he was licensed as Rickson Gracie’s Official Representative in 1996.
There are tons more on offer here, including Boxing, Krav Maga, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and even Yoga, fitness, and kids classes.
This would be a great gym to choose if you want to learn a lot and attend many classes. It’s usually a good idea to specialize as a beginner. Still, maybe this variety is what you are looking for.
North Star MMA
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 5904 Greene St, Philadelphia, PA 19144, United States
- Notable Coaches: Coach Jackson
North Star Mixed Martial Arts is Philadelphia’s cutting-edge mixed martial arts academy, located only steps from Germantown Avenue in a state-of-the-art facility.
What you can find at North Star is designated programs for Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA. There are even classes to suit kids called the “Junior Samurai Jiu-Jitsu” for ages 7-12.
MMA is an exciting physical challenge that integrates several martial arts into a new and exciting challenge that tones every muscle and burns fat more effectively than other forms of training.
Not only that, but MMA focuses on all aspects of physical fitness simultaneously, increasing strength, endurance, and flexibility.
The most effective techniques from boxing, karate, jiu-jitsu and many other martial arts are blended in MMA to offer you the abilities you need to protect yourself in any scenario.
The gym floor is large and matted to be sufficient for different martial arts training.
You can learn a good base of martial arts skills in this gym to then take on for competition or just as an excellent workout.
Daniel Gracie Academy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 2301 N Front St 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19133, United States
- Notable Coaches: Daniel Gracie
- Notable Fighters: Cody Hier
Daniel Gracie Academy has been one of Philadelphia’s finest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms since 2013 founded by Daniel Gracie.
Daniel Gracie is a 2x World Champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a PRIDE veteran, and an international Mixed Martial Arts fighter who pushes his pupils to adopt the Gracie philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu as a way of life.
Daniel Gracie Academy is the only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA academy in the Philadelphia region managed by a member of the Gracie family.
Daniel’s pupils have started successful BJJ academies all around the globe, won top-level BJJ competitions, and competed in mixed martial arts in the UFC, CFFC, and IFL.
The facility has a 2000 sq ft mat area, locker/shower spaces for men and women, striking pads, training dummies, and even an octagon-style cage.
Daniel Gracie Philadelphia is also the home gym for some of the best professional and amateur MMA fighters in the world today.
They provide a wide range of programs customized explicitly to each profession. Whether you’re a beginner, a professional fighter, or just looking for a fun way to keep in shape with your family, this is the place to be.
Stay Fly Muay Thai
Our Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Muay Thai
- Location: 1360 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
- Notable Coaches: Justin Greskiewicz
- Notable Fighters: Kristian Woodmansee
Stay Fly Muay Thai is Philadelphia’s most impressive martial arts facility. It is home to the city’s top Muay Thai and kickboxing instruction.
Stay Fly is in Philadelphia’s bustling Olde Kensington neighborhood. Justin “The Purple People Eater” Greskiewicz owns and operates Stay Fly, which opened in 2014.
This gym sits within the same compound as Logic (the first gym on this list!), and Stay Fly brings Muay Thai instruction.
It’s a place to challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself. At Stay Fly, everyone feels welcome, thanks to a varied student body that includes professional fighters, athletes, fitness lovers, and the fitness curious.
Stay Fly is home to people of various genders, shapes, sizes, ages, and skill levels. Before attending a session, there is no requirement to be in terrific shape or have prior expertise in any combat sport.
This is a gym where you can come as you are and learn the skills to bring you to your physical or competitive goals through Muay Thai instruction.
Juniper Muay Thai Gym
Our Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Muay Thai
- Location: 2019 S Juniper St floor 2, Philadelphia, PA 19148, United States
- Notable Coaches: Joe Logan
- Notable Fighters: George Pitsakis
Juniper Muay Thai is the only Muay Thai and Kickboxing gym in South Philadelphia.
Located in the center of South Philly, Juniper provides Muay Thai, Women’s Kickboxing, Fitness, and Kid’s Martial Arts lessons.
Whether you are an experienced fighter, a complete beginner, or simply seeking to be in fitness, Juniper has programs and instructors to meet your goals.
Juniper, run by fighters Joseph Logan and George Pitsakis, offers authentic, relevant techniques to use in your competition or defending yourself.
The instructors here have extensive coaching, teaching, and fighting experience nationally and internationally.
They are passionate about creating an inclusive atmosphere and have a unique community of students who encourage and push each other toward their goals.
This Muay Thai specialist gym has a range of fantastic equipment, including many heavy bags, pads, and matted floor space so you can train comfortably.
This is a great gym to pick if you want to focus on the art of eight limbs (Muay Thai) and live close by in the South Philly area.
Broad Street Kickboxing
Our Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Kickboxing
- Location: 1168 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146, United States
- Notable Coaches: Jake Skelly
Broad Street Kickboxing is a unique gym that has collaborated with Osagame Martial Arts and The Philadelphia Judo Club to offer Philly’s first all-inclusive training gym.
They provide Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo lessons at the Osagame Martial Arts & Fitness club in South Philadelphia. There are also Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons for youngsters.
Classes are available 7 days a week, offering morning, midday, and evening programs to accommodate your hectic schedule.
The instructors bring together 50 years of experience in Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo.
Classes can be anywhere between 30-120 minutes, depending on the martial art or experience level required.
Classes are designed to give a full-body workout while learning championship-level kickboxing and grappling skills.
Classes can involve high-intensity interval training, kickboxing pad work, grappling drills, bodyweight exercises, and live sparring. This is primarily a kickboxing gym, but with options close by to broaden your skills if you wish.
This is a great gym to choose if you want access to a multitude of styles, and particularly if you want to learn Judo techniques to throw your opponents to win some easy ground-and-pound.
