Best Mma Gym near Virginia-beach, Virginia

I’ve been taking classes at Katalyst for a little over a month now, and I’m definitely glad I made the decision to join. I don’t have much of a background in martial arts, but I can see that there’s something to offer here for both experienced and inexperienced people. The coaches are all very professional and knowledgeable- David clearly knows what he is doing and has done a good job of building a positive environment to train in. I look forward to continuing my training here

I’ve been training with David for over a year. Not only has the community been such a blessing to me, but the training itself has improved my self-confidence, posture, and overall mentality towards life. I believe this is due to David & Sara’s values when running their business. For instance, classes include more than martial arts defensive tactics; they include self-awareness, situational awareness, “Stop the Bleed” courses, team building, Virginia’s laws around self-defense, and basic anatomy. He values ensuring students understand the “why” behind what he does. During our class recap, he explains his methods of teaching and how his personal learning experiences contribute to who he is as an instructor and what he teaches in the gym. I’m so thankful for the community and instructors at Katalyst!

I started at Katalyst a little over a year and half ago with martial arts experience. From the very first day I felt welcomed and challenged to push my limits. David is a top notch very knowledgeable instructor who takes an individualised approach with each and every student with years of experience as well as his coaching assistants. Katalyst is home to people of all ages, backrounds and skill levels. I also like how the classes include beginners and advanced students to share knowledge! In the time I've spent I have not only benifited physically but mentally as well gaining experience and confidence. Weather you are an absolute beginner or an experienced martial artist and self defense practitioner this is the place to be! Much love❤️

Absolutely incredible facility and instructors. In just a month of hard work, I already feel so much more comfortable, self-confident, and knowledgeable. I couldn’t recommend Katalyst and this fabulous team of people more

A phenomenal experience! Extraordinarily knowledgeable teachers who invest in each individual’s skills to ensure you are well trained and proficient for dangerous self defense scenarios. The atmosphere is great and I look forward to every class. I HIGHLY recommend Katalyst to anyone thinking about/interested in martial arts!!

The coaching staff at The House of Muay Thai stands out for their deep knowledge of mixed martial arts and their ability to teach in an engaging and effective manner. They emphasize both technique and conditioning, ensuring that students develop a strong foundation in striking, grappling, and transitions. The instructors are attentive to individual needs, offering personalized feedback that helps each student progress at their own pace. The atmosphere is both professional and supportive. The team fosters a sense of community, making it an ideal place for beginners and seasoned athletes alike. Training partners are respectful, and the culture promotes camaraderie while encouraging everyone to push their limits. In addition to the high-quality instruction, the facility is clean, well-maintained, and equipped with everything needed for effective MMA training. From the mats to the bags, every detail reflects the gym's dedication to providing a top-tier experience.

Having been a member since April of this year I feel as though I can really give a good, honest, and unbiased review that others may find useful. I joined this gym as a challenge for myself, craving an outlet for my anxiety and anger as well and as much as having the desire to tap into my long-lost athleticism. I got that- and some. The coaches are all not only motivating, but encouraging, non-judgmental, and extraordinarily skilled. The members come from all different skillsets and are equally as inviting and friendly. Tonight I begrudgingly stayed for my second fundamentals class (fitness kickboxing is my go-to.) The coach was so encouraging and kind that my fear of failure disappeared within minutes. I was able to sign up for their six month commitment in April as a commitment to myself, and I’ll happily be extending that this fall because I totally caught the bug. Do yourself a favor and sign up for their free trial class and STAY for fitness kickboxing. Best decision I made this year.

Joining a gym was way out of my comfort zone and completely new to me. I didn’t know what to expect and definitely have gym anxiety big time. But after each class I feel a little more confident and all the instructors are thorough and will walk around and respectfully correct/help each student. Each instructor is different and has useful advice to bring to each class. If sharing a bag with another student they are more than happy to help if you forget a combo or need help polishing your stance. Just all around good people. Also, they keep the gym clean and it feels very professional. Give it a try if you’re considering!

I was invited to train in for a 90 minute session. Coming from a Kung Fu school, I was excited to see what the vibe was looking like. The vibes? Amazing. I wasn't made to feel less than for my art or being a newcomer. Instructor Juan's energy is infectious! I'm 307lbs and was burning everything in the tank to keep up, but when he motivates, everyone gets amped and it's hard not to feel the spirit take you to another level. The satisfaction of making it through, can't be put into words. The folks here train hard but are extremely warm and inviting. Highly recommend for some serious martial art ability and calorie burning. Can't wait to come back

The best place to train in the whole state. Coach Jake and Octivan have wealth of knowledge and poor into their students everyday.

East Side Muay Thai has been a game-changer for my martial arts journey. I started training in Muay Thai at 15 but had to leave my previous gym due to management issues that nearly made me quit altogether. That's when I found East Side Muay Thai, renowned in the area. From the moment I met Coach Jose, his energy and welcoming nature were clear. Unlike my previous experience, the classes here were exceptional from day one. Coach Jose's passion for Muay Thai is infectious. He pays attention to details often overlooked by other coaches. What sets him apart is his dedication to every student, whether they're part of the fight team or beginners. This gym offers pure Muay Thai training, authentic and always evolving under Coach Jose's guidance. They cater to all ages and levels with classes from toddlers to fight team level. The 6-week intro course with Coach Zed is fantastic for beginners, setting a solid foundation for joining higher-level classes. This structured approach is rare nowadays and highly effective. Training alongside the fight team was motivating and challenging, exactly what I needed to reignite my passion for Muay Thai. Hygiene is top-notch here, with thorough sanitization after each session, a stark contrast to my previous gym's lax approach. Since joining in September 2023, East Side Muay Thai has become my second home. Coach Aguirre and the team have not only reignited my passion but also fostered a sense of family among us. Their impressive roster of experienced fighters and supportive staff make this gym truly exceptional. Choosing East Side Muay Thai was one of the best decisions I've made. It's more than a gym; it's a community dedicated to the art and spirit of Muay Thai.

My 9 y.o. daughter trained at East Side for 10 months and they are A+ across the board. She not only learned the sport of Muay Thai but also gained a ton of confidence; both physically and emotionally. All of the coaches are positive, encouraging and take pride in seeing the students grow. The gym is clean, organized and well run!

I joined East Side Muay Thai for my initial intro class midway through March. Initially I had doubts wether I would stick around since I live an hour away driving, sometimes more depending on traffic. My doubts quickly faded and since then I’ve been consistently training and participating in events alongside the staff and members at East Side. My initial goal joining this gym was to develop a healthier lifestyle and join a community of likeminded people while also receiving quality instruction. My needs have been fulfilled beyond what I could have personally imagined and I’m well on my way to accomplishing my goals training at this gym. Since the start, Jose, Cat, all the staff, and all the long term members/fight team have provided a top notch experience with their hospitality, friendliness, and once again the high quality instruction. The whole facility is run professionally, with cleanliness, and with respect. There’s no doubt in my mind that East Side Muay Thai is the best of the best, and this review on its own doesn’t do justice explaining how good this gym and experience is. Wether you wana stay fit, join a great community, or compete, East Side will provide exactly what you need.

East Side Muay Thai hosted a WKA Scrimmage match event and we had an amazing time here today. (My two little ones fought) The venue was clean and spacious and the scrimmage match rules kept the little ones safe. I would definitely go to another match at East Side!!! 👍👍❤️

I have been training at ESMT for over 2 years now and will never train anywhere else. Fighters come from all over the country to train at ESMT. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive and the camaraderie with all the gym members is incredible. The skills taught in the kids, youth, and adult classes are unmatched. It feels like a privilege to train amongst the elite fight team and to learn from these coaches. They are so invested in each members’ growth and development in Muay Thai. Walking into this gym was the best decision I ever made.

The Grappling Garage was the absolute best find of a lifetime! The coaches and kids here are so welcoming- and their knowledge base is off the charts! They have made the biggest difference in my son’s wrestling techniques AND mindset. Couldn’t ask for better mentors. The GG family is also so gracious and supportive at events, and they go above and beyond to include everyone’s competitions and tournaments so we can all follow along and share in the excitement. The facilities at the GG support Grappling, Jujitsu, Weight Training and Wrestling; so with the superb coaching, the positive atmosphere, and the cool set up — we are absolutely where we want to be! Thank you Jorge O and Wilmar C (and your boys) for the help - and for being phenomenal role models for our son. (I give this place 10 stars out of 5.. It has been our saving grace!)

My 12 year old son is fairly new to the sport of wrestling and the Garage welcomed him in with open arms. He’s had a wonderful time safely and responsibly learning the sport of wrestling thanks to Jorge and all the kids and coaches there. A+++.

The Grappler’s Garage is a phenomenal gym, and I can’t say enough good things about them!🙏🏽 The Grappler’s Garage has always been committed to providing the most value and creating opportunity’s for all GG members and family to give you all the resources to improve your grappling while learning from high level practitioners. Family-friendly training environment is always very welcoming and everyone is more than willing to impart knowledge, this is an incredible top notch gym, for anyone wanting to improve their grappling skills regardless of age or experience . I Highly Recommend !

Great atmosphere with amazing instructors who really care about their students. Every instructor is extremely knowledgeable with tons of experience. This gym is very military friendly and capable of training athletes at every age and ability level. I am a high level competitive black belt and I regularly stop by to train with and learn from their athletes.

The garage has been a place for me and my kids to have fun and train. Top notch coaches from wrestling to jiu-jitsu so if you're a grappling family then this place is highly recommended. If somehow you are a parent that doesn't grapple then you could always lift weights in the workout area to capitalize on the time.