Been training in the ancient art of boxing with kicks for more than a decade now at a few gyms in…read moreand around L.A., and Classic Kickboxing by far is the CLEANEST. In fact, of all the gyms I've been to - including the ones that fit into the LA/24 Hour Fitness mould - this spot in the heart of Old Town Pasadena still remains the most diligent in terms of hygiene. And that's something that's often overlooked in gyms, especially ones that specialize in contact training and use mats. You can easily pick up a case of staph or any other crap that will do serious harm to your body if your gym floors and equipment are filthy and unkempt. (Google Ben Askren if you want to know what can happen to you if you train in a filthy gym.) Mauricio, Classic Kickboxing's owner/instructor, absolutely ensures that his establishment stays clean by reminding everyone to sanitize their stations after each session. That means wiping down the bags, mats, and everything else you've soiled. On that tangent, I know some other reviewers have complained about Mauricio being too militant about his gym's cleanliness, or - strangely enough - even bitched and moaned about the facility not being clean at all. I seriously doubt they've been to many other gyms. His cleaning regimen is not only for your safety, but others as well. Speaking of Mauricio, he is an excellent technical instructor and a really approachable guy. Don't be afraid to ask him questions. He is there to teach you! If you watch his instruction closely, you can see why he is a former Colombian kickboxing champ; his form and technique is excellent, especially his kicks, which he was known for during his career. You will definitely learn proper technique here if you pay attention. Mauricio's kickboxing classes are group instruction and ALL levels of skill are welcomed. Classes run for about 40 to 45 minutes or so and they involve striking and kicking drills, with some form of plyo in between. The last few minutes are meant for core/abs work and light stretching. Is it difficult? It really all depends on how much effort you put into it. You can move at your own pace for sure and nobody will call you out on it (I know some gyms use shame as a type of tactic to motivate you; works for some, most others not so much). But Classic Kickboxing really is a stress-free establishment that rewards those who put their all into their workouts. Other things to note: - The gym is big and beautiful to look at. Lots of heavy bags, lots of space. The other side of the facility has a full ring and another large room. This area is for private instruction only. - They have secured lockers on-site in case you'd like to stow away your valuables. - Parking is paid on the streets nearby, which is ideal. But if you can't find a spot, there are a lot of garages in the area within walking distance. - Mauricio is the primary kickboxing instructor. He has a couple others, but I'd recommend taking his class first (see their online schedule) if you're new. - His other instructors teach boxing and judo. One of his boxing instructors, Christian, was a sparring partner for former world champ Vasiliy Lomachenko. That says quite a lot. - Monthly dues are fair, and compared to the other kickboxing gyms I've been to, actually a bit cheaper. You schedule classes online through their website, or on the Mindbody app. - Best of all, this gym is MEATHEAD-free. Of all the contact gyms I've been to, there's always at least one fragile, big-ego type who walks around like they're the next big thing and tries to pick up on anyone who walks by. If they're here, I haven't seen them at all. And I'm here quite a bit. I believe Mauricio can spot these alpha fail types very quickly and "discourages" them from coming back. Bottom line: Classic Kickboxing is a fun, great workout in a stress-free, meathead-free, and super-clean environment. You couldn't ask for much more than that.

Best place in Pasadena for boxing and kick boxing classes. Super clean and friendly environment to…read morelearn the ropes and get a great workout! Mauricio is so helpful! Christian's boxing classes are the best. Plenty of street parking and nearby city lot for $1. You can sign up directly with them or drop in classes using the MINDBODY app. The intro $15 class drop in they provide you with wraps and gloves. then second $45 class gives you your own pair of wraps and gloves! Super friendly staff and peeps here. Sparing, personal training and separate dojo areas for the advanced too! Highly recommended for the beginner or pro!

I've been coming to strikers since February 2025 and it has been an incredible experience! Coach…read moreJoe is truly one of the most excellent teachers I've ever met. The space he cultivates here isn't your run of the mill martial arts gym. It's an encouraging, collaborative, and welcoming learning environment where Coach takes time to focus on and refine technical skill, depth of knowledge, and rhythm. I recall in particular how Coach Joe took the time to fix my middle kick in a way that really clicked. He takes special care and attention to help you learn not only the proper form of a move but also the why behind it. Once you have it, it's impossible to forget. If he takes the time to help you correct something, just know that he believes in your capacity for growth and improvement. He is a wellspring of expertise. This learning environment is also reinforced by the athletes and experienced students who I've had the pleasure of training with. Through drills and sparring, everyone works to support each other and reinforce our learning. What you get here is not just an education; it's also a didactic community. I can't recommend this gym enough.

We took our very gentle and sweet six year old here one summer after a bullying incident where we…read morerealized she needed some skills and confidence to defend against a brat at school. Duveen was a phenomenal teacher and we saw great progress in just one summer. She is skilled at teaching, has patience and keeps the classes engaging and varied enough to maintain the students' attention. Although our child was not in love with the sport as she is with other activities, we felt it was a very valuable experience and a summer well-spent.

Been coming here 4 years and it feels like my home away from home. They are welcoming from day one…read moreand the coaches are high level. The owner Savant was a top 10 featherweight in his prime and always pays close attention to each student. Coach Chris though is light work every time

I cannot stress how much I loved my time at Fight Academy Pasadena. I had been training for 5 years…read moreat different gyms (jiu jitsu) before finding Fight Academy and I stayed there for the last 2 years I was based in LA. EASILY the best training, community, vibes, and biggest improvement in my fitness and combat sports training was here. Savant leads an amazing team of coaches!

I've been working out here for years and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Great customer service thanks…read moreto the great people working there like Carlo and all the staff. Highly recommend giving SP fitness a shot if you're looking for a great gym in the LA area.

I just want to update this review and say that the main reason I come to this gym is for my…read morepersonal trainer, Chris Eicher, who has his own business page that you can check out here- https://yelp.to/nyR8QefdgD I highly recommend working with Chris!!

It's been a long time since I've trained MMA... about 17 years. I just came back two weeks ago and…read moreended up learning under Coach Fernando, and I'll be real, he's the kind of coach you don't come across often. He's a pro fighter himself, so he actually lives what he teaches. He's not just standing on the side calling things out, he's on the mat with us putting in rounds, sparring, wrestling, grappling... doing everything he expects from his team. That kind of presence is rare. You can see he truly cares about his fighters and everyone who trusts in him. It's more than just training with him, it's being part of something real. I'm grateful he's at UFC Rosemead because I honestly don't think I'd be this motivated without him. Feels good to be back, and I'm looking forward to staying consistent, getting better, and who knows... maybe even stepping in for a fight again.

Best customer service from Soular. He really went above and beyond to help me, even calling another…read moreUFC location on my behalf. I'd definitely recommend this gym to anyone. Super friendly and professional staff.

This is a different type of gym. Javier teaches you how you would perform if you were competing in…read morethe ring. His attention to detail and his ability to know what the student needs is high-level if you're really interested in learning the sweet science Gaucho's boxing club is the best!

Always a great time coming to GAUCHOS BOXING always a lot of talent and great fighters with amazing…read morefundamentals and knowledge of the boxing game. The coach Gaucho is a amazing person with a-lot of experience and knowledge and he will get you boxing right. Great place best gym

We continue to have an amazing experience with our kids' jiu jitsu program. The staff is incredibly…read morefriendly, attentive, and truly great with the kids. We've seen so much growth in our child--not just in skill, but in confidence and discipline as well. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a supportive and positive environment!

Before joining Silanoe, I had tried out 3 other gyms and while those other gyms were good, Silanoe…read morereally stood out because EVERYONE here is super awesome. From the office manager to all the different coaches and even to the other students, everyone cares about your learning. First off, the coaches - I can't say enough good things about the coaches here. When I had tried the other gyms, their coaches would throw out terminology as if everyone automatically knew what they were talking about. And then they would proceed to show the moves and simply tell you what to do. The coaches at Silanoe take the time to explain the terminology as well as WHY you should do each move the way they're taught so that you're not only learning the moves, you're also understanding them. They are also extremely patient so I never feel hesitant to ask questions. Next up we have the office manager. I always feel welcomed when I walk into the office because I'm always greeted with a lovely smile and all my questions are always answered with that same smile. When I have questions and am not on location, I simply send an email and I'd get a response almost immediately. I truly feel taken care of. Then there's the other students, which makes up a large part of the overall experience. All of the students here are friendly and very approachable and nobody here has an ego. The students treat each other with much respect and nobody is out to prove anything. We are all here for each others' learning and we have fun. Finally, there's professor Gino himself. Professor Gino is the nicest and most down to earth instructor you'll ever meet. You can tell he truly cares about the students and community he has built. From the moment I stepped foot on his mat, I felt very welcomed and never once felt intimidated. I did not get such a feeling from some of the other gyms I tried. Silanoe is awesome!!

After a prolonged injury prevented me from working out, I was feeling lethargic and unmotivated…read more When Covid hit and my lifestyle became increasingly sedentary, the weight packed on. I reached out to Marcos knowing he was a trusted fitness professional in the community. Not only did his workouts quickly improve my mood, his kind and supportive teaching style kept me motivated. As a single mother of 3 in my 40s, I'm now in the best shape of my life. Marcos has genuinely improved my life. He's more than just a trainer, he's a healer.

I have never been a morning person nor have I been one to work out in the past. That has all…read morechanged now! Just over a year ago I came to the reality that I needed to make a change in my health and well being, and discovered Sayon Fitness. What a game changer it has been training with Marcos! I now have the motivation and energy to get up in the early morning hours and get a workout in three times a week. I feel stronger and happier about myself both inside and out. Though the sessions are a mere 30 minutes each, they are packed with a full dose of calorie burning, muscle strengthening excellence! Marcos is sure to taylor the workout to the needs of each individual for the most effective and efficient workout. The atmosphere is welcoming and in no way intimidating, especially for a newbie. My fellow workout buddies always keep each other motivated. Looking forward to continuing my weight loss goals with Marcos and Sayon Fitness!

Our son has been training at Versus for over 2 years and I can't believe we have never done a Yelp…read morereview, with that said Coach Brian and family have been one of the highlights of our sons childhood. Not only do they have exceptional training but the kids and families are also exceptional. Come down and check Versus out! From little kids to older guys like me this place always has an inviting atmosphere. Sincerely, Number one fan!

Great place for kids grow and learn from some of the best coaches around, and for the adults it's a…read moregreat place to learn the art of BJJ and also shed some pounds specially for us dad bods. Great coaches and just team all around, always looking out for each other and making sure u are as comfortable as u can be.

I've been doing Muay Thai for 14 years, give or take…read more Most of that time was spent doing it one-on-one with trainers, which was awesome for personal attention and scheduling, but expensive and hard to stay consistent with. But they were able to be patient with me, to explain things repeatedly--I'm very visual and super literary but much less intuitive when it comes to athletics--and this helped me learn the basics of the art of Muay Thai. And then my last trainer got too busy to keep going. So I tried a bunch of Muay Thai gyms, never really finding anything that matched the return I got from 1-on-1 training. Then one day I spotted NELA Combat Fitness on a Figueroa corner and got intrigued. I tried a class and loved the energy of the space. Highland Park is a wildly creative area, and the experience at NELA Combat Fitness mirrors this: The people are diverse, upbeat, inclusive and very dedicated to the art of Muay Thai. You might find a 50+ year old like me training with someone in their early 20s, and this dynamic is always approached respectfully. Ed, the owner, is a true gem of a human being: warm, funny, and with deep history with and knowledge of Muay Thai, and he teaches with a razor sharp eye and the communication skills to help keep things safe and to level up your game. The gym itself is spotless, well-designed and comfortable. One way that the absolute courtesy with which the gym operates shows up is when we go return Thai pads or kick shields: cleaning wipes are shared and pads are stacked in an orderly way. Every teacher approaches class a little differently, but if you show up, know that you are in for a wonderful workout that is easily tailored to your skill level. The music is always different and always good. You will be inspired to push yourself beyond your limits, outside of your comfort zone. You will grow, you will sweat, and you will learn. And you will emerge a stronger person. And about Muay Thai overall? It's the best. I feel elevated and calm afterwards, able to take on anything life throws my way with compassion. That's the irony - punching, kicking, elbowing and kneeing it out for an hour actually makes you a calmer, kinder person. Your baseline is reset and your cardio and strength gets better and better. I truly feel like I've found a gym that I want to stay a part of. Thank you, Ed, and thank you NELA Combat Fitness community.

If you're looking for a place that combines killer workouts with a welcoming community vibe, look…read moreno further! NELA Combat Fitness is IT! I was so pumped after my first class ever, I signed up straight after. Being a beginner myself, I was happy that everyone here took the time to show me how to do the moves. The kickboxing class was intense in the best way possible - a hard but awesome workout that left me feeling like a total champ. I have a long way to go in my journey, and girl I know it, but I couldn't have found a better place to go to. The owner, Ed, is incredible. You can really tell he cares deeply for the community as he's not just running a top-notch gym, he's building a fitness family. He was motivating and supportive, pushing everyone to give their best without ever losing the fun vibe. Shoutout to Derrick too for teaching me the moves in my first class! I can't wait to make this my new home for kicking and punching my way to a healthier me (and to release some after-work stress too)! See you on the mats!