My small human joined about a month ago and has been LOVING it! The community is great, location is convenient for inside the loop, and everyone has been super friendly and helpful. I can't personally attest to the workouts, but there are several classes offered throughout the week and they definitely wear out a teenager who has extra energy to spare! Definitely recommend checking it out for anyone curious about MMA gyms. read more

The first thing that drew me to MMA was my desire to learn self defense. The first thing that drew me to actually considering pursuing a class was the convenient location of Midtown MMA. The first thing that drew me to actually contacting Midtown MMA was the 30 day free trial. The first thing that drew me to actually showing up was getting a call from Chris about an hour after I submitted my form online. The first thing that drew me to sign up full time was after the first class when I realized that Midtown MMA was more than I could have hoped for! After a few short months, Midtown MMA has helped boost my confidence in my physical and mental ability to defend myself. You build on the physical side during the first part of the class where Chris leads you through a "warm-up" which is more like a mini boot-camp that leaves you with a good burn. The mental and physical side is continually built through the second portion of class as you work on muscle memory routines, perfecting techniques, following drills, and self guided practice. The great thing about Midtown MMA is that your motivation doesn't come from someone yelling at you, it comes from the everyone else giving it there all and encouraging you to test your limits. Everyone is there to learn the proper techniques and advanced students are more than will to give and take constructive criticism when working in teams. There are a good mix of males and females of all different physical capabilities which lead to good match-ups during the drills. No one is there to judge you, I have never had that feeling even when I thought I must look pretty goofy. Chris is an awesome instructor who keeps the class relaxed but professional and directed. He's good about gauging what each student needs to focus on during the drills - technique or power - and making corrections for individual students during the drills. He is interested in the needs of the class and will reserve certain sessions to address student questions. It is easy to have a lot of respect for Chris. This helps make you accountable and give you that extra boost to show up for training on the (rare!) occasion that you may be less motivated to do so. If you decide to sign up and pay, I believe you pick a 6 month or one year program. I think it averages to about $12 a class. I'm doing this with my husband and we were able to work our a 2 for less than 2 kinda deal. read more

I had never taken any kind of martial arts class before but decided to act on a long-held interest and actually do something about it. I looked at several places online and ultimately decided to go with Midtown MMA. I couldn't be happier with my decision. Coach Chris is great. You start off with an individual consultation, where Coach Chris walks you through a warm up and some basics of kickboxing and jiu jitsu. Then you go to the classes and that's where you get hooked. Like I said, I've never done this before, and as a woman was at first a little intimidated, but everyone has just been so nice and helpful. The classes are small enough that Coach Chris has always gotten to me if I have a question or am not doing it right; just don't be afraid to ask. I just wish I didn't travel so much so I could be there more regularly. If you are thinking at all about MMA, jiu jitsu, kickboxing or just getting in shape, run, do not walk, to Midtown MMA. read more

I joined Midtown MMA Houston in the Spring of 2010 and this event changed my life. Just before joining the team, I was preparing for a half-marathon and well ahead of the fitness curve via strength and conditioning in a high intensity crosstraining environment utilizing kettlebells. I have been an athlete and academic for as long as I can remember;an avid participant in flag football, tennis, soccer, baseball, mountain biking and more. That said, I had no idea what I was in for. Training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu demanded a level of strength and cardio that is truly next level. In just a few short months I found myself in peak physical condition. What initially started with fitness in mind is now an integral part of my life next to core items such as sleeping, eating, relationships and a career! Training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu has given me a renewed sense of discipline and focus. No more running aimlessly through neighborhoods, trails and on treadmills. No more waiting around in crowded gym weight rooms. My fitness drive is now superseded by my interest in learning and mastering striking and submission technique! "The more you learn, the more you realize how much you do not know." -Leon Battista Alberti The Midtown MMA Houston head instructor, Chris Martinez, is an experienced and technical player in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu under Professor Travis Tooke (Lineage: Carlos Gracie Sr. (BJJ Founder) ... Carlos Gracie Jr. ... Travis Tooke)! The Midtown MMA Houston team is a mix of professionals and students of a variety of walks of life and most importantly all of whom are friendly, hardworking and supportive; like a family! I'd like to thank Team Tooke, Midtown MMA Houston, and my coach and friend Chris Martinez for exposing me to what will remain a cornerstone of my life for years to come! read more

I visited Midtown for my first introductory class. I have experience with grappling martial arts, but this was a muay thai class. The environment there is awesome. Everyone is serious about learning and pushing themselves, but nobody takes themselves too seriously to enjoy each other. read more

I am extremely impressed with Midtown MMA, Chris runs a tight ship. He's structured, strict, well organised, keeps his mats clean after each different class, so the mats get wiped down several times a day. He's an ideal coach caring for each individual person. Is 100% present in teaching each class. I'll definitely be joining his gym when I move back to Houston! read more

We found Midtown MMA quite by chance this past summer. My son was cycling through summer camps and I thought it would be worth trying the day camp hosted by Midtown MMA and give my son some exposure to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (he calls it Jitsu). My son ended up finishing the summer here and we joined the gym for two lessons each week and regular week end demonstration events. We're glad we did. My son was lacking some self-confidence when we first arrived and had little interest in fitness. Within a week, he was doing push-ups in the bath tub each morning. I can see the changes in his character. He was looking forward to each day at the camp and now looks forward to each of the two lessons he takes each week. It's not a matter of peeling him off the sofa....my son is SO enthusiastic to go. My wife and I are also enthusiastic about his participation. My son looks up to Coach Chris as a leader. The other gym staff are properly attentive to him. My son has taken up friendships with the other children training at the gym. There is a nice community spirit at the gym. The gym is clean. I am proud of my son's accomplishments and feel that he may not have been as successful at a gym other than Midtown MMA. read more

I studied under Mr. Chris Martinez for the sole purpose of relieving stress in my first year of law school. The man is extremely patient, and his heart is in his practice as evidenced by all the time and effort that he has invested in expanding his practice to his new location on Main. I wish I could've hung around, but I prefer to be out of shape. read more

My son has been going to Midtown MMA for almost a year, and has about 5 years of experience in Jiu Jitsu overall. We were looking for a gym with more teenagers and kids his size, while transitioning from the kids class to the adult classes. Midtown MMA turned out to be the perfect fit! Midtown has a great, patient and knowledgeable instructor in Chris Martinez and his entire staff that really put the students through the paces. From warm up to on mat instruction to rolling opportunities with different levels of experience, this place has it all. Also, the friendliness and welcoming vibe from everyone at the gym has been amazing, he immediately became comfortable in the environment and his Jiu Jitsu skills have improved tremendously. They have a great month long trial period to ensure this is the place for you, as they are serious about their business and the satisfaction of their students. Do yourself a favor and give Chris a call, you wont regret it! read more

This is a great gym I would recommend to anybody. Chris is great at combining different levels of skills into one class without making it too difficult for the beginners but making it challenging to the advanced students. There are also additional specific advanced classes, proof is in how well the gym does in competition both in Muay Thai and jujitsu. read more

I searched for a gym that I could train and learn with out being just another student. At Midtown MMA I found more than what I was looking for. Coach Cris Martinez is not only a great hands on coach but a great teacher in general. He explains to you step by step and will go over it with you a 100 times till you get it right. I'm prior military so I already had been through intense training before so I have had a lot of instructors, but Chris is hands down the best coach I've had the pleasure of teaching me. The location is great and the other students make you feel like a family and not just a student. Every one is very helpful and are willing to help you. If your thinking about training in either Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai Kickboxing this is the place to do it. read more

Chris Martinez runs a great mixed martial arts (MMA) studio. My son takes jiu-jitsu and loves it. The studio is very clean and they make you feel like you are part of a family. The coaches provide a great balance between positivity and encouragement with discipline and expectations. I would definitely recommend Midtown MMA to others. read more

Hands Down one of the best places to train in the area. Coach Chris is an extremely technical instructor and his students are a testament to the positive team atmosphere that he has created. If you live anywhere near the Midtown area and want to train at a legit MMA and BJJ school with friendly instructors who will push you to new heights, look no further than Midtown MMA! read more

The facility is upstairs from a non affiliated gym, so you have to walk thru it to get to the training area upstairs. The facility leaves a lot to be desired but thats not the important part. I went through the intro class and drill. To be honest im out of shape and couldnt handle it easily, but it was fun. However unlike the other ladies reviews before me, i didnt feel like it was a good fit for me. The instructor definitely seemed knowledgeable and but I felt pressured during the sales portion of the intro. Further, when i asked for the free trial, they said sure, but i had to wear a yellow Tshirt announcing that I was using the free trial. Im new to this, a bit intimidated, the last thing I want is to be singled out. Im not knocking the education you may be able to get here, but it just didnt feel right for me. read more

Beware .Do not go. Ugly gym.old and the instructor is not a good person, i did not get my money refunded when i told i was not able to go anymore..unbelievable.,they were also going to take more money from me read more

I didn't have any experience with any martial arts. However, I found the environment at Midtown MMA to be quite welcoming. The introductory lesson and the trial alone are worth paying a visit to this gym. I signed up for a 1 year contract upon my first visit since I had been shopping around at different gyms and really enjoyed the vibe here. I was unaware of a 1 month free trial and Coach Chris informed me of the trial after I had stated I wanted to sign up. The students are friendly and the gym environment is very clean. Unfortunately, due to mounting medical expenses (unrelated to BJJ or Midtown MMA) I had to find a second job and was no longer able to attend classes shortly after signing up. Without going into too much detail, I just want to say that Coach Chris worked with me in my specific situation and I can confidently say that I am looking forward to going back to classes once again. If anyone is on the fence, I can personally vouch for Coach Chris's honesty and integrity. If you're looking for a patient instructor and an honorable person to do business with, give Midtown MMA a shot. read more

I've been training BJJ for about a year and a few months at Midtown MMA, part of Team Tooke. It is one of the best decisions of my life. Coach Chris is a wonderful instructor and professor, not only he has an extensive knowledge, but he knows how to break each and every detail down, and explain them in different ways so everybody can understand, and he will show the technique from different angles and several times, after he explained the technique we (students) pair up and practice, while he observes everyone do it and if he notices something that is wrong or something that might make the "move" flow better he will explain it and make sure all of us had time to practice it several times, after passing to the next move. Good professors are not good because they know a lot, but because they are able to transmit their vast knowledge in an easy to understand way. Several occasions he explains the "what if.... Happens" after a move. The people that come and train here are totally identified with the core of this MMA school, respect, integrity and honor. I consider my MMA school part of my family. I would love to explain the energy the Muay Thai and BJJ group have, but unfortunately typing might not reflect the amazing experience that Midtown MMA has to offer. read more