Excellent one on one training, not too crowded per class, but a lot of attention to moves. Busy place with many classes at the same time including kids class visit very friendly staff. It's bigger than any other dojo what I've seen in Minnesota. Pricey but worth every penny. read more

Great gym. Knowledgeable staff and great community environment. I'm thoroughly impressed; The instructors are skilled and patient, creating a welcoming environment for all skill levels. The variety of classes ensures a well-rounded training experience, and the sense of community among members is fantastic. read more

Dropped in visiting in town and looking for a place to practice. The coaches seem top-notch and extremely knowledgeable. It's a great community they have here--not only welcoming but also somewhere to push each other to get better, which I always appreciate! Thanks again for welcoming me, I will definitely be coming back if I ever move back to the Twin Cities area! read more

Signing a 6 month contract with this place has been the worst decision I've made since moving to Minnesota. I started going here in May of 2019 and was attending regularly until October of 2019. I had just moved from Michigan and was trying to find a new gym so figured I'd give them a shot. I paid every single month on time and thought I had a good relationship with the staff. Upon the last month of my contract the payment did not process correctly so rather than contacting me to update my payment information, they took the liberty of charging me hundreds of dollars in fees and went to extraneous lengths to damage my credit despite me reaching out to them directly to settle the final payment.. Their contracts and business practices are very shady and my instructor got his face broken in his first fight and never fought again so I don't advise training here. read more

Good gym, but really shady subscription handling. I signed up for ONE MONTH, and was told "okay thats fine" by the instructor. I had seen the reviews about them being not forthcoming about payment, so I emailed them to be sure. They THEN told me I'd be paying for a 6 month subscription, and that the only way I'd be able to cancel WITH a 100$ moving suspension fee would be to sign a form and send them 3 types of documentation proving that I moved. Which is completely ridiculous. Well I just found out i've been charged for 2 extra months for 400$ I never made use of, so guess I'm gonna have to go to my bank or take them to small claims court, to try to get my money back. read more

I have trained on and off in different arts for the past 13 years and this is by far the most enjoyable gym environment that I have been in. The head instructor, Greg Nelson, knows more about self-defense and multiple arts than anyone I have ever come across. His staff does a great job of pushing the pace of the classes while also keeping it enjoyable for people of all skill sets. There are three types of classes for the general public to take, Total Defense (Jeet Kune Do), Muay Thai Kick boxing and Brazilian Jiujitsu. My six year old son also takes classes there in youth Thai boxing and youth jiujitsu. It's a rare environment where you can have UFC champions training and challenging themselves while also having someone start their first class and feel like no one is judging them. I can't say enough positive things about this place!!!! read more

I've been a BJJ student at the Academy for 3 years now and am consistently impressed with the level of professionalism, competition and drive of all students and staff of the gym. This review is all based on the jiu jitsu experience as I haven't explored the weapons training or Muy Thai classes at the gym. Prior to the Academy, I've trained at many gyms across the US in Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling. The Academy is one of the few places I've been to where the UFC fighters and the BJJ Black Belts are as much a part of your family as the white belts and beginner fighters. Every instructor I've learned from is constantly looking for how to improve and perfect their game. If you aren't learning something, you're not paying attention. If you want to complete, there are plenty of guys and ladies to train with during regularly scheduled classes or the ample open mat time to improve your game as well. I've traveled to a few tournaments and always have a few guys/ladies from the gym willing to go along, compete and support me in my competitions. The gym is kept very clean. I have very sensitive skin due to many years of poorly maintained mats, and have never had a problem with the mats at the Academy. The weight room, climbing wall, boxing ring are all clean and accessible during their open hours. It's easy to sneak in at lunch during the work week or find time on a Saturday or Sunday to drill or spar with a few other BJJ players. Finally the gym is very family friendly. The kids classes are all well attended and it's easy to come in and watch your kids learn from outstanding and attentive instructors. If you are curious about BJJ, Muy Thai, Self Defense, Weapons, whatever, you owe it to yourself to check out this gym. (I believe they have some free trials available for those who want to check it out.) read more

Horrible business!! Make sure they don't lie to you when signing the contract!! They do not honor the 30-day money back guarantee, or they have loop holes, So watch out!! Read everything. Even with a magnifying glass!! I went to 1 class and didn't like the program so I asked to cancel, but the academy said I had to pay the full year even though it was within the same week I signed up. Lol.. Come on.. This is not a good business or service!! read more

I never received the 30 day trial that I am hearing about. Only went to a few classes. Contacted business to cancel my membership which I was informed was cancelled and a year later received a bill for over $1,300... I had no prior information that they were still trying to charge me. I'm not very happy, ouch. Stay away if you don't want to end up with crazy fees! read more

I have been going to The Academy for just over a year now. I started with Muay Thai and moved to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which I absolutely fell in love with. I truly enjoy everyday I get to spend at The Academy, the instructors are helpful and knowledgeable and the students are great, I have made many friends through both Muay Thai and BJJ. Since I began training I fell that I have truly changed my life, and I am more confident, happy, and determined. The Academy has helped me with setting goals and accomplishing them, I no longer like sitting around doing nothing, if I have spare time I want to be training. I couldn't ask for a better experience. read more

North, South, East or West; The Academy is truly the best. If you are looking to excel in the martial arts, if you are looking for a great group of people to workout with, if you are looking for the best place to reach your fitness goals, if you are looking for top level instruction, then The Academy is the place for you. read more

These guys are a thriving business, not a caring MMA gym. Money is their priority, not the student. They'll try to trick you with the "18 lessons" money back and try their best to join the Academy in the first place. I'm trying to get my money back, but now I"m stuck with a loss of 987$, and a ruined summer. I'm stuck by the 18 lesson contract because I missed days for stuff like confirmation and bad weather. Also, they will not mention the "surprise" fees to being in Combat Athlete. They told me that because of my high fitness and martial arts/wrestling background, I should get out of foundations in maybe 2 months. I got invited faster than that, only to find out that it is going to cost more and I won't be able to join CAP. They expect you to be committed for 2 years straight. The day I signed up, they knew very well that I'm attached to my school sports, but once it comes to receiving the invitation after 18 lessons, they expect you to quit those sports and pay more money to the Academy. I've trained martial arts at other places, and they were lenient and very understanding. These guys don't care about you, they care about your money. P.S., just a heads up, they offer you a deal the day you come to check the place out. If you pay 987$ the day you first come, then you have 6 months. This deal is only available the moment you arrive, and not a day after. The other deals are even more pricey, not to mention the gear they expect you to buy. If these guys weren't after your money, they wouldn't have scams like that. read more

Be warned about their 60 day money back guarantee. My friend and I were told that their 60 day money back guarantee was in place so people could give it a fair try by attending 18 classes in two month. We were told that there had been couple people in the past who went for 18 classes and didn't like it for whatever reason so they got their money back. I felt more confident to sign up for their 7 month membership knowing that there was this guarantee. Little did I know this was a scam. I attended 18 classes in 60 days. After trying their mma and muy thai classes, I asked for a refund because I didn't feel it was the right fit for me. I was told that they can not issue a refund because they have no record of me signing in their sign-in sheet!!! I signed in on their sign-in sheet the first day and used my members ID to check in all subsequent classes so they have record of every class I attended in their computer system. They're saying that because I didn't sign in using their sign-in sheet, they have no record of attendance which is a lie. They can verify my attendance in their computer system. I sued them in court and they came up with a list of my attendance stating I did not attend all 18 classes. I think they had a list of me attending 16 classes and some of the dates were wrong! Do NOT trust this place. They are only interested in making money. This is what you can expect when you go for their introductory class: You are greeted by an instructor who gives you the tour of the place and a private lesson that lasts about 20 minutes. Afterwards, the instructor gives you the breakdown of their prices. They do have 30 day free trial (which is what I would recommend). You have to wear a bright orange shirt that says you're doing the free trial when you go to their classes while the rest of paying members wear grey t-shirts. If you do go with 30 day free trial, you also have to pay a fee of about $240 afterwards in addition to monthly rates if you want to continue with classes. Their best pricing offer is to forfeit the 30 day free trial and pay $987 for 7 months. They also have month to month rate which was around $160/mo (I think). If you're a beginner, I would recommend trying the 30 days to see if you like it or going month to month or better yet- stay away from this place entirely! read more

While I've been training with the Academy for only a month, it's my impression that this school has a highly skilled faculty well versed in various martial arts. Additionally, the workout room offers a full variety of CrossFit/free weight equipments as well as a small bouldering wall and some cardio machines that make it convenient for additional training before or after classes. I would (and have) recommended this school to friends. read more

My BJJ MMA home away from home. Greg Nelson and his crew are absolutely the best. Worth the time and effort to get here and train on a regular basis or as a visitor. Great for your kids too! I'm the mom of a 6.5 year old girl - she is happy and at home at the Academy - good for all levels of training from beginner to pro - the vibe is awesome and welcoming and everyone knows their chops. Go and change your life for the better - enjoy. read more

I have been an Academy member since 2008. In that time I have been a recreational learner as well as a more serious competitor. In both cases, the Academy has gone above and beyond at helping me grow as a martial artist, maintain a high level of physical fitness, and feel like an accepted member of the team. I would recommend that anyone who is looking for any of the aforementioned points should come check out MMAA. read more

Tried this gym, got roped into a contract, did not like it after a few classes. In the end I paid $150 a class because of all of their fees and gouging. Do not sign a contract with them if you aren't sure. They mention a money back guarantee, apparently if you try it and don't like it that is not good enough. I found a new gym without all of this gouging and I am much happier even though I am out almost $600 for 4 classes. In fact they have this crazy new idea where members just pay for the classes they go to with this weird thing called a monthly payment and when they stop, get this, they just stop and aren't gouged! Craziness. Reminds me of a used car dealership or a shitty phone company that you hate yourself for ever doing business with. Their teachers are cool though lol. read more

I signed up to do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. On my second week at this gym I received a text from my coach saying he needed my help with a side project. Upon agreeing to help with because I thought he needed my skills in Theater that I had disclosed to him after my first lesson I go to his apartment to discover he was trying to get me involved in a pyramid scheme. I no longer felt comfortable going to The Academy any longer. The only way the coach got my number was from my contract with The Academy. I sent an email explaining my complaint and issue. I never heard back from them. I was cheated. They do not handle themselves professionally and are way over prized simply because they HAD a celebrity UFC fighter/WWE wrestler train there maybe once. read more

Over the past week I have gone to trial classes at different gyms for different martial arts to see what I should do and where I should go this winter. I went to the Academy for a 1-on-1 appointment about BJJ on a sunday. I took a quick tour and it looked nice and the guy was friendly. I mentioned I was playing high school soccer and he questioned if i would have time for BJJ. I told him I would do it in the winter rather than in fall which he didn't like. He told me about a policy where after the 1-on-1 I HAD to do the 30 day free trial and I HAD to sign up for more classes after that. It was clear they only wanted my money. I asked if he could show me what BJJ was about like we talked about on the phone. He said no. I told him about how i was visiting different places trying to get him to understand my situation. I asked for a BJJ demo again. He said no, than kicked me out after being there only 15 minutes. Sure I'm 17 but still I was a potential customer and should be shown a little more respect. read more