I’ve been a member since early 2019 and the coaches and staff are EXCELLENT! This negative review has nothing to do with any of the coaches. It is about the facility and the ownership. There is a PREDATORY CANCELLATION POLICY!!! I have fulfilled my 2 year contract with them and am on month to month. I stayed loyal to this gym through the pandemic and NEVER MISSED A PAYMENT, yet I’m being punished for wanting to take my business elsewhere. It’s 2022 and I have to send a CERTIFIED LETTER TO A PO BOX IN ARKANSAS then my 30 day cancellation notice starts. THEN A $50 cancellation fee. So in order to cancel I have to pay almost $250! I just paid my monthly dues and with in the 30 day period my dues will come up again! The manager and owner refuse to allow members to cancel online or via phone with the 3rd party billing company. The members train at this gym because of the COACHES not the owner, yet the owner cashes in. The area surrounding the gym is now overrun with homeless and mentally ill who are released from the county mental health clinic less than half a mile away. I had my truck broken into in front of the gym in broad daylight and there are no cameras to monitor the parking lot. I looked past the obvious greed and bad location because of the amazing coaches but now that greed is driving off those world class instructors, and I refuse to stay a member. Save yourself the money, time and hassle and take your money elsewhere.

Been at the arena gym for around 5 years. Top quality training. Top quality facility. As a Marine they will take care of you 100% and I’m very happy to see Vets working in the facility. Over all, everyone is very humble and willing to work with you even if you have zero experience. You’ll learn and become part of the Arena family in the process.

magine unleashing your inner warrior with a supportive community by your side. Forget judgment, The Arena is a sanctuary for self-discovery, where boxing ignited my passion years ago and now reignites my spirit even after navigating the lawyer's demanding path. Whether you're a seasoned contender or taking your first jab, martial arts aren't just about punches and kicks – they're about building mental resilience, sharpening focus, and becoming a better version of yourself. That's what I found at The Arena, where professional trainers guide you back into your power zone amidst a vibrant mix of athletes. From seasoned pros to newbies taking their first steps, we share the same mat, pushing our limits and cheering each other on. The best part? The variety! Boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, Muay Thai – you name it, they train it. It's like having a martial arts buffet, preparing you for anything life throws your way. Maybe you won't do it all in one day, but with every new style, you add another weapon to your arsenal. Friendly staff, diverse classes, and an atmosphere that crackles with energy – The Arena isn't just a gym, it's a home for champions in the making, and I'm proud to be one of them.

Home to many, best Gym in SD. The Arena Gym is a large facility that consist of 5 different section with enough room to run large classes with all levels of experience athletes.The positive environment, great coaching and different levels of competition makes The Arena Gym one of a kind. Great schedule with many different classes running all day at a very affordable price. No doubt you will NOT find a gym like this one. Proud to be A member of The Arena Gym.

Great gym, excellent classes! The only reason I would give this place 1 star is because of the cancellation process.

Only reason I gave them 1 star is because of their predatory billing and contracts, the gym debited me for 2 months ($200) after they closed the doors for Covid-19. Attempted to contact by phone and mail but no answer or refund, I was forced to cancel my card to stop the charges. When they closed the doors and denied everyone access, the contracts and billing should have ended by California law (.Calif. Civil Code Section 1812.85(c)). I've since moved out of SD and given up on getting a refund, it's sad to see a business taking advantage of crisis... I hope some of my money makes it's way to the trainers.

I had the pleasure to workout at this gym today. What a wonderful group of people. The trainers Coach Joe and Gordo was extremely welcoming. I felt right at home, the gym members were working hard but still spoke to me. I highly recommend if you are in the San Diego area to check out Arena Boxing. The coaches are a wealth of knowledge. Invest in yourself, you deserve to get your money worth. They truly have something for everyone there. Show up and they got you from there..Trust me you you wouldn’t love it!!

I’m a traveler from Philadelphia and I made it my mission to train muy Thai this year. It has been a task finding a gym that suits my vibe, and the Arena is it. The owner personally escorted me around the facility and was very hospitable. The facility, people and atmosphere within the club is warm and welcoming. I got to meet and greet some of the staff and martial artist who has years put in and was able to receive advice being I am a novice. If your are in the San Diego area looking to take on a martial art, this is the best experience you will have getting started.

The arena is by far the best gym I've ever trained at. Great gym culture and top level coaches, you get a full inclusive package what means you can go to practice anything you want as long as you show up on time and of course unbeatable pricing for the quality of the facility and the service. If you are thinking of either just getting back in shape, learn a contact sport to boost your self esteem or your confidence, or straight up compete, you won't find a better gym in San Diego

The Arena is the best MMA gym I’ve ever been to. They have many classes across a variety of martial arts at all times of day. The classes are tough, so don’t come in expecting a walk in the park. The coaches are very knowledgeable and experienced. Plus the weight room is huge! Memberships are very affordable and come with unlimited classes and weight room use. I highly recommend The Arena for local martial artists of every skill level. Come in and take a tour. You’ll be glad you did.

If you’re looking for a great fighting gym with friendly staff this is the place. Staff is super friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable. As soon as I walked in a was attended to and didn’t have to stand around awkwardly until someone attended to me. As far as the facility, it is huge. They have a separate area for striking (which includes two boxing rings) and grappling. They also have a whole other separate building for strength and conditioning which includes a lot of square racks, free weights, and even a 40-yard dash grass area. They also have several world class trainers that ACTUALLY SHOW UP. The price includes everything, you don’t need to pay extra for certain disciplines, it’s all included in the 99$ membership fee which is a STEAL for the value that you are getting. All in all a great place the train.

I’ve been coming to the Arena for a decade now, and I still love walking through the doors as much as I did when I walked through the doors in 2012. The coaches, the fighters and the casual trainees are top tier, and always willing to help and foster a family/team environment. There are no egos! The gym has everything; from Boxing, BJJ, to Muay Thai as well as one of the best Strength and conditioning classes (and gym). Sign up and you will not be disappointed!

Had to look for a new home gym after moving and The Arena was by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This gym is very versatile! You have beginners, amateurs, professionals.. it’s honestly the best environment to be in if martial arts is something you’re interested in.

Been training at The Arena for a little over a year. The commitment to training martial arts at all levels is unparalleled in comparison to any gym of been a part of. The variety of classes and top notch coaches and professors fosters and incredible learning environment and opportunity for in advancement across any martial art discipline. Thankful for both committed coaches and students that make this place so great.

I recently signed up for the boxing program at the Arena gym & so far it has been a pleasure to work with Coach Basheer & his team. Love the environment at the gym, everyone pushes each other to improve & reach their full potential. David at the front desk helped me sign up for the membership, he was very friendly & professional, & made it a quick & easy process. Would definitely recommend this gym for anyone looking to push their limits & become the best version of themselves no matter what martial art they choose to compete in.

I have been training here for almost 3-months now. All I can say is that the staff is absolutely incredible and actually teaches you real situations and technique. There are so many classes and the ability to fight from open to close if you want too. The coaches are great teachers, who are disciplined, but also show love when you need help or can tell you just aren't your normal self. Highly recommend to any one who is a fighting veteran or wants to start fresh and change their lifes!

This is the Cleanest/nicest gym that I've been to. The owner is a very cool dude and you will see him hanging out with his employees making everyone feel comfortable. The place is top quality in all of there equipment and facilities. If you want to be a part of a family this is the place to go. Highly recommend

READ YOUR MEMBERSHIP CONTRACT CAREFULLY! They require 30 days notice and a written letter sent by certified mail to Arkansas to cancel membership. All membership fees incurred during 30 days are paid by member as well as an additional $50 cancellation fee. Nice gym though. They have a top notch facility and great coaches. The training at this gym is truly second to none. Don't let the membership contracts scare you off right away.

I have been a member of the Arena since late 2019 and I love it here. The facilities are top notch and there are world class training here is unbeatable. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are incredible, no matter what your skill level is. This is the place to train!!

Walked into this place and got the best first reaction, filled every expectation I’ve ever had. I have never done any boxing or MMA Etc and I got nothing but respect, even though I’m new in every aspect of self defense they are not hesitate on teaching me the ropes to help me build up to everyone else’s level, all the equipment there is very reasonably priced and super high quality, very very family like everyone is super Friendly and mostly military members so I felt at home, huge gym with every kind of weight you could want, 2 boxing rings, a huge matted area for grappling and a lot of punching bags! 100% recommend this place for beginners and experts!

Excellent place to get in the best shape of your life! I have been going to wrestling and FightBuilt 4-6 days/week since late June 2022. Adult wrestling programs are hard to find, and The Arena's wrestling program is outstanding. The coaches are top-notch. Classes are offered 5 days/week, a total of 8 hours. I especially appreciate the atmosphere and "vibe" at The Arena. I am quite a bit older than most of the other members but feel very welcome and encouraged by the coaches, classmates, and staff. The live wrestling is an amazing workout and super fun.

Awesome place with tons of classes and World-level coaches! I’m currently studying Jiu Jutsu under Master Barret Yoshida and Judo under Sensei Zbognew Piec. Highly recommend this place to the community. 5+ stars!!!

I've been to quite a few MMA gyms in the San Diego area and I have to say that The Arena is one of the best gyms out there. The gym has a family vibe with no egos; the instructors are high-quality where they actually build your fundamental skills up and not just run cardio-kickboxing classes that make you sweat. The parking lot has plenty of parking, they have a newly-built conditioning section with state-of-the-art equipment, and their prices are more than reasonable. If you're looking for a fight gym to learn some real skills, this gym is for you. See you in class. 🤙🏽

Best Gym in San Diego! Great coaches and classes! Ken(Ducky) is a great coach as well that helps run the amateur team. Knows his stuff and pushes you to your limits! I highly recommend this gym if you want more than just a cardio workout. You learn the fundamentals, experience and the perspective of what a trained athlete is.

I’ve been going to the Arena since October of last year (six months now). For me, cleanliness and structure are the most important aspects in combat gyms. This gym has both in bulk. The facilities are top notch and very well kept. For Structure, the coaches are all very acclaimed practitioners in their field. You can tell the owner has a standard and refuses to go below it. This, along with the very practical Arena app, makes the structure here very solid. Another thing to point out is their tolerance for military personnel. Anytime I’m out of town for work they’re always able to freeze my account so I only pay when I train.

Best fight gym in San Diego! Unlimited classes for membership is a phenomenal deal. Huge facility with state-of-the-art equipment and great/welcoming coaches and staff members. Members are at various levels offering an opportunity to get a lot of different looks. Great opportunity for growth no matter what skill set you have!

As a college student, I was referred to come here as an absolute novice boxer. I was skeptical at first since I have never put myself in a position to fight but I wanted to learn to better myself. I chose to pay for this membership per month instead of settling for my free college membership. After communicating what style, and getting help in what gear to pick, I was set to begin boxing. Thank you to Ken and another staff member. Transparently, they have great amenities, organized, and realistic. The Arena is a place for non soft people and people that are willing to work for what they want to learn. They offer different styles of fighting, as well as a mobile app that gives a lot of perks/ events/ communication. I feel that they have set a standard for a boxing gym (weight gym also included) and technical skills with great coaches. It’s not a place for cardio kickboxing at your convenience. It’s a place that gives you the tools and lessons to work on yourself at your own pace to better yourself. Great security, great deal for what you are getting, and honest people. This is a review, unbiased, and after 8 months of membership from a college student. I have felt The Arena has been a very great gym that I enjoy going to. And I am a person that does not go to places I resent or know that it will deteriorate over time.

good gym.. but charged me literally $300 to cancel my membership and gave me 2 days to do it or a penalty will be added. service members are NOT granted any wiggle room, and you WILL pay wether you like it or not, nickle and dime you to death

Oh man, where do I start?! San Diego surprised me with this gym! As a wandering spirit yearning to try every kick and punch under the martial arts umbrella, just stumbled upon this darn impressive facility. Literally a grappling paradise with tons of room for throwing each other around and wrestling our hearts out! And even the showers are pristine.But it was during Judo that their coach totally won me over! Oh and the front desk? Tip-top service with a man named Trevor making me feel absolutely welcomed. Not gonna lie, initially I was pretty hesitant to commit to this martial journey, fearing the hole it would burn in my wallet. But to my astonishment, seriously folks, unexpectedly reasonable. And the military guys here get to freeze the account whenever they go out to serve the nation. This magnetic camaraderie draws me back each day. Life’s never dull, one day you're sliding into an MMA session later to find yourself wrestling or exploring the depth of Filipino martial arts.

I can't tell you about the classes because I never got to join. I signed up for a trial class online and showed up at the time I had scheduled. I told the front desk and he told me they aren't doing trial classes. Fix your website to say that if you aren't open for trial classes. Edit: I felt like it was unfair, so im upgrading. What the gym offers sounds great, and the size is large. I do wish they would update their website, cause I don't really understand why they couldn't notify me that no trial classes were available despite me booking online.

Best gym I’ve ever had the chance to be a part of. The gym has great staff, professional coaches, and every piece of gym equipment you will need. If you want to know how to defend yourself or if you’re looking to compete competitively with martial arts. The Arena is where you should be training.

they advertise 1 free month. it's actually 1 free month after you sign up. i found that to be a bit deceptive. i had a good time with the students, but found, mike, the bjj couch rude, glutinous, and obnoxious. The owners response below is not true and my case in point. If you want to be judged by Mike in 15 minutes this is the place to go. Aggressive club and nasty owner. That said, everyone else was cool. This guy Mike is a very strange guy. However, it still deserves three stars. From my experience there are better and worse clubs. One bad apple doesn't always kill the whole tree. Mike, put down your ego and tell the truth, Sir. You'll be better for it.

Pros: Energetic environment, hard working crew. Great facilities and lots of space. If you already know what you’re doing, this is the gym for you. Cons: Not beginner friendly, no one will really talk to you or help you. Classes don’t help beginners learn the basics, you just get thrown into it from the start. Would be helpful if instructors were more attentive, noticed newcomers and taught them basic movements.

I recently joined "The Arena" gym, and I'm incredibly impressed with the experience. Trevor, who assisted me during the sign-up process, was fantastic – he's knowledgeable and made everything seamless. The professionalism at the gym is outstanding, making it a great choice for anyone looking to achieve their fitness goals.

(Translated by Google) The best gym in san diego! Amazing environment and friendly staff! 👊🏽 Best san diego academy, great atmosphere and best team of professional ossss (Original) The best gym in san diego! Amazing environment and friendly staff! 👊🏽 Melhor academia de san diego, otimo ambiente e melhor equipe de profissionais ossss

I was very picky about where I wanted to train and spend my money, so I did some research. The Arena has the best schedule. If I can't make my regular class for whatever reason, I don't stress out because I know that I will be able to make it to another class later in the day. The quality of instructors is amazing. Each one there is at the top of their sport. Lastly, the atmosphere is inviting, and everyone there wants you to succeed. It truly is a team. I highly recommend this gym.

Hands down one of the nicest training facilities I've encountered in the 10 years that I've been training. Ken treated me like family and made me feel at home within minutes of meeting him, and Kru Mark was everything you'd look for in a coach. Highly recommend this place!

Great place to learn a new sport. The instructors and other students are incredibly helpful and kind. I was intimidated at first being the only female in a class with high ranking students but everyone has just been awesome! Gym is super clean, tons of equipment, PLENTY of classes- can’t go wrong.

I’ve trained martial arts from more than 10 years and attended to many fighting academies in several countries. With that said I was excited to start training again after some time without activity and I chose this gym because I saw it had good reviews, unfortunately my experience was not what I expected. The person at the front desk was very nice and explained everything clearly, he did his job great, but as a new member I did not feel welcomed on my first day of training, no one asked if I was new, what class I was taking, there was no guided warm up I just felt disoriented on what to do and where to start, and the person I was paired up with was not friendly and borderline cocky, and I have knowledge of what I was doing, I can’t imagine how it would’ve been if I was someone new to the martial arts world, I don’t know if I went in a bad day and that’s just my luck or if it’s always the same. This is the first time I’ve ever felt unwelcome in a martial arts academy. Because of this I decided to cancel my membership, thankfully I decided to start with a month to month agreement because I thought if I changed my mind it would be easy to cancel it, I thought wrong. I called the front desk and they gave me a 1 800 number to call, so I called them and after waiting for 30 minutes they finally picked up my call, at first they couldn’t even find my membership which took a good 15 more minutes, then they told me that I have to send a certified letter to the headquarters of ABC fitness solutions, just to cancel a month to month agreement :) I’m still waiting for them to cancel my membership. So that’s $300 down the drain. I don’t know if they’re gonna charge me for another month, so there’s that. I don’t doubt the capacity of the people that train here, I can tell they’re very good at what they do I just had a very bad experience here. I wouldn’t recommend anyone I know to go here.

Really solid gym. Instructors are highly qualified and experts at their craft. The facilities are excellent, and plenty of parking (didn’t know that was possible in San Diego). Love this place.

If you truly want to learn technical fighting styles, this is the place. Coach Chuck and Kru Mark will take a microscope to your progress and you will always be aware of where you are and what you need to work through next to improve. If you're looking for some sort of cardio Billy Blanks style Tae Bo nonsense, you're going to have a bad time here lol You WILL get a cardio workout, but you will also definitely get your thighs chopped and your head rocked back a few times. My experience here is only with the Muay Thai classes, but if I had more free time I would absolutely spend 2-3 hours here in classes a day. I was hooked after my first free class and will definitely renew my membership indefinitely.

I've been training here for almost a year. The environment is great and really make you feel welcomed to the family. The training is amazing, I never thought I'd be at the level I am today.

Visited from Canada. One of the most welcoming gyms I've ever been to, super bright/ clean facility, plus excellent coaching and technical advice. I'll be back next time I'm in the area!!

Everybody was welcoming which was most important to me because I had no experience or training before coming here but every still treated each other with respect and motivated one another

The gym is very clean and organized. There is a consistent schedule that is easy to work around depending on if you want a morning or night class. Everyone is very welcoming and I truly feel like I get to partake in a family atmosphere. I attend the classes that can have quite a few people in it, depending, but at the same time still getting alot of person to person feedback on where I need improvement.

Amazing facility that has combat sports, Asian martial arts, group fitness and personal training.

This is the best gym I've ever been to! Its massive, the staff and other fighters are super friendly and welcoming to newcomers and I love the muay thai training I've gotten. I've only been here for a month so far and I've never felt better both physically and mentally!

Super clean and professional MMA GYM. Best one in San Diego. Just signed up for Two more years, with classes that start at 6:30am to 10pm, it’s perfect for my busy schedule. Coach Chuck and Coach Vince are the Mauy Thai instructors and I look forward to there classes every day!

The staff is really great. Very friendly and they all bring a wealth of knowledge. They are happy to work with folks at all levels including novices like myself. This came highly recommended to me and I'm glad I signed up.

Best place in San Diego! 100%

Great place for beginners and veterans alike. Everyone is chill and laid back, if you’re new and a little intimidated about starting training boxing Jiu Jitsu or MMA, this is the place for you.

One of the best “Mixed Martial Arts” gyms in SoCal. Lots of potential here with world class training, outstanding coaching and legendary athletes. I recommend checking this place out!

I had been training At the Arena for over a year. Best school in San Diego.

(Translated by Google) Very good, well located, several times, friendly atmosphere. (Original) Muito boa, bem localizada, vários horários, clima amigável.

I love everything about this gym. The coaches are amazing, the members are amazing!!!

Check out @thearenagym best combat sports gym in all SD! Knowledgeable coaches and friendly staff... there’s a spot for everyone, beginners, advanced, amateurs, and pros! Go check them out and get your Free Trial. Tell them I sent you! 🤙🏽

Great place great teachers feels like home I would totally recommend it to someone looking to learn a fight style , self defense or just lose weight

The Arena is the best gym, with some of the best coaching staff in this city. They have all the boxing equipment you need and more. You can train worry free and not be hassled by staff about using equipment. Awesome Gym Awesome staff. Shalom

I really enjoy training at the arena. I am a student at UCSD and the many classes that the arena offers allows me to train while attending classes which is amazing. Plus there is world class coaches there like UFC legend Chris Leben and Jiu Jitsu legend Baret Yoshida just to name a couple. The staff and students there is very friendly and willing to help any way they can.

I've attended several boxing gyms before moving to San Diego and coming The Arena, but I can safely say that the coaches at The Arena are the best I have encountered. They make it fun and really know how to break down every small detail in combat sports.

I was nervous about getting back into Ju Jitsu... especially since I’m older and don’t really know anyone, and I’m relatively new to the area. The staff and the members at “The Arena” made me feel right at home and I forgot all about the newness of things and began to feel at ease. They made my first day back welcoming, and made me grateful for my choice in fighting gyms.

Amazing gym, really emphasize technique over just fitness

The coaches here help build a solid foundation to learning. They explain the drills and technicality in a manner that you can understand and apply. Each drill will build upon another until your skill set becomes diverse, you’ll notice your stamina and fight IQ increasing. I’d like to thank my coaches Parè Vince, Chuck, and Kru Mark for their wisdom in coaching. I’ve started with nothing and have the confidence with a diverse repertoire of skill sets to atleast keep up in sparring or in real life. Take time to hydrate a day before though, you will burn a ton of calories and soak your whole workout gear from all the badass drills and training.

Excellent facilities, friendly staff, world class instruction!

The staff is super knowledgeable and everyone welcomes you in! Already got one of my friends to sign up!!

Best gym in San Diego by far. Trainers are highly skilled and respectful towards trainees.

Honestly one of the best places to be ! Unfortunately can't go back due to issues with default account so would recommend maybe doing a monthly payment option I believe it's more but way worth it in case your find your self without work and can't keep up with payments other then that great people/ great trainers some of the best in my opinion in San Diego that I wish I could go back to this place

Great trainers. Tons of classes and opportunities to learn.

I love training at The Arena. Everyone there is friendly, and all the staff are professional and treat you like family. The coaching is amazing and the wealth of knowledge they have to offer is incredible. There is a wide variety of disciplines offered and there's almost always classes going on so finding something to fit your shedule is convenient. This place is worth every penny and I couldn't recommend it enough!

The Arena is an amazing place to train. The gym’s staff is incredible.

The people her are all like family...everyone is professional and about the grind to make you better...

I just can't get over how great this San Diego gym is. They not only have top-notch facilities for boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu, but they provide the finest coaching found anywhere, even for complete beginners. I found the staff, especially Coach Joe, particularly friendly and approachable. What impressed me most was how they serve the military community so passionately. Also, the gym sticks to affordable pricing even though they could obviously charge a lot more given what they offer. There’s a lot of honor in that.

I have been training boxing and muay thai since young age. Tried many different gyms in various countries. The Arena is one of the top! Anyone around here and looking for some good training, I highly recommend it!

Cleanliness is definitely the gym’s forte. Does not smell like sweat when you walk in like most boxing gyms, and is real neat regardless of which part of the facility you’re in. Atmosphere is great, especially for beginners. I had no experience coming in, but coach Joe and the rest of the class were patient with me and quick to give pointers. Definitely recommend, and I regret not signing up sooner.

Professional grade establishment, this place is serious. If you want to train to be a fighter, this place has the instruments and the instructors to show you how to do it. whether your just starting out, or your looking for a new gym to join this place can absolutely suit your needs! There’s a variety of classes covering practically all bases of mma, and the staff show genuine enthusiasm and dedication to the passionate world of combat sports. I think its dope, and it’s well worth checking out 🤙

If you’re looking to up your fitness or take some serious action towards Martial arts. You’re definitely in the right place. You have one facility with everything you could ask for. From top notch MMA, boxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, too a well constructed functional training facility. Everyone including staff are super welcoming, new comers should definitely check it out!

You can’t beat the price for the service they offer. I practiced Muay Thai in my home state before moving down to San Diego for work, and what I paid for 3 days a week an hour long classes, is still more than what they are charging here for a 6 days/week multiple sessions everyday, access to all the classes. And they work with the Navy seals too… that’s is a big steal.

I’m at professional boxer training here at the arena and I can say from 11 years of boxing experience in San Diego that it’s the best place for everybody. From someone learning the ropes to someone training for a world championship and everyone in between. Clean equipment, great camaraderie, and an incredible work ethic are some of the things that makes the arena number one.

Trevor is the man. I was actually quite nervous to walk into an mma gym. I’ve always wanted to train but felt a little insecure about the process. Trevor heard me out, listened to my concerns and took me through a step by step process on what the initiation and learning process is for beginners. I knew that the arena was the place for me because i didn’t feel like I was rushed through my questions as well as short answered. The facilities also felt much more updated than a few other locals I had checked out, which was important to me. Overall I’m very excited to start my journey, I recommend you ask for Trevor if you plan on stopping by. Solid dude.