Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: training (13) Justen (11) class (11) recommend (10) Modern (9) great (9) months (8) Martial (8) Arts (8) culture (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Raha R. 1 year ago on Google
    Can’t say enough good things about this place! Justen is a wonderful instructor: knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to spend one-on-one time during class to make sure you get the moves. I was a complete newbie to martial arts and I felt so welcome from the very first lesson. I’ve learned so much in just a couple of months and can’t wait to keep training! Fantastic gym!

  • 5/5 Stephanie J. 1 year ago on Google
    I’m so happy to have found Modern Martial Arts! I started training BJJ here a few months ago after moving to the area and I highly recommend it to people of all levels. Justen is a very technical and detail oriented coach. He breaks down advanced concepts in a way that is easy for anyone at any level to understand. The facility is very clean and there is plenty of street parking. Also, the gym culture here is great! A genuine sense of community and everyone is very friendly and welcoming!

  • 5/5 Kore T. 11 months ago on Google
    I cannot recommend this gym enough. Justen and Savannah are very kind, patient and accommodate people from all skill levels. I started training Muay Thai here at the beginning of the year and it has become my favorite part of the week. The community of people are are great and everybody is friendly. Membership prices are very reasonable as well. If you live in the area do yourself a favor and check it out!

  • 5/5 Pierre M. 1 year ago on Google
    Modern Martial Arts and Fitness is a friendly gym that offers great training. The coaches present the techniques in an easy to understand manner, while also providing context for them. The culture is very welcoming and approachable. The schedule of classes is also the best I have seen in Pasadena, offering BJJ, Muay Thai, No-gi, and wrestling. Sparring occurs in every class, and is a fun way to practice against resisting partners. It’s also a great workout; I have lost 13 lbs in less than 2 months of training. I recommend this gym to anyone interested in martial arts!

  • 5/5 Daniel D. 11 months ago on Google
    I really like this place and recommend it. Justen has a wide breadth of knowledge, and he clearly and patiently explains the different techniques and the strategies behind them. He also encourages and is patient with questions. I also like that there is regular sparring in each class every day, but I also like that it is also supervised and conducted in a safe manner. Coaches will also give regular feedback during sparring and throughout class, which is helpful.

  • 5/5 Reid M. 1 year ago on Google
    Justen is an excellent teacher and I highly recommend this gym to anyone interested in learning mixed martial arts. I am a complete beginner and have never felt uncomfortable in any of the lessons. I'm two months in now and I think this is something I'd want to continue for a long long time!

  • 5/5 Carlos V. 1 year ago on Google
    I have trained a few MMA gyms in my past and Modern Martial Arts has been a great experience. I signed up a few months ago and have already seen great improvements in my BJJ and Muay Thai game. The coaching staff, Justen Hamilton and Savannah Em are exceptional. Justen is a BJJ black belt under Dane Molina and Mike Farrell, who I actually had trained under years ago at Renzo Gracie LA (back when it was known as 5 Star Martial Arts under BJJ legend Shawn Williams). Justen's coaching is very detailed and concise. He really helps you understand the conceptual foundation as to why you would perform an attack or a defensive counter. Savannah actually fights in One Championship and her experience shows during her Muay Thai classes. I have seen my technique and striking game improve over the last few months. There is also a great environment at the gym. Everyone is welcomed and all the students strive to help one another. A lot of gyms will claim that they treat their students as family, but that is really case here. You will not find bad egos, no higher belts just smashing on white belts or out of control sparing during Muay Thai. Having taken a few years off of training, I am really glad I found this place and look forward continuing my training and ranking up here.

  • 5/5 David Y. 1 year ago on Google
    I went into Modern Martial Arts and Fitness out of shape and with no knowledge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I have to admit I was also extremely nervous at the thought of getting choked out or arm barred on my first visit. But Justen and co. provided a safe and welcoming environment for me to experience what BJJ was really all about. I've only been attending for a few months but I've already learned so much thanks to Justen's methodical/systematic approach to teaching, and the other members who are always open to answering questions from this new guy. Go check it out even if you're looking for a strong community of bjj practitioners. Also, first class is free!

  • 5/5 Jayson K. 11 months ago on Google
    Have always been a fan of martial arts but this was the first place I really decided to pursue it. It's been the most welcoming experience! Everyone here is kind and knowledgable, and I've come away from every session more excited to come back than when I came in!

  • 5/5 Mike F. 8 months ago on Google
    Owner/head instructor Justen Hamilton is an incredibly effective teacher and a gem of a human being. What a welcoming environment he’s created here at Modern Martial Arts. Justen got me ready for most of my MMA fights. The victories were his as well. I can attest that he teaches practical, effective martial arts that work in fights and self defense situations. I absolutely recommend trying a class and a personal training session. You’re in good hands!

  • 5/5 Steve L. 4 months ago on Google
    Highly recommend training here. The environment is exceptionally welcoming and inclusive, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their skill level, feels at home. The coaches and fellow gym members are not only friendly but also genuinely supportive, taking care to provide guidance and encouragement. Safety is a top priority here, so there’s no need to worry about injuries during sparring sessions.

  • 5/5 Lucas O. 8 months ago on Google
    I came into the gym as an absolute novice who was honestly pretty apprehensive about trying something so unfamiliar. What struck me on my first day was not only how inviting and supportive the instructors were, but how positive and uplifting the entire gym was. I can't say enough good things about the culture that has been cultivated here and I strongly recommend it to newcomers and returning practitioners alike. All the coaches are eloquent, patient, and attentive, the mats are kept very clean, and the prices are solid for what you're getting. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes here have done me a lot of good both physically and mentally and I would encourage anyone on the fence to give them a try.

  • 5/5 Ryan S. 6 months ago on Google
    I joined Modern Martial Arts & Fitness back in June of this year and was pleasantly surprised by the warm and inviting culture at this gym. To me, the culture is paramount for longevity as a hobbyist in this sport, and I believe they've truly excelled in fostering a positive and uplifting culture that is suitable for people of all skill levels to train and personally develop. I've trained at several other gyms in the past that advertised a similar culture, but when I actually began training and experienced the weekly routine, it didn't feel genuine. At the other gyms I've been to, egos were not left at the door, and during training people would try to "one up" each other, often escalating to the point that led to injuries and keeping you out of training for an extended period. My experience at Mod has been the complete opposite, and I feel that the staff and fellow students at Mod have created an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. This allows everyone to learn and grow at their own pace, regardless of their skill level. I'm not saying injuries can't happen, even with a culture like this, as given the nature of the sport, it can occur (just like in any other contact sport), but having a supportive team that cares about each other's well-being greatly reduces that risk in my opinion. The instructors, Justen, Savannah, and Justin, are skilled, knowledgeable, and excellent teachers. They take their time to explain techniques in detail, are always open to answering questions, and spend time with each student to ensure that everyone understands the techniques and can execute the moves effectively while developing good habits. It's great to receive feedback from the instructors to validate that you're learning properly. They offer Muay Thai, BJJ (Gi and No-Gi), Wrestling, and MMA classes, which provides a good variety of classes to take and disciplines to learn if you want to expand your skillset. I highly recommend this gym to those starting out for the first time, as well as to those more experienced individuals looking for a family-like environment to develop their skills.

  • 5/5 Thomas Z. 8 months ago on Google
    Fun, Friendly atmosphere with great instructors. Modern Martial Arts and fitness is the best gym experience I’ve had. I’ve trained in may Thai and boxing on and off for 5 years. I didn’t understand grappling at all and I’m so glad I ended up at modern. I did a free intro class with a friend and the owners were kind enough to let me stay for 2 classes that day. Although Jiu jitsu and wrestling felt very complex at first within a week I was beginning to understand more. The instructors are open to questions during and after class and even training partners had answered my questions about certain positions. I even scheduled a 1 on 1 private with an instructor to go over specific questions I had. The Muay Thai Classes are a little more fitness focused but every class has light sparring so it’s a good way to test what you’re learning. When rolling or sparring everyone is communicative and tries to keep their partners safe. Partners adapt their roll for size or for people recovering from injuries. If you get injured or are on vacation you’re able to pause or defer your membership until you return. The space is all white so it’s clean and is swept down after each class. It’s easy to identify if anyone has a small cut or scrape and it can be addressed quickly with a first aid kit and hygiene in the back. I’ve been here for a few months and absolutely love it.

  • 5/5 Blake S. 5 months ago on Google
    Cherie and the Coaches at Modern MMA are amazing! The classes were extremely beginner friendly and everyone taking classes there was super nice and welcoming. I highly recommend Modern MMA to anyone thinking about taking a class, this is the place to do it.


Call (626) 227-1414 Open on Google Maps

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Martial arts schools nearby

Classic Kickboxing image
1
Classic Kickboxing
Kickboxing school
👍👍 I've now done kickboxing at three different gyms and this one is the best I've been to. I have stayed at Classic Kickboxing because their instructors are SO kind and help adjust the class to help out newcomers. The instructors also really help you in understanding how to protect your hands by gettin...
5.00 (41 reviews)
SBG SoCal image
2
SBG SoCal
Martial arts school
👍👍 My oldest son has been with Coach Marco since 2010. Then my youngest joined in 2012. A few years later, my husband and I joined the gym. Coach Marco, Coach Petar, Coach Lynda, and Coach Dakota are great role models for my boys, both on and off the mats. The entire family is learning self defe...
5.00 (41 reviews)
Krav Maga Unleashed image
3
Krav Maga Unleashed
Martial arts school
4.90 (40 reviews)
Last updated:
()