Coach Dustin and all the helpful and genuine people at DNA MMA allowed me to go from basically no martial arts experience to winning my first amateur match a year later. That was a fun experience, but the best part of this year was the time spent in the gym learning and enjoying the community Dustin has fostered. DNA MMA is a rare gym which balances a very safe and welcoming atmosphere while also giving excellent guidance and support for those who want take MMA further. If you go to university in York and have an interest in martial arts, I’d recommend coming to this gym ASAP as my only regret is not starting earlier.

Starting MMA was one of the best decisions I have made for myself! Really awesome sport, but what makes it even better is the head coach there! Dustin is super friendly, knowledgeable and professional. The anxiety I got from starting something new did not last long! On top of that all the other students are super friendly and welcoming. Look forward to being a part of DNA MMA for years to come ! Thanks Dustin!

Dustin is a fantastic coach, he is friendly, enthusiastic, puts you at ease straight away and is incredibly knowledgable within his field. His one to one sessions and also group sessions are great for anyone who is a beginner or slightly more experienced. I’d highly recommend Dustin to anyone wanting to give MMA, Thai Boxing or Jujitsu a try! I can’t wait for the next class, thanks Dustin!

I highly recommend DNA and Coach Dust to all the ladies interested in learning boxing. The gym is undoubtedly the best in York, and Coach Dust is extremely passionate, friendly, professional, and dedicated. His deep knowledge of boxing techniques and his ability to effectively communicate and demonstrate them has greatly helped me improve my skills. Come and join DNA! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!

I’ve been having 1-2-1 sessions with Dustin for over a year now and it’s honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The sessions are fun, relaxed, and I’ve seen huge improvements in my Boxing and Muay Thai. If you’re looking to start martial arts, or improve your current skills, look no further than DNA MMA - great bloke, top coach.

Still yet to find an atmosphere as good as the one in this gym. Friendliest people and coach. Dustin takes time to check on everyone in the session and ensure they're performing the moves correctly. It was a great place to learn martial arts as there is no hint of bias towards more experienced members as you get with some gyms and no one is ignored which is one of the perks of smaller classes. A lot of gyms proclaim to have a 'family atmosphere' but this place genuinely has that. Having attended gyms double the price of this one with numerous black belt coaches I still find myself wanting to return to DNA for the coaching quality and all round good vibes that Dustin and his team provide. Quality training environment at a very affordable price.

This gym has completely changed my life for the better and trying MMA here is the best thing I’ve ever done. Dustin is a fantastic coach, whose enthusiasm is infectious, providing such a positive environment to learn and enjoy yourself in. I was anxious before entering the gym for the first time as I never knew what to expect, but a year on and I wish I’d started years ago! I couldn’t recommend this gym more to people who want to learn MMA or any of the individual disciplines. If you’re thinking of joining then please just go for it, I hope like me it becomes such an important and positive part of your life. Thank you Dustin and the rest of Team DNA 🤙

I’ve wanted to try MMA for a long time and coming here was a great decision. It’s a superb place to learn with a good group of people that make you feel very welcome. Dustin is a terrific coach and offers a variety of classes that cater to all skill levels. Couldn’t recommend it enough

Really enjoyed my first session at DNA MMA. Went down with my brother who is a regular as he lives in York and it was great fun. Dustin and George gave me loads of tips and broke down all the techniques which made it seem much simpler, especially as a beginner. Would definitely recommend to people of all abilities.

Had a sick time training to box for 8-ish weeks with Dustin for a student fight. Starting from zero I had loads of fun picking up a new skill in a great environment which definitely gave me a huge and needed boost in confidence. He seems nice. Hopefully be back after exams. Would 10/10 recommend!

Dustin trained me for 8 weeks for an amateur fight night and I would highly recommend him! He is incredibly knowledgeable, non-judgemental and genuinely wants everyone to do well. His classes are relaxed and fun and he adapts his teaching depending on your ability.

Dustin helped build confidence in myself and helped me know how to defend myself. Coach Dustin is definitely someone who I aspire to be like in life, I owe a lot to him. Definitely recommend to someone who wants to get into Mixed Martial Arts!

In late 2021, I was underprepared for a novice-level kickboxing fight with about 4-6 weeks of training - on the night, Dustin was there cornering some of his fighters and graciously accepted to corner me even though he had never met me, had no obligation, and could easily see I was a nervous wreck. If it wasn't for Dustin being there that night and carrying me through/encouraging me the way he did, I probably would've given up or quit training, but his conduct and just being a great guy persuaded me want to pursue Muay Thai further, having attended classes at DNA MMA; mostly the Muay Thai striking - the skills, techniques and insights you learn are invaluable. Dustin is a great coach and one of the nicest people I've ever met, and that really translates into the way he takes the classes, while keeping a sound competitive edge. You can train hard or soft, whatever you fancy, under some top tier coaching. DNA is also probably the most affordable place I've been to study martial arts, everyone I've interacted with have been wonderful people and I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone with even a slight interest in striking, grappling or MMA.

Great place to train, the coach is very approachable, knowledgeable and professional. Offers a variety of classes at affordable prices and is accessible for people of all ability levels.If group training isnt something your interested in private coaching is also available. There is a very friendly atmosphere at DNA and training there is one of the highlights of my week. Cannot recommend enough, worth a try even if you have never trained a martial art before, perfect place to start.

Started training at DNA over a year ago, and I’ve never looked back. Dustin’s knowledge mixed with his support and enjoyment for the sport make for the best learning environment and experience. Very happy to be part of this community.

Best gym in York. I came from out of town and set up personals at DNA. The coach is friendly, and knowledgeable. If you’re new to martial arts, come here for a class and you won’t be disappointed. I also talked with a few members before/after my sessions and all them were great as well. You’re in good hands here.

I thank my clueless 19 year old self for rocking up to DNA MMA one day with little to no experience at all. I have now trained there over the last 3 years and I cannot recommend the gym enough! Dustin, the coach, has endless knowledge about MMA and leads by example. His attitude and ability to teach people of all levels from beginners to advanced purple belts is a testament to his coaching abilities and it has truly been a pleasure being a part of this gym these last few years. My confidence has improved leaps and bounds since I started training and I would recommend anyone living in York who's interested in fitness/MMA to give it a try, you'll thank yourself for it.

DNA is an incredibly friendly and positive place. I have been coming for muay thai for a few months and have found this place to be very instructional and very welcoming. If you are looking to get into a martial art there is not a better environment out there.

DNA MMA is an excellent martial arts school for people of any skill level. The coach is exceptionally knowledgeable and the students are welcoming and helpful. Lessons usually start with drilling useful manoeuvres, then move on to showcasing and then practising techniques. Experienced practitioners find it very useful to improve on what they already know, as well as adding more advanced skills to their repertoire, while anyone new is able to learn things from scratch. The structure of classes, as well as the attitude of members makes this school ideal for those who are considering beginning a martial art, but are worried about their lack of knowledge. Depending on the level of participants, classes most often end in activities that put what has been taught to the test or -for those slightly more experienced- friendly sparring. The school is accessible and conveniently placed, as well as being clean and offering relevant equipment. DNA MMA also utilises a booking system which ensures that classes are not overcrowded, which is a real possibility due to the popularity of the lessons taught. Crucially, there are classes everyday at different times such as morning, afternoon, and evening which makes it suitable for anyone with an irregular work or study schedule. Cannot recommend more highly.

DNA MMA is awesome! I’ve been attending Muay Thai for a few weeks now as a beginner. Dustin is a great coach, he is knowledgable and approachable. His explanations of technique and feedback on how to improve are second to none. He’s built a great community at the gym and everyone is extremely supportive of each other. Highly recommended

Dustin is a very easy guy to get on with and is very knowledgeable. He's a great coach and I've thoroughly enjoyed doing BJJ at DNA. Anyone that is curious about martial arts, I highly recommend giving it a go here!

Well experienced and very friendly coach, this gym caters to all needs and experiences. Lessons flow very well with no one left behind whilst still being challenging for the more experienced.

Best training/coaching I have ever received. After having trained elsewhere previously and comparing this, the quality of training is in a different league. Dustin is thorough with teaching the techniques and clearly genuinely wants the best for you! Motivates you throughout every session and I always walk away feeling like I’ve learnt something, improved on things and pushed myself hard. Creates a welcoming friendly atmosphere in his gym and genuinely a good guy!

I can't really overstate the positive impact that wrestling and DNA have had on my life! Sessions are reasonably priced and are easy to book into, and each session teaches genuinely useful, pragmatic techniques from each of the numerous disciplines taught here. I feel the need to commend Dustin and everyone else at DNA for creating such a welcoming environment without any compromises. The classes taught (from what I've seen), are suitable for both beginners and advanced martial artists with accommodations being made for all skill levels. I also want to highlight the massive range of people who attend classes, it's incredibly inclusive and all kinds of people with different body types and backgrounds train here. If you're looking for somewhere to train freestyle wrestling, DNA is the best place in York. If you're looking for a place to train BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, or boxing, I'd also strongly recommend you try DNA before looking anywhere else!