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February 2024 by Yelp R.
This review is only for the "MUAY THAI" instructor. This "Muay Thai" instructor doesn't teach Muay Thai, he teaches whatever version of kickboxing he thinks is right... which is not because I've seen students beat him up. I've also seen him beat up his own students before, and past the point where he should be... I've seen other coaches work with students and this was no work... it was a bully trying to pick on someone who had less experience than him. When he "teaches" class, he has his kid running all over the gym, a kid play pin in the gym taking up space. The best part is when he throws the chair on the mat in front of the bag, yells in a super low voice a combination "jab, cross, switch kick" and sits down, starts scrolling through his phone. It's unfortunate because I feel like I've wasted so much time not being able to go to 3 classes he has throughout the day. The only viable Kickboxing/Muay Thai class is 5:30 Kickboxing which is hard to make. I've learned absolutely nothing from that class/instructor & have heard countless stories from others about this instructor. If you're coming here, it's a dope gym with dope people just stay away from this class whatever you do!! Go to the awesome jitz class with Coach Adam Bradley, absolutely top tier striking class with Coach Vince Salvador, incredible boxing program led by Coach Joe Vargas and Coach Basheer. This gym has a lot of gems & could be one of the best gyms in SD with a PROPER striking coach, not whatever they have teaching the 7am, 9am, 7pm classes.
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December 2023 by Tam V.
Great gym with lots of programs and options. Classes from morning to night for a great price.
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October 2023 by Zoe Barker
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.
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October 2023 by ashton relyea
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.
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October 2023 by emirhan yeterler
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!
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September 2023 by Kara Valenzuela
I can’t say enough great thing about the arena! It has been nothing but a positive experience for me! Everyone at the front desk is so welcoming and friendly! Always there to greet you with a smile and answer any questions you may have. I’m not sure of the name of the gentleman who keeps the gym clean but he does an amazing job and the gym is always clean! The members are all awesome and the gym has a real community feel! Everyone there is there to uplift each other and it’s nice being in such a positive environment! The monthly membership is more than reasonable! You get access to all the classes as well as their strengths and conditioning gym, which is awesome! And last but definitely not least, the coaches! I have only done boxing so I can only speak of the boxing coaches and they are all so awesome! Coach Joe, Coach Maggie, Coach Basheer, and Coach Gordo you guys rock! Their dedication to their fighters and members does not go unnoticed! I primarily take coach Joe’s boxing classes and he is awesome! I always leave class feeling better than when I came in! Thank you to the Arena! You guys are the best!
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September 2023 by Kenneth Pham
Took a tour of the gym today and it was exactly what I was looking for. This isn’t a cardio boxing gym where you go in to get a little sweat on, this is where you go if you want to learn how to fight. The environment was full skilled coaches and hungry fighters and the amenities are phenomenal. I can’t wait to see what the future holds! Glad to be a part of The Arena.
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September 2023 by Aaron Brown
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.
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August 2023 by Michael Bonillas
Great place to train. I got the day pass which is 40 regularly but 25 if you leave a review. Adam and Trevor super cool guys. Gym is very clean. They even have defense soap in showers. Haven’t signed up for membership yet but I am still considering . New in town.
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August 2023 by ry jaber
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.
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August 2023 by Jackson Green
Great first experience going to The Arena, new in town and was looking for a welcoming place to call my home gym. I immediately knew I found the right place when I was greeted by the front desk staff and both the managers. Everyone had great respect for each other there and was very helpful, can’t wait to get back in an roll with the best!
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August 2023 by Gekyume
Started Coming here a month and a half ago, and as someone with no experience in combat sports. All the coaches have been extremely patient and super beginner friendly. Its super clean and at its price point you are getting your money’s worth.
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August 2023 by Ryan J.
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.
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July 2023 by Merquis Guzman
Great place to train. Very helpful towards military. Front desk is great. The coaches are great. Coach Joe, Coach Alejandro, and Coach Trab always there to help.
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July 2023 by Alan Keller
The staff, coaches, and facilities of The Arena are top notch. I have been training here for nearly a month, and the results have been immediate, and the environment is welcoming to all levels. In the past few weeks, I’ve already seen improvements in boxing techniques that I’ve been struggling with for years. You will be challenged. Don’t let Coach Joe catch you slackin!
