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Ground Control MMA Columbia
4.9 ★★★★★ 50 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Columbia, Maryland
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule columbia.groundcontrolusa.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (410) 992-4662
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“GCC has been super patient with their instruction and very open to me as a beginner, I was very nervous to try it out, but I was quickly put to ease with patient, safe instruction.”
“Coach Ale and Coach Sara do an incredible job with the kids, skillfully introducing the fundamentals of BJJ while fostering focus, respect, and discipline.”
“They also offer personal training services.”
“He competes in the 205Lbs weight class and is highly successful.”
“Coach Ale and Coach Sara do an incredible job with the kids, skillfully introducing the fundamentals of BJJ while fostering focus, respect, and discipline.”
“I was fortunate enough to attend one of the Friday Open Mats at Ground Control Columbia, and have been long overdue to finally drop these guys a review.”
Other martial arts here
“Also has Muay Thai and Boxing, along with plenty of kids classes so there's something for everyone!”
“I started off doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and even though it was intimidating at first, all the staff and students throughout the ranks have been extremely helpful.”
“I also train muay thai, boxing, and mma occasionally - which also have some great instruction.”
“I started training here roughly two months ago with no martial arts experience prior (other than some kids karate classes as a young lad).”
What members say
“The training is incredible and Max Gimenis is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure of training under.”
“GCC has been super patient with their instruction and very open to me as a beginner, I was very nervous to try it out, but I was quickly put to ease with patient, safe instruction.”
“I love the atmosphere from the moment I walk in, very clean facility and everyone from the front desk secretary to the owner are super friendly and always very inviting.”
“Coach Ale and Coach Sara do an incredible job with the kids, skillfully introducing the fundamentals of BJJ while fostering focus, respect, and discipline.”
“The dojo is clean and has an excellent selection of weight-lifting, cardio training, and overall exercise gear.”
“He competes in the 205Lbs weight class and is highly successful.”
From the reviews
I started training here roughly two months ago with no martial arts experience prior (other than some kids karate classes as a young lad). GCC has been super patient with their instruction and very open to me as a beginner, I was very nervous to try it out, but I was quickly put to ease with patient, safe instruction.
Ground Control is an amazing place for ju-jitsu! From the very first phone call, the staff was incredibly welcoming and helpful. The standout was the guy at the front desk—he went above and beyond to walk us through everything and made us feel at home the moment we arrived.
I was fortunate enough to attend one of the Friday Open Mats at Ground Control Columbia, and have been long overdue to finally drop these guys a review. From the moment you walk in, you can tell that it is a spacious and clean facility, with people working out, taking classes, and just hanging out and talking matside.
I’ve been coming to Ground Control now for about 3 months and I absolutely love the place. The training is incredible and Max Gimenis is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure of training under.
New to muay thai? Start at Ground Control MMA Columbia
Ground Control MMA Columbia comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first muay thai class at Ground Control MMA Columbia
Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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