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Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy - Riverside
5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Riverside, California
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 (ages 3–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
- Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule riverside-brazilianjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 951-742-5733
Hours
| Monday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–9 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Whether you’re brand new or already have some experience, Sam makes you feel comfortable while still pushing you to level up every class.”
“His students, from kids to adults, love and respect him, learning both martial arts and valuable life lessons.”
“If you’re looking for a place to build real MMA fundamentals with a knowledgeable instructor who cares about his students, I highly recommend training here.”
“What separates MMAA from other academies in the area is the clear focus on real world self-defense as opposed to “scoring points” as you would in sports Jiu Jitsu schools.”
Other martial arts here
“The kickboxing and jujitsu classes are excellent, and the way he breaks down techniques while instructors guide and support everyone makes learning both effective and enjoyable.”
“Meanwhile, the advanced BJJ curriculum focuses on defending yourself against opponents trained in BJJ, boxing, wrestling, or Muay Thai.”
“What separates MMAA from other academies in the area is the clear focus on real world self-defense as opposed to “scoring points” as you would in sports Jiu Jitsu schools.”
“If you’re looking for a place to build real MMA fundamentals with a knowledgeable instructor who cares about his students, I highly recommend training here.”
“Meanwhile, the advanced BJJ curriculum focuses on defending yourself against opponents trained in BJJ, boxing, wrestling, or Muay Thai.”
What members say
“If you’re looking for a place to build real MMA fundamentals with a knowledgeable instructor who cares about his students, I highly recommend training here.”
“The fundamentals/beginner curriculum focuses on defending yourself in a street fight against an untrained opponent.”
“All in all, if you’re looking to join a quality school with real-world applications and a true family-like atmosphere, MMAA is a safe bet.”
“Students here get to really understand techniques because he breaks down his lessons into detailed instructions that benefit both new and experienced students.”
“What I've learned here goes far beyond fighting techniques, it's about developing the right mindset and prioritizing mental health.”
“From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed into a clean, professional, and friendly environment.”
From the reviews
I’ve been training at this Martial arts gym with Sam for a while now, and it’s honestly a great experience. Sam is one of those rare instructors who’s not just skilled, but also a genuinely gifted teacher.
I have been attending MMAA for just under 2 months now, and I learn so much in every class I attend. Sensei Sam genuinely cares about the growth and development of each one of his students, and I'm very happy with my decision to join.
Our daughter is now in her third year at Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy, and we truly couldn’t be happier with the experience. Before finding this academy, we tried several different activities and programs, but nothing really clicked for her.
I've been training at Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy for about four to five months now, and it has genuinely changed the way I view self defense. What I've learned here goes far beyond fighting techniques, it's about developing the right mindset and prioritizing mental health.
New to muay thai? Start at Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy - Riverside
Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy - Riverside 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 Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy - Riverside
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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