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Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 145 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Nicholasville, Kentucky
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 reactionmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 859-913-2013
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 3–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 3–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1:30 pm |
| Sunday | 1:30–2:30 pm |
The classes they run
“I am not gifted athletically and I have never trained in any martial art, so starting something like this in my upper 40s was intimidating.”
“He specifically leads the adult BJJ and boxing classes, as well the kids classes from what I have seen.”
“They are both great teachers and offer private lessons at an affordable price.”
“You will notice immediately that there are professional, amateur, and hobbyist fighters at the gym, but you will also notice that we all train together.”
“They are very good about being patient with the kids while keeping them on track and learning some fundamentals of body awareness and beginning stages of JJ.”
“Regarding the instruction, it is a mixture of skills and concepts that work as proper self-defense training as well as sport Jiu Jitsu.”
Other martial arts here
“Grant and Logan run the kickboxing / Muay Thai classes and are extremely well versed in the sport.”
“Reaction is by far the best gym to work on yourself and develop your abilities with bjj, muy thai, and boxing.”
“The Jiu Jitsu and Striking programs are both structured to teach students effective fundamentals for self defense and competition.”
“Reaction MMA is an great place to start breaking down your walls and fighting those inner and outer fears.”
What members say
“Rob Nickerson and the other coaches do a great job teaching, as well as treating everyone with respect.”
“Professor Rob is a first class human and it reflects through all of the guys and girls who are a part of this community.”
“Everyone here are friendly and willing to help whenever you have any questions or need help with something.”
“They are very good about being patient with the kids while keeping them on track and learning some fundamentals of body awareness and beginning stages of JJ.”
“You will be taught not only how to be a better fighter and grappler but more importantly discipline, consistency, confidence, and mental fortitude.”
“As a visiting student, Reaction was a really nice gym to get in some rolls & instruction time.”
From the reviews
Reaction MMA is a great place to train at. Whether you’re a hobbyist or competitor it is a great place to train at. Professor Nickerson and the rest of the coaching staff are all exceptional.
We have had the best experience! Just becoming a part of the reaction family has done wonders for my own mental health. My kids love their own juijitsu classes there. They've improved with their social skills, physical endurance, and mental strength. We live in a beautiful world..but it can get pretty nasty.
I have been training at Reaction for a long time, over 10 years at this point. I don’t get to train as often as I’d like but, I love coming here when I can. I look forward to it each week, and started bring my brother recently as well. It’s a great environment, with friendly people and good training partners.
A long-time friend of mine tried to convince me to come to a Jiu Jitsu class for a couple of years. Every time we would get together, his time updating me would also center around how much he enjoyed the sport and the school.
New to muay thai? Start at Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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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