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Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 198 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Columbia, South Carolina
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 4–15) — 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 spartanacademymma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (803) 750-0000
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–1 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–12:30 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–1 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–12:30 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–7 AM, 10 AM–12:30 PM, 7:30–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10–11:30 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My daughter is brand new to jujitsu and she was excited and nervous.”
“My daughter loves the classes here, she has learned a lot and feels excited every time she has to go to class, and the coach is great and attentive with the young children.”
“If there is any time my daughter doesn’t understand something immediately, they are quick to spot it and help her one on one and be sure she gets it before the end of class.”
“My child does compete and I can honestly say that he has never entered a competition without being prepared.”
Other martial arts here
“If you have any interest in learning BJJ or Kickboxing/Muay Thai, this is the place.”
“My 7-year-old daughter has been training there for a while, and I can assure you that it is the best place for Jiu-Jitsu training in Columbia!”
“This is authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a strong family environment and world-class instruction in BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, and an excellent kids program.”
What members say
“My daughter loves the classes here, she has learned a lot and feels excited every time she has to go to class, and the coach is great and attentive with the young children.”
“This is the perfect place to learn BJJ in a very welcoming environment that welcomes students of all ages.”
“This is authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a strong family environment and world-class instruction in BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, and an excellent kids program.”
“Beyond learning techniques and gaining confidence, they are learning respect, discipline, the value of hard work, and how to persist even when things are difficult.”
“My daughter loves the classes here, she has learned a lot and feels excited every time she has to go to class, and the coach is great and attentive with the young children.”
“My child does compete and I can honestly say that he has never entered a competition without being prepared.”
From the reviews
This is the perfect place to learn BJJ in a very welcoming environment that welcomes students of all ages. Every coach has been able to provide my child with a positive experience. This is definitely not a “BJJ in a Box” gym. If you are looking for a place where you can “buy a belt” this is not the place for you.
One of the best jujitsu gyms out there, in my opinion. My son was at a different gym before we found Spartan Academy. He was bored and wanted to quit jujitsu. I knew it wasn't because he didn't love jujitsu but it was a problem with the gym itself. Once we found Spartan Academy I saw a change in him.
Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts has been one of the best decisions we have made for our family. Watching our boys train here has been incredible. They have grown in skill, confidence, and maturity in a way that goes far beyond BJJ techniques.
Amazing place! Attentive staff and a fun environment. Excellent gym! My daughter loves the classes here, she has learned a lot and feels excited every time she has to go to class, and the coach is great and attentive with the young children. I highly recommend it!
New to muay thai? Start at Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts
Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts 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 Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts
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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