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Elevate MMA Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 128 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Durham, North Carolina
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule elevatemmaacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 919-908-8106
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–4:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am–6 pm |
The classes they run
“From beginners to professional MMA fighters, the pool of teammates to push you and develop skills alongside you is extremely deep.”
“I’ve always felt safe and supported while sparring with different partners, which says a lot about the culture they’ve built.”
“They actively prepare and produce competitors which is, in my opinion, the mark of any good gym.”
Other martial arts here
“If you are looking to start your striking/grappling journey, learn self defense, or increase your fitness, Elevate MMA Academy is definitely the place to do it.”
“If you are looking to start your striking/grappling journey, learn self defense, or increase your fitness, Elevate MMA Academy is definitely the place to do it.”
“If you are looking to start your striking/grappling journey, learn self defense, or increase your fitness, Elevate MMA Academy is definitely the place to do it.”
What members say
“The head trainer, Cody, is extremely knowledgeable of the sport and has helped build a welcoming and inclusive community of students and trainers.”
“The community is incredibly welcoming, no matter your experience level, and they offer a variety of class times that make it easy to fit into any schedule.”
“Had a club competition there and everyone was very friendly.”
“Cody has done a great job promoting a great gym culture where the more experienced folks are more than willing to help out new people.”
“More than just a gym, Elevate MMA has truly become a form of therapy for me—and that alone speaks for itself.”
“The community is incredibly welcoming, no matter your experience level, and they offer a variety of class times that make it easy to fit into any schedule.”
From the reviews
Great bunch of people. Instructors are clearly devoted to student success and know their stuff. This isn’t some mickey mouse everybody-gets-a-blackbelt gym. A lot of professionals training for tournaments.
If you are looking to start your striking/grappling journey, learn self defense, or increase your fitness, Elevate MMA Academy is definitely the place to do it. Cody, Samantha, and the rest of the coaches at Elevate are incredibly knowledgeable instructors that truly care about each student they teach.
I dropped in for a nogi class while visiting town. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, the instruction was good, and the team provided lots of tough rolls after class while still keeping everyone safe. The facility was clean and had a good amount of mat space. There were ample individual changing rooms for privacy.
I’ve been training at Elevate MMA for a year now, and joining was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. When I first walked through the doors, I had very little experience and was honestly pretty intimidated, but that feeling didn’t last long.
New to kickboxing? Start at Elevate MMA Academy
Elevate MMA Academy 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 class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness 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 kickboxing class at Elevate MMA Academy
Nervous about walking into a kickboxing 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 — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics 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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