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MMA Institute
4.8 ★★★★★ 88 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Richmond, Virginia
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 fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Cardio kickboxing classes high-energy cardio kickboxing on the bags and pads — a fun, sweaty workout built for fitness and weight loss, at your own pace
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule mmainstitute.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 804-330-3424
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 am, 10 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 7–8 am, 10 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7 am, 10 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 7–8 am, 10 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 am, 10 am–1 pm, 5–7 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–12 pm |
The classes they run
“Great atmosphere and environment inside the gym and if you ever need to get humbled, come take one of Jo’s bag work classes.”
“That purpose and discipline is what got me away from a life of crime & addiction and still is largely responsible for the lifestyle and character me and my son have today.”
“The staffs knowledge, excellence, and compassionate approach make this ideal for beginners and experts in different disciplines.”
“The classes were a great mix of instructional, situational, and pure sparring exercises.”
“I came to MMAI under Rick McCoy at just 18yo when he furst opened - a very troubled youth having missed high school entirely due to incarceration.”
Other martial arts here
“He took me from that through the amateur ranks to becoming a professional MMA fighter to opening my own gyms and other businesses.”
“During my time there, I primarily focused on Gi and No-Gi grappling, and this review will be centered on my experience in those areas.”
What members say
“-Welcoming Atmosphere: The school offers both competitive and recreational classes, making it suitable for individuals at various stages of their grappling journey.”
“-Cleanliness: The facility is well-maintained, with Joel and other staff members consistently cleaning the mats after every class.”
“-Welcoming Atmosphere: The school offers both competitive and recreational classes, making it suitable for individuals at various stages of their grappling journey.”
From the reviews
I’ve been going here for 2 years now. I walked in with 0 experience, didn’t know anyone, and was a little scared. 2 years in and I’ve never had more self confidence, I’m in the best shape of my life, and I feel like I have a family structure that I’ve never really had before.
I love this place, and I’m really starting to appreciate what MMAI has to offer as I look for a new gym in Chicago. I mostly focused on grappling while I was at MMAI. The classes were a great mix of instructional, situational, and pure sparring exercises.
I trained at MMA Institute for approximately six months before relocating from Virginia. During my time there, I primarily focused on Gi and No-Gi grappling, and this review will be centered on my experience in those areas.
Love this place! Good vibes. We train together not against each other. Meaning we bring the best out of one another. Everyone’s encouraging. Everyone gets along. We truly wanna see everyone reach their full potential. To become the very best they can be. The training itself is legit.
New to kickboxing? Start at MMA Institute
MMA Institute 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 MMA Institute
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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