HomeArizonaSurprise › Proving Ground MMA/Vargas Jiu Jitsu

Proving Ground MMA/Vargas Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 59 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Surprise, Arizona

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Competition team Affiliated

Affiliated gym — reviews and the gym's own info suggest it belongs to a known kickboxing or boxing-fitness franchise or network (think 9Round, iLoveKickboxing, CKO, TITLE Boxing Club or Jabz). Franchise gyms run a consistent class format and are often a friendly, familiar place to start. If a specific brand matters to you, confirm it on the gym's own site.

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 (ages 5–15) — 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
  • 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 provinggroundmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (623) 278-7330

Hours

Monday 5–9:30 PM
Tuesday 7–8 AM, 5–9 PM
Wednesday 7–8 AM, 5–9 PM
Thursday 7–8 AM, 5–9 PM
Friday 5–7 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday 10 AM–1 PM

Hours shift for holidays and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at Proving Ground MMA/Vargas Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 7 mentions

“Since my children have starting coming here I can see the difference in their confidence and coronation.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Whether you're a veteran of combat sports or a day-one beginner, you'll be welcomed and treated like family here.”

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🤜 Sparring 3 mentions

“Whether you're dropping in for an open mat or signing up for full-time classes, the vibes are just immaculate.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“He has created a training facility and team that is well suited for all kinds of people; all are welcome from families to high level competitors.”

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Other martial arts here

Kickboxing gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Proving Ground MMA/Vargas Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 3 mentions

“If you are interested in trying out jiu jitsu or striking or MMA please come here and give it a shot.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 6 mentions

“Im a BJJ brown belt and spent a month training at Proving Ground while in Surprise, and I can’t recommend it enough.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“My son learned life-long skills for competition in Jiu Jitsu as well as self-defense.”

Other gyms that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want muay thai, boxing, or MMA alongside your kickboxing, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 59 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 4 mentions

“This is your chance to join a newer gym and get individualized attention from a superior coach and some of the best training partners around.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“From the moment I walked in to his gym to each and every visit to train, he and his coaches and his students all were welcoming and encouraging.”

💦 killer cardio workout 2 mentions

“The gym has a perfect balance: you’ll find high-level competition athletes pushing the pace alongside people just looking for a great workout.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 2 mentions

“The gym has a perfect balance: you’ll find high-level competition athletes pushing the pace alongside people just looking for a great workout.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 3 mentions

“Most importantly, the training is safe, and the facility is spotless.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“From the moment I walked in to his gym to each and every visit to train, he and his coaches and his students all were welcoming and encouraging.”

From the reviews

Excellent Coach! My son was a member of this gym for three years. Coach Vargas was an amazing coach and mentor, and the gym members were very welcoming and supportive. My son learned life-long skills for competition in Jiu Jitsu as well as self-defense. He still visits coach whenever he is in AZ.

★★★★★ — Sherry, Nov 2020

Best place in the West Valley to train! This is your chance to join a newer gym and get individualized attention from a superior coach and some of the best training partners around.

★★★★★ — Nathan, Jan 2020

Coach Ruben has been running his gym for over a decade. His dedication and commitment to the community is unmatched. High level coaching, top quality training, and a family friendly atmosphere make this gym one of the premier schools in the west valley.

★★★★★ — Demonbasketball04, May 2024

Coach Ruben is a caring and thoughtful man. He has created a training facility and team that is well suited for all kinds of people; all are welcome from families to high level competitors.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Apr 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 59 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Proving Ground MMA/Vargas Jiu Jitsu

Proving Ground MMA/Vargas Jiu Jitsu 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at Proving Ground MMA/Vargas Jiu Jitsu

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.

Kickboxing is a contact sport. Warm up, pace yourself, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Proving Ground MMA/Vargas Jiu Jitsu

12851 W Bell Rd Ste 102, Surprise, AZ85378

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.