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Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 198 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Columbia, South Carolina

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons Competition team

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 4–15) — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • 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 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

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 Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 22 mentions

“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.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Whether you are brand new, a wrestler looking to transition into Jiu-Jitsu, or an experienced grappler, this is the place to train.”

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🤜 Sparring

“Open mats on Saturdays are a favorite of my kiddos.”

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🏆 Competition Team 4 mentions

“My child does compete and I can honestly say that he has never entered a competition without being prepared.”

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🦵 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“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.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“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.”

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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 Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“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.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA 6 mentions

“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.”

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🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 26 mentions

“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!”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

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 198 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 4 mentions

“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.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“This is the perfect place to learn BJJ in a very welcoming environment that welcomes students of all ages.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“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.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 5 mentions

“My child does compete and I can honestly say that he has never entered a competition without being prepared.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 6 mentions

“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.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 13 mentions

“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.”

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.

★★★★★ — Deborah, Apr 2025

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.

★★★★★ — Stacey, Feb 2026

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!

★★★★★ — Adilamar, Jan 2026

To begin, Spartan Academy has consistently high ranking tutelage that is world-class to say the least. From the etiquette and expectations put on students, you feel as though you are part of something bigger than yourself. However, to speak only of the quality of jujitsu would be a disservice to this facility.

★★★★★ — Jazz, Nov 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 198 reviews →

New to kickboxing? 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 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first kickboxing class at Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts

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 Spartan Academy Mixed Martial Arts

6169 St Andrews Rd Ste 130, Columbia, SC29212

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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.