The Minnesota Martial Arts Academy

6840 Shingle Creek Pkwy #24, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430, USA

Address:	6840 Shingle Creek Pkwy #24, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430, USA
Phone:	+1 763-560-5696
Site:	theacademymn.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–12PM Closed

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Beerbaron9483

This review is going to be broken down in to components... MY BACKGROUND: I started training mixed martial arts in 2002. Ive served in a combat arms unit in the military for over 12 years and was a combatives instructor as my primary duty for several of those years; Ive competed in military mixed martial arts competitions and coached team MN. Ive trained muay thai in Thailand and trained BJJ in brazil for a total of 8 months. FACILITY: World class. Think warehouse facility with high ceilings...because it is. THIS GYM IS LITERALLY A SHOWROOM of zebra mats (a top of the line) company. Ive been to a lot of gyms in and out of the U.S. and the facilities dont get much nicer; it stands to reason that anything new coming out on the market, this gym will have it. They have people responsible for cleaning it every day, very important. If you know what crossfit is, this gym has all the same equipment a basic crossfit gym has (bumpers plates, rings, kettlebells, medicine balls, box jumps, squat racks, battling ropes, climbing wall, rowing machines, treadmills, etc) plus free weights (crossfit gyms dont have) and some other specialized equipment Ive never seen anywhere else. INSTRUCTORS: Many of them have been training much longer than I have, and many of them have been to Thailand to train muay thai or Brazil to train Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or have wrestled at the University of Minnesota (#1 in the nation this year by the way). A lot of the coaches make annual training trips every year to go back to these places. That translates to producing technical students, not just athletic ones. I think of the academy as "The Headquarters" because a lot of other gym instructors have been former students at the academy who have now gone on to open their own gyms; I know because some of them are my friends. This will also likely be true for gyms that open up in the future. TRAINING: The academy has progressive, planned, and well thought out training. Short story: I met a kid with zero martial arts experience who trained muay thai at a gym in California. His instructor was a muay thai champion from Thailand brought to the U.S. to be a muay thai instructor at this kids gym, super cool. However, the first few classes they were teaching this kid spinning back elbows when he didnt even know how to stand or hold his hands properly. My point is, the academy will build you up in a technical way. For example, if you have zero experience, the academy will builds students up with foundational chunks of information (solid stance, and how to move around and throw strikes while moving) then once you have a good foundation then the spinning back elbows will come. OTHER STUDENTS: Ive made a lot of good friends at the Academy. Every body type, athletic ability, age, disability, etc. type of person Ive seen at the academy. Many people (including myself) will tell you how the Academy has significantly influenced their life. The great thing is the academy has competition teams (to include 3 UFC championship titles). They also have plenty of parents with full time jobs who just do it as a hobby and no desire to be in the UFC, who can humble someone with my experience level just because they are that good.

Justin Kratzke

Whether youre looking to be a professional combat athlete or just someone that is on the fence about giving martial arts a try for the first time; you owe it to yourself to come and see why "Fight Magazine" ranked The Academy as one of the "Top 5 gyms in the USA." Being a lifelong martial artist, it has always been my goal to seek out the best instructors I possibly could. Even before I started training at the Academy, I had always had the utmost respect for Greg Nelson and the other coaches on staff. After a successful career as a competitive combat athlete, I had reached a point in my life where I needed to find a new place to continue my growth as a martial artist. I contacted everyone I could to help me find the gym that would be the right fit for me. The moment I stepped through the door, I knew I had made the right decision. The instructors and coaching staff are the best around, period! The success of the competitive athletes is a direct reflection of the leadership and knowledge that is demonstrated and taught in each and every class. The part that I enjoy the most about the gym though, is being able to see the average person who is brand new to martial arts; go through the process of learning the skills and then incorporating and applying those skills learned in other aspects of their everyday lives. Getting in shape and having fun are great benefits that come along with training, but the confidence that people gain through the academys structured curriculum is one of many reasons why the academy stands out above other gyms. I also love how the coaches always manage to make everyone feel welcome and like they are part of a family, not just another student in a class. No matter what your goals may be, you owe it to yourself to see why The Academy is the best around.

A Haub

It all started when I decided I wanted to have a better exercise regimen. I was unsatisfied with working out in a regular fitness gym, I worked in health care, and I understand that their primary culture was to live it. I was all for it, and it did spark me to get in gear. I was due for another weight loss, I gained too much from not enough exercise and I was tired of dragging around my spare tire. I have been training at The Academy for the last 3 years in private lessons and classes. I remember being one of the three women in classes and you are treated very well. Im happy to see that more women are joining classes and I think overall its a fun experience and youre learning to defend yourself! I have to say this was one of the better choices I have made for my physical fitness and having played high impact sports all my life, this was a great fit. I lost 40lbs in the first 6 months, and then another 20lbs in a year. I was very committed to coming because the curriculum is interesting, the coaches are positive, awesome, and push you to do the best you can. The members that are there are very kind, friendly, dedicated and supportive. You will be challenged and pushed, this gym isnt for people that are not committed in making a real lifestyle change. They offer you a potential to really see what youre made of. It is hard for a reason, and the coaches and people that are there are willing to get you to your goals. You will find some of the hardest working and passionate individuals at this gym. I really have appreciated what I have been able to accomplish at The Academy, and I will continue to attend The Academy as long as I can.

Kevin Trinh

These guys are a thriving business, not a caring MMA gym. Money is their priority, not the student. Theyll try to trick you with the "18 lessons" money back and try their best to join the Academy in the first place. Im trying to get my money back, but now I"m stuck with a loss of 987$, and a ruined summer. Im stuck by the 18 lesson contract because I missed days for stuff like confirmation and bad weather. Also, they will not mention the "surprise" fees to being in Combat Athlete. They told me that because of my high fitness and martial arts/wrestling background, I should get out of foundations in maybe 2 months. I got invited faster than that, only to find out that it is going to cost more and I wont be able to join CAP. They expect you to be committed for 2 years straight. The day I signed up, they knew very well that Im attached to my school sports, but once it comes to receiving the invitation after 18 lessons, they expect you to quit those sports and pay more money to the Academy. Ive trained martial arts at other places, and they were lenient and very understanding. These guys dont care about you, they care about your money. P.S., just a heads up, they offer you a deal the day you come to check the place out. If you pay 987$ the day you first come, then you have 6 months. This deal is only available the moment you arrive, and not a day after. The other deals are even more pricey, not to mention the gear they expect you to buy. If these guys werent after your money, they wouldnt have scams like that.