Striving to be the next Alexander Volkanovski?
Or maybe you just want to become fitter, stronger and sharper?
Perhaps you are just looking for something social to do after work or at the weekends?
Irrespective of your motives, Melbourne’s MMA gyms might just offer you the pathway you are looking for.
Throughout the city, there are several venues available where you can learn Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kyokushin Karate or general strength and conditioning.
Run by seasoned experts who have done their fair share of striking, kickboxing and wrestling in the cage, there are lots of classes available to both novices and professionals who want to push themselves to reach their goals.
If this is something you want to do, here are 12 of the best MMA gyms in Melbourne you should visit.
1. Integrity Martial Arts Academy
Based in Eltham, the Integrity Martial Arts Academy is more than just a gym. It is a place where you can learn pretty much any MMA class you want, as well as general fitness and conditioning.
Whether your ultimate aim is to become a UFC legend, take down someone twice as big as you or lose a few kilos to get back into shape, this institution will help you reach your target.
Possibly the best place to train in Melbourne, the atmosphere inside the gym is friendly, encouraging and all about having fun.
Address: 2/30 Bridge Street, Eltham VIC 3095
Phone: 0403 990 791
Hours: Mon 6 – 9 pm, Tues Closed, Wed 6 – 9 pm, Thurs 6 – 9 pm, Fri 6 – 9 pm, Sat 12 – 2 pm, Sun Closed
2. Skamma
Over in Narre Warren, Skamma Gym embraces a range of martial arts techniques to help you to create a leaner, stronger and fitter version of yourself.
Drawing upon time-honoured techniques and incorporating the latest in scientific advancements, their expert team of coaches are very adept at helping you burn calories, build muscle and enhance your endurance.
If you live in the area, this is one of the only gyms in your locality which currently offers the full gamut of MMA classes taught by seasoned practitioners.
Address: 9 Vesper Drive, Narre Warren VIC 3805
Phone: +61 410 156 200
Hours: Mon & Wed 5 pm – 9 pm, Tue & Thu 4:30 pm – 9 pm, Fri 5 pm – 8 pm
3. Australian Combat Sports Academy
Located in Thornbury, the Australian Combat Sports Academy is one of Melbourne’s leading MMA gyms.
Not only does it offer a complete range of MMA classes, you can also take part in Muay Thai, BJJ, boxing and Krav Maga as well.
With classes available for people of all ages (including children), abilities and fitness levels, the facilities here are first-rate.
The environment is very welcoming, inclusive and friendly too.
Address: 325A Darebin Road, Thornbury VIC 3021
Phone: +61 1300 409 950
Hours: Mon 11 am – 8:30 pm, Tues 4 – 8:30 pm, Wed 11 am – 8:30 pm, Thurs 4 – 8:30 pm, Fri 4 – 7 pm, Sat 9 am – 12 pm, Sun Closed
4. Melbourne Fight Club
Also known as the Fitness and Martial Arts Center, it is hard to look beyond the Melbourne Fight Club when it comes to the best MMA Gyms in the city.
For almost 30 years they have offered a world-class range of martial arts training under the guidance of Shihan George Kolovos – one of the most influential people in the industry.
As well as MMA, they also offer Muay Thai, BJJ, Kyokushin Karate, Boxing and Strength/Conditioning classes which are aimed at everyone from novices to pro fighters. They even give aspiring students a shot at competing at either state, national or international tournaments, on an amateur or professional level.
The gym itself is situated on Flinders Street in the CBD and is open 24/7. It offers a wide range of memberships that cater to all budgets and even offers a 7-day trial to see which works best for you.
Address: 9 & 10/367 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9015 9502
Hours: Mon – Fri 7 am to 8 pm, Sat 10 am to 5 pm, Sun – Closed
5. Absolute MMA
With locations in St Kilda, Collingwood and the Melbourne CBD, Absolute MMA gives you multiple venues in which to brush up your MMA skills.
One of Australia’s leading centres for pro fighters and keep-fit enthusiasts who want to elevate their training methods, this gym is one of the few to have a full-sized UFC-style cage on site. It also boasts an elevated, full-size boxing ring too, as well as cutting-edge martial arts and gym facilities.
To aid your recovery, they even have saunas, a body scanning machine, a hyperbaric O2 chamber and hot/ice bath facilities.
Their instructors are among the best in the business and run a selection of sessions for personal fitness, group fitness or weight training.
For those without the drive for competitions, their HIIT and conditioning, self-defence program and yoga might be just what you are looking for.
Locations:
The Basement, 136 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
134 Cromwell Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
Rear Level 2, 30 Inkerman St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Phone: (03) 9663-9122
Hours: Mon to Thurs 6 am – 9 pm, Fri 6 am – 8 pm, Sat 9 am – 12 pm, Sun Closed
6. Renegade
If you are keen to learn MMA from scratch, then you should consider a visit to Renegade in Kensington.
For just $50 a week, you can partake in any one of 30 supervised classes that are run from Monday to Sunday by 6 separate black belt instructors. These include MMA, BJJ and Thai boxing.
The gym also features 180 square meters of mat space which is bona fide Olympic quality. So you can rest assured you will be training in an excellent facility.
Address: 3/60 Stubbs Street, Kensington VIC 3031
Phone: (03) 9531 5668
Hours: From Monday through to Sunday there are classes in the morning, lunchtime and evening.
7. Legends MMA
If you are looking for a gym with a good friendly vibe then head on over to Legends MMA.
Situated in the heart of the Melbourne CBD on Little Collins Street, this family-friendly establishment welcomes people of all ages, experience levels and backgrounds.
For beginners, it is a terrific place to learn the basics of a double-leg takedown. While for more seasoned practitioners the gym’s first-rate facilities and expert coaches will give them the extra push they need.
Address: Level 1, 362 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 0476 895 966
Hours: Mon to Fri 6:30 am – 9 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, Sun Closed
8. John Donehue Jiu Jitsu and MMA
If you want to learn from the best, then look no further than John Donehue Jiu Jitsu and MMA.
Undoubtedly one of the leading MMA Gyms in the country, the venue is named after the head coach who was once a ferocious fighter himself.
He’s not half bad as a trainer too, having helped the likes of Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture and Frank Trigg become a UFC Heavyweight Champion and UFC Hall of Famer respectively.
In view of this pedigree, you might think the gym is fuelled with aggression and testosterone. However, it actually prides itself on being one of the friendliest fighting gyms in Melbourne.
So why not pop over there and find out for yourself?
Address: 6/278 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill VIC 3168
Phone: (03) 9544 5820
Hours: Mon to Fri 11:30 am – 8 pm, Sat 9 – 11 am, Sun Closed
9. Extreme Mixed Martial Arts
Based in Malvern East, Extreme MMA strives to enhance and enrich its clients’ lives through a range of martial arts disciplines.
Operating out of a huge space, their highly experienced coaches will help you to become fitter, more motivated and sharper than you have ever been – irrespective of your age or level of fitness.
With world-class equipment and a positive, encouraging approach, the gym gives you all the tools you will need to do this.
Address: Ground Floor, 660 Warrigal Road, Malvern East VIC 3145
Phone: (03) 9568 4999
Hours: Mon 12 – 9 pm, Tues 12 – 9 am, Wed 12 – 9 pm, Thurs 12 – 9 pm, Fri 12 – 8 pm, Sat 9 am – 12 pm, Sun Closed
10. Elev8MMA
If you are the kind of person for whom fitness is a way of life, then the team at Elev8 MMA are your kind of people.
Situated in Heidelberg West, they offer classes for men, women and children of all levels of ability.
They also have specialist trainers for MMA, BJJ, wrestling, Muay Thai and yoga that will pass on their expertise to you. While their various membership deals suit all budgets. Although the more you go, the more you save.
Address: 25 Kolora Road, Heidelberg West VIC 3081
Phone: 03 9455 1530
Hours:
Monday 6 am – 1:30 pm, 5 – 9 pm
Tuesday 6 – 11 am, 4 – 8:30 pm
Wednesday 6 – 11 am, 5 – 9 pm
Thursday 6 – 10:30 am, 4 – 9:30 pm
Friday 6 – 11 am, 5 – 7:30 pm
Saturday 9 am – 2:30 pm
Sunday Closed
11. Rise MMA
Some MMA gyms will teach you how to fight and keep you fit. But at Rise MMA they also teach you discipline, integrity, and honesty and will have you questioning ‘how good can I be’?
Essentially, this gym in Altona North is committed to helping everyone who walks through their doors become the best version of themselves they can be.
They do this by offering excellent facilities and through expert coaches that will push, motivate and train you all the way.
Address: 6 Blackwood Drive, Altona North VIC 3025
Phone: (03) 9369 2662
Hours: Mon – Thu 4 pm – 9:30 pm, Fri 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Sat 8 am – 12 pm
12. Dominance
Another gym with three locations – namely Bentleigh, Abbotsford and Thomastown – Dominance Mixed Martial Arts is a major player on the Melbourne MMA scene.
Based around the four core principles of integrity, positivity, purpose and unity, they offer you the chance to make new friends, become leaner, fitter and stronger and learn new skills of self-defence.
You’ll love training here so much, it will practically turn into your second home!
Address: 9 Harper Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Phone: (03) 8394 9660
Hours:
Monday 6:15 – 9 am, 11:30 am – 2 pm, 3:30 – 9 pm
Tuesday 6:15 – 9 am, 11:30 am– 2 pm, 3:30 – 9 pm
Wednesday 6:15 – 9 am, 11:30 am– 2 pm, 3:30 – 9 pm
Thursday 6:15 – 9 am, 11:30 am– 2 pm, 3:30 – 9 pm
Friday 6:15 – 9 am, 11:30 am–2 pm, 5:30–7:30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am – 12 pm
Sunday Closed