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Apex Martial Arts Center
4.9 ★★★★★ 136 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Apex, North Carolina
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 levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 6–9) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule apexmartialartscenter.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 919-230-9583
Hours
| Monday | 6–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–11:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I've been attending their Jujitsu classes for over a year now and my daughter have been kickboxing on the other side of the gym.”
“A special shout out to Zion Bailey who coached 1 on 1 lessons and was fantastic.”
“No matter your level (from beginner to pro), the owner Don and all the trainers make sure you are safe, while also pushing you to your limit and beyond.”
Other martial arts here
“I've gone to a few gyms in the Raleigh area to train kickboxing/Muay Thai and my own personal experience training at Apex Martial Arts Center has been miles beyond the other gyms.”
“Transitioning from doing karate my whole life to kick boxing has been quite an adventure so far.”
“I've gone to a few gyms in the Raleigh area to train kickboxing/Muay Thai and my own personal experience training at Apex Martial Arts Center has been miles beyond the other gyms.”
“Transitioning from doing karate my whole life to kick boxing has been quite an adventure so far.”
What members say
“The owner, Don, is super knowledgable, a great coach, and a friendly guy.”
“No matter your level (from beginner to pro), the owner Don and all the trainers make sure you are safe, while also pushing you to your limit and beyond.”
“Of course I love going to class but I also go to class for the people and the family/friendly environment that Apex Martial Arts has created!”
“The owner of this place really takes care of his students in terms of drilling good technique and honing in on details while also focusing on students' safety.”
“My sons loved the kickboxing classes, support, and sense of community at Apex Martial Arts Center!”
From the reviews
My 12 year old twin girls, eager to find to themselves, wanting to try this and try that. As a family, we do what we can. Kickboxing!!!!!! Supporting this was imperative for reasons I can list and list and list besides the obvious! Don and his team at Apex Martial Arts Center helped with that!
I have nothing but extremely positive things to say about Apex Martial Arts Center. I've been attending their Jujitsu classes for over a year now and my daughter have been kickboxing on the other side of the gym. The management is excellent and you truly feel like a part of family when you walk in.
I've gone to a few gyms in the Raleigh area to train kickboxing/Muay Thai and my own personal experience training at Apex Martial Arts Center has been miles beyond the other gyms.
I've had an incredible experience at Apex Martial Arts Center! From the moment we walked in, the environment felt welcoming, disciplined, and empowering. The instructors are not only highly skilled but also patient, motivating, and genuinely invested in each student's growth—both physically and mentally.
New to BJJ? Start at Apex Martial Arts Center
Apex Martial Arts Center comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all 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, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Apex Martial Arts Center
Nervous about walking into a BJJ 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 basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals 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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