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Independent MMA & Fitness
4.8 ★★★★★ 164 Google reviews · BJJ gym in McDonough, Georgia
Family-friendly center offering jiu-jitsu, cardio kickboxing, and boxing classes, among others.
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 5–8) — 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 independentmmafitness-mcdonough.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (678) 432-9005
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–1 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–1 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–1 PM, 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Independent MMA Staff have been great in showing proper technique, motivating & pushing us to push ourselves & keep going.”
“Professor Chad (one of the owners) is one the most personable, dedicated, and knowledgeable BJJ instructor’s my son has ever worked with.”
“I love the variety of classes offered and how they genuinely want you to succeed in your goals from weight loss, self defense to self confidence.”
“Beginner friendly environment where you can also take your knowledge and skills to the next level with the wealth of knowledge and experience in the building.”
Other martial arts here
“Manny, Nando, and Coach E are also exemplary in the muay thai and mma disciplines.”
“I’ve really enjoyed training here and would definitely recommend Independent MMA to anyone looking to learn real martial arts and get in great shape.”
“After spending almost a year coming here, I feel amazing and love how great I am at boxing!”
“I started off with kickboxing/boxing and man has it changed my mental health.”
What members say
“I recommend Coach Bolo and Coach Baba! Both are great trainers.”
“Beginner friendly environment where you can also take your knowledge and skills to the next level with the wealth of knowledge and experience in the building.”
“The instruction is clear, the training is challenging, and everyone is welcoming whether you’re brand new or experienced.”
“Independent MMA Staff have been great in showing proper technique, motivating & pushing us to push ourselves & keep going.”
“I’ve really enjoyed training here and would definitely recommend Independent MMA to anyone looking to learn real martial arts and get in great shape.”
“Great gym with a solid atmosphere and knowledgeable coaches.”
From the reviews
Great gym and great classes for beginners! They WILL PUSH YOU BEYOND your comfort zone! Come ready to work with a great attitude! They taught me the basics, fundamentals and beginner techniques of boxing! Coach Baba is a great coach! Coach Nando and Coach Manny helped me as well! I highly recommend!
I did my research for awhile and I’m so glad I choose this gym. I was skeptical as to where to go for proper training for my children. Independent offers several woman and men trainers varying in age ranges, which I really like!
I love coming to this gym. Amazing community, great workouts and coaches are awesome at teaching you the basics and building you up. Very beginner friendly but that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to work. We workout hard but there’s tons of support and encouragement across the classes.
I attended independent MMA in McDonough for a little over a year. Since I’ve moved away, I’ve been to other BJJ gyms but still miss training at Independent. Professor Chad is an outstanding instructor and a great guy.
New to BJJ? Start at Independent MMA & Fitness
Independent MMA & Fitness 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 Independent MMA & Fitness
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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