Knuckle Up Fitness

So hear me out. great workout, but don’t let them suck you in to their cult membership! The discount isn’t worth it. I am desperately trying to get away but I fell for the pitch. Although this place is not beginner friendly for Muay Thai, the kickboxing is the best you’re going to get. Just please be careful in signing anything with them.

Seriously, was a member here for something like (don’t quote me with time) maybe 8 years-​ish. I have never been more in shape, or felt like part of a family more at any other gym ever. And now I’ve lived pretty much all over the US now. This gym is the BEST at what it does, and I’ve tried PLENTY others. Nothing even comes close. If you live anywhere in the radius of this gym and you’re not a member, you’re absolutely missing out. I’ve tried to get the owner to even consider expanding to my area (I mean, training BJJ on the beach in the AM? COME ON CJ) but yeah, best. Miss it. Some of the top levels of training in all areas of MMA and totally affordable. They’ve even been around MMA pretty much since the dawn of it in Atlanta. What more can you ask for?

I’ve been attending kickboxing classes here regularly for almost a year now and have lost just over 30lbs. I’ve worked with 3 different instructors and they have all given me a killer workout and all have been good about coaching me on technique so I don’t hurt myself and so I get a good workout — I hear «quality over quantity» quite a bit which is great. I love the variety of exercises we do mixed in with the kickboxing as well as other techniques. They are always throwing something new at us to work on different areas, always preceding each exercise with prep work to make sure we stretch out key areas we are working. The staff has always been friendly as well.
The workouts are usually pretty fast-​paced and based on time, not quantity. For example, we might do squats for 1 minute then move on to something else for 1 minute, so on and so forth, as opposed to following a circuit written down on the board where we have to complete X number of squats, X number of burpees, X number of _​_​_​, X number_​_​_​, etc. where if you don’t complete the list you feel like you’ve failed. I can stop to breathe whenever I need to, and nobody is yelling at me.
To the people who got «got suckered» into contracts… Did you read the contract before you signed it? I don’t get it. To the people who have issues with the condition of the equipment… What’s wrong with it? Everything you need for a great workout is functional and the place is as clean as a place where stinky, sweaty people hang out can be. Get over it.
I can honestly say this place has changed my life. Cheesy, but true. I feel amazing. My clothes fit better, my energy level is through the roof, I feel like I can focus again — as difficult as it is, I look forward to every workout because I know how much better I will feel afterwards.

I never had a membership to this gym but I did try them out for a month through an online promotion. While there I heard other members talking with the instructors about how this location is neglected by management while other locations are getting upgrades. I’ve never been to any other KnuckleUp location, but this place is pretty worn down compared to some of the newer boxing gyms I’ve also tried in the area.
Because of the schedule of classes that I could attend, I only got to experience 1 instructor and he was not the best. The exercises he had us doing were great but it felt a little clique-​ish when he’d only really talk to and joke around with the regulars. With me being a novice, he rarely paid any attention to whether I was doing the exercises correctly. In several instances other members would stop me and help with my form or give advice while he was off doing whatever.
From what I’ve seen, the membership prices seem on par with similar gyms in the area but I think I need a different type of experience than what they’re offering.
Based on other reviewers many people seem to like this gym, but I would suggest a trial run with an online promotion (which always seems to be available) before committing.

I have been at Knuckle Up for over a year now. The BJJ classes are top notch! The team feel is fantastic! Kickboxing classes will test your cardio and the entire staff is friendly and works to keep you involved and updated with any information you might need. If your looking for a life changing transformation, this is the place!

I DO love this gym! I am in the process of cancelling my membership because the location is no longer convenient for me, and I am trying to trim down my budget. I agree with the person who wrote the review about the cancellation. However, once the owner CJ explained the process, I understand why from a business perspective. You can tell CJ cares about his members and employees because he takes the time to reach out to them and makes them feel like they matter. In my time at KU, I met so many AWESOME folks who work SO HARD in the gym! It is great to always have like-​minded people to discuss fitness and nutrition with. KnuckleUp taught me to love fitness and working out – which is a priceless gift! Great trainers, great members. I’d consider returning possibly if it became more convenient location-​wise, etc, in my life. I recommend this gym to a friend. I particularly recommend that you sign up for BOOT CAMP BY MOE! It CHANGED MY LIFE! Love «The Giant»!

GREAT workout! I’ve been a member for a year and I’m in better shape now than I was as a teenager. I do their cardio kickboxing classes 3 – 4 times per week. The gym is a friendly atmosphere where instructors remember your name and encourage you during class. Positive, friendly attitudes and real results for people who stick to it. I love this place.
As a note to those concerned about the cancellation policy, mailing in a cancellation notice is standard procedure for a lot of gyms. I had to do it at Xsport Fitness when I left Illinois. Although it seems archaic, it’s pretty simple stuff and shouldn’t discourage anyone from joining a gym. «To whom it may concern: Cancel my membership. Signed, Me». Easy.

I will say that I actually enjoyed my time with most of the instructors at knuckle up there are a few that are very mediocre. I needed to cancel my membership because the location was no longer convenient for me and this is where it all went wrong. I accepted the fact that I needed to give a 30 day notice to cancel my membership even if I’m not under a contract but having to put it I’m writing and send it certified mail is a but much. This is 2014 and you mean to tell me there’s not an electronic method to canceling my membership? This is a huge inconvenience for me to have to take time out of my busy schedule to drop a letter in the mail to cancel a membership. Initially I was canceling my membership with the possibility of returning if/​when the location was convenient for me again but that really rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t have to jump through all these hoops when I wanted to sign up so I don’t see why I need to do it now.

Very bad experience at knuckle up. After they employed some pretty heavy tactics to get you signed up on a contract (all of which was very uncomfortable), they had the audacity to sign me up on the wrong terms from which we agreed! After this was corrected (after multiple conversions with management), I attended several classes and realized that the instructors are mediocre at best and the equipment is terrible and worn out. Furthermore, after doing some research (my fault that I didn’t do the research before signing up) I learned that this academy Is easily one of the most expensive and least recommended in the Atlanta area. Lastly, watch for their cancellations policies — after my contract expired they took a full month to cancel membership (meaning they charged me for a full month while they were «processing» my cancellation. Don’t make my mistakes, do your research and you’ll see there are far better options in Atlanta!

The map for this place does not match the address. I would love to try this gym but can’t find it!

good classes but therea re management issues. The cardio equipment if often in poor repair and it takes MONTHS to get things fixed. There is no «manager» and the owner isn’t there very often. Their focus is clearly on their fighters.

I received feedback from the owner of Knuckle Up and I have to say that I am glad they did that. It shows me he is involved in his business and they DO take feedback seriously. That level of service to me makes all the difference and wanted to acknowledge that. He offered me a free month to give me a chance to try the place out again. While I won’t be taking them up on the offer since I am no longer within a reasonable distance from either location I wanted to emphasize that my review was not a negative one. :-)
The atmosphere with a bunch of guys working out potentially for fights or whatever just wasn’t one I was interested in. There were people there just getting in shape though and they seemed really into it and comfortable. I think it actually seemed to be a cool environment if you are serious about getting in shape. I work out to relax and wind down from my day. I am more of a Yoga Pilates girl and was trying to mix it up. If I ever move back to the area I will definitely give it another shot.

I joined Knuckle Up about a month ago for the BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) classes. Thus far it has been a great experience. I am a working professional that wanted to do more than 3 sets of 10 for the rest of my life at a «typical» gym. I am continually «tapping out» due to my inexperience in the martial art. However, i love the classes and the people that train there. I have yet to run into a meat head that wants to just hurt people. Everyone genuinely seems to want to help. I am learning a lot and losing a crazy amount of (unwanted) weight. I really having changed my diet a whole lot, it is just the training is so physically demanding that you burn a ton of calories. Highly recommend the gym and more specifically the BJJ classes. I see the kickboxing and boot camp people working out there too and they look like they are burning some calories. Maybe one day I will try the other classes… NAH, got to roll!

Only been a member for a month but I’m absolutely loving it. I primarily see only 2 trainers (Frank and Linda) and both of them are fantastic. They mix up the classes everytime to keep things interesting and keep you surprised on whats coming next.
I got pretty bored doing my own workout routine but being in a positive class settings with staff that cares really encourages you to push yourself. It’s been only over a month and I’ve lost 10lbs! Not to mention that I improve every week.
Very encouraging and the best decision i’ve made. Never going back to LA Fitness.

i’ve been working out at knuckle up for over 3 years now, and it has had its ups and downs, but is all around a fantastic gym. you really can’t get a better full body workout or a better value for legit muay thai and bjj training.

Glad to be at my second home. I love this place

Been going here for about 2 months now and it has been a great experience so far. All the staff I have dealt with have been great and the trainers do a very good job of pushing people. The people in the classes are great too (especially in the boxing and muay thai classes as they are smaller and tend to have a more consistent group of people it seems) and everyone does their best to keep each other motivated.
The main reason I joined was for the boxing program. I’m not a competitive boxer (or planning to be one) but the boxing classes are great. It’s a fantastic work out and you are being how to box properly. Besides boxing I do make use of their more standard gym equipment. The selection for this is definitely limited and I’m knocking off half a star for that (why no half stars Unilocal,why).
The kickboxing classes are definitely the most popular and although I haven’t tried them out they definitely look very intense. They are much more focused on general fitness than becoming a technically sound kick boxer although they do try to get students to be as technically sound as possible. If you’re looking for more fight ready kickboxing the muay thai classes are for you.
No complaints, definitely recommend checking them out if you’re looking to get or have any interest in boxing/​kickboxing.

Knuckle Up has some bad reviews due to bad business by the previous owners, but so far my experience with them has been stellar.
I am «morbidly obese» and in desperate need to losing weight and getting into shape. I also bore easily and have a difficult time following through on self-​guided workouts. I have to «do» something. After my last failed attempt at another gym, I decided to give Knuckle Up a try.
I am doing the boxing program which is not «cardio boxing» like at other gyms. It is boxing — with wraps, gloves, mouth piece, sparring, and actual hitting. It is the most difficult and most fun work out I’ve ever done.
My instructor (a young guy, all of 145 solid boxer pounds) is good with me. He knows I’m overweight and out of shape, and patiently pushes me just enough during each work out to keep going and not give up while not hounding me to discomfort and quitting.
It is also very nice to work out with people — not alone — and know their names. If I don’t show up, more than just my wife will know about it.
It isn’t much, but in the 2 weeks since I joined Knuckle Up — with the Thanksgiving holiday as part of those 2 weeks — I’ve lost a bit over two pounds, and already feel better.
Knuckle Up Alpharetta is not a fancy gym. There are no lap pools, saunas, or steam rooms. The locker room is very small, and, frankly, it smells of sweat and people working out.