Midtown MMA Houston

I visited Midtown for my first introductory class. I have experience with grappling martial arts, but this was a muay thai class.
The environment there is awesome. Everyone is serious about learning and pushing themselves, but nobody takes themselves too seriously to enjoy each other.

We found Midtown MMA quite by chance this past summer. My son was cycling through summer camps and I thought it would be worth trying the day camp hosted by Midtown MMA and give my son some exposure to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (he calls it Jitsu). My son ended up finishing the summer here and we joined the gym for two lessons each week and regular week end demonstration events. We’re glad we did.
My son was lacking some self-​confidence when we first arrived and had little interest in fitness. Within a week, he was doing push-​ups in the bath tub each morning. I can see the changes in his character. He was looking forward to each day at the camp and now looks forward to each of the two lessons he takes each week. It’s not a matter of peeling him off the sofa… my son is SO enthusiastic to go. My wife and I are also enthusiastic about his participation.
My son looks up to Coach Chris as a leader. The other gym staff are properly attentive to him. My son has taken up friendships with the other children training at the gym. There is a nice community spirit at the gym. The gym is clean. I am proud of my son’s accomplishments and feel that he may not have been as successful at a gym other than Midtown MMA.

I studied under Mr. Chris Martinez for the sole purpose of relieving stress in my first year of law school. The man is extremely patient, and his heart is in his practice as evidenced by all the time and effort that he has invested in expanding his practice to his new location on Main. I wish I could’ve hung around, but I prefer to be out of shape.

I joined Midtown MMA Houston in the Spring of 2010 and this event changed my life. Just before joining the team, I was preparing for a half-​marathon and well ahead of the fitness curve via strength and conditioning in a high intensity crosstraining environment utilizing kettlebells. I have been an athlete and academic for as long as I can remember;an avid participant in flag football, tennis, soccer, baseball, mountain biking and more. That said, I had no idea what I was in for. Training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-​jitsu demanded a level of strength and cardio that is truly next level. In just a few short months I found myself in peak physical condition.
What initially started with fitness in mind is now an integral part of my life next to core items such as sleeping, eating, relationships and a career! Training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-​jitsu has given me a renewed sense of discipline and focus. No more running aimlessly through neighborhoods, trails and on treadmills. No more waiting around in crowded gym weight rooms. My fitness drive is now superseded by my interest in learning and mastering striking and submission technique!
«The more you learn, the more you realize how much you do not know.» –Leon Battista Alberti
The Midtown MMA Houston head instructor, Chris Martinez, is an experienced and technical player in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-​jitsu under Professor Travis Tooke (Lineage: Carlos Gracie Sr. (BJJ Founder) … Carlos Gracie Jr. … Travis Tooke)!
The Midtown MMA Houston team is a mix of professionals and students of a variety of walks of life and most importantly all of whom are friendly, hardworking and supportive; like a family!
I’d like to thank Team Tooke, Midtown MMA Houston, and my coach and friend Chris Martinez for exposing me to what will remain a cornerstone of my life for years to come!

I went online and filled out their new member questionnaire, within a day or so I was called and scheduled to come in and check the place out. I was scheduled to be there by 7pm so I arrived at 6:45. I walked in the door and a girl laying on the couch just inside the door looked up at me and then went back to playing with her phone without saying a word. I then made my way into the main training area where after standing unacknowledged for a few minutes, Chris the head instructor, finally came and greeted me. He then walked me into the other room and introduced me to the girl on the couch, who was the manager. She then took me into the office for an interview and explained to me that she didn’t say anything when I walked in because I wasn’t supposed to be there until 7… Anyways, then, despite the fact that I had just explained that I have trained out of a gym back home (Albuquerque, NM) for 3 years, I was put through an intro class that would be suitable for someone who has never trained for a day in their life. After this waste of my time I was taken back into the office, along with another prospective member and shown the pricing options. While showing me the options the gym manager tried to pressure both of us to sign up on the spot. I explained I would have to try out some of the actual classes first. After some more talking the manager said she would email me the schedule and price options. I never received either email.

Hands Down one of the best places to train in the area. Coach Chris is an extremely technical instructor and his students are a testament to the positive team atmosphere that he has created. If you live anywhere near the Midtown area and want to train at a legit MMA and BJJ school with friendly instructors who will push you to new heights, look no further than Midtown MMA!

Beware .Do not go. Ugly gym. old and the instructor is not a good person, i did not get my money refunded when i told i was not able to go anymore.unbelievable., they were also going to take more money from me

The facility is upstairs from a non affiliated gym, so you have to walk thru it to get to the training area upstairs. The facility leaves a lot to be desired but thats not the important part. I went through the intro class and drill. To be honest im out of shape and couldnt handle it easily, but it was fun. However unlike the other ladies reviews before me, i didnt feel like it was a good fit for me. The instructor definitely seemed knowledgeable and but I felt pressured during the sales portion of the intro. Further, when i asked for the free trial, they said sure, but i had to wear a yellow Tshirt announcing that I was using the free trial. Im new to this, a bit intimidated, the last thing I want is to be singled out. Im not knocking the education you may be able to get here, but it just didnt feel right for me.

I had never taken any kind of martial arts class before but decided to act on a long-​held interest and actually do something about it. I looked at several places online and ultimately decided to go with Midtown MMA. I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
Coach Chris is great. You start off with an individual consultation, where Coach Chris walks you through a warm up and some basics of kickboxing and jiu jitsu. Then you go to the classes and that’s where you get hooked. Like I said, I’ve never done this before, and as a woman was at first a little intimidated, but everyone has just been so nice and helpful. The classes are small enough that Coach Chris has always gotten to me if I have a question or am not doing it right; just don’t be afraid to ask. I just wish I didn’t travel so much so I could be there more regularly. If you are thinking at all about MMA, jiu jitsu, kickboxing or just getting in shape, run, do not walk, to Midtown MMA.

The first thing that drew me to MMA was my desire to learn self defense. The first thing that drew me to actually considering pursuing a class was the convenient location of Midtown MMA. The first thing that drew me to actually contacting Midtown MMA was the 30 day free trial. The first thing that drew me to actually showing up was getting a call from Chris about an hour after I submitted my form online. The first thing that drew me to sign up full time was after the first class when I realized that Midtown MMA was more than I could have hoped for!
After a few short months, Midtown MMA has helped boost my confidence in my physical and mental ability to defend myself. You build on the physical side during the first part of the class where Chris leads you through a «warm-​up» which is more like a mini boot-​camp that leaves you with a good burn. The mental and physical side is continually built through the second portion of class as you work on muscle memory routines, perfecting techniques, following drills, and self guided practice.
The great thing about Midtown MMA is that your motivation doesn’t come from someone yelling at you, it comes from the everyone else giving it there all and encouraging you to test your limits. Everyone is there to learn the proper techniques and advanced students are more than will to give and take constructive criticism when working in teams. There are a good mix of males and females of all different physical capabilities which lead to good match-​ups during the drills. No one is there to judge you, I have never had that feeling even when I thought I must look pretty goofy.
Chris is an awesome instructor who keeps the class relaxed but professional and directed. He’s good about gauging what each student needs to focus on during the drills — technique or power — and making corrections for individual students during the drills. He is interested in the needs of the class and will reserve certain sessions to address student questions. It is easy to have a lot of respect for Chris. This helps make you accountable and give you that extra boost to show up for training on the (rare!) occasion that you may be less motivated to do so.
If you decide to sign up and pay, I believe you pick a 6 month or one year program. I think it averages to about $ 12 a class. I’m doing this with my husband and we were able to work our a 2 for less than 2 kinda deal.