Dynamix MMA

Tonight I took my first ever kick boxing class. The instructor was Antoni Hardonk, who I came to find out has a lot of experience. The technicalities behind kicking and punching started out
to be difficult for me. Antoni paired me up with one of his students who was able to guide me through it and with a little more time became manageable. The difficulty level pushed me to want more and want to learn more. It was also great to have such patience behind me. I recommend this class to any one and everyone!

Can’t say enough positive things about this gym. Henry Akins the Jiu Jitsu teacher is on a whole different level of what I have experienced before. In my 3 days in LA I planned to train twice a day each day at a different gym each time. I had it all planned out. I took Henrys morning class my first day in town and that was it. I trained at one gym for three days. How many guys at that level actually teach all the classes? And I can honestly say. That three days made me better. Everyone was super helpful. I watched a brown belt waiting for a private with Henry, walk onto the mat and spend ten minutes working with two new guys. You don’t see that at most gyms. Then I watched the kick Antony the kick boxing teacher giving a private to a UFC fighter then right after teach a beginners class. I’m telling you, if you live anywhere near here. Join. If you are visiting, stop in. Amazing guys and gym.

I’ve been training with Dynamix for the past 2.5 years! This is a great gym with friendly but dedicated trainers and members. Being a female it’s hard to find a martial arts gym that I was comfortable in especially with Jiu jitus but this is it! Awesome people unbeatable training and great friends! Jess

You’re literally not going to find a better all around gym for men AND women. The instructors are of the highest level and have real world experience. The lineage is unmatched (Rickson Gracie, Vos Gym in Holland, and UFC). It’s the first gym I’ve been apart of where the pros, amateurs in training and the weekend warriors get to train together and learn from one another. There are no egos here, male or female and if there are any, they don’t last long. Truly a great environment to learn, have fun, and train. Truly unmatched, the best.

What a terrific place to train with overly qualified instructors that share their knowledge freely and are very detail oriented. Training is intense and such a good work out. My confidence has greatly increased and my reflexes are amazing now. I’m managing distance and constantly moving my feet. I have a better understanding of where I’m going with kick boxing now.
MESS WITH ME AND I’LL TAKE YOU DOWN AND ASK QUESTIONS AFTER YOU WAKE UP.
WORD.
I highly recommend this place.

Been training here for about a year and a half so I feel like I can write an honest review. I’m not gonna bother writing about the «amazing» instructors, the zero «egos,» the amount of «sweating» that occurs here, nor the «welcoming» atmosphere of all the «awesome» members. I’m not here to sound like a broken record.
Instead, I just want to talk about how much I hate missing or skipping a class. Missing one class might be an extra punch to the face or getting swept. Missing a couple classes might result in you being a victim to a slick combo or a new submission from some ungodly position. Take a week or more off, and you’ll hate these «awesome» and «friendly» members because they’ll continue to improve while you’re too busy doing what you do.
Whether you want to get into shape, learn/​sharpen your skills or get away from the stresses of life, Dynamix is the place to be.
—NOTICE TO READER: The information contained in this review is not intended for assholes. If you are an asshole, you are prohibited from attending this gym. If you have read this review in error, please notify Josh at Dynamix so he can schedule you a «private» lesson with Antoni and his tree trunk legs. Thank you.

Dynamix MMA is the real deal… I just moved from NYC in July and I wanted to check out the Kickboxing class to hone my skills (TKD & Karate) and get in great shape. As a minister (yes a minister!) with two young kids and a hectic schedule, the only time I have is early in the morning. The 7 – 8:15am class on MWF is awesome! AJ does a great job making you sweat without missing a step on helping you with technique. I’ve lost 12 pounds in a month! There’s no ego, just results. Check it out!

I’ve being a member of Dynamix for over two years now. This place is really amazing! Besides sweating during warmup and thru-​out most of the class you will learn A LOT of techniques on how to PROPERLY punch, kick, block and counter!
Great coaches, helpful staff and friendly members!
A++++!!!

After trying other gyms in the West LA area I am so glad I found Dynamix Martial Arts. I’ve been training there, predominantly kick boxing with some BJJ and wrestling, since November of 2012. By far the best gym! All the instructors are great. There are no egos and the vibe is a very friendly and welcoming one. I recommended Dynamix to everyone, whether you’re interested in getting in shape or wanting to compete.
The coaches are a wealth of knowledge and always have a positive attitude no matter who you are. They explain everything step by step, not only the how but the why and why not. It’s great.
One of my favorite lines from coach Antoni Hardonk is (and I’m paraphrasing): «whether you’re in the cage, the ring, the bar or the grocery store…» always trying to relate the situation not only to training and fighting but to real life scenarios.
Coach Vlad’s class is always a blast. I say Coach is like a big kid in that he always knows how to have fun while teaching valuable wrestling techniques.
Coach Henry has a more serious tone but best believe he will explain every little move involved in the techniques he teaches.
Josh is who you will meet upon entering the gym. I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s very welcoming and makes one feel comfortable being there for the first time.
Be prepared to sweat, A LOT! No matter what class/​es you decide to try you will get a great workout! Believe it!

Dynamix is my second home. I have never done any type of fighting or martial arts but decided to give it a shot back in October. And it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. The classes are so fun, challenging, and rewarding. The coaches are there every step of the way with every punch and kick you throw. And I have yet to experience any attitude or arrogance from ANYONE at Dynamix. That one free class sure got me hooked. Warning: these classes are fun and will cater to your skill level or experience BUT you will sweat! You’ll get an awesome workout so if you’re not looking to better yourself. This isn’t the place for you!

I have trained at a dozen MMA gyms in both the East coast and West coast and Dynamix MMA is definitely a one of a kind school. It is extremely rare to find a martial art gym with even ONE instructor who is considered a master at their art and this gym has THREE. Henry, Antoni and Vlad are all phenomenal instructors who are really passionate about teaching their respective craft. I’ve trained jiu jitsu for 9 years and Henry has shown me techniques I’ve never seen before.
In addition to the great instruction the gym atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. Even though each mixed martial art discipline is taught here (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing and Wrestling) it is more of a martial art school than an MMA gym. Other gyms I’ve been too were filled with meat heads with big egos and just beat each other up. The students at Dynamix are respectful, genuine and looking to learn and grow as martial artists.
As a former professional MMA fighter I feel that any prospective fighter would be foolish to train anywhere else in the Los Angeles area.

I love training at Dynamix. I have never trained Brazilian Jiujitsu before but Henry makes it very easy to understand and you’ll be surprised how quickly you pick it up with just a little consistency. He’s a fantastic teacher.
Antoni is amazing too. He’s the kickboxing instructor and just an overall amazing teacher and person. He could probably break you with his little finger but he’s the most gentle teacher you’ll ever meet. Very supportive and fun. I love training with him.
But best of all are all the students that train at Dynamix. Very supportive and no egos. Josh is very good about seeding out the bad apples so the atmosphere is consistently positive. For a gay dude, like myself, MMA can be an intimidating sport at first because of the homophobic connotations. Let me guarantee you: this is not the case at this gym.
Everyone is welcome at Dynamix! Just be respectful to others and you’ll fit right in.
If you’ve ever thought about training MMA but have been intimated for whatever reason Dynamix is the place for you. I can’t imagine a more welcoming training atmosphere than Dynamic and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Come roll with us!

Dynamix has been a great place to train BJJ. I have been doing martial arts for 6+ years now and it’s has been a blast to see a new dimension to the ground game. We are learning many of the fundamentals very solidly, creating a base for a solid and effective BJJ game. Henry and his devoted students have been incredibly welcoming and their passion for the art is obvious. People here are clearly proud of the instruction here. His pedigree has been described in other reviews but his ability to convey this knowledge is what really makes for a great learning experience. I’d recommend you give any of their classes (BJJ, kickboxing, wrestling) a try. They were very open to me. You’ll definitely be happy with dynamix.

I have been a member of the Brazilian Jiu jitsu program at Dynamix MMA for approximately one year now, and am VERY satisfied with the world class instuction I recieve from Henry Akins. His methods of conveying the principals and concepts of the lineage of his jiu jitsu in direct and simplistic fashion, allow universal application of such principals and concepts to flourish in the myriad of techniques he shares.
Aside from his profound instruction, Henry, like all instuctors, staff, and members at Dynamix, is VERY affable and kind. I have never had one negative experience at this gym, and am continuley IMPRESSED with the professionalism and work ethic exhibited by members and staff. Dynamix offers a great atmosphere of motivation as well as instuction in various disciplines of martial arts (Striking, Wrestling, Jiu jitsu). If you take the quality of your martial arts instuction seriously, then you can’t afford not to afford at least trying out this gym. You won’t be disappointed.

I wouldn’t break my four year Unilocal hiatus for just any business. Dynamix hosts an insanely world class set of instructors, with a membership that reflects their humbleness. After a year’s training, I’ve gained an understanding of why martial arts is considered a personal journey. Martial arts, like any passion, presents both roadblocks and victories. Learning how to handle both is one of the greatest assets you can carry off the mat. Dynamix makes sure this journey is assisted with the greatest training partners a gym could hope for.
The gym’s first concern is safety. The mat is ego-​free, where the mantra is collective improvement. A good metric of a studio is its turnover rate. A good number of students who started during the gym’s opening are still here, in addition to many I started training with a year ago. The star-​power of the instructors (and the acronym «MMA» itself) can be daunting, but this place is absolutely welcoming to all levels. My martial arts experience is quite limited, yet I’m training with weekend warriors, amateur fighters and professionals striving to improve your game alongside theirs.
The instructors don’t need upselling. You’re on the internet– use it to verify credentials. What I can comment on is their ability to put the «arts» in martial arts. Henry Akins is a big proponent of jiu-​jitsu basics, highlighting pressure, leverage and weight distribution. As a light guy, I have to apply these principles by concentrating on correct technique. You learn to use your hips more than they’ve ever been called to do. Eventually, the body becomes a beautiful network of escapes, passes and submissions… I’m not even close to this right now, but that’s the goal. Be sure to also stop by Coach Ed’s Punk Rock Friday night class. Antoni Hardonk’s Dutch kickboxing is a very evolved system of striking. This style stresses distance, balance and body mechanics, eschewing traditional Muay Thai aggression in favor of scientific practicality. Coaches AJ, Kate, Marcus and Vidush all help with drills, repeated with moving training partners instead of heavy bag conditioning. Don’t get it twisted however… There are some absolute beasts on the fight team representing well in various promotions (including the UFC). I’ve yet to drop in on Vladimir Matyushenko’s wrestling classes, but I’m making a point to this year. The adjectives I hear from his students include «fluid» and «effortless.» All three systems blend seamlessly, emphasizing technique over brute strength. This is huge for lighter guys like me… and especially for many women.
The largest hurdle is stepping onto the mat for the first time. Desire leads to consistency. Consistency leads to improvement. Sign up for a free class– Josh (the general manager) is an excellent representation of Dynamix. What other GM gives you their personal cell number even before signing up? I never felt pressured to sign anything after my trial, either. This gym knows their worth: You’re encouraged to check out other places to find your perfect fit. In my experience, Dynamix boasts the sickest level of instruction. Their effectiveness is measurable by an uncommonly high aptitude among many white belts. Defined by its stress-​free atmosphere and encouraging team of training partners, selecting my perfect fit was a no-​brainer.

Dynamix is by far THE BEST place with THE BEST people! I started kickboxing and now became a passion to me. This coming from a girl that has always been involved with dance training and was really scared of the punching and kicking!
It’s not only an amazing training for you to channel your energy, build resistance and work out. It’s like it strengthen your core, it gives you more focus and it really makes a big impact towards your whole life. For the best possible way.
This is a very special place for me. Antony, the teacher and one of the owners of Dynamix is not only an amazing fighter with an outstanding curriculum but he is an incredible leader. He put together an amazing team to train with the best teachers.
They respect your own limitations and fears, but at the same time they encourage you in a very friendly way to go further and push your limits, to start trying lightly to face these fears and they are there to support you.
They are very knowledgeable on the techniques and they really care about each individual student. The philosophy of the academy is amazing, where it is emphasized the mutual respect towards one another, communication openness and community spirit. Specially being a woman, it is not a place that you get scared while training, quite the opposite — The team is so welcoming and everyone wants to help you develop.
For the girls: Even if you start just because you want to do some exercise/​cardio (and believe me, this part you will have it SUPER GREAT), or for whatever reason it doesn’t matter — You will fall in love with the training and you will get addicted to it — Don’t be afraid, the team will be there for you every step of the way, and you will have lots of fun while training. Plus, of course, its going to build in you a great sense of self defense like nothing compared to. It’s really worth it to give it a try and you will know what I am talking about :)

A really great place to train. The instructors are phenomenal! Henry Akins is a Rickson Gracie black belt and his instruction is so clear. Being new to BJJ I have had an easy time getting what Henry teaches, not that I pull it off, but his communication of the art is easy to understand. Henry is also just an all around good guy, good guy to chat with, be taught by and occasionally roll with (until he suffocates you in side control).
The atmosphere is great, the ego is very low, my training partners have become friends. I have yet to take Antoni Hardonk or Vladimir Matyushenko’s class but have interacted with both guys and they are about as nice as you can get. If you are thinking of taking up BJJ, Kickboxing or Wrestling do not hesitate to come by here, you will not be disappointed.

You cannot find better instruction. Antoni Hardonk brings his experience from the Vos Gym in Holland. Henry Akins is a Rickson Gracie blackbelt. Vladimir Matyushenko is a Nationally decorated Russian wrestler. If you want a complete game Dynamix is the place to train.
The atmosphere is friendly, which is unlike many of the gyms I have trained at. There is very little ego at Dynamix which is what plagues many gyms. The instructors have created a team atmosphere which accelerates everyone’s progress. I cannot imagine training anywhere else.

This review is 95% for Henry Akins as I have only been here for a private lesson with him. But I will say the everyone seemed nice, plus the facility is a good size and clean.
Henry is truly an amazing BJJ instructor, maybe the best I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. I’ll be back any chance I can get and I am extremely jealous of anyone that lives nearby and gets to train with him regularly. You lucky bustards!

This is the gym you want to be at if you want to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Henry Akins is an amazing teacher with a very very thorough understanding of the martial art. In addition to having access to great instruction, you will get a group of training partners that is conducive to your growth as a martial artist. In my experience, having good training partners is as important as having good instruction. I started training jiu jitsu 7 years ago and took a break from it to Thai box for last 5 years. I’ve been at Dynamix for the past 4 months and have been loving it.
P. S. Don’t let the gym being shared with a TKD school deter you!