After years of dreaming about doing Boxing I decided it was time to take the plunge and join a gym. I spent about two weeks doing research on-line checking several review sites to help narrow it down to my top two choices. I chose to check out the Alive MMA gym first, as one thing that stood out to me was most of the reviews had mentioned how it felt more like a family then a gym you just go to. I can't even begin to tell you how true every single one of those reviews were. I walked in to this gym thinking how I didn't belong, how I am getting to old (I am 34 not to old), basically all those horrible self-doubting thoughts that pop-up and stops a person in their tracks. Then Ali came up and asked if he could help, right away I wanted to panic and say I was in the wrong place and apologize for wasting his time. I didn't, instead I squeaked out how I was interested in taking Boxing Lessons. Ali starts giving me a tour of the whole place showing off the Crossfit area and explaining how those classes work. Next we got into the Boxing area, I had came during a class time so I could see what it was like. Ali at that point introduced me to one of the coaches Jimbo, then proceeded to tell me a bit about him and the other two coaches for boxing Sean and Andy. We moved over to the punching bag and MMA section following it up with the Jiu-Jitsu area which Bill the owner was introduced and welcomed me to the gym. The tour wrapped by going to the front desk Ali gave me a schedule and asked if I had any questions. What seemed so scary and intimating before now made me excited and anxious, I just wanted start now. The next day I got my $10 introduction class fee and got some handwraps and dove into my first class. The following week I signed up for the full membership. My experience at Alive MMA from the very beginning up to now has been very welcoming and encouraging, I can see why so many people consider this place as a home / family and I am honored and glad that I am too now a part of the Alive MMA Family. read more

I have been training at Alive MMA for six years now. I joined the gym just prior to turning 50 initially being a bit apprehensive about starting at my age but have come to love the sport and can't imagine my training not being part of my workout routine. While my main focus is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I have taken advantage of and thoroughly enjoyed other classes available including boxing, Muay Thai, yoga, and cross-fit. Alive MMA has been a family gym for us with my wife enjoying the yoga classes and my son participating in both Jiu-Jitsu and boxing technique classes. Bill, the owner, and the main instructor is really a person worth knowing and whom I consider a friend. He has a very deep and thorough understanding of the sport and is able to individualize your training to accommodate your strengths and prior experiences. His knowledge of the sport allows him to teach techniques with increased details to further your knowledge regardless of your level. Bill has a wonderful outlook on life and has been helpful to members with their lives outside the gym. Not only is he focused on running the gym, he is also very involved in the Woodstock and Portland community. Bill has created a very respectful and positive training environment, which is seen in all his instructors and classes. All instructors are very dedicated and approachable and will make you feel comfortable, and all are invested in every student's personal progress. Under no stress, members can dictate the pace and intensity that's right for them, that all instructors will respect. Alive MMA is a great place to train for beginners, including kids, and advanced students. The schedule is loaded with classes from morning to night and now Alive MMA has multiple locations. The Alive family meets for various social gatherings throughout the year with BBQs when warm. I joined six years ago, stayed, and recently bought a lifetime membership. read more

This is my fifth month attending Alive MMA... and it keeps getting better. The owner is a Reed College man (very smart) and has a black belt in Jui-Jitsu (he's a veritable "Tom Bombadil" and I felt honored to take his classes). Should I extend my compliments to every Jui-Jitsu, boxing, and crossfit instructor here? That would make this review into a book. They all excel in what they teach, are outgoing, encouraging, and care foremost about improving your technique (safety). Just look at their schedule! It's packed with quality classes and I've NEVER been to a class where the instructor was late, ill-prepared, or in a "bad mood". You want the best full body work out with laser-eyed instructors? Cross fit will fit the bill. Want to play mental/physical chess that takes every ounce of focus; plus developing core muscles like crazy? The Jui-jitsu classes here will change you. Want to improve your cardio, hand-eye coordination, and have a blast? Kickboxing/boxing classes take way more mental strength than I could imagine (perhaps Rocky wasn't the meat-head I always thought he was). I also love that there are beginner classes too. Tip: Try to make time, after a workout, to step in the spacious sauna which I've always found to be clean and functioning. Plus, you can stretch a bit while cleaning out your mind and pores. Why is this place getting better? For one; they just completely updated/improved the boxing and crossfit gym. They have added to their schedule. It just seems to become more robust every month. I joined because I live nearby and love to stimulate my mind and body... but now I know why some commute many miles to attend Alive MMA... it's a super solid gym with honest, hardworking, and friendly people. read more

My name is Kelly!!!!! I have been working out at Alive MMA since about October/September. In that time I have lost about 70lbs in their crossfit program. They have a long list of classes and high quality instructors/coaches/trainers available. They're open much later than most other clubs and they're only closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving. I guess they need some family time but the other 363 days of the year they're helping the public get in shape and learn self defense. Some classes that you don't find at other clubs like yoga, injury prevention and rehab, kettlebell and rings training, Olympic weight training are available at Alive MMA. If you would rather not jump right into the martial arts classes you can start out with technique classes where you can learn how to punch and kick properly and do the cardio that conditions your body to do that kind of work before you begin sparring. Kids program looks like a lot of fun and in addition to your childs martial arts training they have life tactics and yoga also. Gi, no gi, boxing, kick boxing, judo/ sambo(wow),wrestling, and even stick fighting(by appt.). Bill and Christine are awesome owners and teachers and there hasn't been many times that I have been there and one or both of them havn't been there as well to help with anything you need. Large facilty, great equipment, sauna,showers and a masseuse available. I could go on and on. Varying levels of experience in the membership with everyone being helpful, respectful, and patient. A real nice family vibe. I love it there and I'm very happy with my choice. Unless I move somewhere else this is where I will continue to train. Thank you Alive MMA!!!!!!! read more

It's funny, when I first moved here I was looking for a CrossFit gym to work out and maybe get back into Martial Arts. As I was researching places to workout I came across CrossFit Woodstock and saw that they had pretty good Yelp reviews. I've never done Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before but was curious and wanted to try a class out. I met Chris Bauer and told him I was coming off from a Crossfit injury that sidelined me for about a year and I wanted to get back into shape. After taking one beginning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class with Chris, I was hooked. Its been 7 months now, and I haven't took one CrossFit class yet. Its not that CrossFit is bad or the CrossFit coaches are bad. If anything the CrossFit coaches here are awesome! It was just that I fell in love Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and not only was I getting a great workout, I was also learning self defense too! (Bam! Two for the price of one.) The BJJ coaches here are outstanding and the people I met here are great. Head Instructor Bill Bradley really emphasize a family like community. (CrossFit people know what i'm talking about.) I've really enjoyed BJJ so much that I have both my (8yrs) kids doing BJJ now, and they love it. Bill is amazing with the kids. The way that he's able to communicate and teach the kids is so wonderful. He's not only teaching them self defense, he's teaching them how to be respectful, team work, kindness, and confidence. Bill is like a 6'3 giant teddy bear, and all the kids really love him. If you're looking for a gym to workout, learn Martial Art as self defense or a sport, I highly recommend Alive. I can't say enough about the staff and members here. read more

What I can't believe there is bad review for Alive, well it was back in 2011 so i will let that pass. My family and i have been going to Alive since 2012 and a lot has change but one thing still the same and probably won't change is the friendly environment. My kids absolutely love going to the Jiu jitsu kids class. The instructor Bill Bradley really knows how to inspire his students to greatness. I love the fact that he treats all the kids with equal kindness, even the ones who most would find it difficult to do so. Yes there is some pretty challenging kids who don't want to learn and my children was once like that but the instructor never stops trying, and gets super excited when a child makes a break through, and as a parent it gets you super excited. My wife and I were never a fan of the sport and just wanted to watch our children blossom but siting through a few of the classes you can't help but catch the Jiu jitsu fever as well. The instructor is the owner and has been there from the beginning and looks like a lifer. The kids boxing coach Andy Minsker at 4:00p.m is a great coach but some might have a hard time dealing with his personality but once you get to know him he's a softy and likable. He has a old school way of training, which means he is strict and plays no games. Some children will responded to that and others won't but one things for sure he trains like he is training champions, and he definitely has the credentials to do so. i would highly recommend you coming and checking this place out,you might just find a family. read more

Been training here since August under Coaches Bill/Chris/Aaron for BJJ and I dabble in the boxing classes just to hit the pads. First thing that is nice about this gym is Bill the owner treats you like a human being not just a $. There was no awkward private meeting in a dark office where he tried to make me sign my life away. It's happened to me before, but not here. Prices are available online and to be honest for what you get with a membership it's a great deal. I don't do Crossfit myself, but sometimes me and a few jiu jitsu guys will go to that building to work out and the people in there are always friendly to us. Jiu Jitsu is tough. You won't be able to buy a belt here. It took me 3 years to get my blue belt back in CA and will take me longer to get my purple belt. But since joining Alive my jiu jitsu has improved significantly and I can say that is 100% from the coaching. A lot of the BJJ schools I've been to have had good instruction and great team mates but not as much coaching and active feedback. Sometimes I'll make Bill cringe at the sight of me doing something wrong, but he will go out of his way to make sure I get the technique down, from opposed to saying good enough. At the beginning of class if you talk to the coaches you can often request positions that you need to work on. Overall this is a great gym for everyone. read more

I've been a member here for about a year, and my kid has done some classes too. It's a good place with good energy. I've mostly done Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Crossfit classes. (N.B. Crossfit is at "Crossfit Woodstock" which is next door and part of the same membership fee.) A couple of things stand out for the better compared to other gyms where I've dabbled: 1) The schedule is full. There's nearly always a class going on, morning, noon or night, so there's pretty much no excuse for not showing up and getting a workout in. 2) The classes start on time, and the facilities are good. 3) There's a pretty good mix of serious work and laid-back attitude here. Some members are competing in martial arts outside the gym, so they bring some energy, but the place is still welcoming to beginners. You see a wide mix of people and body types. 4) There's practically zero martial arts ritual and mumbo jumbo. The values are typically demonstrated more than stated, which is probably a better way of doing it. In terms of money and contracts (a perennial issue with gyms), at the time I joined, I had to make a six-month commitment, and after six months it became month to month. I haven't had any surprises, so it's worked for me. Definitely worth checking out! read more

I've been going to Alive MMA for around a year and I really enjoy the gym, both the classes and the people who teach and work out there. Many of the classes are offered in the mornings and the evenings, which makes it easy to fit into my schedule. The Muay Thai coach is GREAT. Nick is great at instructing, and offers techniques which are challenging but formative for beginners and seasoned fighters alike. Plus, his cardio class will kick your butt without you having to run, which is amazing. The stick fighting class is really cool and incorporates hand to hand and various ranges of combat. I also bring my daughter to the Kid's Boxing Class, which she really enjoys (even though she hates burpees, haha) and there is always improvement, even after the single hour of class. Kody is really good with the kids! She has also taken a few classes of Muay Thai with Nick and again, his teaching style is encouraging and challenging in a good way. Also, they have a sauna, which I love. Everyone is friendly and no one tries to pressure you to do classes you're not interested in or upselling you on gym stuff. I honestly almost failed PE as a kid and now I look forward to going to the gym. Highly recommend. TL;DR: Great Gym, Great People. read more

I joined Alive MMA when I moved to Portland. Let me just begin by saying how nice it is to be able to pay monthly and not be on a contract, especially for someone who doesn't have all their arrangements set in stone. I first came in to do crossfit and a little bit of kickboxing, but after my first jiujitsu class I was hooked. Bill Bradley is one of the most passionate teachers/business owners I've ever met. He is able to give everyone in the class significant one on one time and makes everyone feel welcome. It's only $129 a month, and you can attend as many crossfit, boxing, kickboxing, jiujitsu, wrestling etc classes as you'd like. Go on their website and look at the schedule and prepare to be amazed. The gym as a whole is extremely welcoming and very friendly to beginners, but also trains for competitions. One thing I notice, some parents come for the afternoon crossfit class, which is at the same time as the kids jiujitsu class on the other side of the gym. For someone who is working, this is a great way for your kids and yourself to stay in shape. I honestly can't say enough good things about Alive. If you are on the fence, just go in and try out a class! They have drop ins too. read more

I had my first experience with Alive when I brought in my niece to check out the gym and to see if she would be interested in taking the kid's class. She loves everything about it. The staff made her feel comfortable there and have helped her gain a lot of confidence in class and in her normal life. The same goes for her older brother who signed up a little after she did. I myself have recently started working out at Alive as well. My personal experience has been amazing. I feel very welcome by everyone , both staff and other members. I've always been hesitant to join a gym due to the fact that I'm over weight and maybe being judged by others. I have never experience that at Alive. There are all kinds of people there that are all different shapes, sizes and occupations. I've been going now for a little over 10 weeks and I've lost 30lbs. I feel amazing. I'm getting healthier physically and mentally also. It's nice to go to a gym where the staff actually cares about your personal goals and does all they can to help you achieve them. I would recommend this gym to anyone. Whether you want to train to fight, lose weight, or just maintain an active lifestyle, you can do it here. read more

Just moved from NY to Vancouver Washington and was looking for a gym to continue my training even though there is many gyms a few miles from my house I decided to give alive mma( which is 30 mins to an hour drive depending on traffic) a shot since they have many Bjj classes a day plus boxing and mma among yoga, wrestling, stick fighting, kickboxibg and crossfit, and man I'm so glad I gave it a try. Its one of the best if not the best gym I have ever trained in, the instructors really care about breaking down a technique and showing it multiple times till you get it. all the coaches have their own twist of doing stuff but they all are very high level and I love learning from all of them, the environment isn't meat heady lol it's very welcoming specially the head Bjj instructor Bill who will have you cracking up in every class, and will work with you on some weaknesses in your game to make them your strengths I've been in this gym 2 months but have gotten 5 months of progress in my opinion this has to be the best gym in the whole northwest facility and training quality wise, also they really care about their community and offer community self defense classes. read more

I have lived in SE Portland for over 10 years and within one mile of Alive MMA. I was always curious about what programs they had to offer the public, but was unsure if I would be able to simply begin training without having any previous experience. The coaching management recommended that I begin with Crossfit to get my strength and endurance up to speed and then choose which mixed martial arts classes would fit my individual needs. I really liked this approach to their training regimen because it puts the organization and skill work in my hands and I do not feel pressure to be sold on something that I'm really not ready for. I have been a member since July of 2012, and have not regrets. Their coaching staff is extremely professional and helpful with my personal goals for fitness. Not only I have lost the extra pounds, but I have learned a great deal about my physiology, dietary needs, and personal mental growth. Alive has changed my life. I would encourage anyone to come in for a class, which is free, and check out what Alive has to offer. Everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable in every discipline if you are a beginner or expert. Go ALIVE MMA!! read more

This place is amazing. I was unable to go to my boxing gym after starting a graduate program, and I decided to give this place a shot since it's closer to my house. I'm hooked. I've always wanted to give Muay Thai a try but was always kind of intimidated because it's such a challenging workout and I was afraid of getting hurt. Turns out I was worried about nothing. There are multiple levels for the classes, and no one will push you farther than you feel comfortable with. I haven't been hurt once. Nick is an amazing and very knowledgeable instructor, and he really cares about the progress of his students. I've been dumping weight, gaining flexibility, and making huge progress in my cardio. I've tried a few boxing and jiu jitsu classes, and these are also fantastic. If this is more your thing, Josh and Bill will get you to where you want to go. The community is also very welcoming of newcomers and I've made a lot of friends here. Chill people like fighting for fitness! If you want to give it a try, just come in and say hi. It's not nearly as scary as I made it out to be in my head. You'll be thanking yourself later. read more

I normally train in South Florida with Brazillian Top Team so when I found out that we had reciprocity with the Alive MMA gym here in Portland I had to check it out. This gym is outright amazing! Bill Bradley is the Black Belt instructor for the BJJ. He is a true student of the art who's Laissez Faire teaching methods allow for the students to train for the full hour and a half class with instruction and adjustments being made "on the roll." Bill pays particular attention to each student and helps them develope a unique game that suits their unique strengths. There is great opportunity here for all belt levels. Participants are all polite, respectful and non-aggressive. That said, this is an incredible workout and a great place to learn and improve technique. I believe the drop-in mat fee is about $15.00 but it is waived for current BTT members. There are classes all day so if you have the time and you are in the Portland area, pop in and train your game. read more

My name is Keith Cox and I am one of the stick fighting coaches at Alive. I have been with the gym almost from the beginning and I have seen it go through many changes, all for the better.This is a safe and positive place where people can go and train at their own pace. I looked for years for a place like this and can happily say I won't train anywhere else. One consistent positive aspect of the gym is it's owner Bill Bradley. Never had a problem with him or his staff. Saddens me to see a couple of people had a negative experience with one of the coaches, I am a no nonsense person who will not pull punches so when I tell you I have never seen inappropriate behavior in his or any other class I mean it. I am older and many times I have gone to other gyms and they ignore you because of that. This is not the case at Alive. They also offer Yoga geared more for health restoration for fighters, Instructiors are top notch. You can't go wrong training here!!!1 read more

Great gym and great atmosphere. My son and I came to the gym as beginners with very minimal experience. We showed up at the gym in a Sunday evening and Brian (who just clocked out) took time to show us around and share. All of the staff have been amazing, kind, and encouraging. We felt instantly accepted. Nick is a great instructor in Muay Thai. His conditioning class is just that... Great conditioning (while learning). Truly a kind and encouraging man who loves and enjoys what he does. BJJ has also been great (again, accepted and encouraged even with our zero experience). We have been thrilled with each instructor we have met... Bill, Pierce, Dan, and Aaron) The cross fit they offer looks amazing but have only spectated. Highly recommended... A great gym made greater by Amazing staff! read more

Joining Alive was probably the best decision of my life. I had only trained at a few gyms before Alive, but when I started training here, I noticed there was something more than just MMA and CrossFit. It is a community. A community devoted to helping everyone get where they want to be, whether that be to get better at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or help you get your mind off of hardships you face in your daily life. There is always someone there to talk. The training is very high quality. The coaches are very knowledgeable in their expertise and have decades of experience. Most training sessions are similar to one-on-one sessions because the class sizes are usually pretty small. Alive is an amazing community of amazing people and I would HIGHLY recommend training here. read more

I've been training BJJ for 10 years and do Crossfit. I've trained at a lot of jits academies, mostly in California. NEVER, until Alive, had a I come across a place that had so much to offer for one single membership fee that is a total value...As a member, I now have access to a super technical black belt coach that roles with you regularly (Bill Bradley), a strong BJJ competition team (Brazilian Top Team) that aren't meat heads, Crossfit, Boxing, MMA, Yoga, Injury Prevention and Rehab, a sauna (a frickin' sauna!), showers and other amenities all under one roof. I now have my wife and kids here training BJJ and doing crossfit as well (Bill is an awesome kids coach). Gone are the days of paying for multiple gym memberships to train BJJ and do crossfit!!!! read more