Awesome Gym with a great team and staff. My favorite part is that it isn't one of those gyms that…read moremakes you feel bad for being new. There's more of a focus on growth and learning.

I've been to a handful of martial arts gyms over the past twenty years and this is one of the best,…read more Professional, well run, a great mix of styles and workout intensities. The instructors are approachable and know their stuff, and the fellow students are respectful and easy to work with. This place is a great find!

Intro : I have been part of many gyms throughout years of Jiu Jitsu training…read more I have trained under Rafael Formiga from Soul Fighters in Danbury, CT. Roberto Abreu "Cyborg" from Fight Sports in Miami, FL. Steve Ficca from Odin's in Las Vegas, NV And eventually I moved to Dallas and joined Marcelo Garcia. Teaching ( a bit about the Instructors) : Rob Ables: After getting a free lesson under Rob Ables, I decided to sign up immediately. I did not need to visit other gyms. The way he teaches is definitely incredible and refreshing to see. He is a true master. He cares about the students and will make sure to show you variations based on your age, body type, limitations, etc. He understands not every student is the same. Not all of us have the same goals in life. I have met many gym owners who usually are great competitors, but lack in the teaching department. Rob Ables is a master, a teacher, a coach. He has taught me many valuable lessons, and often times they were just slight modifications to things I was doing that made a world of difference. I have never seen a more selfless coach, he has never turned me down or any other student when we ask him to show us something after class is over. Not only him but the other coaches there are absolutely amazing. Dan Butterfield is also a treasure filled with wisdom. Inside and outside of the mats, he's compassionate, wise and extremely good at the gentle. art of Jiu Jitsu. He's a father figure to many. He's always glad to help and assist students. Kevin : he's a new coach that started teaching just before I moved away from Dallas , but his classes are absolutely fun and he has no ego. He will spar with lower belts and let us test ourselves. Being that he's very competent at Jiu-Jitsu, it's great to have someone at his level allow us to practice. School Philosophy: The Marcelo Garcia philosophy is basically to rely on technique above all else. We are taught to maintain our competence, respect and integrity once we step away from the mats as well. Training Partners: They are absolutely great. I have never had issues with anyone that had been coming to the school for a while. All my partners were respectful, took great care of me, had great awareness and are not "out to get you", they quickly became true friends. It was pretty comforting to find such a great school with really down to earth, respectful partners. They also have a plethora of seasoned competitors that will definitely push you if you so choose, it's definitely good to push yourself against the very high skilled active competitors here. I always learned something new every time I rolled with them. Conclusion : This is as 5 stars of a Jiu Jitsu school as it gets. Everything about the school is great and I'm very thankful to having been a part of this academy for roughly 2 years. I dearly miss it and have no doubts anyone who cares about good jiu Jitsu will love it here.

Rarely am I inclined to post a review on a place that I frequent. After all there is a lot at…read morestake with posting an honest review; if people realize the exceptional quality of instruction and the feeling of family and support then more and more prospective students will show up. What happens then is unknown; a bigger jiu-jitsu "family" , more friends, and training partners to improve my bjj game? Who knows? So I must choose my words carefully... here it goes... Marcelo Garcia Dallas is simply the bast place to train in Dallas TX. It is not uncommon to see instructors from other schools coming in to catch a lesson from Rob. The cadre of instructors is more than capable of covering a wide range of bjj styles, from old school to the new school with leg and ankle attacks. I am constantly impressed with all the different approaches the students have. It is easy to find a favorite training partner in any class and the owner does a great job of encouraging a sense of family. If you can judge the quality of an instructor by his/ her students then MGD instructors are "top shelf". Oh, they even have a "Ladies only" class taught by the toughest women on planet earth. There an honest review.

It's in the details. The care of the instructors, the design of their logo, the cleanliness of the…read morestudio. Everything about it feels good. I came here for the martial arts but have gained more than that. There is a community here. The students this studio attracts is what makes this place shine. I originally practiced somewhere else and it was missing all of these details. I'm excited to practice here and am even more excited that my daughter choose to switch studios and practice here with me. She was worried about leaving her friends but has already made new ones.

We take our 7 year old here for karate lessons and she loves it! The business is very well run. The…read moreinstructors are very friendly and helpful. They have new activities each week so the kids don't get bored. About once a month they have a special event on Saturday nights with pizza and something the kids will love. For example, last month was sponge ball shooting (whatever it is called). Anyway, this was a great decision. We are happy that she is active and learning self-defense, and the kid loves going. She goal is a black belt! And she is so proud of her two stripes already on her white belt.

Such a welcoming place! I've been taking the kickboxing classes and have learned so much and…read morepersonally for me, a great way to meet my fitness goals. All the coaches are knowledgeable and provide 1:1 guidance despite the group setting. Their experience and background in MMA is apparent during classes. Family-friendly and women-friendly environment with classes for adults and kids available is a win-win. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or kickboxing classes regardless of your current level.

From the owner: We have a team of high level instructors with many years of experience on the mats.read more

This gym has a family oriented mentality. They have great coaches for kids and a dedicated to…read morehelping people better themselves. The teachers have good credentials and will give you a workout that you will be proud of. They work with all levels and strive to teach classes that will make an impact in your martial arts game.

I am extremely disappointed at Fortis MMA and 24 Hour Fitness Rockwall for their support in Steven…read morePeterson; aka "Ocho". DO NOT SIGN UP. YOU ARE WARNED. Timeline below: Sat June 29, 2024 - My husband and I wanted to sign up for MMA sessions. I walked into the location inside the 24 Hour Fitness Rockwall and asked for private session pricing. I met Steven "Ocho" Peterson at that moment and I really wish I hadn't. I had no idea that I would be scammed. Sun June 30, 2024 - Our first session with Ocho was at their Dallas location. This went so well that we decided to sign up. Wed July 3, 2024 - Based on his session rate; we PREPAID all upfront for both of us on Sunday July 7 for $2000. Over the course of a A LOT of rescheduling; we only utilized 2 sessions and our balance is now $1800. Sun Aug 11, 2024 - I showed up for our session ON TIME and was gas lighted as I was waiting for my session to begin. I waited for 45 minutes and Ocho NO SHOWED. He then messaged me stating that it was my fault and he did show up. There was another trainer there that even asked who I was waiting on. I left. Then demanded he paid us back our PREPAID $1800. Sun Aug 18, 2024 - Ocho apologized (see screenshot) and took accountability. However; he had already utilized the money. We accepted his payment terms. TODAY Sat Feb 22, 2025*** - He has now GHOSTED us and REFUSES to make his last payment of $270. This is the ULTIMATE SCAM. DO NOT SIGN UP. YOU ARE WARNED. DO NOT SIGN UP. YOU ARE WARNED. DO NOT SIGN UP. YOU ARE WARNED. DO NOT SIGN UP. YOU ARE WARNED. I have attached screenshots of the text messages for CYA proof. Again; I am sorely disappointed that Fortis MMA Lakeside and 24 Hour Fitness would even back up, support, and promote someone like him. Where are your morals? Where are your principles? Why would you take advantage of female? Why would you take advantage of innocent couple? All good - God will take care of it.

They have a legit number of professional UFC fighters in this gym. Respected throughout the…read moreworld-wide MMA community