I don't understand why anyone would write a negative review about JJ on here. Given the nature of his work, it's possible some individuals may feel frustrated with their own personal situations and progress. However, our experience was overwhelmingly positive, and we are doing great because of his training. My child and I have been with Sparta for over 1.5 years, and he has been extremely professional and helpful. We made great progress and I would highly recommend JJ to anyone. His gym provides a wonderful environment, and everyone in my family looked forward to our classes and training sessions. Highly recommend! read more

when I worked in the private security business I was looking for a martial arts gym since we were experiencing a healthy amount of physical altercations at the bars and clubs we serviced. A friend recommended this Sparta Academy so I called and spoke with one of the instructors. Mind you, I was already sold by my friend's recommendation and I wanted to sign up for the annual package that day. I called and was polite over the phone but right off the bat the guy was already annoyed by me calling. I asked if they taught street self defense such as how to defend yourself against an armed attacker with a knife, gun, 2X4, etc. and he became very rude after that. As if that question was offensive but to the other Martial art gyms I called that question didn't phase them. I didn't think that was an out of pocket question because I have been to gyms that solely focus on MMA cage fighting and they do not teach you how to disarm weapons from an attacker. Another important question I had was the parking since in LA it's insane finding street parking and I told him that I am very big on being on time. Then he threw a light insult at me insinuating that I must be late all the time for me to ask that. The final jab for me was when he told me that they have a parking structure available for their students located at the plaza their gym is at so I drive down there after the call and was still willing to sign up but as I pulled in to the parking lot the tenant yelled and stopped me telling me I cannot park down there then I told him I was trying to get to Sparta Academy and the tenant said that I needed to find parking on the street. I drove around and I couldn't find street parking for 15+ minutes so I just left and went to another MMA gym located 45 minutes away from me and just signed up with their annual package instead just because they were kind. It sucks because I just got a bad vibe all around from this gym and I pass it everyday since it's right near me. I was excited but I guess god really didn't want me to go here. It's like a fat person walking into the gym, if the receptionist is hostile over the phone they will go somewhere else that is inviting even if its a farther drive. read more

I have been training here for several months now and by far THE BEST and most professional and knowledgeable instructors. JJ does an amazing job and is the best instructor period. I have made sure to tell anyone interested in training to go to Sparta Academy. Thank you, JJ, and team. read more

Jonathan is literally the most caring and professional instructor who just wants the best for his students. I went from not knowing anything about self defense, to feeling more secure and confident with myself when I'm out in a public event. Very grateful to Jonathan & the good that he does in this world read more

Sparta Academy has been an amazing experience for my daughter. I brought my six year old little girl to Sparta's Kids MMA and she absolutely loved it! Not only does this class show kids defense, it also teaches them, how to work as a team, discipline, consistency. She's learned the value of hard work, and not to give up if she doesn't get something right away. She's learned so much, skills that she can apply not only in practice but in all other areas of life. JJ, the owner having small kids himself has really honed in on making these classes not only fun, but practical for the kids. As the mother of a little girl it makes me feel better knowing that my daughter knows how to defend and what to do in case of a situation. read more

Sparta Academy - Sparta Academy Kids MMA class. - Trainers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The gym also offers amenities like a cold plunge and infrared sauna that work great to rev metabolism and speed up recovery when I'm sore or injured. read more

After neglecting working out for years, JJ is helping me get back into shape. It's been great having both cross-training (weights and cardio) under the same roof as MMA training. The class sizes are small and welcome newcomers. Everyone is very friendly and willing to help. Highly recommended! read more

1 month in and down a dress size. JJ is the best!! Have made friends with several of the women who come here. As a super nerd I never thought ever I'd look forward to working out. So grateful! read more

I trained with Jonathan at various gyms east of Doheny for over 6 years before he opened Sparta Academy. I didn't realize it at the time - but I was learning the basic Olympic lifts (squat, deadlift, cleans, etc.), which provided a very efficient full-body workout. I think the fact that Jonathan was a professional athlete and has competed extensively in martial arts adds a lot of depth to the training experience for me. After resisting it for quite a while, I finally broke down and became willing to travel west of Doheny to train with Jonathan again. I'm glad I did. The training experience is still top notch - but I also really enjoy the camaraderie of working with others in this small gym environment. The other members are super supportive and helpful to each other. A good place. read more

I haven't been to Sparta academy before, but my boyfriend Andreas has been going to Sparta academy on/off for the last six months and he absolutely loves it so much. He always talks so highly about the coaches/owner and the classes. He's hyped it so much he's even got me interested in learning more about their classes, especially since I've always wanted to learn self defense and was never really sure where to begin. I can't wait to sign up for my first class and start to love it just as much as my boyfriend! (: read more

My experience at Sparta has been nothing less than exceptional, from the professionalism & expertise of the owner (Jonathan) to the friendliness from all the students I've met. I recently had the honor of attending a belt promotion and after hearing the belt graduates talk about Jonathan, and how he has made such a positive impact on their lives, made me very proud to be a Sparta client. I would definitely recommend Sparta if you not only want to learn the skill of jiu jitsu, but also learn it from a professor who actually cares about you as an Individual while ensuring you attain your goals. read more

I've trained in Jiu jitsu all over the world. Sparta Academies professionalism has been unmatched. The coaches are extremely knowledgeable, and are great teachers. It's an amazing training environment, one I would recommend for all ages. Definitely check it out! read more

This gym was highly recommended by my friend and what a great find. It's fully equipped to whip me back into shape. Great vibes from the staff. Can't wait to reach my fitness goals. read more

The owner of Sparta Academy, Johnathon Howard, has all these 5 star reviews and wanted to check him out. I went there and the service was terrible. I gave an honest try and he only seem interested in talking to women. I saw him being aggressive with a couple of women when they didn't do what he wanted. I hope he's in therapy to address his aggression. I cannot recommend him the training was terrible . Please look elsewhere for a better gym. read more

Clean and fancy gym. Classes are great you can feel they are all professionals and know what they are talking about. I love the punching bags there too and the parking is easy. Great spot highly recommended read more

Very good gym! All the equipment needed and very good quality they have classes and kids classes. I would definitely recommend this gym for anyone! read more

Outstanding gym with impressive integrity! I would highly recommend them! I had a billing issue and brought it to their attention. No run around or excuses, they immediately resolved my issue in the most professional way. Even when they didn't have to! read more

First time coming out to the Sparta Academy & it was such a great time! Instructors are awesome got a great workout in with everyone ! Def recommend coming here ! -Priscilla Quinones read more

Sparta Academy - Sparta Academy for #ColdPursuitMovie Event :D great day! - Trainers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I took an evening Krav Maga class through ClassPass and loved it! Class sizes are smaller (there were 5 people total in that class) than the ones at my usual gym (UFC) so it was a nice change. It is a really small gym. One guy was doing clean presses and you can feel the whole platform shake when he let his barbell fall. They keep it pretty clean and utilize all the space they've got! JJ was a personable instructor. I got to see Kiara teach a little bit since she joined the class halfway through, and she was great! Overall good vibes, and no one was weird/had ego issues (which happens sometimes with MMA gyms). Full disclosure they gave me a free shirt for writing a review so all 22 reviews for this place are high lol. I personally would not get a membership here because the pricing is so steep, but if you make more $$ than I do, check this place out! read more

Booked some 1 on 1 Mauy Thai sessions while I was in town. Great place, clean, john the owner/trainer was great. Just what I was looking for while in LA. read more

Super friendly, team atmosphere. Everyone willing to help teach and encourage. Great workout and perfect for anyone's experience level. Definitely going again. read more

Amazing workout! The girls were so helpful! So much fun and clean facility! :) Looking forward to coming back! read more

As a female, this gym was very intimidating at first, but my SO was looking for a gym to lose the pandemic weight we put on and we decided to give it a try. We're so glad we did because we've been so impressed by the results! We're only doing the cross-training classes 4x a week and see better results than when we were doing HIIT classes 6x a week. I was afraid that lifting heavy was going to bulk me up, but it's been the opposite - the cross-training classes helped LEAN me out. The morning cross-training classes are great. The class sizes are SMALL- like 6 people max per class. And I've never had an issue with booking a class. I've been to other gyms where it's been 20+ people per class, where it's been difficult to book and you don't get much feedback from trainers. With the small classes at Sparta Academy, it's as if you're getting personal training. The coaches (JJ, Brennan, and Jason) are EXCELLENT- very knowledgeable and friendly. The coaches will monitor your form and offer advice on how to improve your lifts safely. JJ customizes the workout of the day, so you're training strategically. The other clients are friendly and motivating. If you are new, do not be intimidated! The trainers will help you throughout the class (for several sessions), so it's almost like you're getting personal training. TL;DR Pros: Excellent coaches Small classes Rapid results Strategic workouts Friendly environment Newbies welcomed read more

It was hard getting back into a routine after the pandemic, but finding Sparta Academy was such a blessing, I cannot say enough good things about this gym. I initially booked personal training with JJ. Not only is he a great trainer and dedicated to helping me achieve my goals, but he also helped push me to get out of my comfort zone & try the other classes offered there as well. Not long after joining I found a great community of people who are fun to train with and keep me on track. If you're considering or have been wanting to try any of the martial arts this is the best place to do it. All levels are welcome and the all trainers are very patient and helpful. read more

I started training at Sparta Academy after gym restrictions lifted and have been loving it ever since. I have personal training sessions with JJ who is a great instructor with excellent attention to detail. The gym itself is a fantastic facility which is well maintained. I've brought several friends along with me and they've all enjoyed their experience. Highly recommend. read more

Started taking personal training here a few days ago and so far so good. The founder takes personal care to find out my goals and is super helpful with his advice. He pushes me but not in a way I can't handle. Facility is clean with a full shower and there's parking. Pretty happy so far. read more

Love this gym. JJ is a great teacher and all the other students are awesome and welcoming. Highly recommend.

Took a kickboxing class and it was awesome! I had never been kickboxing before and the trainers were so patient and helpful with teaching me the moves. It was a lot of fun and a great workout. Highly recommend! read more

I have wanted to learn Muy Thai and take classes for a while now, for both self defense and fitness purposes. I found Sparta Academy, and I am so happy I did. From the time I walked in, JJ (the owner) had a great personality, super knowledgeable (he trained in Thailand) and accommodating. I signed up for 10 personal training sessions to learn Muy Thai basics on the spot. The gym itself is clean and very welcoming (definitely feels like a family already), and follows all Covid safety protocols. JJ takes the time to teach you proper techniques and encourages your progress. Looking forward to continuing my training with Sparta. If you are looking for skilled MMA training or just a great fitness gym, hurry to Sparta. I highly recommend this place! read more

This studio is amazing! my daughter has been attending private Krav Maga classes with Dayra for 2 years and she is thriving! Thank you Sparta and Dayra. read more

It was great working with JJ, I felt accomplished and broke quite a sweat. He explains things well and pushes you to challenge yourself. Would recommend. read more

Great spot for working out and with COVID-safe protocols in place! Clean and definitely a great spot for self-care especially during this time. read more

My friend dragged me to join in her training session and whoa! This place is no joke. The owner is passionate about what he does and it shows. Can't wait to show off my results this summer. read more

This review is well over due. After having relocated from Florida to California, I had become a bit sedentary in my lifestyle. I knew I needed a jump start with my training, the problem was finding the right individual. I was a member of a local gym and had been given Jonathan's business card by a friend. After having met with Jonathan I was impressed with his level of professionalism, his goal setting and the evaluation process. I have been working out with Jonathan for approximately 6 months. My goal is to ultimately pass with flying colors the physical agility test for a local agency in the Los Angeles area. What has impressed me is his level of dedication to his client along with the planning and instruction provided. Since beginning, I am definitely stronger and faster, in addition to my motivation to attain my goals has become more consistent. Jonathan's expertise extends beyond just the physical element of fitness. He has been able to guide me with my diet (fun) in order to facilitate my weight loss goal. This by far has been the most challenging portion of my training. It is still a work in progress and although his knowledge is unsurpassed, the responsibility lies solely on my shoulders, which by the way, are much more defined than when I began :) Overall, I cannot state how thankful I am for having Jonathan as a personal trainer who both pushes me to my limits and continues to help me reach my goals. A true consummate professional who keeps you on task while making it actually enjoyable. read more

Great spot to train. I have been doing beginner jiu jitsu and some weights. Clean and friendly place. Not intimidating. JJ is great.

Sparta academy is amazing it made me a new woman! I feel great and I am definitely coming back. Thank you Matt and Ani read more

Awesome place, good instructors and intimate setting Unlike other places where you feel neglected the instructors work with you one on one read more

Sparta Academy is a fun and friendly place. JJ is very knowledgeable and patient when working with clients. He push you to be your best without forcing or putting too much pressure. Eddie is also helpful and make you feel welcomed. Definitely will be back for more sessions. read more

Great place to train and fight. JJ knows his stuff. I've seen great results. The place is super clean too if that's a concern at all because a lot of gyms are not. Personal training is also a great option. read more

Super fun class with a great atmosphere. Clean facilities and very friendly instructors. They have equipment available for rent (boxing gloves, shin guards) if you don't have any and easy parking in front of the studio. They guide you through the moves if you don't know them and keep an eye out for you if it's your first time! read more