Charlotte boasts dozens of MMA and martial arts studios, so choose from the best of the best with studios that promise the best training in the sport. From Gracie-trained Brazilian jiu jitsu fighters to the martial arts lover who teaches kids to defend themselves against bullies, these trainers know mixed martial arts.

Photo credit: ultimate-gym.com

Ultimate Gym
401 E. 35th St.
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 333-0071
www.ultimate-gym.com

Price: varies by class
Hours: Mon to Fri – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sun – closed

The Ultimate Gym provides body-building, martial-arts and mixed martial arts training. The gym operates in an environment that inspires and promotes growth and development of the mind, body and spirit. The Ultimate Gym welcomes anyone from novices to experienced competitors. It prides itself in shaping training programs around the needs of each student.

Photo credit: leadershipma.com

Leadership Martial Arts
9124-G S. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28273
(704) 532-3371
www.leadershipma.com

Price: free trial self-defense and fitness classes/no testing or sign-up fees/25 percent off for second family member/50 percent off for remaining family members
Hours: Mon to Sat by class; Sun – closed

Leadership Martial Arts teaches several forms of martial arts including Brazilian jiu jitsu, kickboxing, karate, judo and crav maga. Leadership Martial Arts is dedicated to teaching discipline and restraint through martial arts. First and foremost, it promotes a fun and welcoming environment for every student to learn martial arts, working toward goals as simple as fun and stress management or as complex as competitive fighting. Drop the kids off for its after-school program where they can practice not only martial arts, but receive homework help, break boards and snack while they wait for parents to get off work.

Photo credit:sparksmartialarts.com

SPARKS Martial Arts
1020A Stallings Rd.
Stallings, NC 28104
(704) 839-1818
www.sparksmartialarts.com

Price: free first private lesson/budgeted payment plans/no monthly membership
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sat – 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Fri and Sun – closed

SPARKS Martial Arts is your quintessential local martial arts studio. A small studio with one location opened in Stallings, this highly competitive studio is quickly making a name for itself. SPARKS also boasts one of the only Joe Lewis Fighting Systems blackbelt sensei in the Charlotte area. SPARKS offers adult and children’s programs, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Related: More Martial Arts

Photo Credit: charlottekravmaga.com

Charlotte Krav Maga
9129-135 Monroe Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28270
(704) 814-0300
www.charlottekravmaga.com

Price: $20 two-class trial membership
Hours: Mon to Sat by class; Sun – closed

Charlotte Krav Maga offers the area’s most diverse fitness and martial arts options in a fun and safe environment. It’s the Charlotte area’s only worldwide krav maga training center. Charlotte Krav Maga has devised programs that connect fitness to fighting and fighting to fitness. Whichever you are looking for, Charlotte Krav Maga will devise a program that fits your needs.

Photo Credit: crossfacemma.com

Crossface MMA
20801 Torrence Chapel Rd.
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 239-3072
www.crossfacemma.com

Price: varies by class
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri – closed; Sat – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Sun – closed

Crossface MMA offers Crossfit workouts, Brazilian jiu jitsu, muay Thai and karate. Crossface coach Steve Elliot boasts 21 years in the martial arts. He has a black belt in tae kwon do, a brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, a level one certified Crossfit instructor. Professor Mario Aiello boasts of 23 years of jiu jitsu, even teaching Brazilian jiu jitsu in Rio de Janeiro after training with the Gracie family.

Related: Best Martial Arts Studios

Guilherme K. Batista (but please, just call him Gui) received his Bachelors Degree from Bucknell University in 2007. In May 2011 he received his MBA from the McColl School of Business. Today, in addition to writing for examiner.com, he also runs a family business in Charlotte, NC that specialized in custom kitchen and bath design. His work can be found at Examiner.com.