Mixed martial arts have become increasingly popular both as a spectator sport and as an exercise program for kids and adults.
There are dozens of martial art types, each with a distinct set of moves and techniques, but all of them aim to teach core values of discipline, honor, and self-defense.
If you’re a resident in Oakdale and the surrounding areas, you have multiple options to explore the wide world of martial arts. The Oakdale mixed martial arts scene offers a variety of studios, training centers, and gyms with excellent instructors, programs, and classes for all ages and fitness levels.
Oakdale MMA Gym opened its doors in 1988, making it the oldest MMA establishment in Oakdale.
They pride themselves on being fully involved in their community, educating multiple generations of kids and adults, and donating money and fundraising efforts to various charitable causes.
The four main styles of MMA offered on the permanent schedule are Behring Jiu-Jitsu, Last Stand Kickboxing, Judo, and Kajukenbo.
Classes are heavily geared toward children. Around 80% of regular classes are for kids and adolescents, and the other 20% are adult classes. There are also seminars, summer youth programs, group courses for self-defense, and adult fitness classes that revolve around conditioning for MMA as opposed to the specific techniques of each style.
The roster of instructors at Oakdale MMA is impressive, starting with the founder, Tom Theofanopoulos, who has a black belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a grandmaster in Kajukenbo. The Judo instructor, Christine Penick-Lincoln was the first African American woman to place in the World Judo Championships and has 45 years of experience fighting and teaching.
Oakdale MMA has received numerous awards, including a Cali Fight Award vote for Best MMA Gym back in 2014 and a Lifetime Achievement Award for founder Tom Theofanopoulos.
The pros of Oakdale MMA include its longevity in the MMA community, high-quality classes and professors, and continued involvement in the community.
You can find Oakdale MMA at 140 N. Second Ave. Oakdale, CA 95361
Fighter Fit Boxing in neighboring Modesto, CA is the brainchild of couple Paul and Jackie, who have decades of experience as professional MMA fighters and trainers.
They trained and taught various MMA styles out of their garage in the mid-'90s. Later, they founded a large MMA training gym that expanded in size and membership to be one of the largest in Northern California.
In 2020, they opened Fighter Fit Boxing studio with a different focus that has made them incredibly popular with adults and children of all fitness levels.
What’s unique about Fighter Fit Boxing is that they offer fighter fit classes - intense conditioning classes based on professional fighter conditioning - as opposed to specific MMA style fighting classes.
Paul and Jackie, as well as three other instructors with professional or semi-professional MMA fighting experience, give hour-long intensive fitness classes to adults and children, using boxing techniques and a combination of weights, kickboxing, and circuit training.
Pricing options include drop-ins for 20$, monthly unlimited classes for 150$, 10-pack of classes for 180$, among other packaged plans.
Fighter Fit classes are excellent for functional conditioning, toning, and losing weight for folks of every fitness level.
If you want to get into the best shape of your life while learning great fighting techniques in the process, Fighter Fit Boxing - 518 Kiernan Ave., Modesto, CA 95356 - could be a great option.
Modesto Power is a multi-disciplinary gym and training studio.
Modesto provides classes to train fighters wishing to compete in the cage as well as more general fitness and cardio classes incorporating MMA conditioning exercises.
Modesto Power offers four main programs:
There are four instructors, each one in charge of one of the four programs, and all of them with years of fighting, teaching, and training experience including Muay Thai black belts and Jiu-Jitsu World Championship wins.
They offer a full weekly schedule of different classes within each program as well as free community classes on the weekends. There are classes geared toward youth training, but all ages and fitness levels are welcome in every program.
Modesto Power has the plus of offering something for everyone, wrapped up in a friendly, community-oriented vibe.
You can find Modesto at 2400 Coffee road Suite 1, Modesto, CA 95355
Red Dragon Shou Shu offers both youth and adult programs in Shou Shu martial arts, a specific mixed martial art with techniques geared toward self-defense moves.
A student advances through various levels to receive different belts as they acquire both fighting and philosophical knowledge from each class.
Classes are taught by the owner and founder Shun Shifu Nathaniel Cardona, who is a 4th degree Shou Shu black belt.
The objective of Shou Shu is less about fighting belts and more about developing life values such as discipline and honor, arguably a great goal for anyone!
Check out Red Dragon Shou Shou at 3012 MCHENRY AVE. STE D., MODESTO, CA 95350.
Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu Turlock is a specialized Jiu Jitsu program.
Exploring aspects of the different styles of jiu-jitsu in a comprehensive, well-planned program, Guerilla offers classes that can quickly and systematically turn beginners into seasoned fighters.
Youth programs are for age groups 3-5 and 5-15, and there is also an invite-only youth fighting team.
Two adult programs are also offered, with options for either a 20 or 40 class package that include fundamental, theoretical classes as well as combative classes and sparring sessions.
These are incredibly comprehensive programs geared specifically toward Jiu-Jitsu, and can provide an immersive and consuming experience for youth and adults alike.
Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu also offers online streaming of classes, tutorials, and fighting videos for an additional subscription fee. You can take the first class for free to get a feel for what the program is about.
Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu operates from 1608 Fulkerth Road Turlock, CA.
Ultimate Athlete Jiu-Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym with programs for kids and adults.
They offer a range of programs, including:
There are also strength and conditioning classes that you can take separately if you don’t want to pay for a packaged program. The pricing is the same for adults and children with monthly memberships at 160$, 6-month contracts at 140$ /month, and year contracts at 120$/month.
They also offer virtual classes, and will also offer you a free trial class.
Ultimate Athlete Jiu-Jitsu can be found at: 5225 Pentecost Drive Ste 14 Modesto, CA 95356.
Manteca Martial Arts in Manteca, California focuses on teaching self-defense and anti-bullying tactics to kids.
They have a martial arts program that specializes in Karate for youth and adults, and also offer a specific program in self-defense against bullying.
Their website provides startling statistics about violence in schools, at home, and in the community, stressing the importance of knowing self-defense.
With customizable programs, schedules to fit a variety of needs, and the option for group or 1-1 sessions, Manteca Martial Arts could prove an accessible option for you.
A free trial week means you can even try out multiple classes before deciding on a program.
The owner and trainer, Mark Cameron, is a British Army veteran with 45 years of training in Karate, Judo, boxing, and kickboxing.
You can check out Manteca Martial Arts at: 1463 Moffat Blvd Suite 11 12 Manteca, CA 95336
Founded and run by army veteran and mixed martial artist Steve “Iron Dog” Shelburn, the Iron Dog Institute offers various MMA classes that combine practicum and theory.
These classes can help equip students for physical combat by allowing them to take on values core to MMA philosophy.
Steve has studied MMA for nearly 40 years, and has been instructing for the past 25 years.
His certifications include Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Silat, Krav Maga, and Filipino Martial Arts. He offers classes for kids and adults in all these disciplines along with general physical fitness classes.
His programs are fairly comprehensive, so you will have the chance to try out various techniques while potentially getting into great shape and achieving your fitness or weight loss goals.
Programs are small, personalized, and incredibly well-received in the Modesto community.
A longstanding Ceres MMA institution, Ceres Karate and Krav Maga opened in 1992 and has since become one of the premier MMA training centers in the region.
They offer morning and evening classes in their giant four-floor training center in the following disciplines:
Experienced instructors have a strict teaching style for kids and adults. However, kids and adults rave about their high-intensity, entertaining classes along with the good habits they instill that spill over into everyday life. The monthly class fees are around 120$, but they offer a free week trial.
Ceres Karate and Krav Maga are at: 2500 Central Ave. Ceres, CA 95307
Run by Master Instructor Rob Kitajima, West Coast Martial Arts specializes in Tae Kwon Do, with programs for all age groups from toddlers to adults.
They offer drill and technique classes as well as conditioning and physical fitness classes for adults.
Check them out at 1010 W Las Palmas Ave. Patterson, CA 95363.
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