Absolute MMA Melbourne CBD
136 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
136 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Great staff, coaches are very experienced and knowledgeable in their explanations and demonstrations. Gym members are welcoming and helpful/supportive. Best place to get started or training martial arts.
Posted 1 year agoI recently had a trial experience at Absolute MMA, and while there were some positive aspects, there are several areas that could use improvement. Pros: The facilities are excellent, with a variety of programs available. Tony at the front desk was incredibly kind and helpful. He gave me a warm welcome, showed me around the gym, and provided all the necessary details about the class. The community of training partners was great. I had the pleasure of sparring with people from Argentina and Italy, who were skilled, respectful, and friendly. Cons: 1. Communication & Organization Prior to my trial, I tried to call the gym to inform them I’d be late. Unfortunately, my call was redirected to another location, and the CBD staff seemed less accommodating when I arrived. Finding the specific training space was confusing, and the person at the front desk was not very helpful. Their rushed and dismissive attitude was disappointing. 2. Coaching Experience The Muay Thai coach (on January 16th) left a lot to be desired. He did not introduce himself, nor did he engage with my training partner or me during the class. This lack of acknowledgment and rapport-building felt unprofessional. During sparring, I sustained a minor cut on my elbow. When my bandage came off, the coach’s response was unnecessarily stern and disrespectful. Instead of offering immediate assistance, he couldn't find a band aid and directed me to find a bandage downstairs with no clear instructions. Walking down 11 flights of stairs mid-class to search for a band-aid is not reasonable. The coach’s tone throughout the class was condescending, as though speaking to a subordinate rather than an adult. As someone with extensive experience training at gyms across Mexico, Canada, and the US, I have never encountered this level of disrespect from a coach. Conclusion: Absolute MMA has great potential with its top-tier facilities and welcoming community of training partners. However, the unprofessional behavior of the Muay Thai coach significantly impacted my experience. Respect, clear communication, and professionalism are essential in any training environment, and this gym fell short in those areas during my visit. I hope this feedback helps the gym improve its services and better align with the high standards expected in martial arts training spaces. I appreciate Absolute MMA for their response to my concerns. Martial arts has been a transformative and positive force in my life, and I genuinely hope to see it help others grow as well. I would be happy to return and give the gym another opportunity. If my experience surpasses my expectations, I will gladly update my review to reflect that.
Posted 1 year agoI'm reviewing for CBD but have trained at all locations over the years. My sport was BJJ. I joined Absolute in 2020, and trained there for four years - I only left as I moved away from Melbourne. I will definitely train with them again if I return. All of the gyms were great places to train and the staff were all really good to work with, and well deserving of their reputations. The facilities and equipment were all in good condition and well maintained, and the staff were all welcoming and encouraging, catering to all levels of skill and experience. A shame I had to leave.
Posted 1 year agoBest jiujitsu gym in CBD! Front desk staff (Ethan and Tony) are super helpful with membership questions! Alastair is an awesome MMA instructor who teaches techniques instead of just sparring! Highly recommend
Posted 1 year agoI joined in 2012 for Prodigies Teen MMA and progressed over the years trying Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling and BJJ. Despite being very shy and not very talkative, Absolute has felt like a family to me. Coaches are high level and very helpful and push you to bring out your potential. The facilities are amazing and the people you'll meet are next level. I couldn't recommend Absolute MMA anymore highly as one of the best gyms in Melbourne whether it is to compete or learn martial arts or just raise your fitness. Price is worth it if you dedicate your time to train They also have really sick seminars too. Got an old school Mark Hunt photo attached. Thank you for the 12 years of training!
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