150 Zoe Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356, USA
Kentucky's best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Wrestling gym. If you're looking for the best Mixed Martial Arts training in central Kentucky, check out Reaction MMA!
We have had the best experience! Just becoming a part of the reaction family has done wonders for my own mental health. My kids love their own juijitsu classes there. They've improved with their social skills, physical endurance, and mental strength. We live in a beautiful world..but it can get pretty nasty. I feel more confident sending my kids out into it. The coaches and Professor especially will push you to become your best..to encourage you to go 10 steps further when you want to give up. Be in a place that will build you up not to tear you down.. these coaches will build you up and push you to find your inner strength when you feel like tearing yourself down. Fight to become a better version of yourself. Reaction MMA is an great place to start breaking down your walls and fighting those inner and outer fears. We love it. Maybe you will too :)
**Reposting due to error on previous post** Reaction MMA is a phenomenal gym for a multitude of reasons. There is no better gym in the Lexington area, arguably the state. 1. The Facilities: The gym is brand new and furnished with 3 separate mat areas (one very large, one large, and one small), a full boxing ring, a half-cage, a well stocked weighting lifting area, and a 6 bag punching bag set up. The gym has everything tangible required to succeed in the sport. 2. Professor Rob: Rob is an expert at his craft and a great teacher. He specifically leads the adult BJJ and boxing classes, as well the kids classes from what I have seen. I do know that he spends most of, if not his entire day, on site. You will learn from him personally and he walks around and individually coaches during class. He is always available for questions. 3. The Coaches: Rob surrounds himself with other highly talented and well-learned instructors. Rob’s wife, Kristen, a fellow very accomplished BJJ black belt, runs the kids classes from what I have seen. Grant and Logan run the kickboxing / Muay Thai classes and are extremely well versed in the sport. They are both great teachers and offer private lessons at an affordable price. Rob has a handful of other BJJ black belts that help walk around and coach during his adult BJJ classes. There are also several brown and purple belts that will help coaching, specifically at the beginners BJJ classes, allowing newcomers access to very proficient practitioners of the sport. Namely, these are coaches John and James who both coach very well. 4- The members: The bench runs very deep at Reaction. You will notice immediately that there are professional, amateur, and hobbyist fighters at the gym, but you will also notice that we all train together. I have worked with new people on day one of their journey and I have worked with professional fighters with skills beyond my imagination. We are all one team at Reaction and we train like it. You will learn the exact same thing as a casual hobbyist as the professional fighters at the gym. Rob and his staff coach you to win fights regardless of if you want to step in the cage or not. This translates very well into self-defense, which is a common reason many of the hobbyist join the gym. 5 - The culture: There is a very strong culture of growth, grit, and determination at Reaction. The quick pep talks from Rob at the start or end of class help to set this tone. Everyone at the gym is there to better themselves and you will learn very quickly that who you are outside of the gym means nothing, and all that matters is how you treat others and how hard you work inside of the gym. Whether you are a newcomer or a pro, you will be treated with respect and leave better at the sport than you were when you entered that day. I firmly believe that Rob and the men and women at Reaction have made me a better person than I was before I joined 18 months ago. Reaction will be much more than a gym to you - it will be a part of your life.
Reaction is a phenomenal gym for a multitude of reasons. There is no better gym in the Lexington area, arguably the state. 1. The gym is brand new and furnished with 3 separate mat areas (one very large, one large, and one small), a full boxing ring, a half-cage, a well stocked weighting lifting area, and a 6 bag punching bag set up. The gym has everything tangible required to succeed in the sport. 2. Professor Rob. Rob is an expert at his craft and a great teacher. He specifically leads the adult BJJ classes and the boxing classes as well the kids classes from what I have seen. I do know that he spends most of, if not his entire day, on site. You will learn from him personally and he walks around and individually coaches during class. 3. Rob surrounds himself with other highly talented and well-learned instructors. Rob’s wife Kristen, a BJJ black belt, runs the kids classes from what I have seen. Grant and Logan run the kickboxing / Muay Thai classes and are extremely well versed in the sport. They are both great teachers and offer private
I have been training at Reaction for a long time, over 10 years at this point. I don’t get to train as often as I’d like but, I love coming here when I can. I look forward to it each week, and started bring my brother recently as well. It’s a great environment, with friendly people and good training partners. Rob Nickerson and the other coaches do a great job teaching, as well as treating everyone with respect. Come check it out!
Best gym in the whole state of Kentucky, doesn’t matter if you want to complete or just stay in shape, this is the place to go!
As a visiting student, Reaction was a really nice gym to get in some rolls & instruction time. Even with large class sizes, no student is left out or without guidance. Professor Rob & his team are very friendly & welcoming. I would absolutely consider this a home away from home type of place & people. Grateful for people and places like this - raising the industry standard and bar. Thank you Reaction team! See you next time!
Great place to train! Very clean with extremely knowledgeable coaches!
Had a great first experience there, the gym is extremely nice with a great staff. The other members are very welcoming and supportive, they provide a competitive environment while prioritizing safety.
Had a phenomenal time at the adult BJJ class. Very welcoming and instructive environment. The instructors as well as the students promote a competitive learning experience without compromising the safety of the practitioners.
Ive been going here since I was in 8th grade, Im about to be 17 now and there’s no other place Id rather be every school night. Professor Rob is an exceptional mentor and truly cares about his students.
took my grandson heard a lot about the professor words of wisdom where amazing all kids well behaved great learning
boxing was great i really enjoyed as a lady i felt very comfortable in a most of the time uncomfortable do something new great place cant wait for next class
amazing place coaches are friendly and all the students where very nice and they have a woman blackbelt which was very surprising
I went here for a women’s self defense class and loved it. I don’t have any training experience and everyone was super welcoming and patient to teach me basic self defense skills!!
Best BJJ facility around! Professor Rob & his staff are the best!
Joining this gym has been one of the best decisions I have made. No better option in Kentucky whether you are looking for a new hobby, fitness challenge, or are interested in competing. Professor Rob is a first class human and it reflects through all of the guys and girls who are a part of this community. Everyone who I have met has shown nothing but respect and humility. I seriously can’t show this gym enough praise!
My experience with Reaction MMA, and everyone there has been nothing but amazing. Professor Rob and all the coaches are exceptional at what they do.
Reaction MMA has been a huge fun and exciting experience for my twins. They are about to be 4 years old and do the kids class once a week. They are very good about being patient with the kids while keeping them on track and learning some fundamentals of body awareness and beginning stages of JJ. I wouldn’t recommend any other place. Tons of classes on different days to choose from.
Top notch environment, instruction, facilities, and people. You won’t find a better place to train in Kentucky.
If you’re looking for excellent coaching, a welcoming team environment, and a martial arts experience that provides classes for all skill levels and age groups, then this gym is where you want to be. I started my jiu jitsu journey at another gym in Lexington and was dissatisfied with the experience. I reached out to the owner and head coach of Reaction MMA when I had little to no knowledge of the sport. Coaches, members, and my training partners made me feel welcome from day 1. I trained here from 2017 to mid 2022 and had the best experience one could possibly have while learning and practicing jiu jitsu. In recent years they have upgraded everything across the board. Brand new/larger facility, more coaches, better equipment, improved techniques and competition prep for athletes. Everything. What to expect: Most class sizes are large due to popularity and the quality of coaching. Despite the large number of participants, classes are thoughtfully structured and tailored to accommodate all skill levels from first timers all the way to highly experienced practitioners. Multiple coaches are present on the mats for larger classes, and they are not only willing but excited and engaged when helping new members and beginners accelerate their learning. They also offer a beginners class for those that feel more comfortable learning and drilling foundational jiu jitsu techniques before attending classes that involve live rolling. Rolling rounds are competitive yet controlled, as well as flexible (if you need to go light or are nursing an injury, disclosing that to your training partner is never an issue and they are always willing to accommodate). There are world class and top ranked IBJJF Gi/No-Gi competitors on the mat any given day of the week for experienced grapplers looking to get solid rounds in. So whether it’s your first day or your 10th year you will get solid rounds in. I can’t say enough positive things about this gym, its members, and coaching staff. If you’re thinking about starting a martial arts journey, visiting in the area, or recently moved and are looking for a new gym to train at then I highly encourage you to go try out Reaction MMA
Reaction MMA is by far the best MMA/ Jiujitsu gym in Kentucky. I’ve trained at other gyms, but Reaction MMA does it right. Literally the best of the best in the state. If you want to improve yourself, if you want to be better, and if you want to win, Reaction MMA is the only option that can help you meet that criteria.
Reaction MMA is a great place to train at. Whether you’re a hobbyist or competitor it is a great place to train at. Professor Nickerson and the rest of the coaching staff are all exceptional. The Jiu Jitsu and Striking programs are both structured to teach students effective fundamentals for self defense and competition. Every body is friendly and pushes each other to be better than the day before both on and off the mat. Just an overall great place to train.
Better training partners with a coachable environment. Reaction has it all . They bring out the best in you and whether is fitness goals or competitive goals Reaction MMA academy is the place to be
The Place to train for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; The best Professor and coaches and team mates in KY
No words to describe this place , top notch facility probable now one of best in the country Professor Rob Nick as legit as get when comes to true martial artist . KY is blessed with such place and you lucky to be here . Much respect for Reaction. truly KY takeover
Rob and his staff are awesome. The kids and their training is a priority to them. They really go the extra mile to make sure the kids are not only learning jiu-jitsu, but also good values and having fun at the same time.
This place is top-notch. The professor and coaches truly care about the students. My girls loved this place since Day one. They are always teaching the students new techniques and ensuring that the students are being safe during class. I love how they also teach life skills.
I don’t know why this has 4.9 instead of a perfect 5 stars. Words truly can not explain how awesome this place is as a whole. The owner, Rob, was more than welcoming and his instruction in class is top tier. The classes are always packed with people wanting to work and have fun. If you’re in town, drop in. If you live in the area and need a place to go, look no further. You don’t need any experience, just go and let them train you. Start your journey today. Btw, I have 1 year experience and don’t live in area. Was in town for work and needed a place to train. Stop reading my post and just go to Reaction MMA to train. You won’t regret it.
I came down for Reactions Grand opening in their new location. The gym has a boxing ring, 3/4 of a MMA octagon and what feels like an acre of mats for BJJ. I came down and automatically had connections to the gym through their SAS Team affiliation which is a slightly different experience than someone who is brand new or otherwise. However because of my connections, I got a glimpse into the gym culture and this is one of the most accommodating, caring and tight knit groups of people I have been around in a long time. This is more of a family than a gym. Also the facility is on a hill so you get awesome sunsets 😎🤙
Reaction MMA is an incredible place to get professional and passionate training they teach from kids to adults and it is amazing to see how quick you can understand techniques and apply quickly. Their new Place is Amazing!! Professor Rob and Kristin are Awesome
The absolute best jiu-jitsu and MMA academy in Kentucky.
It’s very rare that you find a professor/professors that not only care about your skill development inside of the gym but also incorporate skills and lessons that can be used in everyday life. The environment is second to none
Stopped in for an open mat, great staff and student interactions. I got folded up like a cheap lawn chair lol but they gave me plenty of chances to work and didn’t have to deal with any egos on the mat. Look forward to stopping in next time I’m around, definitely recommended!
Professor Rob Nickerson is passionate about motivating students to be better even beyond the mats. A highly inspiring teacher.
I have had the honor to train with Professor Rob and coach Kevin and the experiences were incredible each and every time! The knowledge, professionalism, and passion from both gentleman has not only been beneficial in my training but also inspiring in my day to day life! In my opinion, if you live within 2 hrs of this facility and are currently training or wanting to begin training in martial arts this is the only place to go! You will not be disappointed!
Professor Rob is one of the best coaches out there and is one of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting
I am an older disabled veteran and I have to be careful who I train with so as not to get injured further. Along with my physical injuries I also have PTSD and use training to get the relief pharmaceuticals never gave me. Everyone at Reaction MMA has always been accomodating and worked within my limitations when we train together. I greatly appreciate Professor Rob and his teams discipline and skill along with their ability to meet my specific training needs. Not only are they great training partners but several of them have become good friends. Professor Rob is exceptionally knowledgable about BJJ and has always sacrificed his time to help make me better when I am struggling. His facilities are clean and and the instruction and commraderie are world class. I am thankful they have become a part of my continued education and wellness.
Professor Nickerson and all the guys I have met from Reaction MMA are top notch. Not only great training partners but also always want to help you improve not only your Jiu Jitsu, but also help you improve yourself overall. If you’re looking for a spot to train, this is it! Professor Nickerson is always helpful and goes above and beyond for his gym, training partners, students, and even taking additional time to help those outside his own gym. Great place and a Great Professor!
If you are considering checking out this gym I highly recommend using the free 1 week pass to do so! I've only been coming here for about 3 months now but I can already say that I will continue to come here for as long as I live in the area. I came to Reaction MMA because my life lacked any sort of physical discipline and my mental health was beginning to take a toll. I wanted a place where I would have a community of individuals around me to motivate me to stay consistent. I have been to weight lifting gyms before, but it has been hard for me to stay consistent on my own. All I can say is I finally found what I was looking for. There is a great community of classmates and instructors that all work together to slowly but surely bring out the best of me, one day at a time. All I have to do is show up, and as a bonus I've managed to make some friends along the way. I cannot lie it was definitely hard on my body at first but as time has went on it has become easier for my body to keep up and enjoy the art of Jiu Jitsu/ Boxing. Most importantly though I feel that my overall wellbeing has improved the most since I first began this journey. It's on the days that I don't show up when I'm reminded of why I chose to come here in the first place. So, if you find yourself in a situation like mine where you feel like you need an external support system to help keep you motivated do yourself a favor and come check us out!
Best gym in town. Great atmosphere for adults and kids.
In the almost 3 years of training at Reaction, I have gained not only a skill set, but have been a part of one of the greatest groups of people I’ve ever met. Everyone wants everyone to get better and is always willing to help and push eachother. Professor Rob instructs and coaches ever single day with a level of passion and intensity that you will not find anywhere else or with as much technical/tactical detail. I’ve not only become better as a jiu jitzsu athlete, but also have become a much better Godly man and a better person. Really is like a big family.
Reaction has been a great fit for our son, who's willing to work hard and learn from the best.
Awesome! I’ve never been around a better team/environment more willing to help you learn and grow. Everyone here are friendly and willing to help whenever you have any questions or need help with something. You will be taught not only how to be a better fighter and grappler but more importantly discipline, consistency, confidence, and mental fortitude. You’ll get In excellent shape and your mind as well. Professor Rob is definitely someone who comes in every single day, gives you his best regardless of how he feels, and will change your life for the better. I couldn’t recommend Reaction enough!
Best gym in the bluegrass, the coaching staff is incredibly knowledgeable. The environment present is optimal for great growth in fighting ability, and self defense mindset.
Life changing! Best professor, coaches, and team a person could ask for .
A long-time friend of mine tried to convince me to come to a Jiu Jitsu class for a couple of years. Every time we would get together, his time updating me would also center around how much he enjoyed the sport and the school. It has been seven months since my first visit and I can truly say I wish I had taken him up on his first offer. I am not gifted athletically and I have never trained in any martial art, so starting something like this in my upper 40s was intimidating. All the students, instructors, and professors are welcoming and friendly. Its hard to look around a room with 60+ students leading up to class and not see a smile. Regarding the instruction, it is a mixture of skills and concepts that work as proper self-defense training as well as sport Jiu Jitsu. There are basic classes twice a week that hyper focus on starting with simple movements that then translate into useful skills over the course of several weeks. I cannot recommend these classes enough for beginners looking to learn, but there are many higher belts that show up to these classes to hone their own skills and to help coach the students. The adult classes will move more quickly through the moves, but it is never hard to find a partner that it at a similar skill level and if you need to spend more time on the basics of the move, a coach is never too far away for correction and reteaching. Finally, the culture. The Professors demand effort from the team, but you see from your first visit that they never ask anything of you that they are not willing to do themselves. Everyone there is searching for a better version of ourselves and at Reaction, a rising tide does lift all ships.
My biggest regret was not starting here sooner! I am a travel nurse and am only in places for a short time. Kristin was very accommodating on pricing for me given my situation. I started training there in November of 2022, mainly doing the jiu-jitsu classes. Professor Rob and all the other coaches were very knowledgeable, and you could tell they have a real passion for teaching this art, which only benefits you as a student. I can confidently say that if you are in the Lexington area and want to learn jiu-jitsu from a great professor who is going challenge you to not only be a better jiu-jitsu practitioner, but also to be a better person, that this is the place for you. Also, every training partner I had there was excellent. Just a great group of people. I look forward to going back to train and roll with everyone at Reaction anytime I am in Lexington.
The gold standard for BJJ in Kentucky. Best instruction and class times to fit me and my wife's busy schedules.
The very best instructors, teammates, and environment you will find anywhere.
Hands down the best overall gym I’ve ever been to. Professor Rob & the coaches alike have been nothing but kind, courteous, & professional since the first day I walked through the doors. I highly recommend this place to anyone from any walk of life.
Amazing gym and great group of motivated individual’s! Couldn’t ask for anything more.
My husband and both kids have been training at Reaction for 10+ years now and Professor Rob is without question the best instructor of BJJ around. He genuinely cares about his students and their success. My son has been training since he was 5 and he’s now 16! Watching my children grow stronger physically and mentally has brought me so much pride and joy over the years. Rob and Kristin are an extended part of our family and we wouldn’t have it any other way. If you are looking for a gym where you will learn world class Jiu Jitsu while gaining an n extended family then Reaction MMA is the place for you.
I’ve been at Reaction MMA for over 10 years , the teach by Prof. Rob Nickerson and the coaching staff is top notch . The gym also seems to operate as a family . I would recommend to everyone from kids to adults.
Been to many gyms, but this one is unique and the best! 💯 I’ve trained there for almost 2 years now, and all I can say is that I am super grateful for the opportunity Professor Rob has given to me! If you are looking for a place to learn self defense, grow as an athlete and a competitor, this is definitely the right place!
If you’re looking for a place to find a new hobby, this is the place to go. You have people from all walks of life who bond through this gym. I have trained here for over 3 years and have grown tremendously as a Jiu Jitsu competitor, but more importantly a person. If you have any reservations about coming I would encourage you to just do a free trial, you won’t regret it!
Amazing human beings. Place where people act like they have been outside of there house before, everyone is given respect, the training and competition for someone who wants to improve there life there is no better! Don’t get me wrong there are no push overs you will have to earn every inch but at the end of the day you shake hands,hug,laugh and are excited about coming back. Knowledge will last a lifetime along with the friendships
An environment filled with some absolutely wonderful, talented human beings. The people here are passionate and dedicated to sharing their knowledge to help you better yourself! On and off the mats. Reaction MMA is truly like one big family.
Hands down best place to train in surrounding state, Head coach has real knowledge, they have a winner mentality, great team environment, take martial arts serious and not just a place to workout but also a place to be mentally decompressed. Love love love the place, can’t recommend enough
I've been training in bjj for about 4 years and always appreciate visiting gyms that make you feel welcomed and at home. More specifically, I really enjoyed learning more guard techniques, especially since this is a weak part of my game. Yesterday, I attended 3 classes: 2 bjj classes and 1 boxing class, and Professor Rob made me feel very welcomed at all three. Plus, I learned a ton of stuff about boxing in addition to bjj. I plan to drop in every time I'm in area for business.
The owners are the real deal. Proud to have been members here for years now. Rob holds a strong standard in community ethics and on promotion. After a few years of watching our boys do it, Mom and daughter are finally sliding in 😄
I have been member for over 3 years and not only has the instruction from Professor Rob been great, but he pushes you to be the best. The gym has a great environment and I very highly recommend those who are interested to join!
I dropped in to the gym while visiting family. The gym was really welcoming and fun. I would recommend the gym anyone in the area.
I dropped in to train while visiting from out of town. They were welcoming and cool! Professor Rob is a very good jiu jitsu practitioner.
Joining this gym is the best decision I’ve made. Professor Rob Nickerson is a professional and makes learning technique as easy/effective as possible. There is plenty of space for large classes and often classes are large. There are also several experienced students that are always happy to help you out if and when you need it. I always look forward to coming to class and its my favorite part of the day.
Great gym in the Lexington area. Very welcoming and great training!
Best Mma school in the state! The owner Rob Nickerson goes out of his way to make sure everyone is up to speed and goes over every little detail. The team will also treat you just like family. Can’t beat it.
Could not be happier that I decided to start training at Reaction MMA. Everyone there has quickly become family & Professor Nickerson is an incredible teacher & motivator. Definitely recommend.
Good place to be there I just bring my grandkids here
My son, who is now 12, has been going here for a year and he absolutely loves it. Professor Rob and Kristen were friendly and welcoming from the start and they go to great lengths to foster a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, while teaching a sport that is very physical. I would highly recommend Reaction for young people as it is tough, fun, and really helps with confidence. My son says he loves it because he is comfortable here and can learn without feeling like he is being judged.
Professor Nickerson and Coach Chad are highly intelligent individuals who strive to get the absolute best out of the people they train. They are the best coaches/trainers out there no doubt. They are not money driven and truly want to see their trainees get better each and every training session. They are both amazing trainers but more importantly they are amazing people who want to pass on the knowledge they have acquired through years of training to newcomers or other highly experienced fighters/players. If you want to learn how to better protect yourself or how to compete in competitions they are you’re go to trainers/coaches. They are opening a new, larger, high tech facility coming soon so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND coming and learning from the best.
Hands down best gym to train in Kentucky, great ppl. When I 1st joined I was welcomed and encouraged and pushed. This place is like a family.
Reaction is absolutely the best place to train BJJ. Professor Rob is amazing at coaching while providing an unbeatable environment for adult and youth classes that you won’t find anywhere else. We are forever grateful for the training and friendships our entire family has made at Reaction MMA.
Amazing place for our son to channel his energy and learn proper and useful techniques to protect himself and others, if needed! Could not ask for more attentive and helpful instructors! Top notch quality for an affordable price!!! We are so happy we found Reaction MMA!!!
Best place in the area to train. High level and detailed coaching with tons of friendly training partners
Fantastic MMA gym. Been going here for a couple years now and it's still my number one favorite sport and type of exercise. Prof. Rob is an awesome coach and very patient teacher. Give Reaction MMA a try!
This place is amazing. Members are supportive and it is a real team atmosphere. Professor Rob Nickerson is not only an expert, but a quality teacher for adults and kids. He and his team have really done an incredible job of helping my son build more confidence. I've even built more confidence and love learning things I never thought I would at my age of 40. If you live anywhere around the Lexington area, or even outside of it, this place is well worth the drive to check out! - Eric
Unfortunately I’m not able to come in as much as I would like to, but I have been to most gyms in the Central Kentucky area at some point or another and I can say without a doubt that this is the very best one, the coaches and people are super nice and actually care about progress and bringing each other up, the instruction is great and the gym has some pretty awesome features as well such as a large mat for rolling, workout equipment and a boxing ring! Would totally recommend it to anybody wanting to come in and train or compete!
Hands down best place to train in Kentucky. Accommodating to anyone regardless of goals. Family oriented and an excellent kids program. Rob Nickerson and his coaching staff are extremely knowledgeable, experienced and helpful. This is a really unique and special place and has made a big impact on my life.
The environment and community at Reaction is respectful, helpful, and everyone wants to see you succeed and will help you do it. Reaction has the BEST instructors that give you an individualized approach and help with your technique while preparing you for competition and scenarios off the mat. Gyms like this are hard to find and impossible to leave once you've made your home here.
The most professional gym in the Lexington area. Two actively competing black belts that teach every single class. Professor Rob and Coach Chad get into the tiny details that differ from person to person to really customize every training session. Whether you are into Muay Thai or Boxing, Wrestling, Jiu-jitsu, or Judo the compiled 40+ years of martial arts experience between all the coaches is unmatched anywhere else near Lexington. If you want a great team to learn and grow with stop by!
Professor Nickerson is not only one of the best instructors I have had the pleasure of training but is also a phenomenal person the gym is very Welcoming and all coaching and staff is amazing if your not training at Reaction mma your doing yourself a disservice
The atmosphere and environment that has been created by Professor Rob Nickerson is second to none. Here at Reaction MMA there has been nothing but professional encounters and positive influences. If you’re looking for a place to learn self-defense, start your fitness journey, compete in martial arts, or simply pick up a new hobby, THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!
Reaction MMA is awesome and the best training environment I've ever had the privilege of being a part of. Professor Nickerson is an amazing coach and teacher. He explains each technique in detail.
I have trained at alot of places in Kentucky and none compare to Reaction. The coaches truly care about their students and they pour ALL their time into you. My favorite place to go !!
I dropped in before the 3rd 2017 of July while visiting family in Lexington. They welcomed me to their gym and I got some good rolls in. There was just a few of folks there, but it was fun and the guys I rolled with had very good technique. Since it was a holiday weekend, I didn't get a lesson, but look forward to dropping in again if I'm up there. Great experience. Update from this past year on the 4th of July 2018... I went up to Lexington again to visit family, and I had a chance to drop into a class and get a lesson from Professor Rob Nickerson III. I have not been in the Jiu-Jitsu game for long, but Professor Nickerson has amazing teaching skills, technic, and teaches in a very practical fashion. Again, the Reaction MMA family there welcomed me, and I had another awesome experience. If I lived there that would be where I would train.
Love this place and the Professor who runs it. Teaching is top notch and the atmosphere is awesome. Great coaches and members who make you feel at home.
Love Reaction MMA. Great coaching. Great environment. Too much fun. Always something to learn. Always a challenge. Check it out. I travel a bit. When I travel, I train at other gyms which also gives me a means for comparison. I'm convinced that Reaction MMA is the best overall that I have seen. I'm fortunate that this is my home gym. The training is excellent. Taught from a self defense perspective as opposed to a tournament perspective. Sound. Methodical. Professor Rob systematically teaches the art, rotating through the basics in a year. He will tailor the classes to the level of the students present. He coaches important details. And, he preaches the importance of repetition to perfect the techniques. Professor Rob even created specific classes that are short sessions available for strict drilling of the most fundamental techniques. Making sure that we have the opportunity to get the reps that we need for sound development. Additionally, Professor Rob is almost always available and open for questions. It is rare that he isn't at the gym. And side coaching is a regular thing from the upper level belts as well as Rob. Reaction MMA is a very welcoming environment. Professor Rob works to know everyone and coach everyone on an individual basis. It is a family friendly environment. I even have several children that are regularly taking classes. The whole team works together to be better. Bad attitudes aren't tolerated. You can't have students that are so focused on themselves that they are willing to sacrifice their teammates. Over-aggressive behavior is addressed quickly. While money is important to any business, it is not the focus of Professor Rob. You won't get a better value. You don't get nickel and dimed for everything. No required patch or gi purchases. No payments for belt promotions. Special pricing is available for the first month to help the individual determine if they want to make a longer term commitment. Professor Rob wants to make sure that the right people are choosing the right gym culture for the right reasons. And this is a martial art that requires a significant commitment for mastery. Special pricing is also available for families. This gym is not a belt factory. Progression is an individual journey established between coach and participant. There is no list of check boxes. If you are looking for a gym that will move you along to progressive belts along a specified path as long as you pay, this gym won't work for you. The belt factory format works well for gyms that care more about dangling the next belt to keep their students paying to progress. Advancement is an individual journey for everyone. Attendance of and payment for seminars is not a requirement for advancement. Seminars addressing specific techniques are occasionally offered by Professor Rob or visiting Professors. While not required, these seminars are helpful for advancement because the individual can get direct coaching and significant repetitions . Rob's pricing for his seminars seems to be much less than others. Winning or participation in tournaments also is not a requirement for advancement. Participation in tournaments does offer significant experience for the individual which may contribute to advancement. Not every gym is the same. And I'm sure that we all have our own preferences. But Reaction MMA is truly a great place for my family and me.
Reaction is the best martial arts gym I've been too! The coaching is unbeatable, and the workout equipment is very nice. You won't find a better place to train MMA or workout and become better physically fit.
Highly skilled instructors who are more than willing to help anyone! The warm and positive atmosphere is second to none. It is a big family of people who constantly encourage and support one another. Highly recommend!!
As a former student I have to say Reaction is hands down the best MMA/BJJ school in KY. Sadly, life happens, and I had to step away, but if you're looking for a family friendly environment and coaches/professors who are complete class acts, this is where you need to be. I look forward to eventually making my way back to Reaction.
Reaction MMA is by far the best MMA gym in the region. The owner/instructor is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Jorge Gurgel and has been boxing since he was 12 years old. What separates Reaction MMA from other gyms is not only does the coach care about your development on and off the mat, so do your teammates. We genuinely care about each individual at our school and what goes on in their lives. Reaction completely changed my life, I didn't play football or baseball or any other sports growing up but I was always drawn to mixed martial arts. I was a huge fan of the UFC and always wanted to try it. Then finally I built up the courage to find a school to train at, then found out about Rob and the rest is history. Not only does it keep me in shape but it's taught me to deal with life in a different manner, to face adversity, and more importantly to give me the confidence to know that I can defend myself if I'm ever put in a situation where I need to. I've been training at Reaction MMA for 7 years and I can honestly say it's the best life decision I've ever made. I have made the best friends I could ever ask for because of Reaction. Friends that will last a lifetime! Come check us out and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed, the family environment at this gym is unparalleled!
Great place to train and grow as a person!! Coach is the best!
I really enjoy training in Reaction, there is a good mix of experience and a great atmosphere.
I don't ever recommend this horrible gym. The people are rude, unsafe in practice, disrespectful, and overstep boundaries. My jiu jitsu experiences ended in being pinned to the wall and choked, being wrestled unsafely to the ground and so much more. It was almost as if they needed to prove to themselves that they could beat a beginner. I also overheard a experienced member state how he "beat the new guy up!" The coach isn't very helpful and neither are the other members. Furthermore, during the surprise of this terrible gym, all 3 of the coaches that walked around during that day didn't say a word about the extremely dangerous moves that were performed. If I could rate 0 stars I totally would, and If I could shut down this place I would In a heartbeat. Edit after the owners response: I hope that the 16 year old is alright, but sadly he has the wrong guy. I never rolled with any females under the age of 25. This review was made a few weeks after my experience so that excuses from the owner about that day couldn't be loosely gathered. Btw, that footage I hope is posted of my day so that people can understand what happened. Once again- this gym isn't for anyone, let alone beginners.
I had read the reviews on here about Reaction MMA. They seemed to be what I was looking for. Me and my daughter were looking forward to starting this activity together. I had done kickboxing when I was a teenager and absolutely loved it. So, I was more than excited for the free class we had signed up for. I knew that I would love it and I was excited that she would also. We signed up online and signed the waiver before we arrived. We got to the location 30 minutes before the class was to start. We walked into the office area where they have all their awards. No one was in there. The door to the gym opens and I can see them teaching some kids and then there are others working out. But the instructors see me and my daughter. No one would come to the office. They looked at us and immediately went back to what they were doing. So I assumed it was a class and someone would come greet us when we were scheduled. So we waited. No one ever came to us. 6:15 was our scheduled time. I stayed until 630. However, a young man walked in as I was about to leave and as soon as one of the instructors seen him they came in and asked if he needed help. Me and my daughter were there for an hour and no one ever came to see if we needed anything. To make it worse, they sent a “thank you” text for coming to class!!😂
More BJJ in Kentucky
Find more academies and competitions in the area.
