Fighting Chance Fitness - St. Augustine, Florida

Oscar P.

I’ve been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 13 years, the last six years I’ve trained out of Fighting Chance… and it’s been an incredible journey! Recently, I had the chance to participate in the ADCC Grappling Tournament and felt well-prepared thanks to the top-notch training here.

The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, making it a great environment for both beginners and advanced practitioners. The gym is always spotless, with a strong emphasis on hygiene to ensure a safe training space for everyone.

The instructors here are exceptionally knowledgeable and always open to questions. They keep up with the latest techniques and recently installed an angled wall for training, inspired by the Craig Jones Invitational Tournaments. The gym also offers excellent strength and conditioning facilities, including a sauna, to help you stay in top shape.

Plus, it’s a fantastic place for families. My kids have been training here for over five years and absolutely love it. The coaches are fantastic, and my kids are passionate about Jiu-Jitsu, aiming to become black belts and compete at the highest level.

Highly recommend this gym for anyone looking to train in a supportive, clean, and well-equipped environment.

Emily G.

Both of my children trained at Fighting Chance Fitness for multiple years, starting around age 5. Both my son and daughter had such an incredible experience, and I would (and do) highly recommend this gym to anyone. My daughter frequently asks to go back, but unfortunately we moved to a different part of town. The entire staff is top-notch, and taught my children to work hard, respect themselves and others & persevere even when the going gets tough. I'm so glad I chose this gym!

Cameron S.

I started training at fighting chance a long time ago, having just moved to the area and having substantial previous experience with a Japanese form of jujitsu. At the time, the skill and knowledge of the instructors was amazing. I was so impressed that I enrolled my children and had them practice for many years while I participated as an adult. I was encouraged to compete, and I did, and I took home medals, but what I really gained was a team that felt like a family.

Over a decade later, the only thing that has changed is that there are even more practice times and competent black belt instructors, every one of them looking out for the students health and best interests, and pushing each practitioner to be their best.

I myself went from white belt beginner to black belt at Fighting Chance, and so I can speak to the whole journey. It's not easy, but with the welcoming, family atmosphere, practicing here is a joy and I would have changed nothing about my whole experience.

Add to that the Muay Thai, pistol and other self-defense offerings, If you live within range of the school at least giving it a try is a no-brainer.

STEFANOS K.

Fighting Chance Fitness is an exceptional martial arts studio that truly stands out in the world of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From the moment you step through the doors, you’re greeted by an atmosphere filled with energy and positivity. The instructors are not only highly knowledgeable but also passionate about what they teach. Their expertise ensures that everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, feels safe and supported throughout their training.

The community at Fighting Chance Fitness is another highlight. The members are a fantastic mix of personalities, making every class enjoyable and engaging. It’s not just about training; it’s about building friendships and encouraging one another to grow in our martial arts journeys.

I highly recommend Fighting Chance Fitness to anyone looking to improve their skills in Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The combination of skilled instructors, a safe environment, and a welcoming community creates the perfect setting for both personal and martial arts development. You won’t be disappointed!

Claire

After my experience with Fighting Chance Fitness, I feel compelled to warn potential members about the deeply frustrating administrative practices I encountered.

While the fitness instructors and professors are indeed excellent at what they do, the administrative side of this establishment leaves much to be desired. My interaction with their management, particularly with Christy, revealed concerning business practices that potential members should be aware of before signing up.

I explicitly inquired about contract renewal on February 11th, clearly stating my intention not to continue. However, I received no response until March 5th—nearly a month later. By then, my account had already been automatically charged another $200. This despite verbal assurances during my initial sign-up that automatic renewal wouldn't be an issue.

The lack of timely communication appears to be a deliberate tactic to force members into additional billing cycles. When you're trying to make informed decisions about your fitness membership, this kind of unresponsiveness is simply unacceptable.

If you value transparency, clear communication, and straightforward billing practices, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere for your fitness needs. The quality instruction from their professors unfortunately cannot compensate for the frustrating administrative experience that comes with membership at Fighting Chance Fitness.

Had I known about these practices beforehand, I would have made a different choice for my fitness journey.

Austin P.

Updating as it's been a while. We signed our son up here over 12 years ago and I have trained here about 12 years personally. These days I mostly train at our 5:30am classes and a noon opens here and there.

The culture remains a blend of competitiveness and safety/welcoming. There are all shapes and sizes, men/women, and adult/teen skill levels. I still learn Everytime I step on the mats here and feel confident my training partners are going to come after me, but remain controlled and avoid injuries. I'm into my 50s now and see FCF as integral to my fitness longevity.

Old review below
We love FCF! We loved it when it was pretty much only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and now there is so much more! Cardio, weights, yoga, muay thai etc... Check them out!

Kathryn D.

Fighting Chance is a top notch gym with a lot of class times to choose from. I’ve tried all the BJJ and Yoga classes and haven’t had a bad instructor. My kid is equally happy with our chosen gym family. Haven’t tried the Muay Thai; but it’s on my list as I’ve heard great things. Come see for yourself if you’re thinking of joining a gym.

Bill S.

Kids classes regularly start late and then they run over. A class was cancelled without notification, and we've had difficulty reaching anyone via their Instagram or email. This is our first time in a jiu jitsu gym so not sure the typical requirements, but they added the need for a different shirt for kids practices, and gave the kids the option to earn the shirt by staying late and doing more workouts, or having parents purchase the new gear. Would not recommend the kids program if you are a new parent and unfamiliar with the sport, we've felt time management and communication has been pretty rough, and like our time aside from the gym hasn't been respected due to the regular late starts and lack of communication.

There are a lot of black belts and I think they do great work instructing the kids during class. Everyone is kind and observant with the kids, helping them stay engaged and learn.