What MMA Means at Forge
Boxing and kickboxing teach striking. Wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu bring in takedowns, control, and work on the ground. MMA connects those skills, so students practice how one part of the training leads into another.
Coaches explain the work and help students through it. Pace and contact depend on the class and the student's experience. A parent choosing for a child and an adult walking in for the first time both start with that conversation.
Find Your Class
Use the ages and times below to choose a starting point. If two classes look right, ask us to help with placement. See the full weekly schedule.
Little Dragons
A first introduction to martial arts with structure, movement, and coaching suited to young children. Explore Little Dragons and kids' classes.
Kids MMA and Kids MMA & Athletic Training
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4:00pm combine MMA with athletic training. Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00pm and Saturday at 10:30am focus on MMA. Choose this route for the younger school-age student. Read the kids' class guide.
Youth MMA and Youth MMA & Athletic Training
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday combine MMA with athletic training; Tuesday and Thursday focus on MMA. Placement takes age, experience, and maturity into account. Read the youth and teen class guide.
Youth-Teen-Adult MMA
All levels, including beginners. This is the group MMA starting point for an adult with no prior training. See the Saturday class details.
Teen & Adult MMA (Advanced)
Requires at least two to three years of prior martial arts training and a conversation with the coach. For teens and adults ready for more experienced training and MMA sparring. Review the experienced-student class.
Jiu-Jitsu
This class is part of MMA at Forge and focuses on the grappling side. Talk with the coach about your age and experience so we can confirm placement. Ask about Jiu-Jitsu.
Private MMA Coaching
Boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, and conditioning are planned around your goals and experience. Start with a free consultation and assessment. Explore private MMA coaching.
Co-Ed Kickboxing
A striking foundation with no sparring. This is a kickboxing class, separate from the MMA classes above. Explore the kickboxing classes.
Choosing for yourself or your child? The Forge Starter has a route for kids, teens, and teen and adult MMA: four coached classes each, with or without gloves. See the Forge Starter.
Ready for More Contact?
Nobody arrives at sparring by accident. Kids, youth, and Saturday MMA introduce live work gradually under coach supervision, matched to the student. The experienced-student class above includes MMA sparring and carries both prerequisites: at least two to three years of prior martial arts training and a conversation with the coach.
Building a striking foundation is one way to prepare. The coach helps decide when the next class fits. Call (239) 799-KICK or text us about your training background.
For the two classes open to teens and adults, read the class and readiness guide.
What Your First Class Looks Like
For an adult, the first step is a welcome, a short tour, and a conversation about your goals and experience. The coach helps you through a class appropriate to your level. What you do live depends on that class and your readiness.
For a child, tell us their age and experience when you book. Wear comfortable workout clothes and bring water. No uniform purchase is needed for the complimentary first class. The kids' first-visit guide and teen class walkthrough explain the age-specific experience.
Afterward, ask your questions and talk through the membership options if you want to continue. Private coaching begins with a consultation and movement assessment before sessions are planned.
Coach Wil's Teaching Experience
More than 50,000 hours on the mat, across thirty years of teaching.
MMA Questions
Is there an adult MMA class in Naples?
Yes. Youth-Teen-Adult MMA welcomes ages 13 and up on Saturday at 11:15am, including beginners. Teen & Adult MMA (Advanced) meets Monday and Wednesday at 6:30pm and requires at least two to three years of prior martial arts training and a conversation with the coach. Adults can also choose Private MMA Coaching.
Do I need experience to start?
You can begin without prior training in an age-appropriate class. Tell the coach your age and experience so we can place you. The experienced-student class requires at least two to three years of prior martial arts training and a conversation with the coach.
Is there sparring?
Teen & Adult MMA (Advanced) includes MMA sparring and requires at least two to three years of prior martial arts training and a conversation with the coach. Kids, youth, and Saturday MMA introduce live work gradually under coach supervision. The kickboxing class listed above has no sparring.
What ages can join?
Little Dragons serves ages 4-8, Kids MMA ages 6-12, Youth MMA ages 11-17, and Saturday MMA ages 13 and up. Ask the coach about placement for Jiu-Jitsu. Private MMA Coaching is for adults.
Is the first class free?
Yes. Every group program at Forge Athletics in Naples starts with a free first class in the right age and experience group: Kids MMA for ages 6-12, Youth MMA for ages 11-17 on weekdays, and Youth-Teen-Adult MMA on Saturday at 11:15am for adult beginners. Teen & Adult MMA (Advanced) needs the coach to confirm eligibility first. Private MMA Coaching starts with a free consultation and assessment.
Is there Jiu-Jitsu at Forge?
Yes. No-gi Jiu-Jitsu at Forge Athletics in Naples meets Monday through Thursday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 1:30pm. It is co-ed, and women train in it. Tell the coach your age and experience before your first visit so placement is confirmed. Jiu-Jitsu develops the grappling side; the MMA classes connect grappling with striking and wrestling.
Can an adult with no experience start MMA?
Yes. Youth-Teen-Adult MMA at Forge Athletics in Naples welcomes beginners ages 13 and up on Saturday at 11:15am; that is the group starting point for an adult with no prior training. The weekday Teen & Adult MMA (Advanced) class has its own experience requirement and coach conversation. Arrange a free first Saturday class, or ask about Private MMA Coaching if you prefer one-on-one.
What does MMA training cost?
Your first group class is free, and Forge Athletics in Naples explains the membership options at that visit, once we know which class you are in. Kids MMA serves ages 6-12, Youth MMA ages 11-17 on weekdays, and Youth-Teen-Adult MMA ages 13 and up on Saturday. Each of those has a four-class Forge Starter; the Starter page lists the routes and the prices. Private MMA Coaching begins with a free consultation.
My child is 11 or 12. Which class fits?
Kids MMA and Youth MMA overlap at these ages by design. Placement can take experience and maturity into account. Tell the coach about your child so we can recommend the right class.
Come Meet the Coaches
Forge Athletics is inside Coastland Center Mall in the City of Naples, at 1984 Tamiami Trail N, Space G0003, Naples, FL 34102.
Enter Parking Garage D next to Twin Peaks, drive toward the front, park, and come through the black doors. No need to walk through the mall.
Ready to start? Four classes, with or without Forge boxing gloves. See the Forge Starter.
Find your class
Tell us who is coming and what you would like to try. We'll help you choose a class or a private-training consultation.