North Star MMA

I dropped in,as a visiting black belt, while preparing for an MMA fight , and North Star MMA exceeded my expectations. The coaching is sharp, technical, and welcoming, and the room is full of skilled training partners who push the pace without ego. Great atmosphere, great rounds, and a gym that clearly knows how to develop real fighters. I’ve visited several times, to both the old and new facility, and would highly suggest NSMMA to anyone within driving distance.

North Star was where I began Muay Thai and I could not have asked for a better spot to start my MMA experience. Coach Jackson and the other instructors were always very friendly and super helpful as I struggled through my first couple of months training. I stayed at the gym for about a year and enjoyed meeting a ton of really cool people and having a workout to look forward to every week. Unfortunately I moved and was too far away to continue my membership. If I ever find myself living in the area again, I will definitely rejoin. I would recommend North Star for anyone interested in MMA, whether you are experienced or looking to start like myself.

I've been training at North Star once or twice a week since they changed locations over the summer. Seeing the pictures on social media I couldn't resist checking out the grapple chapel and I'm glad I did. The morning program on Mondays and Fridays is fantastic and a great way to start and end the week. I've been training BJJ longer than I'd like to admit (based on how bad I am at it) but had relatively little striking experience. I've always felt welcome on the mat for both Muay Thai and BJJ. It was an interesting experience starting something as a total newbie again. Coach Jackson is a top notch striking and BJJ coach and also just a really nice, funny, and down to earth guy. I've only been able to make it to a handful of evening classes and they also had a great vibe and the culture of the academy seemed great at those classes as well. As for the facility itself, the pictures don't do justice to how cool it is to train in a converted church. When the sun hits the stained glass in the morning it really is a one of a kind experience.

Pretty much what Martin said… Staff/Students 100% have acted in a manner where I wouldn’t recommend training there. Plus, one of the fighters/workers who’s notorious for joking ironically can’t take a joke (this joke didn’t get removed from Instagram as it was appropriate)and blew up my phone until he video-called me, and some choice words later (after a trying and kind resolve. I said leave me alone in a mean way)… I then blocked him. Ultimately, I was asked not to come back (recovering from an injury), but in coherence with what Martin said, there’s definitely some games or politics going on just as in most offices and high schools!! Next, strictly for a beginner or hobbyist. There’s definitely way better gyms for fighters in Philadelphia or the New Jersey area. BUT for the beginner, it’s fine… nothing to travel far and wide for though. That’s just based off of my experiences while there.. a legit pro going here would just get asked to coach and get assigned pad holders to teach. Get a hobby here. Be humble. Ya get serious with fighting probably gonna want something else quick. Just plz consider this, enjoy.

I trained here briefly a few years ago. While my trial period felt friendly, the atmosphere changed significantly after I signed up. I started experiencing passive-aggressive or unwelcoming behavior from students, and small things like my sandals being moved or placed under other people’s gear happened repeatedly, which felt intentional and out of place. During one conditioning drill, the coach took over from my partner and struck me with a kick pad much harder than what seemed appropriate for the exercise. It came across as unprofessional and unnecessary for the type of drill we were doing. Overall, I didn’t feel comfortable with the culture or the way certain situations were handled, and I chose not to continue training here. This may not reflect everyone’s experience, but it was mine. *edit for context. Not making this a back and forth* I reported my concerns about certain situations directly to the owner via a phone call shortly after noticing a pattern. I was subsequently advised not to bring the issues up again. Feeling that there was no path to resolution, I left the gym shortly thereafter.