Business Details
Your Premier Martial Arts Training Center in San Diego
Steel MMA is a premier martial arts training facility dedicated to fostering technical excellence and community engagement through Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). With over two decades of combined coaching experience, our team specializes in developing fighters and fitness enthusiasts of all skill levels, from beginners to professional athletes. Our programs emphasize character development, physical conditioning, and practical self-defense techniques tailored to individual goals.We maintain a supportive environment where students build confidence, discipline, and leadership skills under the guidance of certified instructors. Our competition team has produced athletes who compete in major national organizations, while our youth programs focus on foundational skills and mental fortitude. Located in San Diego, we offer flexible class schedules, private training sessions, and specialized curricula for kids, teens, and adults.
Services
Muay Thai
Jiu Jitsu
MMA Training
Kids Program
Teens Program
Competition Team
Private Training
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of combined martial arts coaching experience
- Our community-based environment supports all skill levels from beginners to professionals
- Specialized programs for kids, teens, and adults with certified instructors
- Proven competition team success in major national organizations
- Flexible training options including private sessions and group classes
What people say
Experienced coaches
Community-based environment
Night and day difference in skills
Top-notch gym
Best place in San Diego
Services
Muay Thai
Our Muay Thai program teaches traditional Thai boxing techniques using fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Students develop striking precision, clinch work, and cardiovascular endurance through bag work, pad drills, and sparring. This combat sport builds practical self-defense skills while improving overall fitness and mental discipline for practitioners of all experience levels.
Jiu Jitsu
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu curriculum focuses on grappling and ground techniques for smaller individuals to defend against larger opponents. Through leverage-based submissions and positional control, students learn effective self-defense and competitive strategies. Classes emphasize technical proficiency, problem-solving, and progressive skill development in both gi and no-gi formats.
MMA Training
Our comprehensive MMA program integrates Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and boxing techniques. Athletes train in striking combinations, takedown defense, and cage strategy while developing sport-specific conditioning. Competitive fighters receive specialized coaching for amateur and professional competition preparation through structured drills, sparring sessions, and performance analysis.
Kids Program
Designed for ages 8-12, this program builds focus, coordination, and confidence through age-appropriate Muay Thai training. Students learn fundamental striking techniques, motor skills, and character development through bag work, partner drills, and basic sparring. Monthly lessons emphasize values like discipline, teamwork, and composure in a safe, structured environment.
Private Training
Personalized training sessions with experienced instructors accelerate skill development for specific goals. Athletes receive individualized attention for technique refinement, competition preparation, or fitness improvement. Semi-private options allow small groups to train together while maintaining focused instruction tailored to their unique needs and progress levels.
People
Carl Gebhardt
Owner - Head Coach
With over 20 years of martial arts instruction experience, Carl Gebhardt leads Steel MMA's adult and competition programs. He specializes in developing fighters from beginner to professional levels while maintaining a welcoming environment for all students.
Zoarel Fuentes
Program Director
Zoarel Fuentes oversees curriculum development and instructor training at Steel MMA. With 15 years of team leadership experience, he ensures consistent technical standards across all programs while mentoring junior coaches in effective teaching methodologies.
Jeremy Vargas
Head Jiu Jitsu Coach
Jeremy Vargas brings extensive grappling expertise to Steel MMA's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program. As head coach, he develops both recreational students and competitive athletes through systematic instruction in submission techniques and ground strategy.
Joshua Moon
Kids Muay Thai Head Coach
Joshua Moon specializes in youth martial arts instruction with a focus on foundational Muay Thai techniques. He creates engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans that build physical coordination and mental discipline for children aged 8-12.
Alexa Lucido
Striking Coach
Alexa Lucido provides expert striking instruction for both amateur and professional fighters. Her technical precision in Muay Thai and kickboxing helps athletes refine their stand-up game through personalized drills and sparring analysis.
Questions
What martial arts styles do you teach?
We offer Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training for all experience levels.
Do you offer trial classes for beginners?
Yes, we provide a free 3-day trial pass with no enrollment fee to experience our classes and facility.
Are there programs for children?
We have dedicated Muay Thai programs for kids (ages 8-12) and teens (ages 13-17) focusing on skill development and character building.
Do you have competition training available?
Our competition team prepares athletes for professional and amateur fights with specialized coaching and sparring sessions.
What are your private training options?
We offer one-on-one and semi-private sessions with certified instructors for personalized martial arts instruction.
Reviews (4)
Alan G.
Jan 25, 2022
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Recently went to this gym while visiting from out of state and I loved it. Nice facility, clean, great coaches, and an overall friendly and welcoming environment. If you'd like to improve your game definitely also consider booking a personal session with Magalie, she's one of their pro fighters. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. I see now why so many good fighters train at this gym, I will definitely be coming back to train here when I'm in the area. One of my favorite gyms I've been to.
Julie Butts
Jan 18, 2022
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My family has been going to Steel for over three years. The coaches are professional and inspiring. The lessons from the Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu sessions have been more than the basic skills, my children have learned life lessons in these classes. They have gained confidence and made great friendships. The adult classes are just as amazing. We are very fortunate to be a part of the Steel family. I highly recommend this gym and have referred countless friends and families.
Brendon Raftery
Jan 11, 2022
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After having trained at this gym for 6 years now, and having tried many other gyms in the San Diego area, I can confidently say that Steel is the best striking gym I have ever been to. They offer Jiu Jitsu, Fitness & Kids classes as well, which are all taught by outstanding, knowledgeable instructors, but if youre looking to learn Striking Martial Arts, you wont find better coaches, or better curriculum being taught, in my opinion. My skillset improved dramatically since stepping foot in this gym and working with the Head Coach, Carl. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere was something I noticed
Kevin Conover
Jan 10, 2022
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Best in class gym with some of the most passionate and dedicated instructors and ownership in the business who truly care about their students.
