Enso MMA — Local services in Santa Barbara

I’m wrapping up my second full month of the boxing classes at Enso MMA and I am highly satisfied with their program! I have worked with five different instructors at different times of the day. Each one is professional, attentive, and motivational. They take the time to give you individual feedback, often subtle things that improve technique, speed and power. They keep the class moving along by changing the combinations of hitting the bag or moving into different drills, including speed bag work, working in the ring, station drills, using weights, working with a partner and of course, hitting the heavy bags. Class typically winds down with some ab and core work as well as shoulder work. From my observation, I’ve noticed that regardless of your level of boxing experience, these instructors work at your level and will help you improve. I like that they offer consistency in their schedules with some morning classes, noon classes, and evening classes.

The facility is divided into three areas, the ring, the bags along the wall and the MMA, wrestling matt. Often during the boxing class there is also a jiu-jitsu or MMA wrestling taking place. I like this energy as everyone in the gym is working hard to improve. And getting excellent instruction & feedback along the way from the instructors. They offer clean bathrooms and a shower, a filtered water system and clean towels. Some exercise equipment to warm up and some dumbbells. I also got a 50% discount from Key to Fitness, which is two doors down, and membership enables me to use their heavyweight gym equipment for more resistant training. Both facilities and equipment are excellent.

Owners Enzo and Jessica, take pride in their program, are engaged in the training and know the members by name. As advertised on their website, they make an effort to build a strong martial arts community. I also like the diversity of different age, ethnic and gender groups. Although I’m older than many, I feel excepted and welcomed. And I’ve received excellent tips from several of the other members, as well as some inspiration and motivation. If you’re a beginner, make sure you let them know when you come in, and if needed, they will provide wraps and gloves as well as excellent instruction on how to get started. If you are experienced, come on in and get engaged, you’ll be glad you did. I’m loving the physical and mental challenge of boxing. I’m feeling stronger faster and more confident in my skills with each...

I boxed for a couple years at Urban Boxing in D.C. -- a gym with champion fighters turned coaches -- and decided to drop in to this gym while visiting Santa Barbara. I was excited about my first boxing class since pre-pandemic (!!), but the coach (and owner) was rude and disrespectful.

In the first set of bag exercises, he kept telling me to go "slow," even when I slowed down to precisely the rhythm he was demonstrating. I realized that what he actually wanted me to do was go slow and light -- he just wasn't cueing properly. "Slow" is a descriptor of speed. Slow punches can be light or heavy -- "light" is a descriptor of power. Throughout the class, he continued to say "slow" when he actually meant "slow and light."

He kept getting on me for not precisely following his directives. I told him I couldn't keep up with the speed he was demonstrating -- due to a shoulder injury that requires me to attend to form and move more slowly -- and he said: "If you're going to take this class, do the class." No, sir, I'm going to listen to my body, not your misogyny.

Later, he again scolded me, this time for not following his instructions to use "just my jab." I had no idea he was talking to me. He was 15 feet away when he was giving his instruction; he did not say my name, get within my eyesight, or come near my bag (until he scolded me). I also could barely hear him. When he finally got close enough, I thought he was saying "adjust your jab," and asked him how to adjust it. He told me not to take the class if I wasn't going to listen to him. Sure thing -- I won't be back.

Ignorant. Inattentive. Bad attitude. Spend your time at the dozens of other gyms with coaches who respect people, understand the musculoskeletal system, and have a friendly and welcoming attitude.

And WOW -- the new ownership is going to chalk up all of the above to the prior owner and me not "clicking"?!?! Seems like the same problems are still afoot . . . What a missed opportunity to pivot and begin creating a...

I've trained at many different BJJ/MMA schools across the country over the years, and the vibes are great at this gym. The new owner and head coach, Jacob, is super welcoming and all of the other instructors share the same friendly and ego-free approach to teaching martial arts.

Combine that with a really high level of technical expertise and you have a winning combination. Jacob earned his BJJ black belt from Cobrinha, who's basically one of the all time greats in the art, so the bar is very high.

If you're a beginner this is about the least intimidating environment you can step into. For those more advanced, I think you will find that the knowledge and training here will keep you engaged and challenged. The most important, though, is that it's FUN.

Lots of bags and a ring for those into the striking arts, plenty of mat space and experienced/technical training partners for those looking to do jiu jitsu or MMA. There's also two private bathrooms and a shower... to top it off, you can get 24/7 access to the gym, which is pretty sweet if you want to test out some new moves or come in and...