Reviews
More Than 150 Five-Star Reviews on Google
Excellent4.9255 reviews
4.9Excellent255 reviewsPosted on Google
E.Z. GreenSeptember 13, 2026Good instructions. Hour and a half classes. Plenty of people to roll with. They lend you a Gi. Take off your shoes when you get on the mat. Best part is, there is a good coffee house connected to it. Shazam!Posted on Google
Alex W.September 5, 2026Awesome place. The coaches are very knowledgeable and easy to work with. I really enjoy training here.Posted on Google
Alan TAugust 22, 2026Mat Chess is a great gym and community to train with. The coaches, especially Andrew, genuinely care about the development and experience of every member, which shows in both the quality of the instruction and the gym culture. Other members/teammates go out of their way every practice to help each other learn and make new people feel comfortable. The classes are thoughtfully designed to make efficient use of your training time, with an emphasis on understanding the system and the “why” behind the drills and techniques you’re learning, rather than just going through the motions. There’s also a strong focus on developing a game that works for you. Coaches are attentive and regularly give individual feedback during classes. For those who want to compete, the coaches take that seriously and work to make sure competitors have the skills and game plan they need to succeed. If you’re on the fence about starting your martial arts journey, I would highly recommend signing up for a trial class at Mat Chess for a welcoming experience.Posted on Google
Phil JAugust 14, 2026Visited this gym while in town and had some great live drills and challenging rounds. Very fun and welcoming group. Thanks for having me!Posted on Google
Colin ChangAugust 5, 2026Started at Mat Chess a few years ago while attending college. The gym is incredibly accommodating to all experience levels and really developed me in my athletic pursuits. Since it features both grappling and striking classes in the morning and evening, it allows for a lot of flexibility in schedule and interests. Additionally, the coaches are highly experienced in their disciplines and provide thoughtful insights & demonstrations to techniques. Loved it, and highly recommend if you're in the area.Posted on Google
Hongyuan DongJuly 28, 2026Every coach I met here has been incredibly patient and kind. I love the community vibe, and I felt very safe training martial art in Matchess as a beginner!Posted on Google
Man UniverseJuly 26, 2026Dirty, small and equipment in bad conditionPosted on Google
Jinhua HongJuly 11, 2026Had a free Muay Thai trial class this week, and it was hands down the worst experience I’ve ever had. I’ve had months of classes at another gym, but new to sparring,comparing to that gym this one is a nightmare! The gym is in a windowless basement with almost no airflow. It was unbelievably hot, humid, and suffocating. There is an AC unit, but they don’t keep it running because it’s too loud. The air felt stale, and the environment was incredibly uncomfortable. I honestly felt like someone could suffer from heat exhaustion or even heatstroke in those conditions. What shocked me even more was the sparring. The class was almost entirely sparring, yet no one was wearing headgear or body protection. The coach kept saying, “Just play, don’t hit hard,” but that’s not how sparring works. Once people start exchanging punches and kicks, accidents happen. You simply can’t guarantee that every strike will stay under control. Having no professionals spar without proper protective equipment is, in my opinion, an unacceptable safety risk. A hard kick or punch to the head or abdomen can cause serious injury, especially for girl, a kick on abdominal could lead to death. This is especially concerning for people with little experience. I genuinely don’t understand how this is considered an acceptable training environment. Between the poor ventilation and the lack of protective gear, I left feeling that basic safety was not being taken seriously. I would never recommend this gym to beginners or anyone looking for a safe place to learn Muay Thai.Posted on Google
Peter ZelinskyJuly 11, 2026Great place to get started learning mma and a very welcoming community. I really enjoyed my time there.Posted on Google
Deric ChanJune 19, 2026Great place to train for those new to combat sports or seasoned. Visiting from out of town, I found that coach Andrew taught solid fundamentals in systems that would translate well to the real world + comp. This was reinforced by seeing that each of his students had clear goals they were working towards in each position (e.g. covering and controlling the hips as a key when on the ground). Overall thoroughly impressed, will definitely be back in the future!Posted on Google
TripleaksapJune 18, 2026Coach Andrew is great People are friendly Instruction is Excellent Facilities are clean 10/10 would recommendPosted on Google
TG CNC ServiceJune 5, 2026Flew in from Wisconsin for a couple weeks for work. Needed a place to train. Hit up Andrew and he welcomed me in. Great team to train with. Great instructor to learn from. Highly recommendPosted on Google
MikeMay 2, 2026Great place to train. People and coaches here are friendly and welcoming. Awesome gym culturePosted on Google
Nathan ParksMay 2, 2026I dropped in for a no-gi class last night, and was welcomed to join the wrestling class that was happening when I was arrived. It was a great experience, good training partners, solid techniques, and extremely welcoming.Posted on Google
Juan RamosApril 2, 2026Coming for appointments to Seattle Children's hospital from Eastern WA for some time now, I stumbled at the coffee shop that is attached to the gym, I signed up for a free jiu jitsu class. Training is intense, lots of knowledge, patience at teaching, many techniques and a good work out. Those teammates will make you sweat, if you are trying to challenge and better your self this is the place to go. Thank you Andrew.Posted on Google
Gideon SwanceyApril 1, 2026This place is amazing. I went in with little to no experience and was very quickly able to jump into the classes and make noticeable progress. The instructors are all great, extremely knowledgeable and provide actionable constructive feedback. I recommend this place to literally everyone.Posted on Google
Dario RichardsMarch 31, 2026As someone who has been around specifically boxing for a couple of years, I can say that the level of coaching is great and the classes are very fun and well structured. And also as someone who is new to MMA, I can also say that the coaches are extremely patient and thorough and will make sure that you get the best experience you can receive no matter your level of experience. I would recommend this gym to anyone.Posted on Google
Jen BohnMarch 26, 2026I was just in for a bjj drop in and Andrew was really welcoming / checked in throughout the class! Shout out to Hallie, Steph & May for being patient drilling partners haha :) would definitely recommend stopping by for a class!!Posted on Google
adam fMarch 26, 2026Visited from las vegas and the gym owner was so friendly and hospitable. Great instruction from the Coach, very patient and technical class. Finished up with some good training and everyone was working hard but taking care of each other. Great overall vibe of the gym 10/10Posted on Google
BB RebornFebruary 26, 2026Had a great time travelling and had great hospitality by the coaches and staffPosted on Google
Ruben HFebruary 23, 2026The owner of this gym Andrew was very nice upon first interaction. Allowed my training partner and I to train during the open mat hours at late notice. Facility is clean with superior heavy bags and equipment. Will return for sure!Posted on Google
Lucas D'CoutoFebruary 23, 2026Coach Andrew is a genuine and down to earth guy, very good at teaching. Members that I met during my free trial were all nice. Mat space is great and the open mat times are great times to train.Posted on Google
Erick LinesFebruary 18, 2026Our first visit was this past Sunday during “open mat”. It was exactly what we had hoped for prior to my son’s state wrestling tournament. Wish I had found this place four years ago. A perfect space for additional or “off season” training.Posted on Google
Travis WrightFebruary 13, 2026Great first time experience, everyone was respectful had a great workoutPosted on Google
Jonah OchoaJanuary 25, 2026I trained here for about 5 months before moving to Portland and my game grew immensely. Andrew teaches material and structures his teaching in a way that will help you improve. He will do camps for competing students and focus on one aspect of Jiu-Jitsu for long enough so that you don't feel like every class is random. I personally gained allot from the wrestling classes. Most gyms don't teach enough wrestling and there instructor is very knowledgeable. The classes are always large allowing for an amazing sample size allowing you to work with all different types of people. The classes are intense but allow you to pace yourself if needed. The striking classes are excellent and designed for everyone. The gym has advanced strikers and day one striker as well. Overall, Mat Chess is for everyone and you will improve attending this gym.Posted on Google
Armando IslasJanuary 17, 2026Great training great people great pacePosted on Google
Alan LnuJanuary 17, 2026We have been coming here for 6 years. We really appreciate the care and attention from Master Kenji; and our oldest has developed so many skills, and character. Our youngest has started here and is enjoying it.Posted on Google
Theo KrahJanuary 14, 2026This is the gym. ‘Men are mostly the same…and he is best who has had training in the severest school.’ -Thucydides Andrew is that man. His lifetime dedication to the craft of jiu jitsu is evident in his humility, genuine care, and desire to train others. I can not recommend higher that you embrace the learning journey by stepping onto the mats with this master of the craft. Wrestling is parallel to life… step into the next level with some training at this gym. Very Respectfully.Posted on Google
Gabe BergerDecember 30, 2025Very good room, great coaches and staff, all around great place to train and work hard!Posted on Google
Sleepy RacoonDecember 16, 2025Fantastic place, I would highly recommend.Posted on Google
Sam NasrallaDecember 5, 2025This is hands-down, the best gym in Seattle and I've been to quite a few MMA gyms in the city. Andrew is the owner of the gym and and jujitsu wizard. He's the most caring, genuine and lovely human that you'd come across. He runs a very tight knit gym that has a family like feel and welcomes all regardless of your skill level I walked in a novice and have excelled tremendously and felt very comfortable the day I stepped foot in there. Shaun and Roy do boxing and Muay thai and they are amazing teachers and are incredibly helpful and helping you improve your overall game and even better people. They care about each student and are excellent teachers in ever sense I am a lifelong member of this gym hands-down I can't speak highly enough if you're thinking about getting into martial arts or wanting to start and nervous about it, you need to come to this gym because I guarantee it will change your life just like it has changed mine. It has been the most productive outlet for me, especially in the cold Seattle greater months. I love all the members and everyone I come across in the gym. I can't speak highly enough about this gym if you're hesitant about it, just make the decision to show up to one class and you'll see why it's a world class and one of a kind. The membership is worth every penny and honestly should be more expensive for what you get, easy five out of five review couldn't speak more highly of it. Take time to make your way into the gym and I guarantee you won't regret it. It will change your life like it has changed minePosted on Google
Cameron PadillaNovember 10, 2025Visited the Sunday open mat while in town on business. Awesome place and very welcoming!Posted on Google
Mathias HamOctober 26, 2025Dropped in while visiting from out of state. Great gym, everything was nice and clean and everyone was very welcomingPosted on Google
Sikai YangOctober 16, 2025Had a great training session when I dropped in. Super nice folks plus high level jiujitsu. If you’re visiting Seattle I definitely recommend stopping by!Posted on Google
Adam K.September 26, 2025I dropped in for a boxing class yesterday and I would recommend it to anyone. Really welcoming crowd, lots of experience, and very helpful instruction. The lesson was straightforward, the exercise was great, and it was no problem to jump right in when it came to sparring. Bring a water bottle and don't be afraid to put in the work.Posted on Google
Jonathan NadirantoSeptember 8, 2025Our 3 kids have been attending the Mat Chess afterschool and bjj program for over a year. Everything from the staff to the bjj coaching has been stellar. The kids have enjoyed the afterschool chess program and being able to flex their mental muscles. And the challenges of learning the physical and mental challenges of jiujitsu. The coaches are both attentive, warm, and create a fun atmosphere to learn something new. Great place to train for kids!
