Reviews

Rated 4.2/5 based on 27 customer reviews.
March 5, 2020 01:37

My family and I have been attending Smileys gym for over five years now. The staff and coaches are not only knowledgeable in their craft, but also excellent at making you feel important and welcomed when you walk into their space. When I am able to go, I enjoy my time on the mats with coach Elijah. He intertwines the art of Jiu Jitsu and his love of psychology. So not only do I gain knowledge in the art of Jiu Jitsu, I also walk away with my mind being made sharper as well. Iron sharpens iron. We are so thankful for the entire team at Smileys.

March 3, 2020 22:57

I just renewed my membership after my first year at Smiley Academy. I train 4-5 days/week here. The facility is very well kept and constantly being improved with new equipment. The coaches here are truly incredible and provide value that extends much further than the membership dues. The atmosphere is very competitive with an emphasis on safety, respect, and sportsmanship. I have lost over 50lbs and just competed in my first Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament. Smiley Academy has changed my life for the better. That is my testimony.

March 3, 2020 12:17

My kids love Smiley Academy and have learned so much through coach Smiley and his excellent team. Not just about Martial Arts but about life. Incredible environment and family to be a part of. Highly recommended for any age or skill level.

March 3, 2020 02:48

Wonderful family owned business run by amazing people. It has a warm family atmosphere and I highly recommend it.

February 5, 2019 17:48

I went to the school for 2 years and it felt like I found an inclusive and a friendly atmosphere. So much so that I donated two 100lbs heavy bags and an Xbox to the school because I thought it was a great place. But I had a rough patch this past year with work and went through financial hardship. I asked for help and I was mistreated and lied too. Here are the screenshot of the emails and messages so you may judge for yourself:

September 29, 2018 21:54

Great place to train. My son and i both enjoy out classes. We are treated like family.

September 8, 2018 14:11

Smiley Academy is the best gym i have ever personally experienced in my life.One of the many great coaches there is coach Mariah.She is a skillful fighter,hard working individual and one of the many great faces you can see at Smiley's.What sets this school apart from other gyms is the heart of the fighters and the competitive spirit of them too.For a long time i went school to school searching for people who enjoyed fighting like i did and i found a place where people share that same passion.Not only will i gaurantee this place be undoubtedly beneficial too you but i promise you will make a second family like they are too me.

September 5, 2018 11:30

Came in one day at the suggestion of a friend, and have had a hard time staying away ever since! I was welcomed and treated as part of the family from the very beginning by Smiley and Mrs Cheryl and all the rest of the coaches there, have fallen in love with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and now have my kids enrolled in the pups BJJ class. Smileys gym is immaculately kept and ALWAYS packed with smiling faces. Getting on board at Smileys has been an extremely life-changing and transformative experience, without even getting into all the physical and mental benefits of training hard and training in a group where everyone holds each other accountable. Since I started the coaches there of all been very encouraging and helpful, especially Elijah and Coach Rickey. If combat sports & fitness are something you've been thinking about, this is the place you need to be!!!

July 23, 2018 16:47

They were awesome with my niece who has had bad experiences with the dentist.very pleased.

July 23, 2018 16:47

They were awesome with my niece who has had bad experiences with the dentist.very pleased.

June 4, 2018 21:20

Its funny how James Smiley can make everyone feel at home and he has a 14 year old named Michaela that lives in Jacksonville Beach that he never say happy birthday, happy daughters day, nor marry christmas to. His name should be Mr. Sad Face Smiley or never takes care of his daughter face. He is a joke.

June 4, 2018 21:20

Its funny how James Smiley can make everyone feel at home and he has a 14 year old named Michaela that lives in Jacksonville Beach that he never say happy birthday, happy daughters day, nor marry christmas to. His name should be Mr. Sad Face Smiley or never takes care of his daughter face. He is a joke.

April 18, 2018 03:08

Came in one day at the suggestion of a friend, and have had a hard time staying away ever since! I was welcomed and treated as part of the family from the very beginning by Smiley and Mrs Chelsea and all the rest of the coaches there, have fallen in love with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and now have my kids enrolled in the pups BJJ class. Smileys gym isn't the biggest but it's immaculately kept and ALWAYS packed with smiling faces. Getting on board at Smileys has been an extremely life-changing and transformative experience, without even getting into all the physical and mental benefits of training hard and training in a group where everyone holds each other accountable. If combat sports & fitness are something you've been thinking about, this is the place you need to be!!!

April 18, 2018 03:08

Came in one day at the suggestion of a friend, and have had a hard time staying away ever since! I was welcomed and treated as part of the family from the very beginning by Smiley and Mrs Chelsea and all the rest of the coaches there, have fallen in love with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and now have my kids enrolled in the pups BJJ class. Smileys gym isn't the biggest but it's immaculately kept and ALWAYS packed with smiling faces. Getting on board at Smileys has been an extremely life-changing and transformative experience, without even getting into all the physical and mental benefits of training hard and training in a group where everyone holds each other accountable. If combat sports & fitness are something you've been thinking about, this is the place you need to be!!!

April 18, 2018 03:08

Came in one day at the suggestion of a friend, and have had a hard time staying away ever since! I was welcomed and treated as part of the family from the very beginning by Smiley and Mrs Chelsea and all the rest of the coaches there, have fallen in love with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and now have my kids enrolled in the pups BJJ class. Smileys gym isn't the biggest but it's immaculately kept and ALWAYS packed with smiling faces. Getting on board at Smileys has been an extremely life-changing and transformative experience, without even getting into all the physical and mental benefits of training hard and training in a group where everyone holds each other accountable. If combat sports & fitness are something you've been thinking about, this is the place you need to be!!!

February 17, 2018 17:30

They charge way to much and it's dirty. It's a waste of time and money unless you do private sessions to get ready for competition's.

February 17, 2018 17:30

They charge way to much and it's dirty. It's a waste of time and money unless you do private sessions to get ready for competition's.

December 28, 2017 22:52

My children take classes three times a week here and they love it. The staff is amazing!

December 28, 2017 22:52

My children take classes three times a week here and they love it. The staff is amazing!

December 17, 2017 12:45

Great for all ages and skill levels especially kids

October 20, 2017 13:58

Hands Down The Best Gym In The Whole State Of Florida!
Smiley & His Family Have Created Something Special !!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

October 20, 2017 13:58

I loved the kickboxing classes when Smiley taught them, but recently they have cut back a lot of classes. I don't think they have enough kickboxing classes to justify the high prices. I was hoping the changes that were started a few months ago would be only temporary, but they have cut back even more. Also, the cleanliness of the facility has gone downhill. Unfortunately it may be time to change my membership to another gym.

October 20, 2017 13:58

Son trained here briefly prior to departing the area; he absolutely loved it. From my observation both as a parent and lifelong martial artist, the progams are demanding, organized and well worthwhile. You definitely get what you pay for!

October 20, 2017 13:58

This place is the real deal. I think that whenever someone enters a new dojo/gym one of the first things one wonders is, "What can the instructors really do? Can they really fight or is this one big sham?" Well that answer is readily apparent here.

Go to Smiley's no gi submission wrestling class to find this out. The second half of the class is quite fun and enjoyable to participate in especially because you really get to see what Smiley can do. In that class each person rolls (grapples) with an opponent including Smiley (the instructor). In that class I saw Smiley grapple with several people with previous bjj, wrestling, and judo backgrounds. Not one person could defeat Smiley. He would make the other guy tap everytime as easy as pie.

Their Muay Thai class is interesting as well. There is a beginners and advanced class. The beginners class is taught by a 5'2 woman. This came as a surprise to me as Muay Thai is a very brutal martial art. I thought this was crazy. However that woman is an excellent instructor and is tough as nails. I kid you not she hit harder than any of the males in the class. Do not take her lightly.

But yeah this is the best martial arts school in the Jax/Orange Park area

October 20, 2017 13:58

Best BJJ school in town! Training under Smiley is the most humbling experience!

July 14, 2017 13:05

Hands Down The Best Gym In The Whole State Of Florida!
Smiley & His Family Have Created Something Special !!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

December 12, 2016 15:20

This place is the real deal. I think that whenever someone enters a new dojo/gym one of the first things one wonders is, "What can the instructors really do? Can they really fight or is this one big sham?" Well that answer is readily apparent here.

Go to Smiley's no gi submission wrestling class to find this out. The second half of the class is quite fun and enjoyable to participate in especially because you really get to see what Smiley can do. In that class each person rolls (grapples) with an opponent including Smiley (the instructor). In that class I saw Smiley grapple with several people with previous bjj, wrestling, and judo backgrounds. Not one person could defeat Smiley. He would make the other guy tap everytime as easy as pie.

Their Muay Thai class is interesting as well. There is a beginners and advanced class. The beginners class is taught by a 5'2 woman. This came as a surprise to me as Muay Thai is a very brutal martial art. I thought this was crazy. However that woman is an excellent instructor and is tough as nails. I kid you not she hit harder than any of the males in the class. Do not take her lightly.

But yeah this is the best martial arts school in the Jax/Orange Park area

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