Integrated Fighting Arts Academy

I can’t tell you what your experiences at IFA will be like; all I can tell you is how my journey has been so far.
It was a Wednesday night last year around August. I was inebriated and eating pizza at 3 in the morning watching UFC reruns. 230+ pounds, a resting heart rate of 85+, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, chronic reflux, and all kinds of neck+back problems.
Within the first 6 months at IFA, I lost over 25 pounds (and still counting) and had a consistent resting heart rate below 58. My neck+back became more pain-​free by getting stronger, and my blood pressure was the lowest it’s been as an adult. Oh, and no more reflux or apnea.
My friends, family, and girlfriend have noticed the positive changes I’ve gone through, not just physically but also mentally — I used to be an angry, road-​raging, fight-​starting a-​hole, and now I’ve become a pretty balanced and mellow guy. And after almost a decade of weight gain and other chronic health problems, I feel like I have a new lease on life.
Regarding fighting skills, this is the only place I’ve ever trained at where I’ve made such significant headway in learning how to defend myself. I’ve trained at a few different places over the years, and they’ve all benefitted me in one way or another… but when it came time to spar, I got dominated more often than not. This was largely due to, as head instructor Frank puts it, needing to learn how to navigate through the «muddiness» — or chaos — of fighting. I’ve improved more in this area than I have in all my previous years at other schools. I credit Frank, who is one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met, for the guidance and for pushing me physically in the right way.
I also credit the other students at IFA. I can’t say enough about how great the gym culture is. No douchery, no egos, none of the BS I’d seen at some of the other gyms I’d been to. Just a bunch of down-​to-​earth, welcoming, and helpful group of guys and gals of all ages and experience levels. The more experienced students are on par with the skill and knowledge level of instructors at other schools, and they have patiently helped me work on one flaw or another — even sometimes in the middle of sparring. (Two quick notes on sparring: people go as light or hard as you want; the senior students hold back against those of you who are less experienced to facilitate your improvement.)
If it’s anything I would recommend to you, I would say that taking a free trial class didn’t give me the full picture of what IFA is all about. It took at least 3 months for me to really, really get it and start really reaping the rewards that come with training here. But do come by and try out a free class as the first step — it could possibly be as big of a profound life-​changing experience as it has been for me.

FRIDAY NIGHTS ARE COMBAT CONDITIONING NIGHTS!!!
**NOTE: This is actually a FIVE STAR review disguised as a three star because this site is weird about putting up five star reviews (seriously, check out how many amazing hidden reviews there are).**
Like the idea of a solid cross fit regiment, but have too much self respect for your physical well being? Well, YOU’RE IN LUCK! Every Tuesday and Friday evening, IFAA has our combat conditioning sessions, meticulously designed to help increase your strength, improve your endurance, build up the important muscle groups needed to throw heavy punches and excel at grappling, and PREVENT INJURY!!! And best of all, IT’S FREE!
Free with the enrollment of any one of the other classes taught at IFAA. You can chose from escrima, kickboxing, grappling, or all three! We train each of these classes multiple times a week, and by being enrolled in just one of these courses, you also get the joys of joining a great group of people to make you suffer in the best possible way to make you a better fighter for NO EXTRA CHARGE!
What else do you get with your enrollment? Only the chance to train with the best living library of boxing and martial arts technique and history this side of anywhere: Frank Benn! Frank has been training, studying, and teaching various forms of martial arts for over 30 years, and has formulated an intense and complete curriculum focused on not what looks pretty and flashy, but what actually works and will save your a$$ in a fight. If you have a question about boxing strategy, or jiu jitsu technique, history, or just want to play «Who would win between X and Y?», Frank will fill you in on so much knowledge, your head will burst!
What’s also great and unique about Frank is that he takes an active and genuine interest in all of his students. In every class, he takes the time to talk with everyone, address issues he sees with their form and problems they may be having, and is always willing to answer any questions a student brings forward. And he’s always willing to get on the mat and spar.
YOU CAN NOT GET THAT KIND OF PERSONAL ATTENTION ANYWHERE ELSE!!!
I have been training at IFAA since April 2012, and I can not express how amazing this place is. The instruction in top notch, the work out is intense, and we have always managed to bring together an amazing group of people who are intelligent, hard working, and strive to make ourselves and our partners better. We’ve been taking advantage of this beautiful weather by training in the park these days, so bring yourself a blanket and come watch us work if you’re curious. Or if you’re interested, put on some shorts, come lace up some gloves, and come learn from the longest running, most knowledgeable instructor this town has to offer! I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

I’m giving it three stars ONLY because I heard that this site filters five star reviews unless the business pays Unilocal to show them. So this is really a five star review. I was told specifically not to try it this way, but, damn it… I want my say.
I’m a female beginner boxer and wrestler… never threw a punch in my life before coming to IFAA. After three months, I’m in great physical shape and actually feel amazingly competent when sparring. Frank and even the other students are patient and respectful, always willing to show the move one more time until you’ve got it.
The academy has a friendly atmosphere, welcomes all fitness levels, and my gender has never been an issue. That image-​obsessed, macho-​macho-​man culture you may find other places is not present here. Frank even spends a lot of time on self-​defense tactics that are useful for everybody, but especially women.
I can tell you though, from watching Frank spar with guests, even if you have years of experience with jujitsu and/​or muy thai, he can still teach you moves. I am looking forward to training at IFAA for a long while yet because a) I know I’m never going to be bored and b) it is way more fun and useful than going to a gym.

I cannot say enough good things about IFA. I trained there for about a year and was forced to leave because of scheduling issues and a move to New York City.
First, excellent instruction. Unlike most fighting gyms, there is a meticulously crafted curriculum and it is taught by the founder of the gym. Frank is an excellent instructor and he has been refining the classes for literally decades. Also, Frank will quite likely be one of the smartest people you will ever meet.
Second, meets your needs whatever they may be. You can train in wrestling/​BJJ, boxing/​kickboxing, and Filipino Martial Arts (knife and stick). You can train in one, two or all three programs. The programs are great whether you are there for competition training, self-​defense, or just to get in shape and have fun.
Third, great training partners. Unlike many boxing gyms, you will not be fodder for the gym’s prize fighters. Everyone is there to learn and to be taught. You will be paired with people who are on your level or who are happy to go down to your level. The goal is to build your skills and your confidence, not to get your ass beat — unless of course, that’s what you want.
I recommend this gym to anyone who has ever had any interest in training as a fighter.

I’ve been training here for a few months as a complete newbie. This academy is owned and run by Frank Benn. It’s an independent, small academy, because Frank Benn prefers a good student/​instructor ratio and doing all the instruction himself.
Frank is really passionate about mixed martial arts /​teaching and it shows in how thoroughly he trains his students. He’s been training in MMA for 30 years, way before the UFC started, so he knows it all.
If you are shopping around for an MMA academy, ask the head instructor how long he’s been training in wrestling, in boxing, in muay thai, and in BJJ. Ask how often he gets on the mat and spars with students. Then come to IFA and ask Frank Benn.
On Mon/​Thur/​Sat, we train in boxing, wrestling, muay thai, Filipino stick fighting, and on Tues/​Fri, we do combat conditioning for strength and stamina.
Contact me if you have any questions.