Paladin MMA Academy, Hialeah

Combat is a combination of art and science, one that requires creative and critical thinking in equal measure. It also happens to require its practitioners to be in peak physical condition, which is why the trainers at Paladin MMA Academy equip their students with the skills needed to excel in all fields. The trainers combine strategy-focused MMA classes with fitness-focused offerings such as cross-training and kickboxing. They teach students of every age, using focus mitts and punching bags to impart the basics to beginners and kids. They also might challenge more advanced practitioners with a training circuit that moves from standing striking fighting styles to standing grappling, and finally ground grappling in three-round rotations. Outside of the matted arena, Paladin MMA Academy houses a slew of workout equipment designed to help build muscle and increase agility. Weight-training equipment and standing punching bags line the walls. And several stations are flanked by massive tractor tires, which trainees might use to either bolster leg strength or jumpstart a career in agricultural science.