Integrated Fighting Arts

I drive 15 miles to train at IFA Academy. I pass by MANY martial arts schools, because Frank Benn teaches real fighting skills based on his decades of experience in Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, wrestling, and Muay Thai. It's a credit to Frank that the senior students are helpful/friendly and new students feel safe and part of a community. I've lost 15 pounds, I'm stronger, and my conditioning has improved dramatically. more

I am a female beginner fighter just starting on my fourth of hopefully many months of training. I love that I'm in shape, actively learning a vital life skill, and hanging out with awesome people all at the same time. Frank is deadly serious about teaching the best boxing, wrestling, muy thai, and jujitsu techniques, but he still makes it fun and accessible for beginners. I never feel pressure to ""hurry and catch up,"" not even from other students. The more experienced students maintain a healthy balance of challenge and consideration when sparring with us newbies, so I've been able to learn fast without being intimidated. more

When most of us think of coaches, we imagine someone that will push you so hard and so ruthlessly that you're driven to tears. It's very rare that a coach can drive you to laughter and you find yourself improving because of it. The IFA atmosphere is very driven and focused but it's also a home. Coach Frank is someone who not only strives to know everything he can about the art, but also builds on what he knows. more

I've been training at IFA since 2002, and I can not express how great this Academy is. For starters, there's Frank, who is one of the most knowledgeable people I've ever known about most everything. But especially about fighting. He himself has trained in numerous martial arts for nearly 30, and has constructed a curriculum that focuses on how to be a successful fighter. He's hands on and highly instructional, and works hard to give all his students a strong foundation in the basics and a keen eye for detail. more

I have been training here in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a few months now and thus far I have improved all aspects of my game; whether its my wrestling, top control, or guard work. There's a few aspects that really appeals to me when it comes to training in BJJ. The first one is that the instructor is thorough in everything he teaches and is willing to explain why everything functions as it does. Another great aspect is that every day we spar standing up, a great aspect that you don't get at every BJJ academy. Also the price for classes is at a competitive rate and is definitely worth trying out. more

I joined here about a year ago in good shape, but with little kickboxing or grappling knowledge. A year later, I have more strength and endurance than I could ever get at the gym. And, more importantly, I have a good foundation of BJJ and wrestling knowledge. There's always more to learn from Frank. His martial arts knowledge is very thorough and not limited to one art or the other. It's the ultimate place for self-improvement, both physically and mentally. What more could you really ask for? more

To be honest, I wish I had started my martial arts education here. I spent 8 years learning Tae Kwon Do and another year or so learning MMA through friends. So, a little arrogantly, I thought I knew how to fight...not so much. From the first day there, I realized I had to relearn many of the things I thought ""worked."" The process of relearning though was not a hard or painful. Through Frank's world class teaching and tutorship from the friendly, experienced students, I began to learn the realities of fighting and defense. Not to mention increased my fitness and health in every way imaginable. I would never trade my experiences here at IFA for anything. An outstanding school with a very awesome teacher! more

IFA Academy is the best Martial Arts school that I've ever been to. I've taken several different martial arts schools and the main thing that I really love about going to IFA is practicality. The things that you learn here are the same things that you would use out in the real world if it ever came down to it. And the great thing about training here is that everyone is there to help you improve. If you wanted to improve on your speed, technique, defense, etc., Frank Benn along with the other students will help you. I've been training in the Kickboxing class for 5 years and the Jujitsu portion of the class for about 2 years and I can guarantee that the quality of training and the quality of the practitioners at IFA are top notch. more

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 more

Having trained in the grappling and kickboxing curriculum for several years, I can say that Integrated Fighting Arts is bar none the best martial arts instruction I have had. The training is 'alive,' the instruction is detail-oriented (none of the standard 'watch me do it and then your turn'- you learn how each piece goes together), and both Frank (the instructor) and the senior students are proficient and willing to help you on specific aspects of your game. As a total curriculum and experience I haven't met its match, even amongst other highly competitive gyms and clubs. If you want to learn how to fight in a welcoming environment but still know your earned knowledge will work against a fully-resistant opponent in competition or elsewhere, then this is the school for you. more

Top notch training at Austin's original mixed martial arts academy! I have been part of the IFA family for 6 years. Even when my training was sporadic, I was always welcome back home with open arms(usually got my ass-kicked due to the lack of training and conditioning).:) An all adult academy with not politics, no BS, and you cannot buy your stripes, you earn them on the mat. Frank Benn is a meticulous instructor who understand all aspects of all combat situations and can help you fix any problem in your game. With 25+ years instructing and trained to be an instructor, every class is a college coarse in which you are learning from Engineering, History, Science, Psychology, and Mathematics professors all in 1. As with any college coarse its highly recommended you take notes...... as the best students take notes. As anyone who knows.. knows.... the devil is in the details... its the difference between failure and success!! Top notch training at Austin's original mixed martial arts academy! I have been part of the IFA family for 6 years. Even when my training was sporadic, I was always welcome back home with open arms(usually got my a$$-kicked due to the lack of training and conditioning).:) An all adult academy with not politics, no BS, and you cannot buy your stripes, you earn them on the mat. Frank Benn is a meticulous instructor who understand all aspects of all combat situations and can help you fix any problem in your game. With 25+ years instructing and trained to be an instructor, every class is a college coarse in which you are learning from Engineering, History, Science, Psychology, and Mathematics professors all in 1. As with any college coarse its highly recommended you take notes...... as the best students take notes. As anyone who knows.. knows.... the devil is in the details... its the difference between failure and success!! I have learned the importance of the history, psychology, and science of combat due to his instruction. All classes (Stick & Knife, Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Brazilian Jujitsu) are presented and taught in real world situations which includes REAL contact sparring. The all adult atmosphere (some younger students have been accepted based on maturity.)consists of a diverse group from working professionals to college students (men and women) that are accommodating, yet will whoop yo ass! Frank never holds back any secrets or techniques, has rolled with the best and will ROLL with ANYBODY. I highly recommend this place I now call home. More information at Ifaacademy DOT com or better yet Youtube IFAACADEMY. See the real for yourself! more

This is the best place I could recommend to do it. The lessons are almost entirely based on functional fighting, and it covers all the possible bases; boxing, kicks, knees, wrestling, groundwork, and even weapons. I always feel free to ask questions, and they always get answered. Mr. Benn will take time to get new people up to speed, and there's always plenty for more experienced students to do, too. Sparring goes on every day, which is a plus, and the gym has open days dedicated to hardcore conditioning. Good stuff all around. more

Intergrated Fighting Arts is the best MMA school I have ever attended. The instruction in Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, BJJ and FMA was all exemplary. Techinques were covered in a depth I have not encountered anywhere else. It was always very clear why you did A and not B. The instructor, Frank Benn, had clearly thought long and hard about what worded and why and was willing to share it with his students. The only reason I don't still train there is I am half way around the country right now. The technical training and physical conditioning at IFA is the best I've ever had. I can't recommend it enough. more