Martial Arts Management Software: What Gym Owners Actually Want in an App

Mixed martial arts can have a huge impact on your life, mentally and physically. Training is challenging, but running a gym comes with an entirely different set of challenges and I want to know how I can make it smoother as a custom mobile app developer.

Ashlee, you train martial arts?

Absolutely! I am a full time developer however, I am very passionate about fitness: especially mixed martial arts. I’ve been participating in jiu jitsu for 5 years and I am currently a purple belt. I also participate in Muay Thai, Boxing and MMA. I enjoy the sports because they helped me mentally and physically.

Now as a custom mobile app developer, I want to give back to the community.

So what do gym owners and gym goers want?

I conducted a small survey and asked about 20 people what their struggles are in running a gym and how a mobile app or martial arts software could make it run smoother.

In the image above, 28% of gym owners and a few gym goers would want an app where they can show their curriculum for their students. I understand completely. That gives students a way to review techniques outside the gym, better understand what they’re learning, and track progress through the curriculum.

19% mentioned having business admin tools, which can help automate tasks and make the gym run more smoothly. Having basic questions answered or having that communication will help.

For gym owners looking into martial arts management software, these are the kinds of features that can make a real difference in the day-to-day operation of the gym.

As a gym owner, do you even need a custom app?

Maybe not.

There are already platforms built specifically for martial arts academies. For example, MAAT offers tools for memberships, payments, attendance, class booking, waivers, onboarding, and student progress tracking.

If those features already solve your gym’s problems, using existing martial arts management software may make more sense than paying for custom development.

A custom app becomes more useful when your academy needs something specific that existing platforms don’t handle well, or when you want workflows, features, or branding built around the way your gym actually operates.

For some academies, an existing platform is enough. For others, custom MMA gym software may make more sense when the gym needs features built around its own classes, curriculum, students, or coaching process.

Carlos Alberto MMA and Fitness Center App (CAMMA)

I created a similar portion for my gym. In the CAMMA app, students can watch their coach demonstrate a technique and review it outside of class.

This is one example of how custom martial arts software can be built around the way a specific gym operates instead of forcing the gym to change its process around the software.

Now if you know me, you know I’m direct and will address the elephant in the room.

Ashlee, that looks good and I’d like something like that for my gym, but I DON’T KNOW YOU.

I understand. You don’t know me. I encourage you to check out my website and look through my work. Look at my portfolio and ask questions.

Now another elephant in the room.

Ashlee, you do good work, but we’re not on the same MMA team.

Again I understand. I’d be cautious as well, especially since I am a competitor. However, when a gym owner gives me access to their data, their data is their business. Any information provided for analytics or app development is used only for the work we agreed on. I’m not interested in using your membership numbers, athlete information, competition data, or internal business information for my own benefit.

I also train and compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu myself, so I understand why a gym owner may be especially cautious about giving me access to certain information. If there’s ever a conflict of interest or data I don’t need to complete the project, we can limit my access to only what’s necessary.

Information obtained through a client project will only be used for that project and will not be shared with third parties, coaches, teammates, competitors, or other gyms.

Apps by Ashlee will not intentionally use confidential client information for competitive advantage.

What if the app includes sensitive competition or athlete strategy data?

Some gyms may want to store information such as competition strategy, athlete tendencies, or other highly sensitive coaching data. Because I actively train and compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, that creates an additional conflict-of-interest concern.

For now, I do not take on projects that require me to access highly sensitive competitive strategy data. It’s not because the functionality can’t be built, it’s because the privacy, trust, and legal considerations become much more complex.

If your project includes something in this area, I’m still open to discussing it. We can talk through the idea and determine whether there’s a way to structure the app so the sensitive information remains restricted from my access.

If you’re comparing MMA gym software, martial arts management software, or a custom app and you’re not sure which approach makes sense for your academy, contact me. I’m happy to talk through what you need and tell you whether custom development actually makes sense.