Walk into any big-box gym in Gloucester County and you know exactly what to expect. Rows of treadmills. People staring at phones. The sterile hum of air conditioning. But if you’ve ever actually stepped into Webb Fitness and MMA in Mantua, you know it’s a whole different world. It’s loud. It’s sweaty. Honestly, it smells a bit like hard work and leather.
People think they want the fancy eucalyptus towels until they realize those towels don't help them lean out or learn how to defend themselves.
That’s where Jason Webb comes in. He’s the engine behind the place. You won't find him hiding in a corporate office looking at spreadsheets. He's usually on the mats. He’s a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt, but more importantly, he's a guy who actually understands how to coach people who aren't professional athletes.
The Reality of Training at Webb Fitness and MMA
Most "MMA gyms" are basically just fight clubs for twenty-somethings with something to prove. That's a problem. It keeps regular people away. At Webb’s, you see a weird, beautiful mix of people. You’ve got the high school wrestler looking to sharpen his top game, the 40-year-old mom doing kickboxing to blow off steam after a corporate shift, and the hobbyist BJJ practitioner trying to remember how to breathe while someone is sitting on their chest.
It works because the ego is checked at the door.
If you show up acting like you're in the UFC prelims on your first day, you'll probably get a very polite, very firm reality check. The training here centers on functional movement. We aren't just talking about bicep curls. We are talking about the kind of strength that helps you move a couch or finish a double-leg takedown.
Why Jiu-Jitsu Changes Your Brain
People call BJJ "human chess." It sounds cliché. It kind of is. But it’s also true. When you are training at Webb Fitness and MMA, you are forced to solve physical problems under extreme pressure.
Imagine someone who weighs 200 pounds is trying to pin you down. Your heart is racing. Your lungs feel tight. In that moment, you can’t think about your mortgage or that annoying email from your boss. You have to think about your frames. You have to think about your hip out. You have to think about survival.
This creates a weird kind of calm in the rest of your life. After you've spent an hour rolling, a traffic jam on Route 45 doesn't seem like a big deal anymore.
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Striking That Actually Makes Sense
Kickboxing at Webb isn't just "cardio kickboxing." I mean, it’s a killer workout, obviously. You’ll burn more calories in an hour than you would in three hours on a stationary bike. But the difference is the technique.
You learn how to actually turn your hip into a kick. You learn how to keep your hands up so you aren't leaving your chin exposed. Even if you never plan on getting into a cage—and most people at the gym don't—knowing that your technique is technically sound matters. It builds a different kind of confidence.
It's the difference between "playing" at fitness and actually developing a skill.
What Most People Get Wrong About MMA Gyms
There is this massive misconception that you have to be "in shape" to start training.
That is total nonsense.
If you wait until you’re in shape to join Webb Fitness and MMA, you’re never going to show up. The gym is the tool you use to get in shape. Nobody starts as a cardio machine. Everyone gasps for air during their first week. Everyone feels a bit clumsy during the drills.
The coaches there expect that.
The Community Factor
The South Jersey fitness scene is crowded. You have a million options. But most of them are incredibly lonely. You go in, you put your headphones on, you leave.
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At Webb’s, you're forced to interact. You’re literally grabbing another person’s collar or holding pads for them. You learn their names. You learn their stories. You start showing up because you don't want to let your training partners down. That accountability is worth more than any fancy app or "smart" mirror.
Focus on Kids and Teens
One of the most impressive things about the program is how they handle the youth classes. In a world where kids are glued to iPads, getting them on the mats is a game-changer. It’s not just about teaching a ten-year-old how to do a triangle choke.
It’s about discipline. It’s about learning how to lose.
In BJJ, you lose a lot. You get tapped out. You make mistakes. Learning how to get back up, shake hands, and go again is a life skill that schools just don't teach anymore. The environment at Webb Fitness and MMA fosters that resilience without being "militaristic" or weirdly intense.
The Technical Side of the House
Let’s talk about the lineage for a second. In the world of grappling, lineage matters. It’s the "receipt" for the knowledge being passed down.
Jason Webb is a black belt under the legendary Ricardo Almeida. If you know anything about MMA or BJJ, that name carries massive weight. Almeida is a pioneer, a UFC veteran, and one of the most respected coaches in the world. Being part of that association means the techniques being taught at Webb’s aren't just "stuff we saw on YouTube."
They are proven. They are refined. They are part of a system that has produced world-class champions and high-level practitioners for decades.
Equipment and Facility
It’s not a "spit and sawdust" basement gym, but it isn't a luxury spa either.
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The mats are high-quality and kept clean—which is the most important thing in a grappling gym. Skin infections are the nightmare of the MMA world, and Webb’s is notoriously on top of hygiene. The cage walls and bags are well-maintained. It feels like a place where work gets done.
Is Webb Fitness and MMA Right for You?
Look, honestly, if you want a place where you can sit on a machine and read a magazine, this isn't it.
If you are afraid of sweating or feeling a little bit uncomfortable, you probably won't like it here. But if you are bored with your current routine—if you feel like you’re just going through the motions at the gym—it’s worth the drive to Mantua.
The "fitness" part of the name isn't just a marketing tag. The movements involved in MMA—sprawling, clinching, throwing strikes—engage muscles you didn't even know you had. Your core gets stronger because it has to. Your grip strength improves. Your flexibility gets better because you're moving through ranges of motion that a bench press simply can't provide.
Breaking Down the Costs
Usually, people get sticker shock when they look at MMA gym prices compared to a $10-a-month "judgment-free" zone.
But you have to look at what you’re paying for. You aren't paying for access to a room full of iron. You’re paying for coaching. You’re paying for a structured curriculum. At Webb Fitness and MMA, you aren't just a number on a membership roster. The instructors know who you are. They know what you're struggling with. That’s the difference between a "gym" and a "school."
Actionable Steps for Starting Your Journey
If you're thinking about checking it out, don't just "think" about it for six months.
- Just show up for a trial. Most people overthink the first day. Wear comfortable workout clothes (no zippers or pockets if you're doing BJJ) and bring a water bottle.
- Focus on breathing. Your first few classes, you'll feel like you're drowning. That’s normal. Focus on slow, controlled breaths through your nose.
- Ask questions. The higher belts and experienced strikers at Webb’s are actually incredibly helpful. They remember what it was like to be the new person.
- Consistency over intensity. Don't come in and try to be a world-beater on Monday and then be too sore to move until the following Thursday. Come in, do what you can, and come back two days later.
- Check the schedule. They offer different classes at different times—BJJ, Kickboxing, Kids' programs. Make sure you’re hitting the class that actually aligns with your goals.
Training at Webb Fitness and MMA is about more than just fighting. It’s about building a version of yourself that can handle a lot more than you currently think you can. Whether you're in it for the self-defense, the weight loss, or just to find a community that actually gives a damn, the mats are waiting.
The hardest part is always the walk from the car to the front door. Once you're inside, the rest takes care of itself.