From ClubManager to MAAT: The Fighting Arts Academy Story

East London’s Fighting Arts Academy isn’t your average combat sports gym.

With a mission to "champion diversity and spread the joy of martial-arts training with as many people as possible," they’ve created a welcoming space for everyone, from beginners who’ve never thrown a punch to seasoned fighters sharpening their skills in BJJ, MMA, Wrestling, and Muay Thai.

But even the most inclusive, community-driven academies run into logistical hurdles.

For Fighting Arts Academy, their biggest obstacle wasn’t on the mat, it was behind the scenes.

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Before MAAT: Paper, Headaches, and ClubManager

Like many growing martial arts academies, Fighting Arts Academy initially relied on ClubManager to handle the essentials.

The software was affordable, but that’s where the benefits ended.

"We tried several times to get it to properly manage direct debits... To be honest, it was a nightmare."

says Andrew, The Fighting Arts Academy's head coach.

Despite their best efforts, ClubManager simply couldn’t handle the operational complexity.

Tracking memberships, collecting payments, managing attendance, it all fell apart.

Eventually, the team defaulted to a patchwork system of envelopes, printed lists, and handwritten notes.

"We were using files, envelopes, tick lists... It was an absolute nightmare."

As the gym grew, so did the chaos. Admin work began to take time away from teaching.

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Want to learn more? Check out our article ClubManager vs MAAT

The Decision: Enough Was Enough

The final straw was the pressure from senior students who saw how outdated the system had become.

"My senior students were giving me a hard time about how paper-based and dinosaur the whole thing was."

It was clear: something had to change.

The breaking point came when the team realized their DIY approach was holding back the entire academy.

The mission was to build a community, not shuffle paper.

"We reached a scale where the admin was getting in the way. We needed something to smooth that out and let me have more mat time."

It was time to find a system that actually supported their needs.

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Why They Chose MAAT

Among the many options out there, MAAT stood out.

It wasn’t just a generic gym software, it was built for combat sports, by people who live them.

✅ Tailored for martial arts: With class pack flexibility, belt tracking, and detailed attendance logs.

✅ Direct access to the team: Real support via WhatsApp

✅ A modern, intuitive experience: No more clunky interfaces, just clean, responsive tools that coaches and students actually want to use.

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"You're not dealing with some big faceless corporation... I'm literally on WhatsApp with the founders, getting tailored support."

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Before the Migration: Apprehension and Doubts

Like many gym owners, Andrew was worried about making the switch.

"Migrating from one system to another, there's always a challenge. There's always turbulence."

The fear was real.

Would they lose data? Would students be confused? Would operations come to a halt?

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After the Migration: Smooth, Supported, and Quick

While the migration wasn’t without its hiccups, MAAT team provided hands-on support every step of the way.

"We got through it... The guys at MAAT were there to support all the way through, helping even with the annoying questions."

says Andrew.

In fact, The Fighing Arts Academy took the opportunity to rebrand, adjust pricing, and introduce new flexible payment options like class packs, a game changer for both the academy and its students.

"Once we pressed the button, it was weeks. Students and coaches bought into it and saw the advantages. It was a really slick onboarding experience"

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A New Era for Fighting Arts Academy

Now, MAAT is a core part of the gym’s daily operations.

"More than anything attendance tracking. We never had a way to do that before. Now every coach can track who's on the mat."

says Andrew.

No more phantom students. No more awkward payment chases. They know exactly who’s attending, who’s paid, and how many classes someone has left.

"We’re able to reinvest the money we save back into the club, which is great."

And it’s not just the head coach who’s benefitting.

"It's way quicker. I don’t have to try and remember everyone’s names... You see their face, their profile, their class history."

Pete, Coach

"You can see who's coming, who's attending, you know who’s really wanting to train."

Mark, Coach

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Ready to Leave ClubManager? You’re Not Alone

Fighting Arts Academy made the leap from ClubManager to MAAT and they never looked back.

"If you're on ClubManager, you won't need any additional motivation to leave. That piece of software is a nightmare."

says Andrew.

The transition wasn’t just manageable, it was transformative.

With MAAT, their operations are smoother, their team is happier, and their members are more engaged.

Thinking about making the switch?

"Be relaxed. Everything will go well. And if it doesn’t, MAAT team is there with you."

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Ready to simplify your gym’s operations? Book a free demo today!

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