Key Takeaways

• Ascended Jiu Jitsu in Kingston, New York, switched from Kicksite to MAAT to reduce administrative workload and simplify gym operations.
• The migration process was handled entirely by MAAT, making the transition effortless and fast.
• Since switching, Ascended has cut software costs by 70% and now manages everything through one intuitive app.

Introduction

Ascended Jiu Jitsu is a thriving martial arts academy based in Kingston, New York.

Founded by Pedro, a builder and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, the academy was created to offer a clean, high-quality, community-focused space for martial arts, fitness, and yoga.

But while the physical space was designed to perfection, the gym's digital operations were not keeping up.

Before MAAT: Limited by Kicksite

Pedro used Kicksite and Wix for over two years. While they provided basic functionality, managing the gym was still a time-consuming task. He found himself burdened with administrative work, from updating student records to handling payments and sending communications.

"Managing everything was extremely time-consuming"

Pedro said.

👉 Interested in learning the differences between MAAT and Kicksite? Check out this article!

The Breaking Point: Time for a Change

The turning point came when Pedro realized just how much time he was losing to repetitive admin work. Despite running a multi-discipline academy, the primary issue was inefficiency. Kicksite, the software that was meant to help him, was actually holding him back.

"I needed to pass some of those unnecessary tasks to the client, so I could focus on what matters."

He needed a platform that would reduce admin work, that's when he began searching for a better solution.

Why They Chose MAAT

Pedro was already exploring other gym software options when he came across MAAT.

He had been frustrated for months and knew he needed a better system, but he wasn’t expecting to find something that felt tailor-made for his academy.

When he discovered MAAT, Pedro was amazed. The platform wasn’t just functional, it was intuitive, modern, and built with martial arts in mind.

What impressed him most was how everything he needed was available in one place.

MAAT combined features like student self-service, communicatoin, attendance tracking, and billing automation in a way that felt seamless.

The new software didn’t just check the boxes, it offered Pedro a way to finally step out of the admin weeds and back onto the mat where he belonged.

Before the Migration: Natural Apprehension

After years with Kicksite, Pedro was naturally hesitant about switching platforms.

He worried about data loss, disruption, and the effort required to migrate.

"I was very worried about the migration process"

he admitted.

👉Check out this article about Pound for Pound Roshenaim, another gym that recently switched from Kicksite to MAAT.

After the Migration: Smooth and Fast

Those worries disappeared quickly. MAAT handled everything, from importing student data to configuring pricing and memberships.

"Brando, co-owner of MAAT, told me "You sit back and chill, send me your memberships and pricing, and I’ll do everything" and that’s exactly what happened"

Pedro said.

"It was so simple, I felt like I was getting scammed."

A New Era: Running Ascended on MAAT

Life at Ascended Jiu Jitsu has fundamentally changed. Today, Pedro manages everything through MAAT.

• Students manage their profiles and payments directly.
• Attendance and progress are tracked in real-time.
• Class changes and announcements are sent with ease.

"I'm dropping my monthly expenses by 70%"

Pedro shared.

"I can track my students, send announcements, check who’s in class, all in one app."

Conclusion

"If you’re worried about the migration, don’t be. Your system probably bogs you down just like mine used to. Switch now to MAAT before it’s too late."

Ascended Jiu Jitsu’s experience highlights how the right gym management software can transform not only administrative efficiency but also the overall student experience.

With MAAT, Pedro reclaimed his time, reduced his costs, and empowered his members, proving that better software leads to better gyms.

Want to simplify your gym’s operations?

👉 Book a free demo today