Combat Fitness is a martial arts gym located at 1601 E Bessemer Ave. N. It is owned and operated by former professional MMA fighter and personal trainer, Graeme Prue.

Prue has been training various martial arts for nearly 25 years. He started learning in Boston under Dave Ginsberg of Ginsberg Academy. Prue considers Ginsberg Academy Combat Fitness’s home gym, and regularly brings students to learn in Boston.

The gym focuses primarily on Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, their style of striking and grappling is heavily influenced by MMA and includes an emphasis on boxing and wrestling.

Combat Fitness is also the home of Team Phoenix, Prue’s competition team. The team is made up of MMA fighters, kickboxers, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters and boxers. They have competed at amateur and professional events across the country.

The team has grown and changed significantly since Combat Fitness opened in 2016. According to Tapology, notable members have included: Katie “Maquina Asesina” Perez, Justin “The Musician” Dorsey, Clay “No Shame” Bucci, Brandon Holloway, Kenneth Gatlin, Brandon Williams, Jacob “Thee Honky Kong” Lamb, Garrett Carnes, Austin Horne, Jarren Procopio and James Aguire.

Combat Fitness also markets itself as a self-defense gym for people who want to get in shape for martial arts or prepare to defend themselves. The preparation is largely the same training with additional emphasis given to techniques that are illegal in competition.

Outside of the gym, Combat Fitness and Team Phoenix have engaged in charity work around Greensboro. They focus especially on assisting people experiencing homelessness and children’s charities. Prue frequently coordinates drives and group volunteer hours around holidays.

Community reception to Combat Fitness has been largely positive. As of March 31, 2021, the gym maintains a 5.0 rating on Google and Facebook. Many locals point to the community and Prue’s personal attention to each student as reasons for the gym’s popularity.