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Bay Shore · Long Island, NY

Find your Motiv.

Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, no‑gi jiu‑jitsu, wrestling and MMA, coached by champions. First-timers are our specialty.

mo·tivenoun

A reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious.

Everyone who walks through the door has one. Getting in shape. Building confidence. Stepping into the ring. Giving your kid an outlet. Whatever yours is, this room is built to help you find it, then chase it.

4×WKA champion head coach
26classes every week, plus weekday open mat
8coaches, including two BJJ black belts
Year 2Open since October 1, 2025

All aspects

One gym. All aspects. Real results.

Stand up, go to the ground, or do both. Start with the 4-class trial and try whatever calls you.

Two members drilling Muay Thai kicks under the gym's LED lights
STR

Muay Thai · Kickboxing · Boxing

Striking

Technique on pads and bags for every level, taught by coaches who have fought from Long Island to Thailand. Sparring rounds when you're ready.

On the mats15 sessions a week, Monday to Saturday, including pads & bag, boxing and sparring.

Two members grappling in front of the gold Motiv monogram wall
BJJ

No-Gi BJJ · Grappling

Jiu-Jitsu

Submission grappling with black-belt coaching. Learn to control, escape and finish on the ground, then test it at Friday open roll.

On the matsNo-gi: Tue 8 PM · Thu 6 PM · Fri 7 PM open roll.

Partners working the clinch against the cage
MMA

Striking + grappling

MMA

Stand-up and ground work blended into one game, coached by active MMA fighters who know what it takes on fight night.

On the matsMon 6 PM · Thu 7 PM.

A cardio kickboxing class posing together after training
CKB

Includes Women's Kickboxing

Cardio Kickboxing

A high-energy workout built on real kickboxing. Women's Kickboxing runs Monday nights and is $60 a month on its own.

On the matsWomen's Kickboxing: Mon 6 PM.

Members doing conditioning work on the mats beside a heavy bag
S&C

Build the engine

Strength & Conditioning

Strength, power and conditioning work that makes every round on the mat easier, whether you compete or not.

On the matsTue 6 PM · Sat 11 AM.

A young student throwing a kick into a coach's pad
YTH

Ages 5–12

Youth Martial Arts

Striking and wrestling fundamentals for kids, with a big focus on confidence, discipline and having fun.

On the matsMonday, Wednesday and Friday, 5–6 PM.

Open matMonday to Friday, 1–5 PM. Drill, roll or get extra rounds in.
Private sessionsOne-on-one time with a Motiv coach. Ask the front desk to book.
Fight teamSunday sessions, invite only. Talk to your coach about competing.

This week on the mats

Pick a class. Show up.

Classes Monday to Saturday · open mat weekdays 1–5 PM

MON5 classes
5–6 PMYouth Martial Arts
6–7 PMMMA
6–7 PMWomen's Kickboxing
7–8 PMStriking
8–9 PMSparring
TUE4 classes
9–10 AMStriking
6–7 PMConditioning
7–8 PMStriking
8–9 PMBJJ (No-Gi)
WED5 classes
12–1 PMStriking
5–6 PMYouth Martial Arts
6–7 PMPads & Bag
7–8 PMStriking
8–9 PMSparring
THU3 classes
6–7 PMBJJ (No-Gi)
7–8 PMMMA
8–9 PMStriking
FRI6 classes
12–1 PMStriking
1–2 PMSparring
5–6 PMYouth Martial Arts
6–7 PMBoxing
7–8 PMBJJ Open Roll
7–8 PMStriking
SAT3 classes
11 AM–12 PMConditioning
12–1 PMStriking
1–2 PMSparring
SUNFight team
Invite onlyFight team sessions. Otherwise closed.
Open matMonday to Friday, 1–5 PM
Private trainingOne-on-one sessions with the coaches. Ask a staff member or reach out to book.
SundayFight team only, by invite. The gym is otherwise closed.

New here? Your first 4 classes are $45.

Grab the trial

Hit the bag

The trial

4 classes. $45. Start this week.

It's a 4-visit punch card. Use it on the classes that fit your week, and it's good for a full year. Go ahead, punch a few holes in it on the bag.

MOTIVMartial Arts
Trial card

$45

4 classes
Valid 1 year

  1. Class 1
  2. Class 2
  3. Class 3
  4. Class 4
66 S Second St · Bay ShoreFind your Motiv

Card's full.

That was the warm-up. Four real classes are waiting on the schedule.

Get the real one · $45

$45 plus tax, paid securely through RhinoFit, Motiv's member system. Under 18? A parent or guardian needs to call (631) 356-7386 before buying, and a waiver is required.

Annika Kahl landing a kick in the cage on fight night
Annika Kahl holding a championship belt after a win

Owner & head coach

Annika Kahl

Muay Thai · Training since 2013

Annika has spent more than a decade in Muay Thai as a competitor and coach, with 18 Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts that took her from Long Island fight nights to training grounds in Thailand and international stages in Italy. She opened Motiv to give people expert coaching without the intimidation.

  • 2017USMTO Champion
  • 2018–25WKA Champion: 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2025
  • 2018WKA World Championships, 2nd place
  • 2019TBA Champion
18bouts
9+years coaching
4×WKA champion

The coaching staff

Fighters, black belts and champions.

Tap a coach for the details.

Portrait of Vinny Melillo

Vinny Melillo

Striking & MMA

Vinny Melillo

  • Martial arts since 2010, coaching since 2013
  • 20 fights in Muay Thai, boxing and kickboxing
  • Three-time champion, fought five times in Thailand
  • BJJ purple belt under UFC Hall of Famer Matt Serra
  • Team USA at WKA Worlds: Muay Thai gold, kickboxing silver
Portrait of Nicholas Savoia

Nicholas Savoia

Jiu-Jitsu

Nicholas Savoia (Coach Nick)

  • BJJ black belt under Charlie Liu
  • Calm and composed under high-level competition pressure
  • Teaches technique, confidence and mindset
Portrait of Thomas Ragusa

Thomas Ragusa

Youth Wrestling

Thomas Ragusa (Coach TJ)

  • Grappler with a strong wrestling background
  • Coaches the next generation on confidence, discipline and strong fundamentals

Richie Ortega

MMA

Richie Ortega

  • Active MMA fighter
  • BJJ black belt in the Renzo Gracie lineage
  • Blends high-level grappling, striking and modern MMA

Mike Bonfati

Jiu-Jitsu

Mike Bonfati

  • BJJ purple belt, working toward brown
  • Hard-working, student-first energy in every class

Chris Macchi

Boxing

Chris Macchi

  • 15 years in martial arts, specializing in boxing
  • Owner of the Flex Fight Series promotion

Rocco Giambrone

MMA

Rocco Giambrone

  • Professional MMA fighter
  • Sharp technique, conditioning and a fighter’s mindset
A large group of Motiv members and coaches on the mats after training
Year one. Same family.Motiv members and coaches, Bay Shore

Members

Ask the people who train here.

4.9
62 reviews on Google
Read the reviews

“The coaches are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely care about everyone’s progress whether you’re here to compete or just get in better shape. … The environment is super welcoming and motivating everyone feels like family.”

Gordon L. · member

“Outstanding environment … Extremely well rounded from the striking which is phenomenal to the boxing, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu sessions.”

Antonio C. · via Facebook
“They always go hard and it’s always fun”“We’re a big family over here”“My favorite thing about Motiv is definitely the people”“My coaches, Vinny and Annika”“How welcoming everybody is”“A room full of hard workers”“The thing I love about Motiv is the camaraderie”“I feel like I’ve grown so much as a martial artist and as a person”“The coaches keep it real”“It’s really a place you can call home”

Memberships

Pick your way in.

Unlimited plans bill monthly and don't auto-renew when the term ends. No commitment needed to try it first.

4-Class Trial

$45one time

  • A 4-visit punch card
  • Good for a full year
  • The easiest way to start
Buy the trial

12-Month Unlimited

$190/mo

  • Unlimited training
  • Billed monthly for 12 months
  • Doesn't auto-renew
Join on RhinoFit

6-Month Unlimited

$229/mo

  • Unlimited training
  • Billed monthly for 6 months
  • Doesn't auto-renew
Join on RhinoFit

Youth Unlimited

$120/mo

  • Every youth class, Mon · Wed · Fri
  • 6- or 12-month plans
  • A parent or guardian enrolls
Enroll your kid

Prices are before NY sales tax. Memberships run through RhinoFit, the same system members use to log in.

A youth student throws a kick into a pad held by a coach

For parents

Youth Martial Arts, ages 5 to 12.

Kids train three days a week in a class built just for them, learning striking and wrestling fundamentals from Motiv's coaches. Every month, one student earns Student of the Month.

Mon 5–6 PMWed 5–6 PMFri 5–6 PM
  • Confidence and self-esteem
  • Self-defense skills
  • Discipline and respect
  • Focus and listening
  • Coordination and athleticism
  • Strength and fitness
  • Teamwork and social skills
  • Handling challenges

Questions first?

Talk to the team before you commit.

Tell us what you're looking for and the Motiv team will get back to you. Or reach out directly.

Call or text(631) 356-7386
Who's training?

We need a first name and a phone or email so the team can reply.

FAQ

Before your first class.

I've never trained before. Is that OK?

Yes. Classes are built for every level and Motiv specializes in welcoming first-timers. The 4-class trial is the easiest way to see which program fits you.

How does the $45 trial work?

You buy a 4-visit punch card through RhinoFit for $45 plus tax. Each class you take uses one visit, and the card is good for a year from purchase.

Am I locked into a contract?

Unlimited memberships run 6 or 12 months, billed monthly, and they don't auto-renew when the term is up. If you'd rather stay flexible, there's a $30 day pass and a $250 10-class pack.

What should I bring?

Workout clothes and water. If you need gloves, wraps or other gear, ask the front desk about the Motiv pro shop.

Can my kid train?

Youth Martial Arts is for ages 5 to 12, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5 to 6 PM. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian needs to contact the gym before buying a membership or pass, and a waiver must be signed.

Do you offer private lessons?

Yes. Private training sessions are available with Motiv's coaches. Speak with a staff member or reach out to schedule one.

When is open mat?

Monday through Friday, 1 to 5 PM.

I'm new. Should I jump into sparring?

Start with technique classes like Striking, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Conditioning or Cardio Kickboxing, and talk to a coach before your first sparring round.

Visit

Visit MOTIV Martial Arts

66 S Second St, Suite DBay Shore, NY 11706

Mon–Fri 11 AM–10 PM · Sat 10 AM–2 PM

Monday11 AM–10 PM
Tuesday11 AM–10 PM
Wednesday11 AM–10 PM
Thursday11 AM–10 PM
Friday11 AM–10 PM
Saturday10 AM–2 PM
SundayClosed · fight team only

Class times are on the weekly schedule. Email Motivnewyork@gmail.com.

Try 4 classes · $45