We toured the place on our first visit and then got a 30 day free trial. On our initial visit, we were told the class would only have 4-5 kids since our son is under 5. They later told me it was "miscommunication". Well then communicate better..? To our surprise the class had almost 15 kids aged 4-12 today. They expected our 4 year old to keep up with everyone when he clearly didn't know what he was doing and was intimidated. As excited as my kid was to attend class, he broke down during class. My issue comes in when rather than comforting my kid who was 20 mins into his karate lesson or giving him some individual attention or helping him with the moves, the employees told me I was "interrupting" my crying 4 year old. Also how do you expect a kid to just come in, be thrown in a group 15 older kids and know how to do each move or how to kick or how to punch or how to do ANYTHING? Isnt that what we're paying you to teach? Absolutely ridiculous. read more

I've been described as a pretty quiet, meek, introvert, which is debatable, but mostly true. But somewhere deep inside of me, I guess I had some pent up anger and frustration to kick someone's ass to let out! Kickboxing here definitely brought out the badass in me. And I must warn you, it is definitely not for the faint of heart! I'm always on the lookout to mix up my workout regimen with new things to keep me interested and challenged, in addition to a boot camp I do twice a week, so a friend pointed me in the direction of a Groupon deal for "I Love Kickboxing.com" housed here at the American Martial Arts Academy. It's about an hour workout consisting of various stretching, ab excercises, upper body, and tons of cardio all at rapid fire speed, mixed in with punch/kick work --- it's the ultimate workout. The most important thing I learned was an awareness of my breathing to tie everything together. This is definitely a challenging workout and one that gets the job done. The instructors were very encouraging and I received more one-on-one work with an instructor/facilitator that was assisting. The most surprising thing? I can't remember the last time I had sweat as much as I did from that one class. And it felt pretty damn good. I've only been to one class, so I'll have to update once I've been to a few more classes. read more

I've been attending the cardio kickboxing classes for a little over 3 weeks now and I am LOVING it. The instructors really work your buns off and provide a great 45-60 minute workout consisting of crunches, push-ups, stretching exercises, punching/kicking combinations, and applying those techniques to the heavy punching bags. I've been looking for a great workout that I actually enjoy doing and this seems to have fit the bill! If you're interested in trying out the program, you can go to www.ilovekickboxinghouston.com and sign up for a 3 class program (boxing gloves included) for just $19.99! If you're unsure of whether or not you'll enjoy this class, I would highly recommend the 3 class trial first. It's worth a shot! read more

If sweat is just your fat crying, mine is tellanovella when I leave here. From the dedicated gym rat to the Grammas (YES! Grandmothers participate here) that encompass the class, no one will feel out of place. Will you feel like jello? Yes. Will your body scream out that you are using muscles that you didn't know existed? Absolutely. This is a non-stop cardio/self defense class that will make you feel like all your muscles are on fire. But this is GOOD. This is why you have come- to get rid of the proverbial muffin (or loaf) top and make things that jiggle stop wobbling in place. If you join, which I highly suggest you do (no one sees the full benefit of anything in 5 or 10 classes), you get a complete diet guide to help you burn off the handles-you-don't-love and e-mails to help motivate you. Bonus! After 4 weeks of 4 or 5 time a week work-outs, I'm seeing stomach muscles I thought I had kissed good-bye when I decided to have a kid. I have so much more energy and my stamina is through the roof. I have never experienced anything but smiling, friendly, and motivational staff who truly want me to succeed and reach my goals. read more

I've been taking martial arts for over a 12 years and I can honestly say this place is a great place to get your workout on. I've been going here for almost 2 years. This place has some good instructors and the students are great to workout with. If you want to sweat the kickboxing classes will make you sweat. Now that they have offered some new martial arts programs into the mix like San Shou, Kung Fu, and Shotokan it is really worth it. Though most people only come here for the kickboxing they should definitely try those other classes if they want a more solid foundation of martial arts and a better knowledge of why you have to punch, kick, stand, and move a certain way. read more

I bought an online deal for my 12yr old daughter to try it out. She was only supposed to go 3 times a week to see if she really liked it. She loved it so much she begged to be able to attend the next day and become an advanced student. She goes every day but Sunday (cause they're closed). She won't miss it for the world. The instructors are amazing with kids and her class mates are so sweet. This is a gem. So excited to know she'll have these skills to help her out in life. Meaning... no one will ever want to mess with her, lol! I highly recommend this place! read more

I have been attending AMAA for over a year now for kickboxing class and it is definitely a great total body workout that will condition and tone in areas you may not put much emphasis on..at least for me. I love the instructor's technique as he provides good demonstration and guidance along with encouragement and has a good sense of humor to make the class fly by fast. My only suggestion is I would consider making more available class times and maybe down the road to open another location more centralized. read more

Thanks for trying to scam my pregnant wife, really classy Gentlemen. My wife shows up to collect a group-on that we purcahsed they tell her that she and to fill out the health and safety paperwork before class. We had read online reviews about them trying to force you in to a contract so my wife asked up front if this was a contract slight of hand. She was told that it is just part of the process for their insurance and to make sure that she is in the system so they can track their progress. They told her that they need to collect a deposit to start her on the program. She asked what about the group-on I purchased. They told her that she can come to 10 classes on the group on and leave without obligation but if she likes the classes she can apply the $50 of the group-on to a deposit of $100 to a 6 month agreement. Does not sound like that bad of a deal except the part where they waylaid her into paperwork and out of another $50 before they had even honored the Group-on. 8 Classes in to the Group-on we prepaid for we find that we are going to have our first baby (yay). My wife brings a doctor's note stating that her OB does not want her to engage in this kind of activity because it would be unsafe for the baby due to the high impact work outs and the physical contact. The staff is understanding and tells her they wish her the best of luck these things happen, please come back when you are feeling up to it. Since she did not even finish the classes prepaid by the group-on that she had. A few weeks pass before they start charging our account $149 dollars. I walk in to their storefront to ask what these charges are in relation too. I am met with a man who is confused by the situation and attempting to make sense of the information at hand. He lets me know that they disregarded the group on and quote "used it to give you a hook-up" on a deposit for a new contract. He tells me that they still honored the group-on and that it was a really good deal for us. I let him know we have not even attended the amount of classes prepaid by our Group-on. He states this is too bad because the contract has gone in to effect since no one told them not to do it. I let him know that my wife withdrew from the class as well as delivered a medical excuse. They let me know that since the other employee failed to tell him that it is just tough luck for me. That they work different shifts and since the evening staff did not inform the day staff I am stuck with the preverbal tough cookies. He says that they understand the situation and see that the group on is not fulfilled and they will cancel the contract immediately. However they will not refund me the contract monthly fee because the day staff was not told by the evening staff. I suggest the owner call me directly to resolve this issue. I get a call alter that night. I inform the gentleman that their interoffice hierarchy is none of my concern. He then tells me that they are not honoring the group on and that my wife and I should have considered my obligation before we got pregnant. Are you kidding me? Who says that? . I tell him that I will pursue this with my Bank as well as the BBB since their customer service is so good. He tells me go ahead that he has taken and I quote "thousands of people like you to small claims court" So you have had thousands of people as upset as me? I suppose money spends the same no matter how slimy you are to get it. I want to be fair I say why not just forget the group on and charge me the going rate for the 8 classes she attended. I do not wish for them to be empty handed for the service they provided. They are not willing to discuss the matter. I have now been swindled out of $50 for a Group-on $50 for a Deposit to start class and now $149 charged weeks after my wife stopped going. $249 for a trying to use my $50 group-on with a shady business. Worst of all, they are now contacting our friends that also attend the school to pressure my friends to call us and harass us in their behalf in an attempt to make us look like bad guys. Now I am reading that apparently this place is known for these types of actions. Stay away from these bullies. read more

My son has been attending American Martial Arts for a few years. He started in Little Dragons and is now in black uniform Oreo belt. I have seen my son mature into the program and I am so proud of him. Thanks to Drew, Sifu, Mr. Carl and Mr. Gunn. The instructors teaches discipline and self respect. I would definitely recommend this program. Thanks guys for making a difference in my sons life. read more

I could not be more grateful for the staff at AMAA! All of the coaches are so friendly, welcoming and amazing role models. My son has had the time of his life at the summer camp this year, this will definitely be our go to place for after school care, summer camps, holiday breaks etc. They have a 0 tolerance for bullying which you can actually see enforced and the kids learn to behave and be respectful and in return have such a good day! They stay so active, visit amazing parks and get to vote on locations for field trip Friday! Laser tag, roller skating, they do it all! THANK YOU ALL AT AMAA FOR BEING SUCH GREAT PEOPLE! read more

My 5-year-old attended for about a month before we decided that this wasn't the place for her, mostly because her skills haven't improved that much and she is losing interest. PROS: (1) Tim is very kind and encouraging. He knows the names of all the kids and tries his best to make it fun for the children, keeping the class moving at a steady pace. (2) There are a variety of props used, including individual kickboxing bags and MMA gloves for everyone to practice kicking and punching. (3) Plenty of parking up close and a great Brazilian restaurant next door. (4) There is always a life lesson at the end, like "help out Mom and Dad around the house" and "be aware of strangers." This could also be a con if you would rather the time be spend on karate. CONS: (1) It is super cute to see the little ones going "yaaahh" and doing it all crazy every which way... for the first month. Then you start noticing that your kid hasn't really improved much. (2) There is not enough individual help or correction given to the students. My kid developed some bad technique that she had to work on correcting at another school. (3) Some kids that are allowed to join the class are too young and have trouble following instruction and focusing, which wastes class time when the teacher has to continually get the kid's attention. (4) There didn't seem to be any motivation for getting kids to perform other than getting a black belt. (4) Not enough space for parents to sit and watch their kids: there is a small sitting room to the side, but if you want to watch your kids, you have to either stand at the back of the room or sit on the floor. (5) We were trying out this place with a Groupon, and there was continuous pressure to sign up. I understand this is a business, but I was getting calls every single week. I guess if your kid is having fun and you don't care much about developing skills, this may be a good place. But my kid was getting bored, and I really want her to get good at this sport and maybe compete. So we decided to go to Gojo-Ryu Karate-DO Traditional Karate Center. read more

My child has been attending classes at AMAA for 6 years already! This is the next best thing that ever happened to her!

They use air refreshers that exacerbate asthma and allergies at the work out area.

I liked this place on my first visit, though I did feel they were really pushy when trying to sell the packages but they gave a good class. However, on my second class I ended up spraining my ankle. I fell during warm-ups. I was SHOCKED at how the gym handled this. First off, there were three instructors on site that morning (that's right THREE!). Secondly, when I feel I went to the side of the room and held my ankle crying for about 5 minutes, it was hard not to notice me but the instructors sure tried to. Other people in the class were asking if I was ok. Not once did the instructor stop to check and see what happened. I could have broken something and was appalled at how little they cared. I've never injured myself, so i got back up thinking it wasn't too bad and that I could shake it off. I notified the teacher what happened and he said to finish the class the best I could, he made no effort to understand the pain I was in. I listened to him though, thinking he knew best. And still, neither of the other two instructions stopped what they were doing in the office to come see if I was ok. After class, they still tried to sell me their stupid package while I was limping around in pain. They didn't seem too interested in dealing with what happened...they expected me to figure it out and were more interested in selling me a package. I learned later on that I should NOT have finished the class. The worst thing I could have done was to try and do kickboxing on a fresh sprain. I had no idea and ended up aggravating it even more. This is NOT A SAFE PLACE for you to workout in. If you get injured, they will not help you and they will give you advice that actually makes things worse. It's taken me 2 months to get back into working out. I will never return to this place. It's not good and not professional! read more