I have read all the reviews below and bad is expected with the good. So far I have met with Sensei Howard and was able to ask a few key questions because I use tools like Yelp to help guide me not make up my mind for me. I feel very strongly to make sure anyone else basing decisions solely on these reviews know that this dojo is NOT ANTI GAY. They are VERY LGBTQ friendly and frankly were horrified that statement is out there for public consumption. We will be going back and taking advantage of step two. Keep you posted! read more

I was intrigued by Krav Maga because of the tenent, "anyone can learn it." After years of being out of shape and overweight, I decided to give it a try and found ABD on the web. I've stayed away from "traditional" martial arts because I have flexibility issues as well, but I saw people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels doing Krav Maga. The staff and instructors have always been supportive and helpful. If an instructor notices I'm having trouble doing a certain move, they are quick to suggest an alternative. For example, I can't kick quite high enough to reach someone's waist (yet), so they suggested I aim for the knee instead. I've never felt pressured to buy anything or sign up for a long term contract. I signed up for black-belt training because I wanted too, and I look forward to the challenge. I disagree with the"McDojo" comment. In my opinion promotions should a balance between proficiency and motivation. Remember, not everyone is a natural jock or an athlete. Does that mean the rest of us who are not should sit on the couch for our lives? If you only promote those who are the most proficient, the less proficient get frustrated and quit. As with most things, it seems like a bell curve with most falling toward the center, not a line in the sand. My limitations have taken me longer to get where I am, but I still got there with practice and support. I earned my rank with sweat, fatigue and determination. I am proud of it. read more

I have been training at this school since it was first opened. I have earned my black belt in martial arts and currently train in krav maga. The krav taught at ABD is legit! The teachers are all highly skilled and go the extra mile to ensure their students get the best training possible. I have recommend many people over the years to this school and they have always been satisfied with the self defense provided. It's not just a martial arts acadamy, it's a family! read more

America's Best Defense - Martial Arts Near Me - Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts

I found ABD years ago when they first opened. I signed my 5 year old son and myself up. A year later I signed up my daughter (also at age five) and my wife a year after that. It is a great family oriented school who I can say have helped tons of children and teens grow up in a positive respectful manner. Over the years all four of us earned our Black Belts...and I mean EARNED! This is not your average black belt factory that just collects your money and hands out belts. Each and every level is earned based on individual achievement. If you are looking for a school who will not only teach you and your family self defense but build self esteem as well...America's Best Defense is the place you want to be! As we have always said, "A family who kicks together, sticks together!" read more

I am deeply disappointed in ABD and their staff. After doing the intro package, I bought a six month package. I reviewed my exact circumstances and my hesitation before purchasing it, explaining I would be traveling a lot and then moving, and had limited access to transportation, so I might want a refund if I didn't use up all of the time I paid for. I said that if I didn't qualify for that refund, I would just pay for one month at a time at the normal rate. One of the teachers, who had taught me Krav and who I respected, reassured me that of course I would qualify for a refund if that were the case. Fast forward to when my fears came true and I couldn't complete the six months before moving: when I asked for the refund, I was told that I didn't qualify and that conversation never happened. I have now been scammed out over $400 for classes I didn't take, not to mention hundreds I paid for classes that are honestly shoddy quality - they promote people no matter how poorly they do, or how many classes they miss, in order to keep making more money when they buy more expensive equipment. read more

I have been training at ABD for nearly 8 years now and I started as a young kid looking for something fun to do and instead martial arts turned into a lifestyle! I am so happy to call ABD my second family! I not only get to exercise and learn how to defend myself, but I get to experience so much more! ABD is not like any other dojo! It has shaped me into who I am today mentally and physically! I love getting to spend my time with people that care about my progress and growth and people that I can call my forever friends. I miss ABD so much in this time of quarantine and I can't wait to get back to all the smiles! I 100% recommend ABD to anyone looking for a place where they will be cared for unconditionally and a place to better yourself in every way! Thank you so much ABD! I can't wait to get back! read more

I enrolled here to learn Krav Maga, what I learned instead was what a McDojo meant. This school promotes you every 3 months(deserved or not) and the classes are large enough where you can learn techniques, and never get corrected if you don't have it right. Then after 6 months they wanted people to pay an extra $40 a month for what they called "black belt training". Essentially if you want to be a black belt fast without really knowing martial arts and don't mind getting nickel and dimed... Then this school is for you. read more

My name is Brian and I have been attending ABD in Attleboro Falls for five months. I enrolled in their adult Krav Maga program. Krav Maga is a (contact/close combat) self defense. It is a highly effective and explosive way to protect yourself and others (not if but) when you find yourself in a dangerous situation. I have been in fights as a kid but never threw one punch until my orientation at ABD with Mr. Mike Revelle. He was very kind to not laugh at me because my punches had no power or accuracy. (I had no idea that the power didn't come from the arms but instead from the lower body.) I was now ready to start my first class a few days later. I walk in the training area with my head down and stand in the back and try to get my rigid, seemingly too long, white belt to wrap around my body. I am then greeted by a higher ranked belt who after introducing himself teaches me how to tie the belt. Guess the belt wasn't too long after all. He helped me not feel like an outsider. I still talk to him every class and have made it a point to talk to new students to "pay it forward". There are not enough words to describe how awesome the instructors are. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Nordberg and Mr. Cole are so personable, knowledgeable and encouraging. Even though they have earned black belts, they continue to train and learn the latest in Krav Maga; after all Krav is ever evolving. They are their best so the students can be their best as well. I was shocked when I attended the next class that my teacher remembered my name and it made me feel like I belonged from the very first week. In my short time here I have learned a few things that you the potential student may find useful: 1. Your body can keep going even though your mind tells you to stop. Think you can punch for 45 seconds straight after a 90 second round of drills without your brain trying to tell you to stop? Think again. 2. You will be reacquainted with muscles you haven't seen since you were sixteen. My body has toned up a lot (have a long way to go) since I started. For me this was an added bonus to training. 3. Prepare for a boost of self confidence. I was lacking in this area. I would keep my head down and not look into people's eyes when talking to them. Not anymore! Now when meeting someone new I hold my head high and am confident in my conversation. Who knew kneeing and punching your partners in class would take away anxiety of meeting people in your personal life? 4. You get out of this class what you put into it. Don't think for one second that if you just show up to class you are going to pass the curriculum. YOU have to do the work. If you are not ready, come progress check/stripe test, you will not pass just because your tuition cleared. If you have read my review up to this point you must be at least a little interested in attending this school. Give them a call and take an orientation, start classes and learn more about yourself in a month than what years of therapy and meditation can do. If you find that this class is not for you, then cancel, but if you are like me, you too will fall in love with the process. Also, most people who write negative reviews have an ax to grind and will usually say the meanest things possible because they think they are anonymous. "Truth Be" told, if any of the negative reviews were legit they would have some valid points instead of being filled with hate and anger. read more

I started in January and got hooked right away. It's September and I'm about to get my purple belt. Staff is qualified, motivated, responsive, caring and kind. Krav isn't for everyone but if it's something you're thinking about this is the place to go. read more

I just signed my son up, who is 13 years old for the teen MMA. Tonight was his second class, he cant wait to go back. I speak from expericence, I am a second degree black belt, and have trained for half my life. ABD is not the first place, nor is it the second school I have attended, but I will say it is the last and only Martial Arts School that I or my family would attend. Mr. Garcia is an incredible inststuctor, teacher, business man... My husband and I can't say enough about who he is or how he runs his business. Watching the instuctors with my son tonight, was amazing!! My 13 year old is a baseball player. He hasn't done karate since his "karate kid" days when he was 5, 6 and 7 years old. Tonight, Mr. Adam, explained a kick like it was a batter hitting a baseball, well let me tell you, Mr. Adam just scored major points with my son. It is the extra attention, the behind classroom meeetings where the instructors talk to one another and learn about each student that makes ABD a ONE of a kind school. Adam, Mike, Critter... the entire staff and the students were amazing. Connor can't wait to go back. I am not sure about the "Essentially if you want to be a black belt fast without really knowing martial arts and don't mind getting nickel and dimed... " not so nice comment from Anthony C. Tonight, I tried to order all the Krav Pads for my son and not only did the front end manager "Miranda" but also, Mike (instructor) say "Just wait till atleast his yellow belt, or a few months, he has to get the basics down." That's is certainly NOT nickel and diming. In all the years that I have been around Mr. and Mrs. Garcia, I have never felt pressured to "buy, or buy into" anything. I know first hand it took me 4 + years to get my first degree and another 3+ years to get my second degree. So, there is no quick fix or "Essentially if you want to be a black belt fast without really knowing martial arts ...". I am confident in my abilities, but more confident than anything else I am confident that Mr. Paul Garcia runs an amazing school, and takes pride in the staff at ABD. America's Best Defense is THE Martial Arts School that all others try to copy but can't be. read more

Love this place! It's more like its own community. Yes, it might cost more than other places, but you get what you pay for. Staff is great and caring, very positive atmosphere and builds character. It's been one of the best decisions we have made for our kids. read more

I can only speak for myself ; but this school is first rate. I started with a 30 day free trial. I run, bike and swim as a primary form of excercise. I tried a boxing gym, but it closed. I love the workout. I have gained mental focus, intensity and a new level of physical fitness. The instructors carry themselves far beyond their ages. I just enrolled my daughter in the school and the first thing they asked was what I wanted my daughter to gain out of her training. I take exception to the basis that everyone gets promoted. The school judges you on effort. Everyone has different abilities; the improvement I have seen in students is amazing. read more

I have been taking Krav Maga classes at America's Best Defense for about 5 months now. It has changed my life. I have family members that train at this school and love it. They would tell me when there were Women's Self Defense Seminars so that I could check out what it is all about. I also attended a buddy week or two. I was hooked and knew I wanted to join. My husband and I had to make some changes in our life and after about a year we made it possible to sign up!!!! I was so nervous for the introductory lesson with Mr Revelle, but he quickly put me at ease. He guided me through the basic moves I would need to know and took the time to answer any questions and not laugh at my awkwardness. I was so nervous about getting into the basic class and not feeling comfortable grabbing/touching other people but he assured me that feeling would pass quickly. And it did!!!!! I have gained so much confidence that I carry with me not only in class but in my everyday life. I find myself doing things that I would not have had the courage to do before. I am also much more fit and feel so much healthier. I had changed my diet about a year or two before starting Krav, but I wasn't able to stick with any fitness routine. Now I've been able to incorporate fitness into my lifestyle along with the diet and it feels great!!! I also feel confident knowing that I have the skills (and always learning more) to protect myself should I ever need to do so. Writing this review has really made me realize how far I have come in just a few short months. It is amazing!!! The instructors here are ALL amazing. The school is very clean and up to date. The equipment and dojo is always kept neat/clean and updated. This school is an amazing school - very friendly and family oriented atmosphere. I am always early to class and enjoy watching the classes going on ahead of mine. I've even caught a few of the kids classes. I don't have kids, but I do have to comment on how great these instructors are with children!!!! The kids all clearly love the instructors. The instructors are so patient and they also make sure the classes are fun for the kids. The instructors are great with us adults too. There are always a few of them milling around during class and they are always sure to help you out. If you are doing something wrong they will correct you but in a nice manner. Never negative or mean. If they see you are having a problem with a certain move (its hurting you or your body just won't move that way) they are always sure to offer an alternative. Krav is a great workout, but for me it is also a way of life. I LOVE it!!! It can be tough at times, but each rank has (and always will be) proudly earned with my own blood/sweat/tears/ and a broken toe or two! Ranks are not just "handed out" - they ARE earned. The instructors give you the tools you need to succeed, but only you can do the work to get there. The students here are also great. Everyone is nice and always willing to help one another out. It's like a great big family!! My husband and I train here about 4-5 days a week and we live over 45 mins away - so that should speak for itself! read more

I would like to shout from the roof tops what a great place this is! My son has Autism and the changes we see in him cannot be measured in inches but in MILES and SMILES. We wanted him to learn more focus to help him in school and even his teachers have mentioned how great he is doing since started in classes here. Having a child that is disabled and finding such a caring, loving, wonderful staff to help, teach and mentor him is wonderful. If you have a child, typically developing or special needs, this is the place to be! read more

This place was once a great bottle of vodka which has since been watered down to make 5 more bottles. Initially you are thinking this is a great product but after a few sips you realize it's too late. You have already wasted the time and money. If you want a dojo where money is important and classes are over cramped then this is the place. Member numbers, expansion, and making the owner rich are the main priority. Everyone follows his lead and those who don't are cast aside. If you pay your in, you will get your belts. But then again maybe not. There are so many people in class that people are overlooked and when it comes time for your blackbelt judged by outside officials, you will fail! Stick with the smaller more intimate dojos to thrive the most and really become a great martial artist, even if that route is more difficult! read more

I started at the Mansfield location in December, and I can confidently say, ABD is the way to go if you want to learn self defense. The instructors are engaging, have good senses of humor, and constantly push you to do better than you did at your last session. I've lost about 15lbs since I started, so its great if you want to get into shape. The self defense aspect of the class is intense, but in a real world setting it would prove extremely effective. I would highly recommend ABD to anyone wanting to get in shape or learn how to protect themselves. read more