I've been eyeing Machida Karate Academy since I was pregnant with my firstborn. I had always…read moredreamed of enrolling him here because of the incredible reviews and the connection to someone my husband has admired for decades Lyoto Machida. When we first started dating, he told me about Lyoto, and it felt like destiny that our son would one day train at a place tied to someone we both respected. Back then, the youngest age accepted was 4, so I had to wait patiently. When my son was 3.5, I reached out to the dojo to plan ahead, and that's when I met Sensei Caroline the sweetest, most professional guide you could hope for. I also had the honor of meeting Chinzo Machida. He is incredibly humble and professional, even with a 4-year-old student, which immediately put me at ease. My son absolutely loved his time there. He would talk about it constantly, excited for every lesson, every practice. Unfortunately, after about two months, I realized he wasn't quite ready for the level of discipline and structure required yet, and I didn't want him or the class to struggle. I spoke with Sensei Caroline honestly, and she was completely supportive, encouraging us to return when the time felt right. This academy deserves every ounce of respect and recognition. The environment, the instructors, and the care they put into their students are truly exceptional. I can't wait for the day we come back and fully experience all that Machida Academy has to offer.

My daughter recently started at Machida Karate Academy in Lomita, and I couldn't be happier with…read morethe experience so far. From the very first class, the instructors made her feel comfortable, supported, and excited to learn. They strike a perfect balance between discipline and encouragement, firm when they need to be, but always positive and patient. What really stands out is how intentional they are about teaching both skill and character. My daughter is already showing more confidence, focus, and respect at home, and she looks forward to every class (which says a lot!). The lessons are well-structured, engaging, and age-appropriate, and the instructors truly take the time to help each student improve at their own pace. The academy itself is clean, organized, and clearly run with a lot of pride. Parents get a great view of the classes, and it's easy to see how much care and attention goes into each session.

A friend of ours recommended this dojo. What a unique and wonderful place!…read more We went for a free trial class and were instantly impressed. All of the staff and the Gracie's are so good with the kids - very gentle and encouraging, but with structure and consistency. They treat each child as an individual and take time to work with each one. We have felt such sincerity and kindness from everyone we have ever met there. Our little one's physical and social confidence are already noticeably growing after only a few classes. And this is such a positive and engaging place, it's always a very preferred activity for us. Parents and families can stay to watch and learn by observation. There are also games like air hockey downstairs for after class. So, it feels like more of a family hangout spot than just a drop-off and pick-up activity. I should also include that as an MMA fan, I partly picked this school because of Rodrigo Gracie's top credentials and legendary career. This alone makes the dojo unique, but when combined with the warm, family friendly approach they have, it is truly a special place.

"Wonderful gym with a great atmosphere! The coaches are highly skilled and patient, offering…read moredetailed instruction for all skill levels. The training environment is fantastic , supportive, and focused on growth. A super place to learn and improve your kids Jiu-Jitsu while being part of an amazing community!"

It's been a year. My time here at Premier Jiu-Jitsu Academy…read morehas been nothing but amazing. My fellow training partners are great people, and Jordan is a friendly, outgoing, and thorough instructor. He's the kind of individual that greets and gives farewells with a smile, makes good conversation, and will look out for your safety on the mat. There is no grain of ego 'round here. The folk that train here are friendly, will help you fill in gaps in knowledge, and are very cool to roll with. Most importantly, the instruction itself of Gracie Jiu Jitsu is taught with enthusiasm, significant feedback, and is done so safely. There's honestly never a dull session here. The Fundamentals, Advanced, and Takedown classes are all full of useful and applicable practices, and the Open Mat sessions Jordan hosts on Saturdays have been great way to apply what we learn with one another.

Very friendly environment from beginner to advanced. Jordan is a great teacher who educates the…read morearts in a professional manner.

Fantastic jujutsu and MMA gym, especially for kids. The instructors are super experienced and have…read moreclearly Great background in the sport, but they're also amazing teachers. They keep the classes structured and disciplined while still making it fun for the kids. I've seen huge growth in confidence, focus, and respect. The environment is welcoming and supportive, and safety is obviously a big priority. Great place for beginners or kids who want to take training seriously. Definitely one of the best youth martial arts programs around.

If you're in the South Bay looking for a great place to train, look no further. Jason is an…read moreoutstanding coach who genuinely shares his knowledge and wants every student to succeed. The atmosphere is welcoming and positive from the moment you walk in. Whether you're just starting out or have years on the mats, you'll feel supported here and will find great training partners and instruction. Highly recommend!

Brand new space with welcoming and knowledgeable coaches. Clean space and a great place to learn…read morejujitsu. Highly recommend this brand new growing gym

really good jiu jitsu gym with an awesome mat space, I've been doing jiu jitsu for years and the…read moreenergy of the gym is very positive compared to some other corporate gyms I've trained at. instruction is very detailed and professional

about the Gracie bully proof summer camp... it has given home her confidence taught her nonviolence…read moretechnique, self-defense trained, and I consider the coaches extended family.

My two daughters and I just started our 10-day trial and had a really positive experience. The…read moreWomen Empowered class is well-structured, and the instructors were kind and attentive to everyone's needs. The front desk staff was helpful in getting us started and answering our questions. The facility is clean, spacious, and well-maintained. Would recommend to others looking to try jiu jitsu, particularly women and families.

It's a great lifetime gift you can give any kid/teen. I thought about keeping my nephew off the…read morestreets by getting him into soccer or baseball during his time off school. But then I thought, well he's never gonna be no Messie or Derek Jeter. So I was realistic about the situation and found this wonderful academy on yelp. Since, I've never regretted the decision. Pedro and the other instructors are great with kids and I appreciate the fact that they're great role models for my nephew. From the first day of class they made him feel welcomed and with time I noticed my nephew become confident in many ways. Plus, they can use Jiu Jitsu in real life situations. If they're being bullied, how to avoid situations and when provoked to defend them selfs. Jiu Jitsu is the ideal martial art to be taught to kids. It's realistic and practical for even a small child to escape from an attacker. So don't let your kids sit at home all day to play video games and eat crap on their vacation(or ever!). This will definitely get them/keep them in shape while having fun.

Like the regular classes, summer camp is taught by Academy instructors with patience and…read morediscipline. The focus is always children learning how to handle and defend against bullies in any context. Children learn the move, practice with a partner, and repeat. Pedro, Brennan, Dylan, and Damon all interact with the kids so well.

Awesome training with Gil. Very intense but fun. Good for all ages. Good teacher to student ratio,…read morenice gym.

I have pretty bad social anxiety so I was nervous about joining the class. I've never done…read morekickboxing before- but I'm glad I did. Everyone was so warm and welcoming. Coach Dan is super patient and a great teacher