I've been practicing Jiujitsu for 8 years now, on and off due to travelling and relocating for…read morework. Through this time I've trained consistently in a total of 5 jiujitsu gyms (in the US and abroad) and tried out countless others. Through all of that I can say with extreme emphasis that not all gyms and instructors are created equal. In 2021 I started training at The Institute of Combative Arts (Gracie Jiujitsu) in Quincy. I was skeptical at first...it looks like an abandoned building and has no signs except a tiny sticker on the door. I even called ahead after booking my trial class online/through email to make sure it was the correct address. When I showed up for class, I knew it was the gym for me. I had tried a few other gyms in the area and did not like the energy of the gyms nor attitudes/styles of the instructors. When I walked into IOCA, I felt welcome and comfortable. They create a community, a family here, and that is how a jiujitsu gym should be. Trust in paramount in a good training partner. I joined the combatives program, which is unique to gracie BJJ. If focuses on a series of core Jiujitsu moves and makes it very easy to track your progress. There is NO sparring in this program. This is also something I've noticed is unique to Gracie. This is to focus on learning the core techniques before rolling with an opponent and helps to minimize newbie injuries and create a more inclusive and less competitive environment. After you reach stripe 2 you are invited to Reflex Development Classes that help you train for your Blue belt test. They also start to include gloves and mouth guards in select sparring rounds. This is because IOCA focuses on self defense jiujitsu for its white belt combatives class. When you take your test your blue belt test, you receive a white belt with blue stripes. This opens up Master cycle classes where you can learn more advanced jiujitsu techniques, and be given your blue belt. A complete gi with belt are included in your tuition. Your tuition also locks, IOCA will never raise your tuition fee even if the price rises. As a female combative member, I also have access to women's empowered classes. (A self defense course just for women.) There are both male and female changing rooms, a rest room, heat and AC. There is free street parking all around the gym so there are no complications there. The gym also offers other martial arts classes including Eskrima. They also have kids classes, so it is something your whole family can get into. It is a great gym for both advanced jiujitsu practitioners and those curious to try it out.

Before I was a skeptic of the whole Gracie's Brazilian jiu-jitsu system, but when I came here for…read moremy first intro private lesson, instructor David opened my eyes on how realistic and effective the system is. He explained and demonstrated on how to utilize each individual techniques in certain scenarios, and let's you ask questions anytime. You can tell he definitely knows his craft. The instructor is really chill and he really cares about your development not only in martial arts, but as a person. The place itself is fairly big and looks like a traditional karate dojo since it is shared with the karate class that they offer. The floor is hard wooded floor so they practice and spar on mats. They also have a women's and men's locker room for you to change and plenty of lockers to put your stuff in. There isn't any trophies hanging on the walls, which shows that this place isn't about ego, but about learning and community. I also find Bjj really fun! Since I had such a great experience here after my first private intro class, I signed up for more private one-on-one classes with instructor David. If you're in the South Shore area and are interested in learning Bjj I would highly recommend to give this place a try. They even offer a 10 day free trial!

I found the best dojo! Samurai Academy of Kobudo in Weymouth, Ma. Soke Grand Master Tsuji teaches…read morehis system that his family developed in Japan for more than 300 years. I've always been interested in the martial arts and a couple of years ago I was looking for a dojo. I tried it for the first time as I was approaching 50 years old. Soke Grandmaster Tsuji is teaching me the ancient art of the samurai that includes open hand and weapons. He shares his wisdom around self defense and his deep knowledge of the history of the Samurai. Soke and his dedicated instructors, T.K., Alvin and Dee have taught me lessons for a lifetime including patience and respect. As an adult learner I like to experience new things. I was easily talked into competing at a regional tournament. Lots of different schools attended and it was great to see how martial arts has a large community. I've been taking the adult classes for the past couple of years and and have always found Samurai Academy to be a welcoming dojo

This place is unbelievable. I've been going several times a week for over a year now and I can't…read moreget enough. Not only is this school good for learning martial arts but everyone here is so nice and welcoming. Unlike the other schools in the region, this dojo doesn't just teach one technique. You can learn how to use jujutsu, moving meditation, dakenjutsu (karate), aikijutsu, kenjutsu (samuarai sword), and even samurai drumming techniques. Also, no where else can you receive training from someone who has literally been practicing Kobudo his entire life. The person I speak of is Soke Grandmaster Tsuji and no one else like him exists in this country and probably not in Japan either. In addition to the top notch training I've been receiving as an adult, I've also witnessed a bit of the children's programs as well. The children love it there as well as the parents. I can also say that unlike other martial arts schools, Samurai Academy isn't run like business. They won't try and sell you expensive packages or lock you in to a year long contract. If you want to be there you can be there and if you don't you can leave (few ever leave). This place has not only made me feel more confident in my physical abilities but it has also made me stronger mentally as well. Being surrounded by such a positive environment has made me a much better person in just one short year and my training has only begun. I don't give five star ratings very often but I'd give Samurai Academy in Weymouth a 10 if I could.

I highly recommend this school. Yes there are several martial arts one can choose from.... but if…read moreit's Tae Kwon Do... then this school is the place to enroll. I am a single parent and I enrolled my son here just months after he had turned 7 (the school had just opened). He was enrolled at the other tkd school in Quincy but.... after my 3 month trial there I soon realized that place just didn't fit right with us. Sadly, the TKD Master/instructor that we signed up with had left that school some time after. We never saw him again. Dec 2012, my son and I, noticed the yellow awning that had a new tkd school that just opened. We walked in and was greeted by an instructor names Liem. He was a sweet man and gave us the package information and told us that we would be contacted soon to followup a meeting with the school manager. Her name was Leslie and she clearly went over costs and offered different packages and we finally figured out a number we were both happy. I signed him up for the black belt program and as of today my son is two ranks away after 2 years! Oh and I want to mention that in my meeting with Leslie, I learned that the Master that opened BEST TAEKWONDO is the one that left my son's previous school. So.... after learning that.... I was already sold. Master Seo also has a tkd school in korea so he often travels back and forth. It's always pleasure to learn when he is back. Along with Liem and Leslie, there are several other instructors, and they are all great. But i do want to mention specifically Kathy and Kent! These two have been very important to me in my son's tae Kwon do history and I must pay them the highest appreciation possible. Everyone makes this place stand out because not only is it a teaching institution but it also feels like a home.

Best school ever very nice teacher and people and people are very helpful when you ask for help for…read moreyour forms

My daughter is happy to be back. Great instructors and…read moregreat place to bring your kids all ages. Highly recommend.

My son participates in this program 3 days a week, he absolutely loves it! His instructors focus on…read morerespect, skill, and promote amazing guidance every step of the way. After just a few short weeks I've seen such an improvement due to the instructors dedication and care for each and every student! His little face lit up when he got his green taped band on his belt. I would 100 percent recommend this program! Joey loves it!

I'm sure like most, I was intimidated of the thought of going to a Muay Thai gym to get in shape…read more I mean it's just easier to go to a gym and jump on an elliptical for an hour while watching TV, right? WRONG! I tried for years to go to the low cost gyms but I never saw the results I wanted. At Sitsuphan you get results! Sitsuphan got me in the best shape of my life which I owe to their top notch coaching staff. The coaches/trainers at really help you get in shape and keep you motivated. They also have a number of classes and in the variety training that worked for my hectic schedule. I highly recommend you give them a try. You won't be disappointed.

I went in with high hopes. A lot of the reviews make this place sound great. I still really want…read moreto like this place because all the research I did made me believe I was going to get an authentic training experience which can be tough to obtain. The trainers were nice enough, but it was disappointing that during the workout they seemed very distracted. It was difficult to focus on the warm up exercises they assigned while they were gossiping about students with each other. I believe the trainers are knowledgeable and I would get a good education, but the lack of focus and lax attitude just really made me unmotivated to go back. If you are not excited about Muay Thai then how can you make me excited? I also didn't like that they are somewhat secretive with their pricing scheme. I asked several times about price and was never given a straight answer. Makes it seem less legitimate. UPDATE: The owner reached out to me and I got the impression my experience was the exception and not the rule. Having said that I have already moved on to a new exercise venue and won't be giving sitsuphan another chance, but I am going to upgrade my rating to reflect my interaction with the owner.

A Truly Transformative Experience…read more We couldn't be more grateful for the experience our family has had at this Taekwondo school. It has been absolutely wonderful for our children, who have grown immensely in confidence, discipline, and focus since joining. The instructors are incredibly dedicated, patient, and skilled at working with kids of all ages and levels. Watching our children develop not only their physical skills but also important life values has been truly rewarding. As an adult, I also decided to join the classes -- and it's one of the best decisions I've made. Practicing Taekwondo has significantly improved my concentration and overall physical condition. The training sessions are challenging yet enjoyable, and they've become a great source of motivation and balance in my daily life. This school provides so much more than just martial arts training. It offers a supportive community, personal growth, and a positive environment for all ages. Highly recommended!

Nothing brings me more joy than watching my children grow and learn. Since they started attending…read morethis Taekwondo Institute, I've seen such a wonderful change in them, more discipline, confidence, and happiness. The instructors are patient, and truly dedicated, Mr Song is a leader who supports with discipline and kindness. This is a beautiful place, with an excellent location, surrounded by good energy. 100% recommended!

Bob Beatrice does a great Job of explaining why we perform the motions we do. He works well with…read moreYouth and Adults alike.

I have been training with Sifu Stanley Jue for about a year and a half. I trained for a few years…read morein a different lineage of Wing Chun . I also have over 30 years of involvement with the arts and have black belts in Karate and Ju Jitsu ( 1rst degree and 6th degree respectively, plus some other stuff. Having been around for a while, one develops a knack for determining if someone is the real deal. I have trained with some amazing high level martial artists. Sifu Stanley may perhaps be at the highest level I have ever trained with. He is also an awesome guy. The training is now semi private with much individual attention.

Sifu Jue has been my Sifu for many years. I feel very fortunate to have found him. I'm a senior (Gu…read moreLao) Wing Chun student and I've practiced continuous sparring here for many years. If I had to defend myself, I could. For me, Wing Chun and continuous sparring are practical, useful, interesting, and effective. Sifu Jue teaches authentic, traditional kung fu in the traditional Chinese way ~ the way Kung Fu classes were taught in China past and present, and integrates his own method. This school is not a franchised business or part of an organization with a standardized curriculum. Having practiced Wing Chun under 2 previous teachers, I can say that Sifu Jue understands Wing Chun very well, is an excellent practitioner, and is an effective teacher with an ability to teach anyone. Over the years I've witnessed many people in his class develop into surprisingly good fighters. Sifu Jue knows many things but is a modest instructor. Everyone is comfortable learning here. As with anything, if you commit yourself you will continue to improve. Note: I chose to learn Kung Fu because I knew it offered something additional that modern fighting arts do not. There are the tangible benefits of self~defense, strength, and fitness, that come with training of any kind, but kung fu offers much more.

I loved this place. I went in to get a juice drink and low and behold it's ORGANIC fresh pressed…read morejuice, so I was super excited. I mean if I'm going to drink a green juice, you bet I want it to be organic. The guy who worked behind the counter was super helpful to me, explaining what they do there and showed me around. I also bought a protein bite and I make my own alot and let me tell you the protein bite I had there was delicious! I said I would be back soon and I have yet to be back but that's only due to logistics. Great place, they offer not only drinks but also food too. Light fare food which is just perfect for spring and summer. You should totally check them out and watch an organic pressed juice be made right before your eyes......oh and get a protein bite too or order some food!

Juniko is so wonderful. The studio is clean and welcoming, as is the staff. Our son (4 YO) is doing…read moreBJJ there, and he is learning so much: concentration, understanding, listening, respect, and body awareness. Professor Bruno is so incredibly understanding of small children and their learning capacity, we are very lucky to have found him and Juniko. We highly recommend this to anyone with young kids who are interested.

While on a cruise in China, I experienced very bad breathing problems. Being an asthmatic, my…read moremedications couldn't keep up with the conditions. It necessitated my going to the ship's Doctor, who emphasized the most important thing that I could do was to practice Tai Chi every day for 1 - 1 1/2 hours . While living in Florida I" learned" Tai chi through videos. Realizing that there was no one to tell me if I was doing it correctly, I felt that I needed to find a class with a teacher who could give me guidance. When I came back to Boston for the summer, I did quite a bit of research and based on the reviews decided to go to Randy's class. Randy is a TEACHER. He shares his extensive knowledge not only about the forms but also the why. It is important to him that his students maximize the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi. This is exemplified by his individual attention that all of his students receive. He consistently moves around the class encouraging and correcting. Through his efforts I feel that I have begun the steps (baby steps) to really learn Tai Chi and have grown not only in the physical but also the importance of the mental aspects. Randy is truly vested in the success of his students. If you truly want to learn, Randy is a TEACHER

I have attended two classes with Randy thus far. My wife and I enjoy his classes thoroughly. Randy…read moreis obviously passionate about his art and his attention to detail stands out. I have found my investment in Randy and his classes to be money well spent and will definitely refer friends and family to him.