Yes my daughter had been attending this place for probably over 2 years and I had been asked if I wanted to join so I said what the heck. I came in on a Sunday which is open mat where the owner is not there. I then made the choice to "roll someone who may or may not be on the payroll but is teaching students nonetheless. I had gotten myself into a kimora and this "coach" as they call him did not stop when told to stop or when I tapped on him and said stop which is how martial arts works. 2 seconds later the exact same thing happened only on the other arm and as I say tap and I'm tapping on this guy all he does is twist harder. I confront the owner later when he comes back in and have a long talk. He says that I should have a talk with this person and work it out with him. Needless to say I'm left with two damaged elbows and myself wondering why I'm supposed to confront this guy who clearly has a whole lot of disrespect at least for me on his mind. I don't think it would be right for me to have a conversation with a person who clearly doesn't want to have conversation only wants to twist arms until damage is done. If I was doing something wrong I certainly wasn't being told such. Never would have go beyond that which is a tap or a verbal tap as this guy did. Great place until I had to put myself into the mix. My daughter was learning how to grapple which is all that I wanted. This guy told me how he was the met enforcer for the owner and the owner denied it. Also told me how he used to break people's arms and legs when he was in the martial arts academy that used to be a few doors down. I guess I should have listened to him and never put myself with him. I enjoyed the experience until I got with him. The agenda he had is the agenda he had I can't speak for him. Because my elbows aren't healing I would give zero Stars. I've been forced to give a star. read more

This institution is a very special place, and it's approach to welcoming everyone and forming a sense of community, besides ALL of the incredibly diverse techniques, workshops, special events, and supportive encouragement make it stand out. Its remarkable children's curriculum has brought our daughter through over a decade of wonderful training, and helped to provide so many different positives on various aspects of her development as a human being, at an age when she needs self-confidence, and turning that to both empathy and helping others learn has it just top shelf in my wife's and my opinion. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot, regardless of your age, or your experience, or your physical training/or lack thereof, like myself. I started and joined in with my daughter in my mid-50's a little over a year ago, and I've found so many things to make me glad I did, and didn't just dismiss my age as a given for decline. I'm boxing, as well as doing other martial arts training and loving every minute of it. See ya there! Jason S. read more

Hardee and the team did an amazing job doing a self-defense staff training for IFC of Carrboro and Chapel Hill. They were so kind and attentive, and really helped us understand the basics. All staff that attended stated how much fun they had. Great team, great location, great atmosphere. I spoke with Hardee personally to get this training for staff and he was so helpful with making it fit for our organization. I highly recommend them!!!!! If I could give more stars I would. Thank you again, Mar'lisa read more

Chapel Hill Quest Martial Arts - Martial Arts Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Fantastic place to train with great people and a thoughtfully crafted program of instruction. Highly recommended for all ages, sizes, and experience levels. Very inclusive and encouraging whether you're a martial arts veteran or brand new to this kind of training. read more

Chapel Hill Quest is a wonderful place to learn martial arts. The teachers and community have such a great vibe, and the training suits people at all levels. My wife and I were looking for a fun physical activity to keep healthy, and after looking at some other martial arts dojos, we did a free week trial at Quest. The staff and other students were all welcoming and friendly, and we signed up immediately... we've been going regularly a few times a week for the past 3 months, and we really enjoy it. The instructors are clearly expert at To Shin Do (a modern variation on ninjutsu), and they know how to explain each move well; they're also really attentive and patient with older beginners like me, and at demonstrating why we're doing each move, not just how to do it. They treat it seriously, but with a playful tone that keeps it fun. Once in a while, they add practice weapons into the mix to show how the unarmed techniques we're learning can be applied to using knives, swords, and staves. That variety and versatility, grounded in history, is really engaging. They offer plenty of sessions, so class sizes tend to be small enough to get individual attention, and they have black-belt assistants that watch us and help correct mistakes while we're sparring. And just as often, I learn from the other students (most of them with more experience than me) as we spar, since there's such a collaborative culture at the dojo. If you're looking for a great martial arts community, for adults or kids, this is the place. read more

I came here for the Quest Kick and Quest Fit classes, which involve kickboxing, cardio, strength and endurance training, among others. I needed something engaging, fun and tough that was going to motivate me through fitness and wellness. I needed to relieve my stress from law school and from being a new mom, and Chapel Hill Quest was perfect for my goals. I could not have had a better experience starting off in a gym in a new city. The instructors I've had here are so knowledgeable, motivational, and downright hilarious. I've gotten to know Hardee, Justin, Brett and Bryan, and each have their own teaching styles and I really enjoyed learning from all of them. The way they interact with the students, both adult and children, is endearing and professional. They know everyone's name, which is very impressive. Everyone is genuinely happy to be here and the vibe is awesome. The students that I have gotten to know are also super welcoming, and it helped me stay motivated to keep on coming! The membership is very affordable and worth every penny. Every time I exit the dojo, I feel refreshed and energized. The dojo itself is always clean and sanitized and the instructors and staff do a great job making the dojo look amazing and smell like fresh incense! I will miss this place now that I am moving back home to the west coast. I feel like I have gained a family and you will too. read more

Dojo overall is awesome. Sensei's are the best! What we learn is helpful and can also be fun!

These guys are absolutely awesome. I don't do any of the martial arts here, but do the cardio classes (QuestKick and QuestFit). These are hands-down the best taught and most fun classes I've taken--not to mention that they are great workouts. What makes these classes so great and this place so special are the instructors that work there. Hardee, Justin, Bryan, Brett, and Kelly are all absolutely fantastic. They take time to get to know you, make sure you're comfortable in your first few classes, and keep the classes new and exciting each time. There are not enough words to describe how well-run Quest is. Your first class is free, and I would highly encourage anyone to try them out. read more

Mr. Merritt is a very good teacher. The students and instructors at the CH Quest Center were all very polite and helpful - which says everything about their teacher. Facilities are nice, clean, new and varied - there are floor to floor mats, mirrors, storage cubbies, climbing ropes, private changing areas- everything you'd want. I believe they do a $20 "all you can eat" for a week or so- if you're undecided, drop in and check out some of the yoga, fitness, jujitsu, ninpo and bjj classes - you could learn just about anything here! read more

Great school for the whole family. I do jiu jitsu, kids do mighty dragons and my wife does the cardio classes. Instructors are amazing they have such a string sense of community its like one huge family. read more

PARENTS: if you are looking for an amazing martial arts program in the triangle area, look no further than NC Quest Center! Although I attended this academy over 13 years ago, it is by far one of the best training facilities ever!! Mr. Merritt is an amazing instructor with a vast amount of martial arts knowledge. The system of teaching he uses not only encourages people to keep training, but to try new things in martial arts as well. Without the help of NC Quest Center, I would not have the confidence that I do today. I currently teach martial arts as my career all thanks to the motivation and instruction of the instructors here. read more

Move over Fred Simmons, Hardee Merritt is the real "king of the demo!" Ok, in all seriousness, I've been training here for something like 9 years. It's rare to find a dojo that does so many different things so well. If you are looking for self-defense, historical ninjutsu, modern brazilian jiu-jitsu, yoga, cardio-kickboxing or a great kids program, this is the place. No attitudes, just a great group of people all working together to improve their skills. read more

I looked at all of the local martial arts schools for myself and my son and the Quest Center is the best. The curriculum is practical, fun, and everyone from kids to grandparents can expect to make real measurable progress towards their goals. The training is rooted in more than 900 years of ninja tradition with a strong focus on useful skills for the modern world. In addition to specific martial arts skills, the Quest Center also offers intense cardio kickboxing classes, grappling classes, and meditation practice. If you are considering martial arts training for yourself or your kids, I highly recommend you go to the Quest Center and see it for yourself. read more

If you are looking for a place to get in shape, engage your mind and body, become part of a diverse and welcoming community, and have fun doing it, this is the place for you! I genuinely look forward to every opportunity I have to train at the Chapel Hill Quest Martial Arts Center. The instructors and coaches are awesome, incredibly knowledgable and skilled in the art of ninjutsu, and so generous in their sharing of this knowledge. I have seen kids and adults of all sizes and ages have success with this very practical and fun martial art. They offer something for everybody including classical ninjutsu, women's self defense, ground fighting, weapons training, fitness classes, kickboxing, meditation, kids classes and camps. I can't recommend this place enough, so glad I found it, and strongly encourage you to at least try it out! read more

I'm in my 20s and started at the Quest center on a whim when I wanted to try kickboxing. I was quickly sucked into the rest of the martial arts classes they offer and fell in love. Quest really is a community, full of people of all ages and many families. Everyone is nice and supportive. The martial arts instruction is excellent. Every instructor is wonderful in their own way and all brings something different to the table. The martial art Quest practices - To-Shin Do - will teach you practical real-world self-defense skills. These skills of course focus on physical defenses, but also extend into things like situational awareness and how to deescalate conflicts before they get to the point of physical confrontation. They also teach a women's self-defense class once a week that I really liked. Quest is a fantastic place and I can't recommend it enough. read more

The Quest Center is flexible enough for those of us who are too busy for the whole martial arts package. I have been lucky enough to just enjoy the Quest Kick classes. Hard work outs that leave me sore for days :-} read more

WOW! My daughter and I have studied here for 6 years, earning black belts. It has been a great experience to share with her and with all the families that make this more than a gym, a fun and caring community. The martial arts programs are highly challenging and tough but paced so that I was always comfortable that I would succeed- the upper levels are fierce! And I love studying about how martial arts have shaped historical times and how the principles apply in business and current politics. Highly recommend giving this center a long deep tryout! read more