Absolutely love the community here at Blackmans Championship Martial Arts. My daughter loves it ,…read moreand looks forward to every class. Great schedule, great classes, and great instructors.

The girls went to a birthday party here today. It appears that it was an all inclusive package,…read moreexcept for some of the food. The kids took off their shoes and then sat on a spot on the floor. They were instructed on some basics and then did a series of activities including an obstacle course. There was plenty of adult supervision. The dozen kids had the best time ever. Some of the kids may sign up for additional classes. It was a fun Saturday afternoon.

A traditional Japanese jujutsu. This is NOT Brazilian jujitsu, so don't come thinking it is. This…read moreis the unarmed martial art of the samurai, for use on the battlefield when their sword was unavailable or inappropriate. It has been modernized, of course, but the roots are clear. Extremely effect strikes, joint locks, chokes, throws and ground fighting. Both offensive and defensive techniques. This is not a class for kids. The class is held as part of the UNM Activities Program, and thus is open to anyone registered at UNM as a 2 credit class. Not a UNM student? No problem. The class is also held Monday, Wednesday and every other Saturday at Sandia Budokan on Yale and Silver, which is open to non-students.

After retiring, I wanted to return to martial arts, building on my initial foundation in Aikido…read more Albuquerque Aikikai offers great benefits: classes that help maintain mobility without impact, traditional etiquette, and a low‑ego culture that attracts mature practitioners. Plus, the weapons training perfectly complements my previous experience in Karate.

I have been attending this Aikido dojo for over four years now. As someone with no previous martial…read morearts experience, I hadn't originally known what to expect when I signed up for my first basics class. What I found was a welcoming environment and friendly people. This school focuses on traditional Japanese Aikido and doesn't lose sight of the martial aspects of the art. The dojo itself is a calm and well-kept space, ideal for focusing on training. Okuyama Sensei is a constant source of inspiration, the kind of person you want to work hard for. There are a wide range of ages present (as well as quite a few families), but the common thread is that it's a group of caring and respectful people. I never enjoyed gym environments (which I find boring), so this dojo has been the perfect blend of mental and physical exercise.

Excellent judo club , judo clinic with Ryan Resner was amazing, high level techniques.read more

Yes, this place is called Sandia Judo, and judo is the main art taught here, but certainly not the…read moreonly one. This dojo is used almost as a multipurpose area for other instructors and various special events. However, regarding judo, they teach traditional Kodokan Judo - not the same as sport judo. They have a very open door policy, so if you want to come by and use the mat for awhile, they will let you for a very reasonable fee. Super nice folks! Good amount of mat space, though not the softest mats in the world. :) Very small dressing room space so plan accordingly (I usually change into most of my gi before I go). Definitely a no-flash, no-nonsense, effective dojo full of really friendly people!

Instructors are knowledgeable in their art, and this reflects in their teaching. Their classes are…read moreall inclusive, and students ages range across the lifespan. Teaching styles of the instructors are a blend of traditional and modern, and lead students to a deeper understanding of the techniques they practice. If you're looking for traditional martial arts that retain their martial technique, check this place out.

As a rank beginner, not in such good shape, I've gotten a lot of good coaching and am delighted at…read morehow much I have learned. Great teachers and supportive other students. Thanks, everyone in the Mantis community!

In a town that is the home of the famous Jackson's Gym and also other legends like Johnny Tapia,…read morealong with so many other gym options of every kind. Beau Velasquez has found a way to stand out among the crowd. He is a real deal Wushu warrior and trainer. From what I understand his location has been open for a year now. In my book it should get top billing here in Albuquerque. The kid's class is very enthusiastic and each training session ends with the mantra "when should you fight--never! When should you defend yourself--always!" I would definitely want my kids in Beau's class. The adult classes attract martial artist from other arts as well as those based in Kung Fu. Students range from beginners to advanced (white belt on up) and all are always welcome. If you want to shed some pounds and tone up, or just get ready for your Wushu training--join the cardio classes that go on all morning Satuday starting at 9:30 AM. Don't be surprised if Street Kung Fu is the next big thing here in Albuquerque.

If you want to learn how to fight, defend yourself or are looking for a great workout, this is the…read moreplace to go. The coaches make a patient effort to bring new people up to a competitive level. (Regardless of if you plan to compete or not.) Its worth coming by to check it out.

Unassuming, replete with character and proudly gritty, this stout lair of sweat and stamina is…read morebound to be the birthplace of the next great fighter in ABQ. The locale is entirely alien: just another storefront in the midst of another boring strip mall, walking in the door delivers something akin to a modern-day Rocky training complex, the kind of arena where Adrian isn't just sitting in the corner cheering her honey on, she's laced up in the ring, sparring and whipping the bastards to pieces. Combat sports have entered a new era, folks. The ladies are seriously into this competition, and we're not boxing, we're throwing elbows and push-kicks and choke holds. ABQ Kickboxing provides all the ammunition necessary to be a Bad Ass. A truly local resource, the facility and staff are the small dog in the franchise fight; they simply don't have the monetary resources to supply the shine and sheen of the box gyms. Here, the walls are plastered with sponsors who support 'em, much of the equipment is well worn or in need of repair, there aren't any fancy machines, just a few dumbbells and kettlebells and medicine balls, it's a hodgepodge and the instructors do what they can to utilize 'em into the workouts. Workouts run 45 minutes, a big plus in my book, just about perfect for the overworked professional. The floor matting is thick semi-absorbent foam, akin to the stuff a baby could crawl on, great for your feet, which is important because you'll be kicking the bags barefoot. The bags are full-size, they drag the foam, something I generally prefer to UFC Gym (but the benefits are debatable). Workouts run the gamut, but the average routine involves a mix of bag work, stations, ab routines and virtually no stretching. Best you arrive early and get yo'self limber before the lesson. And dig it: participants are asked to clean up after their own mess after the punishment is dealt, just a squirt bottle and a towel. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm a sweaty bastard, I give a new definition to someone who can make it rain. Here, I also clean up my dollahs. Aside from the classes, there's a boxing ring (ground level) and a grappling arena, there's plenty of instruction for those who want to take the plunge. They offer two free classes for the newbies so you have no excuse, go check it out. One bathroom, something of a downer, and a lot of the square footage is occupied by a front desk area that probably should be half the size to accommodate more equipment. Overall, I return to the opening paragraph theme: this is the place where ABQ's next big thing will train, compete and ultimately find fame. The gym absolutely bleeds Eye of the Tiger. Go check it out, and don't get discouraged if your first workout doesn't do the trick. Try another. I did and I'm hurtin'.

Best studio ever!!! I've been going 1-5 times per week for the last 4 years and I can say with 100%…read morecertainty that this space is very welcoming, positive, accommodating, and fun. A lot of the unhappy reviews are from people who try to take advantage of the kindness of the studio. Please know that no matter your background (age, ethnicity, body size--whatever it may be), the studio is inclusive for everyone. You'll find that with time, you become part of a close-knit "pole family" and can develop confidence, sensuality, sisterhood, and strength with the art of pole at Bombshell Fitness. Whether you're going for pole, Lyra, heels dance classes, or just flexibility, I highly recommend that you give it a try. You might find it as life changing as I did :)

I've been attending classes at Bombshell for a little over a year now. I had never been on a pole…read moreand knew absolutely nothing about pole dance before my first class. I've gone from not know how to walk to doing things I never would have thought were possible a year ago. The instruction here is top notch. It is always geared towards my level and skills, while still challenging me consistently and helping me grow. Pole is also a very demanding sport - all the teachers make sure that each of the students are adequately warmed up and provide appropriate modifications to avoid injuries. I've taken private sessions from three of the coaches (Lauren, Kendra, Jaymie) - every time Jaymie listened carefully to what skills I wanted to work on in those sessions and went through effort to match me with the right coach. At this point, I think I've taken every class offered at least once and have never had a single bad experience. I brought a friend with me to a class and was thrilled when she became as addicted as I am. Jaymie has created a safe, welcoming, and fun space that I absolutely love. I cannot recommend it highly enough.