The fam wanted to try boxing, and Urban Boxing came through with an hour long complimentary class…read more The facility is a nice size - with several punching bags, mats and a boxing ring. Of course, because of Coronavirus, you have to wear your mask throughout the class which makes breathing while beating the crap out of the punching bag a little difficult, but it's for safety! With this being my first time, Crane wrapped up my hands and I was on my way. Ariel, the instructor, was awesome! Don't let her small stature fool you! We started out with a bit of warming up, and then, between each exercise, additional cardio is sprinkled in. For example, after a 1,2 exercise, get ready to do 15 burpees or jump squats. Boxing was cool, and I definitely got more than what I expected. Not sure if I'll add boxing to my exercise routine, but glad I got the experience.

Urban Boxing Bethesda is great. The instructors are friendly and knowledgeable. The students are…read moreof all ages and very supportive of each other. An excellent workout!

I was a student at Potomac Kempo (PK) for about 4-5 years, and I was sexually assaulted by one male…read morestudent and sexually harassed by another from this dojo. These incidents took place before covid. They were not ok then and they're not ok now. But I would not be writing this review if an adult instructor at the PK Kingstowne dojo had not been arrested for multiple counts of "carnal knowledge" of a minor a few years ago. Worse yet, there had been problematic behavior involving another teenager at this dojo and I can draw a direct connection between that and the above incidents. In 2019, an adult instructor and a teenage female student at this dojo began interacting under questionable circumstances in a questionable manner. Both denied any wrongdoing, but the behavior was highly inappropriate regardless. I insisted that PK address the situation. Although management ultimately responded with the requisite seriousness, it took repeated prodding by multiple adult students. Afterwards, I was vilified by a gaggle of paid and volunteer instructors across dojos. It should go without saying that no minor should be spending time alone with his/her adult instructor at odd hours in odd places without parental knowledge. Just as important, even if nothing happens initially, something is very likely to go awry if the adult and teenager continue to put themselves in situations that offer opportunities to slip up. This is basic knowledge you'd expect from anyone in an authority position over minors. Unfortunately, multiple PK instructors betrayed an appalling degree of ignorance, if not outright recklessness. A gossip factory thrived, and the resulting culture fostered an environment hospitable to sexual predators. In late 2021, after multiple PK instructors had vilified me for over two years, the previously mentioned instructor from the Kingstowne dojo was arrested for sexually assaulting a male teenage student. I had moved out of the Northern Virginia area by then due to a family tragedy, and I've not had time to write this review until now. What I'd like to see first and foremost is accountability for reprehensible behavior and changes made to prevent future sexual harassment and assault. In particular, I'd like to see the following written in black and white as PK employee policies AND conveyed as mandatory requirements to every paid and volunteer instructor at formal training sessions. 1. No adult instructor, from any of PK's dojos, should be spending time alone with a teenage student outside of the dojo, under suspicious circumstances, in an inappropriate fashion. PK should not assume that an instructor understands what "inappropriate" means and hence must make sure each instructor is properly educated. 2. No adult instructor and teenage student should LOOK LIKE they're dating, involved with each other romantically, or engaged in inappropriate physical interactions, even if no actual physical contact is taking place. 3. No adult instructor should go out with or have sex with a teenager even after she or he reaches 18. Every parent who sends a child to PK would instinctively know why such behavior is totally unacceptable, even if it's not illegal. I have no evidence that this has occurred at PK, but I did find it disturbing that some of the instructors appeared not to have the slightest understanding of this basic concept. 4. Any instructor who violates the above policies will be suspended or prohibited from teaching. 5. Any instructor who seeks to thwart PK's enforcement of the above policies should be suspended or prohibited from teaching. Instructors who have engaged in such behavior in the past will be required to sit down with a senior member of PK management and will be informed, in no uncertain terms, that their past behavior will no longer be tolerated. If PK were to enact these changes, I will delete this review.

I can't comment on the quality of instruction - but given that they don't post anything about the…read moreschedule or pricing I thought this may be useful for other people to know. The cost is $240 a month. So if you can only come one or two times a week, this is definitely not the dojo for you. There are no other pricing plans. Just for comparison - if you train at Capital MMA, you pay around $180 and get unlimited crossfit, muay thai, boxing BJJ. Here you get karate. Hope that helps.

Nice instructor and quality equipment help teach disappoint and responsibility before/after/night…read moreclass options visit their website for more. Gabe DeNio

YSL Hapmudo is really a special place and we're really lucky we found them. My elementary age kids…read morehave attended their before/after school program for several years (along with camps, field days, and martial arts classes) and they always look forward to it. When they aren't at school, I know they are learning new skills and playing with friends, all in a safe environment. The instructors here respectful, caring and attentive. And the owners are also wonderful--actively involved in the community and always responsive to parents' needs. They have earned my full trust and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a place where their children will be well cared for.

This is a great school with awesome students. Very supportive and non-threatening environment. I've…read morebeen training a long time (16 years Bjj) and at Kogaion for four years and never had a bad interaction with an instructor or student. Exceptional technique instruction and knowledge from the lead instructor Victor. Support this school and do yourself a favor and drop in for a free class to see for yourself.

This not a place anyone should train here. The head trainer is an absolute joke, and culture is…read moreterrible. I trained her for years, and I recently decided to leave.

I'm not a regular, but I stopped by for 2 classes while my normal gym was unavailable. Probably the…read morebest experience I've had walking into a gym. The advanced class was intense - an ecological approach with just enough time to recover between drills. Tim gives individual attention to his athletes, and you'll definitely feel like you're being coached and not just attending class. The mats were spacious and while everyone was sweating a lot, they stayed dry because humidity was low. Strongly reccomended if you're looking for a gym with the primary goal of getting better.

We did a drop in kids BJJ class and it was phenomenal! We wish we lived significantly closer to…read morebring the kiddos here. The Saturday instructor really cares about the kids' development, and most importantly, you can tell the kids have fun. All are well behaved, which is not something you always see in kid's classes. This says a lot about the kids, their parents, and the respect they provide to their training.

Stopped by Testudo while in National Harbor for a conference so my hubby and I could get some Jiu…read moreJitsu in. I was only able to drop by once for the women's class and adult class after but my husband was able to go several times and had a great time. Great people. Professor Ervin was great and made us feel welcome. Seemed like he had a nice organized way of instruction and used class time efficiently. We walked in as the kids class was wrapping up and it looks like he is great with the kids. If we lived here we would definitely make it our dojo.

My very sweet and wiggly ADHD child was only enrolled for a month before they kicked her out…read morebecause she couldn't follow instructions 100% of the time. Coach Ervin also made an example out of her during class for something she didn't actually do (but he thought she did). We were willing to work with them, but they clearly were not willing to work with us even though they talk a big game about their experience with kids.

Sensei Gary and his team do an amazing job! Potomac Kempo - Kingstowne's team of instructors are…read moreall committed, professional, kind, and knowledgeable. My son has been taking martial arts classes at this Dojo for over 6 years and he simply loves it there and looks forward to every class. It is apparent that he has developed a strong sense of belonging and is committed to continuous learning. Potomac Kempo provides much more than martial arts training. It provides structure and stability that can be so helpful toward personal growth. I have no doubt that these classes have helped tremendously with my son's development, and I credit Potomac Kempo with helping him to develop a strong moral compass, greater self-discipline, strong conflict resolution skills, and a high degree of empathy and respect for others. I have no reservation in recommending Potomac Kempo.

This is a great community, but only to the extent you want to spend A LOT of money to center your…read morewhole life around Kempo. I was a member for nearly two years with both of my children, and Sensei Gary is a good instructor but also very pushy constantly trying to upsell expensive equipment and special events at a substantial added cost. As long as you go along with it and keep shelling out more money, he is supportive of your training, but he does not like to take no for an answer. And be warned: if you ever decide to stop attending, he will charge you for an extra month after you've left as a penalty for leaving. Potomac Kempo's rates are already far higher than most other martial arts in the area, over $200 per month per person, and this school is clearly more interested in taking your money than in your personal well-being. Pick another dojo.

I have been a member of one way for months now. It first started with my son being in the kids BJJ…read moreclasses. It was a great introduction to the sport since i was able to be on the mat with him! The staff are extremely helpful, treat you like family, and are consistently pushing their students to become a better version of themselves. The instructors have classes that are extremely immersive and hands on. If need be, one on one private sessions can be purchased to hone in on specific skills. I would highly recommend all that are interested in learning boxing, wrestling, jujitsu, and/or Muay Thai to join!

I joined this gym right around the time they opened. I had previously trained in jiu jitsu at…read moremultiple different gyms across the country. The atmosphere Mahamed, Patrick, and Jansey have created is second to none. It is a very family-oriented gym where everyone whether it's their first day training or they're black belt, feel welcomed from the second they walk in. All of the students are also extremely welcoming, and safe training environment. Can not recommend enough!