If you're looking for a place to train without the cult-like vibes? This is a good swing. This is…read moreone of the most laid-back BJJ schools I've ever been to in 11 years of training and Professor Chris makes it easy to want to learn here. I dropped in recently as part of a larger project and from walking in, the music and cool nature of everyone on those green mats was very relaxed. One of the best things about this school besides it's cleanliness is how down-to-earth the leadership and therefore, culture, is. Good technique is something you can find anywhere [including here], but a good culture with a healthy, happy population of women and great music on the mats is a much harder find. As far as BJJ culture goes, this is the best balance between structured and laid-back that I've come across yet.

Dropped in at their previous location and dropped in yesterday for the first time at their new…read morelocation where they've been for 1-2yrs. Gym still has a clean, new feel. Two mat areas and a large elevated mat space in general. Great instruction from the owner, Prof Chris Gutierrez. This team has high level Jiu Jitsu at all belt levels. Everyone was friendly and I had great rolls. Highly recommend for anyone in the Los Alamitos area as the place to train!

I trained here back in the 90s, when it was still called CTTC. Walking through those doors back…read morethen shaped a part of who I am today. We had an American kickboxing champion and a women's Olympic Taekwondo champion training there. The standard was high, the discipline was real, and the expectations pushed us to become better every single day. Master Ferrer was truly special. His leadership, patience, and passion for the art left a lasting impact on me. I trained in Taekwondo, kickboxing, and kali, five hours a day. It was demanding, exhausting, and sometimes painful, but I loved every moment of it. Those years were more than just training. They were about growth, character, and brotherhood. They taught me resilience, humility, and respect. These lessons stayed with me long after I left the mat. Master Ferrer, thank you for the memories and for the guidance you gave me during such an important time in my life. I was genuinely happy there, and I will always be grateful. My name is John Kim. I hope you remember me, but whether you do or not, please know that I have never forgotten you.

I trained here back in the 90s in high school. Glad to see Ferrer Academy is still around. Went to…read morea lot of different TKD studios growing up and Master Ferrer was the best. Went to a lot of tournaments to go spar in Eddie Chas mustang lol lots of good memories there.

Wow, what an amazing place for the kiddos to attend and learn lifelong skills. The coach and her…read morestaff are friendly and very passionate about teaching. I am glad to have found this hidden gem! I am hopeful that more parents learn about this place and give Coach Kristen a call. All services are geared toward individual learning in a group setting. I have seen remarkable changes such as confidence, endurance, and strength. I have a happy student who looks forward to earning his stripes. I recommend this place. Also just so parents are aware, coach offers a big patio with plenty of seating outdoors with a big TV so you can still watch your child. Please see the pictures for review.

My son has been taking classes with UPMA for a little over 4 years now.. Coach Kristen and her team…read moreare absolutely incredible! My son is severely autistic and non-verbal, but they take their time with him to accommodate his ever-changing moods. Some days are better than others, but no matter what, Coach rolls with the punches and knows how to get her kiddos in line on THEIR terms. I'm proud to be a small part of this community.

Sifu Eric Jue has helped me elevate my Wing Chun skills as we work with this martial art's many…read morehidden subtleties. This class also seamlessly integrates Filipino Kali/Escrima with Wing Chun, making each session a new adventure!

Sifu Eric gives good instruction. He is very patient and goes over the material with you…read more Sifu Eric gives you good drills to work on in class. Sifu Eric teaches you two styles, Kali & Wing Chun. His classes are dual immersion training and I really like that. I really liked the hand movements in both styles. Sometimes he throws a lot of information at you but I like that. The gym is a good size and has heavy bags. The environment is laidback. I recommend everyone to take this. It's never too late to learn something new. Come join and make the school grow.

This post is in response to Christina P's 11/2025 review…read more I am a studio parent who was present for this "final incident" referenced by Christina P. and whose child was directly involved, I felt it was important to add some context because I feel this parent's comments are retaliatory. The initial poster failed to include details of what happened. The children had been participating in a relay race followed by a pizza party. This poster's child was frustrated because my son, who is still developing his gross motor skills, was not fast enough for her and she felt he caused their relay team to lose. In response, she had a meltdown and threw pizza at my child's face. She is a sweet girl and I understand that children have big feelings at this age, but it's also true that actions have consequences. She did not apologize to him afterward, and in Taekwondo, integrity and respect are core values we take very seriously. This academy is first and foremost a discipline-based martial arts center, not a daycare, play gym, or therapy environment. The expectations for behavior, emotional regulation, and respect are part of the reason many of us choose this school. We want our children to learn structure, resilience, responsibility, and how to manage disappointments in safe and appropriate ways. Master Cynthia handled the situation exactly the way an experienced martial arts instructor should. She calmly removed the child from the group, asked her to sit with her parent, and invited her to return when calm. Poster's child was never left to cry alone. This is simply not true. With 10-15 young children in the room and food being served, this was the safest and most reasonable response. It is not the instructor's job to provide emotional counseling during class, and in a martial arts environment, stepping out to reset is a normal, age-appropriate boundary. I also want to speak to the comment about the school not being a "safe place." I have never once felt unsafe bringing my child here -- actually, the opposite is true. This academy has been one of the most positive, consistent, and community-oriented places in my son's life. We have students at the studio who began at age 3 or 4 and are now teenagers with black belts. I am incredibly proud to watch these kids grow into disciplined leaders in their schools and communities. Children are raised here. Families stay for years. That doesn't happen in a place that is unsafe or neglectful. Master Cynthia is a fifth-degree black belt who has spent over 30 years teaching children. She is firm, fair, and exceptional with young students. She sets boundaries with love, holds kids accountable, and teaches them values that matter: integrity, respect, self-control, and responsibility for their actions. These are qualities I want in the person teaching my child martial arts. The children absolutely love her and she has been an incredible influence in my young child's life as well as many of the other kids at our studio. I am sorry this family had a difficult moment. But from a fellow parent who witnessed the incident and whose child was affected, I feel strongly that this review does not reflect the reality of what happened, nor does it reflect the culture, safety, or professionalism of this school. Our experience here has been overwhelmingly positive, and I would recommend this academy without hesitation.

Our family had a deeply disappointing experience at this Taekwondo academy, particularly under…read moreMaster Cynthia, whose approach is not suited for working with young children. The instruction our 6 year received relied on threats, exaggerated consequences, and punitive language that caused unnecessary distress. We went here for over a year. We encouraged being reprimanded for inappropriate behavior for our child, hoping for it to be a good learning environment. We were wrong. During our last and final incident, our daughter was told to "get out" of class and that she was going to be "fired", an alarming choice of words for a six-year-old. She cried alone on the mat until the Grandmaster stepped in and we left, and there was no follow-up from her instructor to check on her wellbeing or help her learn from the situation. The written response we later received after we terminated our contract only reinforced the lack of child-development understanding and professionalism. As a family, we do not feel safe with our young children being instructed by Master Cynthia. She is dismissive at best. Additionally, the facility is worn down, the bathrooms are consistently smell and dirty, and the overall environment feels neglected--concerning for a children's athletic space. We can't recommend this academy. Families looking for a supportive, developmentally appropriate martial arts program should look elsewhere.

I really enjoyed the 4 week challenge. I really enjoyed this gym, Its small - but during the hours…read moreI went, its perfect, not crowded at all. Kathy is a great trainer - and the 4 week challenge is great, with fun expeditions. Be sure you can dedicated every weekend for 4 weeks, both days. As the outings are on Saturdays and the weigh ins on Sundays. Also offered are nutrition classes, usually on a Sunday. Received great recipes too, and the crowd is of all fitness levels, which i liked. I am so glad I signed up -

Kathy is incredible and GOD sent. My brother who is a trainer in San Diego found her on line and…read moretold me go talk to her, I think you are going to really like her. He was so right!I have been training since July. I had tried another gym and it wasn't for me I dreaded going. I have had trouble with my knees and hip and haven't worked out at all. I never will forget I cried my first week, I was so out of shape. Kathy helped me understand that it's all going to be ok. I am there working out and I am doing something to help me. I was doing good, I was working out and ya know she was right. I was there an HOUR, not a half hour like the other gym and not dying that my heart felt like it would jump out of my chest. Don't get me wrong I still work out hard, but Kathy helped my workouts because they were modified to help me last and not injure myself. I so looked forward to going to workout. I was gaining my strength and my endurance not to mention my confidence. I must say it's September and I can finally feel I AM STRONGER! I GOT THIS! Kathy has encouraged me to push myself and I have. We are our own worse enemy and pacifier. I DID IT with her help, knowledge and patience with me. I moved up in weights, I moved up to push myself further with her patient way and looks. I say looks because she looks at you, like she saying you got this you can do this. I trust her so much. I am thinking, "Ya know I am going to try this" knowing she is there watching you all the way and if you can't it's ok let's modify. I look so forward to my workouts and our emails, tips on eating, relaxing, working out on our off days and most important good nutrition. I know that Kathy is trained well and her knowledge is amazing. She knows what she is doing, explains everything to you and how not to to injure yourself. As Kathy reminded us in a email and loved it " Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing you can do is keep your mind young" I love our gym, I love the woman I have met and workout with I recommend anyone to try Kathy she is amazing! I am going to be 65 and feel 55 and younger. I finally feel amazing. I am in control again I GOT THIS! Oh, and my knees. I have built muscle to help me do more than I thought I ever could. I highly recommend Kathy and True Body Fitness!!!!

My 13 year old daughter signed up for a monologue class with Renee at Creativity Works and she…read moreabsolutely loves it. She looks forward to the class every week, loves her instructor and has learned so much in just 6 short weeks. We plan on signing up again! Although the classes are virtual right now, she still gained so much from taking this course. I highly recommend this talented group to everyone I can.

The best TaeKwonDo master ever! He calls each child by his…read moreor her name. He deeply cares about his students. He never gives up on his pupils. He belives in second chances. He fairly, firmly, and lovingly disciplines all his students. All my three sons have been learning from him, and they all love him! I love him!! Strongly recommend this place for everyone who wants to learn TaeKwonDo.

Great, friendly tae kwon do dojang! My son has been going here for over a year and he loves it.read more