I took 4 years of martial arts when I was a teenager and my son (age 14 and now with 7 years…read moreexperience) is a black belt in karate. When we started looking in this area for what will become his new dojo, we were open to starting over in a new style, so we read all the reviews and websites for all the local instructors and then visited the advanced classes of the 9 within our acceptable travel distance. Both of us being experienced and knowing the path to black belt can take many years, we committed to really finding the right instructor/school for him by training with the 4 of those 9 that we liked best. SK Taekwondo was the fourth of the four we've tried and where we've ended up staying. Due to Covid, we waited over a year to try this place because they weren't allowing parents to watch while Covid was in full swing. We've been here for over 10 months now and it was definitely worth the wait. After a couple months of my son training here, my wife even signed up! SK Taekwondo is 5 stars all the way and I have so many good things to say about it. When we first started reviewing martial arts schools in the area, our intuition said SK would be the place we'd end up at because the classes looked like they were super fun and the training facility was huge and beautiful. It had great parking and a large area with seating for parents to watch. The little kids' classes were especially fun to watch with a dedication to both fun and discipline that was clear in both the joy of the students while training and the speed and enthusiasm they all demonstrated with lining up, doing drills and exercises, enthusiastically answering "yes sir!" as they did, etc. The school also has systems in place to support their younger students in getting good grades and being responsible and respectful at home. For the adult classes, which start at age 13, the same level of discipline and fun are encouraged. Every class consists of a warmup and stretching followed by technique training. Almost all exercises are partner exercises, so my son got to know other students quickly and there is a real sense of community. The instructors are all very knowledgeable and absolutely wonderful people, kind and supporting, friendly and welcoming to both students and parents like me who are just watching, and clearly dedicated to the sport. Instructors rotate and the classes are quite different each time, which our whole family enjoys. In the 10+ months we've been training, I can say that not a single class has been the same as any other. The foundational skills are included in everything and forms are usually 5-10 minutes at the end. The rest is really varied but always interesting and a great workout. Equipment like kicking pads, agility ladders, cones, etc. are used frequently and this makes the classes even more fun and diverse. They play music during the warmups and drills and that adds to the fun and energy of the environment too. Fridays are dedicated to sparring, testing is every couple months, and they have a "Black Belt Club" option where you can pay up front for unlimited classes until you get your black belt. This is the best price and what my son and wife both ended up doing. Estimated time to achieve black belt is 2.5 to 3 years if you are dedicated and attend class at least a couple times a week. This place is absolutely amazing and I could not recommend it higher. If you are looking for you or your child, come in and watch or try the actual class you/they will be in. Take advantage of whatever intro offer SK is offering at the time and experience it for yourself. If you do, I'm confident you'll be as happy and impressed as we have been!

I don't really like my taekwondo black belt class. The new masters doesn't really like teaching me…read more I paid 3,000 dollars for my class. And it's not worth it for me.

My child comes here. She likes it. Other coaches could not interest her... Coach Li is very nice…read more Good with kids.

I am the parent of a kiddo that goes to this class. The location is very clean and well set up they…read morehave lots of equipment and mats for jumping and acrobatics. The instructor (coach Aaron) is a very kind and humble man. He knows his stuff, and he knows how to teach it. What I like about him is that he observes his students really well and he is serious about what he is doing while being compassionate and accommodating to kids whom need to understand the value of discipline and humility in all walks of life, not just sports. He does all this at a very affordable price. They also have shoes and events and prizes and rewards. I think positive reinforcement goes a long way in youngsters and he does a great job at that too. Overall, great trustable guy who is quite proficient at what he does. No regrets taking my son to this place.

I joined JKA Los Angeles in the summer of 2023 after more than 40 years away from karate training…read more With Sensei Harada's guidance, instruction, and dedicated training, I was finally able to achieve my black belt! One of the things I especially appreciate about JKA Los Angeles is the diversity of its students--from young children to adults, and from complete beginners to highly experienced practitioners. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to improve at their own pace. JKA is one of the world's largest Japanese karate organizations, and I'm very proud to be part of it. I highly recommend JKA Los Angeles to anyone interested in learning traditional Japanese karate, improving their skills, challenging themselves, and developing discipline in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Come join us for holistic growth and character development through authentic traditional Karate…read moretraining, and become part of a genuine, caring and supportive community.

I've been doing personal training with Master Manuel for quite some time, and I'm excited to…read morecontinue to hone my skills at his new location!!!

I've been a student of Master Manuel since 2021 (before this location). He focuses on balance,…read moreprecision and proper forms/stances. His lesson style is fluid and he keep things lively, as opposed to just teaching the basics day after day. He has an in depth knowledge of Doce Pares escrima. He can teach you the moves, teach you counters to those the moves, and then, go further and teach counters to the counters. Even when you think he's exhausted his knowledge base, he's able to show you something more.

I highly recommend Sifu Benson as a teacher, mentor, and practitioner of traditional Wu Style Tai…read moreChi and Eagle Claw Kung Fu. I had been interested in learning more about Tai Chi for some time, both as a wellness practice and a martial art form. I found Sifu Benson a few years ago after doing some online research, and based on the good impression I got, I decided to check out his classes. It was immediately clear that this was the "real deal." Sifu Benson brings to his classes an incredible amount of knowledge and sophisticated understanding of the forms, both practical and theoretical. He connects everything we do back to their foundations in traditional Chinese thinking and martial arts. He is able to teach beginners and advanced students equally well, allowing each student to develop at their own pace and leading them step by step to greater understanding and practice. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, Sifu Benson will be there to ensure that you are steadily, consistently growing and perfecting your skills. Learning Tai Chi with him has helped me grow as a person and has given me an invaluable gift in developing the form.

This is a great studio to learn martial arts. I took the Tai Chi classes with Sifu Benson Lee. He…read moreteaches the tradition Wu-style long form in 2 ways. The students start off learning the slow form. Once that is mastered, he teaches them the smoother (faster) form. His students learn at their own pace. He's patient, kind, and shares his knowledge about the history of Tai Chi. He genuinely cares about the quality of his teaching. I really enjoyed his classes and usually attended 3 times a week. I'm only on a break right now to help care for an ailing relative. But I look forward to eventually returning to Sifu's classes and continuing my study of Tai Chi. If you are interested in learning the traditional Tai Chi long form style by a Master whos been doing this 30 years, this is the place to go. You'll be so glad you did. Highly recommended.

This review is long overdue! My entire family trains at this gym. BJJ has truly transformed us for…read morethe better. My kids have gained so many valuable life skills both on and off the mat -- confidence, strength, resilience, and discipline. This gym has become like a second home for us. We absolutely love all the coaches here; it's evident how much they care about the growth and development of each student. They maintain a great balance of structure and fun -- firm enough to keep the kids focused, yet encouraging and engaging so they continue to enjoy the sport. This gym is perfect for the whole family -- kids and adults alike. If you're a woman who's ever felt intimidated or never imagined yourself doing martial arts, this is the place for you. The coaches and community make it so comfortable and welcoming that I was able to ease into BJJ with confidence.

Our son began training here in 2021, during the pandemic, and I was deeply impressed by the…read moreprecautions and safety measures implemented to protect both the children and adults. This academy is, without a doubt, one of the most beginner-friendly places to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, whether for kids or adults. The coaches are not only highly skilled professionals but also teach with genuine passion and dedication. They truly care about the growth of students, both on and off the mat. The environment is welcoming and family -oriented, fostering a strong sense of community and team spirit. Additionally, the ample parking and comfortable seating for waiting parents are much appreciated. As parents, we wholeheartedly endorse this academy and are grateful to be part of its community.

If you are looking for a "gym" to just go through the motions, this isn't it. I train at STCC to…read moregrow mentally, spiritually, and physically, and the traditional approach here is exactly what is required for that level of development. The curriculum is demanding and forces you to overcome personal hurdles. There is no hand-holding; it's about respect for the lineage and the work. My primary ROI hasn't just been physical--it's the hours I've put in to build true, unshakable consistency. The community of peers is excellent--everyone is here for the right reasons. If you want authentic Shaolin Kung Fu and are willing to put in the work, this is the place.

The instructors here are very good. The main instructors are authentic Warrior Monks from Shaolin…read moreTemple in Henan, China. The environment here is great. Most importantly my son loves it here.

I've been coming to strikers since February 2025 and it has been an incredible experience! Coach…read moreJoe is truly one of the most excellent teachers I've ever met. The space he cultivates here isn't your run of the mill martial arts gym. It's an encouraging, collaborative, and welcoming learning environment where Coach takes time to focus on and refine technical skill, depth of knowledge, and rhythm. I recall in particular how Coach Joe took the time to fix my middle kick in a way that really clicked. He takes special care and attention to help you learn not only the proper form of a move but also the why behind it. Once you have it, it's impossible to forget. If he takes the time to help you correct something, just know that he believes in your capacity for growth and improvement. He is a wellspring of expertise. This learning environment is also reinforced by the athletes and experienced students who I've had the pleasure of training with. Through drills and sparring, everyone works to support each other and reinforce our learning. What you get here is not just an education; it's also a didactic community. I can't recommend this gym enough.

We took our very gentle and sweet six year old here one summer after a bullying incident where we…read morerealized she needed some skills and confidence to defend against a brat at school. Duveen was a phenomenal teacher and we saw great progress in just one summer. She is skilled at teaching, has patience and keeps the classes engaging and varied enough to maintain the students' attention. Although our child was not in love with the sport as she is with other activities, we felt it was a very valuable experience and a summer well-spent.

Honestly, I have always wanted to get my kids enrolled in some type of martial arts because I am a…read morestrong believer that it helps with self confidence and for safety reasons. My 6 year old has been getting picked on from other kids in school and thats when I knew that I had to really start enrolling my kids asap. My hubby suggested hapkido and after some research we were so happy to find out that Kim's Hapkido just opened a location in Arcadia. We took our 4 & 6 year old to a free class trial and then enrolled them. They've been going for almost 2 months now and I must say the instructors are super patient and makes it super fun for the kids. My 4 year old doesn't really listen but they truly have been super understanding. My 6 year old loves it and actually looks forward to going to class. Prices are very reasonable and if you enroll more than one person then the price is cheaper. I'm super glad that we enrolled our kids at Kim's Hapkido and would highly suggest it for any adults or kids who is interested in learning martial arts. 2 Thumbs up from this parent! Tips: *Shared parking lot with other businesses or street parking. *Sundays are for private lessons by appointments. *Offers a free trial class. *If you have questions you can call. *Payments are monthly and automatic. *Have multiple locations. *Have IG.

Hapkido has been a guiding principle in our children's lives. Both my son and daughter go here…read more There are many types of martial arts with their own inherent benefits, but from my martial arts backgrounds, I chose this style for my children which is more of a blend of the styles I studied. My son's journey started 14 years ago in San Dimas where he studied under Grand Master Petermann, then Master Petermann, at 4 years old. We only went two times a week, but I liked their style and adherence to the traditional ways of Hapkido. When the San Dimas studio closed, they moved temporarily to the Masonic Temple in San Dimas. We later moved to the Pasadena studio (this is when my daughter started), then South Pasadena waiting for Arcadia to open. My son got his black belt under the training of both Mr. Tomas and Master Kim. His early training was from Grandmaster Peterman and Mr. and Mrs. Clark. My daughter is training for her black belt--some 10 years later, under the tutelage of Mr. Tomas, Ms. Kelly, and Mr. Salazar. WHAT A JOURNEY!!! We followed Mr. Tomas because he cares about his students--they are NOT dollar signs as some studios see them. He wants them to succeed but does NOT baby them. He teaches real world experiences that one would face with which Hapkido can help--it is not just fighting. These are life-building transferable skills you can use anywhere--plus defend yourself. I am a veteran high school teacher, and I can almost always tell a student who has been or is in martial arts. Confidence. Respectful, Perseverance. Control. Calm. Independent. Humble--they will get these here. Do not hesitate to go to this studio. Have you child watch or even join a practice. It will be one of the best decisions you will make in your children's life, in my opinion. They might even see my son there, Mr. Smead. Thank you to all that have helped my son reach his goals, and now my daughter to follow.

My friend Mark introduced me to Fitness Factor, and I'm glad he did. It's a great family-owned…read moretraining gym. The owners, Maggie and Kevin, are genuinely great people, and they're almost always there, which gives the gym a very personal, hands-on feel. I've done both strength training and boxing here, and the trainers are excellent. They're knowledgeable, attentive, and make the environment welcoming regardless of your fitness level. When I first started I was out of shape, with nagging injuries. They worked around the injuries and helped get me in shape. The facility has both indoor and outdoor training areas, plus great parking, which is always a bonus. Great owners, great trainers, and a great overall experience. Highly recommended.

Best place ever!! Have came and gone and Always end up coming back. No place better to stay fit!!!read more