I highly recommend this studio, especially for a beginner. I started adult Krav Maga lessons about three months ago. The instructor is very knowledgeable and welcoming. As a woman, I feel comfortable in this class. Although I still have a long way to go, I now know how to throw a punch! read more

My review is long overdue. Both my sons have been training here since they were 3 and they are now 9 and 13!! I came here years ago when I was looking for a martial arts program for my oldest son who was very shy and timid at the time. Mrs. Flynn was wonderful with him and has continued to be an amazing instructor. My boys have become strong and more confident during their journey to black belts. This school teaches self defense, discipline, self control, and other values that are applicable in both martial arts and life. My boys always look forward to classes and still enjoy attending Martial Arts America after all these years! read more

Zayvion had an AWESOME 1st instruction session. He left saying over and o her "I Like That Lots!!" He can't wait to attend the 2nd instruction session. read more

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This review is from my 8 yr old daughter who has been in the program for two months. "I really like it here. I think it's fun. I like the teachers. I always look forward to it. " She is now almost 10, and has advanced to a green belt. She still likes it and is very proud of it. She has grown so much confident, trust her body and her mind, and is wanting more from herself. As a parent I can not be happier. read more

My daughter has been going to Martial Arts America (Pleasanton) since April 2016. She started with the Basic Kids Program and moved on up to the Kids Black Belt Club, and she just started with the CIT Program. Mrs. Flynn and all the other instructors are really good and has been a very positive influence in our daughters life. They are very good at keeping you focused, disciplined, and have been incredibly helpful in building confidence in our daughter. We also love the fact that our daughter has built a few friendships through the Martial Arts School and it feels good to be part of a group that makes it a priority to help you become the best you can be! They are also very quick and helpful to respond to any questions or concerns you have. This is a great program, and we are happy to be part of MAA Pleasanton Family. read more

Not bad but not great. For little kids, it's probably not worth the money because you can get similar classes from the city of Pleasanton for a LOT cheaper. (Once/week class is $129 per month) Just to alert people who are considering this place: If you do month-to-month here, just make sure you know that the withdrawal notice is actually not 30 days, but it's the days until your next bill date PLUS 30 days. So in reality, you need to give more than 30 day notice, depending on when you start. Depending on when your billing is, it might be closer to 60 days than 30 days because if your notice is given within 30 days of your billing cycle, they will deduct the full amount of the next month's tuition. ($129) read more

This review for Martial Arts America is specifically for their Krav Maga classes, which is a form of self-defense, not the same as the martial arts that fall under the name karate. Krav is an Israeli borne self-defense used by local and federal police around the world. True Krav Maga is hard to find in the Tri-Valley area. When I joined here, there was no other studio certified to teach Krav and still isn't as far as I know. Krav is a very practical self-defense. The teachers at MAA stress the importance of speed over weight and strength, which opens this studio and form of self defense to all kinds of people. I'm 5'2, 119 lbs. I was nervous going in to these classes as the only female at the time, but everyone was welcoming. I had limitations with a back injury at the time. The teachers and classmates are understanding. I don't hold the pads for any of the larger men to kick, etc. The teacher just alters my workout. When I started the Krav Fit classes, I stopped having migraines. It's an intense workout building a lot of endurance and best of all, confidence. I tested in Krav for the time in April of 2012 and loved it! I hope to bring my children to Krav once they're old enough, minimum age of 15. Because they have other locations, namely Livermore, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek, I get a variety of teachers and partners. read more

I've just started Krav Maga classes here, and I'm really enjoying it. The teachers are great, and you feel welcome. As a newbie, I was a little apprehensive about joining some more experienced fighters, but they integrate all abilities well. read more

This chain of martial arts schools does not teach martial arts. Instead, their business model is to make parents *think* their kids are learning martial arts. MAA instructors teach forms by rote memorization. There's no real sparring to speak of, only non-contact sparring with the kids wearing a ridiculous amount of padding so as to restrict movement. There's also no one-on-one instruction. In fact, the instructors almost never correct mistakes or even give pointers. Lessons consist entirely of the en-masse practicing of forms. The instructors also do a lot of yelling and shouting to create the appearance of rigor and discipline, but it's just for show. Also, kids are promoted to the next belt level automatically, regardless of how well they've mastered the techniques. Your kid may come out of a 3-year program *thinking* he knows martial arts, but he won't, which creates a false sense of security that may be worse than never having learned martial arts in the first place. Speaking of 3-year programs, the contracts at Martial Arts America are non-cancelable. That's right: Once you sign up, you're committed financially for the duration, like at some slick health club. However, the school staff does not make that clear. So don't be fooled by the seemingly low monthly fees. You won't get your money's worth and will be locked in to a non-cancelable contract. My son stuck with this school for almost two years and it almost permanently soured him on martial arts. I only wish I had realized sooner what was going on. The only good that came out his time at MAA (which we're still paying for, by the way) is that it made him and me appreciate the school he attends now, which emphasizes putting forms into practice, one-on-one instruction, discipline, fitness, and, above all, real progress. That's what martial arts is all about -- and what MAA is not. Avoid at all costs. read more

My entire family is doing karate at the Pleasanton Martial Arts America... We decided to join last year and have been consistenly going two to three days a week. My three kids are excited about working toward a goal and belt promotions and they all understand that they have to be disciplined in class and at home to be a future Black Belt ! My children, ages 5, 8 &11 are excited about the training and self defense. I am able to take classes with my 11 year old and find it to be great training as an adult. The instructors are very good and able to teach all ages. I highly recommend Martial Arts America ! Victory ! read more

I trained and got my first degree black belt here. I would have given this place a 5 star rating when I was drinking the cool aid, too. There's a few problems here: 1.) The techniques involve mostly non-light contact sparring, which won't prepare you for any kind of real fight, nor any other kind of decent dojo. 2.) They're overpriced because of their location, and Pfingston's got to make a profit, you know. 3.) DON'T SIGN A CONTRACT. We did when I was a kid and had to move away when we lost our house to a foreclosure. Flynn was rude and uncompromising, not hearing our side of the story. People break contracts all the time. When it's not ill-willed, wouldn't a true martial artist let it go? Disclaimer: This was years and years ago. We didn't have yelp when I posted this. If you have a chance, go to the Walnut Creek location. My favorite instructor gravitated there and took the best training with him. read more

My son has been going to Martial arts america for 5 years now and he is a kids blackbelt. The program works really well for him. It helps him develop leadership skills, build up confidence, respect, self defense, no stage fear etc.. We really enjoy being a MAA student and enjoys the demo team classes, weapon classes and CIT training. My son loves the instructors as they set good examples and teach important life lessons. read more

My experience is similar to so many others. They do a great sales job on your children, get the contract signed, but FAIL to maintain the interest of the child. As such, you end up paying A LOT of money for lessons that never occur. AVOID THIS CHAIN COMAPNY AT ALL COST!!! Find a locally owned martial arts school instead and you will be MUCH happier and better served as a customer. read more

Love the program! My kids are having a blast and learning a lot.

My kids love this place! They go to the class (45 mins each class) twice a week. The instructors at this location are friendly and nice. They are not only teaching martial arts, they also teach the kids self-discipline, self-confidence and how to stay safe at all time. They told the students learning martial arts are not for fighting which I totally agree. They teach the kids how to face some difficult situation, for example facing a bully. My son's birthday was celebrated at this location on a Saturday afternoon. That's the best birthday party he ever had! Mr. Hernandez was super nice, friendly and really knows how to entertain/handle 19 kids in a 1.5hrs party time. They set up the tables and chairs, provided paper ware and entertainment. The best part is I don't have to clean up after the party! Good Job Martial Arts America! read more

My son goes to the MAA Pleasanton branch and has developed his martial arts skills very quickly with the help of the great instructors! I have gone through many different schools myself growing up and can honestly say the regiment here is very well rounded teaching 3 different disciplines. This helped my son place 3rd representing MAA in his very first Taekwando National Championship held in Sacramento this year going up against other great schools in the area! Would highly recommend this school if you are looking for a family oriented environment allowing kids to have fun while learn martial arts at their own pace read more

Its a group setting-class. Kids learn basics. Teachers are for the most part young, but kids react well. Environment is healthy for our daughter. read more

I understand some of the points the negative reviews are making, however am very glad I decided to sign my 5 year old up here. At such a young age, my goal was definitely not to make him a Tae Kwon Do master. He is a very quiet and shy boy and my goal was for him to build confidence and learn how to speak up for himself. After 3 months, I can say without a doubt that MAA is responsible for the tremendous improvement in his confidence. After one month, he was participating more in school and making friends with more ease. It is pricey, but while looking at other programs I realized they all were. In terms of teaching young children discipline, confidence, and responsibility, I absolutely recommend MAA. read more

I love this school. It might be a little small but the instructors are great. I get to train at all of their locations and participate in all of their events. This chain is a rare find. They actually know how to work with kids and adults. We decided to train here after trying out the other schools in the area. We found amador judo a very unorganized business and weren't shocked to find out about their instructors criminal past. Same goes for tkanes. It's nice to find a school that lives up to the ideals they teach. As for the contract, I don't have a problem with the school asking me to make a commitment. Training at the school has been one of the best decisions.. read more

Martial Arts America is the place to go for a serious Martial Arts Training for your child! They have a comprehensive program consisting of Taekwondo, Jujitsu, Eskrima etc. I love the fact that they are a pretty serious group of teachers. They make sure your child understands the discipline part of it too. The most incredible part of this program is that they are actually teaching your child how to become a better person! They teach your child the fundamentals of life.....respect, courtesy, integrity, perseverance! Love it! I have 2 boys 6 & 8 and they have been a part of this program for more than 3 years now. I can see them doing this for many more years to come :) read more

Great Studio with very supportive staff members. My daughter and I have been taking Krav Maga and it has been a tremendous experience. She has learned very important self-defense skills and gained greater confidence. For my part, it has kept me active and given me an opportunity to bond with my little girl. Thank you, MMA. read more

My 10 yr old son has been a student here for the past 6 years. I enrolled him when he a 4 year old when i found him feeling intimidated by bigger kids. The program instilled a lot of good traits in him, mainly confidence and self-discipline. I don't know how advanced this martial arts program is compared to other schools and how his sparring abilities compares with kids from other martial arts programs. But i do know it helped him immensely with his disciple, respectfulness and his drive to work harder. I have noticed teenage kids who went through this school tend to show certain qualities which are hard to find with teenagers in general. The only thing i don't like about this school is the long contracts you need to sign. My son plays competitive sports and he misses a lot of classes during summer. I wish they have a mechanism to give credit for a couple of months every year which can be carried over. Overall a great school, especially for younger kids who characters can easily be molded. read more

I have three kids, all of whom have been students at MAA from the time they were 4 years old. All three have achieved black belts and varying advanced levels beyond that initial step into serious study. Through these classes and the extended environment at MAA, my kids have learned to set high standards, set and achieve goals, maintain self discipline, work hard, and respect each other and the people around them. They are confident, resilient and capable of falling down and taking a punch while continuing to stand up for themselves. The staff and instructors have provided individual attention to all my kids, helping them keep motivated, build confidence and achieve goals. If you are looking for hard-core, combat martial-arts training this may not be the studio for you. If you are looking for a place where kids can get all the components that are missing from our current education system: respect, self-reliance, confidence, achievement, recovery from failure - then this is a tremendous program. I couldn't be happier with our choice, and after 14 years of working with MAA I'm very happy to recommend the organization. read more