Caryn's a great instructor, the facility is neat and clean, and there's plenty of parking…read more Bravo to you, Beyond Fitness. Bravo.

This is an update for a previous review. They have since gotten new mats, and they are super…read morecomfortable. I'm very impressed with their responsiveness, and I could tell that they really cared about their business and clients.

I trained here for a spring semester a few years ago, and the setup and floor were well maintained,…read morethe community energetic, and newcomers matched carefully to make sure they were safe. I plan to return now that I am living in that part of Boston again.

One of the reasons I moved from Brazil to the United States was to practice Aikido in New England…read moreAikikai. The dojo's founder, Mitsunari Kanai Shihan, is known throughout the world for his unique Aikido technique. If you are considering starting Aikido practice this dojo is an excellent choice. It is well located, all students are friendly and the instructors are very competent. I am sure you will be in good hands. If you practice Aikido and are travelling in Boston, make sure you pay a visit. You won't regret it!

Awesome place to train. The instructor is top tier, very detail oriented and welcoming to all…read morepeople dropping in from out of town. Fun place to get some training in on the road.

Amazing place to train. Very grateful to visit here and be welcomed with open arms by all the…read morestudents and fellow black belts. Daniel is a great instructor with tons of knowledge. Please visit! A+++

This is a great place to learn judo. I would still practice there but I moved and the classes for…read moreadults do run a little late and I take public transport. I have been practicing martial arts off and on throughout my life: judo as a young kid; tae kwon from late teens to mid-30's. One characteristic I look for in a martial arts school is how the instructors work with children. Sensei Joe is great with kids and the parents really enjoy talking with him after. Sensei Joe takes time to further explain techniques and show parents what the children and them can do to further work on skills while not at the school. Another characteristic I look for in martial arts schools is how the communication is between the upper belts and the lower belts. All of the people are super nice, helpful and take the time to explain technique and style. The only issue that I hinted at above is the hours. If the classes were earlier or the commute shorter, I would continue here. Definitely, if you live in the area or are able to attend, then this place is great to learn judo.

I have checked out this club about three or four years ago, but my body was not ready for the…read moreintensity of the work out and I had serious misgivings about the conditions of the mat. Well they have newer equipment and I will try to make more classes, but with a schedule that involves a lot of late shifts...The instructor is someone I have known for a few years and has a level of proficiency very few people will ever see. The space is a bit old and beat, but the energy and skills of the few people that I have seen there in my previous visit is pretty impressive. We have a very hidden gem in this club!!!

Amazing school and instructors! I would recommend this martial arts school for anyone who wants…read morefitness, discipline, confidence or to learn how to protect yourself! These guys are great!

I have been going to the adult classes at the Union Square (Somerville) location for two years now…read more When I started, I knew I wanted to do some sort of self-defense (I am a woman and go out a lot alone) but I didn't want it to be militaristic in style. This dojo isn't. It's friendly and welcoming to all skill levels, and other students have moved there to escape the mitaristic style at other schools and have liked it at Villari's much more. Master Brad is friendly and kind and very knowledgeable, and he is good at making sure all skill levels get something out of the class. You can go up to two or three times a week for the same monthly fee, and they offer special seminars and tournaments as well if you're interested in that. Now a couple of years in, I feel that a lot of the techniques/my reactions are becoming automated, which is exactly what I wanted. Also, Reliable Market is just below for after-karate snacks!

My 9-year-old daughter takes a Bokatai Kickboxing youth group class once a week with Coach Robert…read more He is fantastic--has a wonderful rapport with children, and she learns so much during her rigorous 50-minute class. She enjoys it tremendously, and cannot wait each week for her next class to begin. The studio is clean, bright and modern, with seats where parents can sit and observe their child's entire class. The owners are kind, knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommend!!! A+++

I was just going to leave a single star, but yelp won't let me escape without leaving a comment, so…read morehere goes...... I wasted 9 years as a student here. What did learn there????? This school has two types of students. The "talent".......... And "everyone else" Everyone else exists to keep the mortgage/bills paid so the instructor can have the luxury of playing with his star student. (He even admitted a couple of times that if he was rich he would only take elite students who could pass a ninja warrior style obstacle course, but he can't afford it so that's why he takes all students.) Also, when you do beg for support (if you can grab his attention long enough) you WILL be told "the details don't matter." Unless you have talent of course.......... Even if you show up for class 5 - 6 days a week, every week, including 2 times a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays, AND attend all the extra Saturday seminars, (yes I took 7 classes a week - 8 any time there was a seminar) you only have value if you are talented. (*He has actually said that he will spend extra time going over all the little details *** yes, the details he told me "didn't matter" *** if the student is hard working **AND** talented.) By all means, if you are elite athlete-level talented, are able to learn something after being shown only once, or can completely and perfectly memorize an entire routine in an afternoon, (and therefore have value) this is the place for you...... However, if you struggle with any of these, even a little bit, (especially if you show any signs of a lack of natural talent) be prepared to be treated as an inconvenience and an afterthought. *****And if you call him out on the double standards and special treatment for certain students, you will be branded as difficult and disobedient. AND he will resort to personal attacks about your body and any health conditions you may be struggling with.***** So if you think you are talented enough for him to pay any real attention to you, OR you enjoy having every last shred of your self esteem completely destroyed, this is the place for you. Good luck.

This place is pretty awesome. Been doing Martial Arts since 1989 on and off; I wish I meet Narcyz…read more(aka: Sifu) 20 years sooner. I highly recommend Athletic Balance.

A couple of years ago, while working in the area, my manager talked to me about spinning; he was a…read morefan and having spoken to him about my fitness goals, he thought that it would be a good idea. I accepted and off we went to Gstarfit. It was only a short ride from the office an after parking, we walked in and I got to meet the owner/founder Gregg. Gregg is unlike anyone I've met in the fitness profession. He comes off as a hard ass but is, in fact just intense. And nice. After a short chat with him about his gym and how they operate, I could immediately tell that he knew his stuff and had quite a bit of experience in the field. He essentially created Gstarfit around his stylish vision of what a gym should and could be like. Gone are the neon-lit, depression concrete walls that you find everyone and instead you'll find a lot of wood in the decor, some mirrors and some pretty stylish furniture. It gives the whole place a very original look unlike anything I've seen in gyms. And while the place isn't huge, it definitely does the job. It has multiple room including one that is dedicated to spinning and which features about twenty or so bikes. Decor aside, the gym itself is clean and there's all kinds of equipment available for anyone looking to do either cardio or lifting. Pretty standard and nothing out of the ordinary there. They also offer classes, anywhere from 1 to 6. It varies depending on the day of the week and the schedule is quite inconsistant. They only offer one class on Tuesdays somehow, but six on Mondays? Must be a staffing thing. Speaking of which, they have trainers available for private instructing if necessary. Last but not least is their rates, which vary from $50 (students) to $150 per month for the a-list tier which gives you the right to reserve a bike for spin class. While more expensive than your average gym... well... this isn't your average gym. It is a lot more intimate and they give you a lot more personal attention there. I would have totally remained as a member there had I not changed jobs - honestly, if you can afford it, you should definitely check it out, especially if you work or live in the area, or happen to drive on 95/128 near Dedham/Needham/Waltham/Newton.

As an independent contractor, I couldn't be happier!!! Gregg opened his studio doors to me when I…read morewasn't sure what to do after closing my own space on Needham Street. I feel completely at home at GstarFit gym, and the comradrie amongst the other elite trainers is amazing! Thank you so much for having me as a guest member Gregg you are the best!