I'm a 45+ year practitioner in the Asian martial arts and a 4th degree black belt myself, who has…read morehad the fortune of getting to know Coach Kakavitsas, and now my two grade school boys train with him. It's not often I find someone who has the same passion for martial arts that I do; Coach Kakavitsas is an incredibly knowledgeable instructor who has years of real world experience in competition and practical self-defense techniques. My boys love training with him, and going to class is the highlight of their week. It's amazing how much they're already learned. I highly recommend anyone interested in learning self-defense, building confidence and getting physically fit go see him and his colleagues.

JT was great!! This is a clean location with a big open floor plan! We brought our daughter for a…read moreone-on-one intro class (shes 8) as we are looking to get her plugged into something! He took his time with her and had her gloved up in the ring within a matter of minutes after we did our paperwork. He demonstrated and walked her through the different hits/punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes. She had the most amazing time and cant wait to get started in classes with the other kids. She had the biggest smile on her face after she was done, and was so excited. I really appreciated JT showing her the confidence and new passion for muay thai! Hes a very knowledgeable man, personable, and incredible instructor/coach! We will be bringing our other daughter next Saturday for her one-on-one and very much anticipate a similar experience! Such an incredible experience from start to finish!

Confession-this review is strictly for there once a month lady safe class that focuses on self…read moredefense for women. The class is free for women to attend and only $10 for men who's like to attend. This gym offers all different kinds of classes for boxing, aikido, Muay Thai, and tai chi. The professors/senseis team up The first or second Saturday of the month to teach a self-defense class for women. The class is usually from 1 PM to 3 PM and consist of maneuvers and strikes. They are very informative and very patient when teaching. They don't mind going over the techniques over and over again until you are sure you get it right. You definitely feel like you were in a safe space with people who truly care about you, trying to teach you. They check in with the students to make sure that nobody is uncomfortable especially for those who have suffered an attack before. I can't say enough good things about this particular class. The only reason I have not signed up for one of their aikido classes is because the schedule doesn't work for me. You can follow them on Facebook to learn about their lady safe events, give it a shot and that will help you determine if you would like to continue coming to this gym for other classes.

I came here when I was 16 when they were located in their NoDa location. Took some boxing classes…read moreand I loved it but had to focus more on school and I couldn't wait to come back since. I started Muay Thai a couple of months ago and the training is impeccable. Learning from the ground up I have learned so much in two months. As much as I have always wanted to learn martial arts, I have always had a love for weight lifting and this place is perfect for that as well with a free weight room and many powerlifting amenities!! The best of both worlds, a great place to sweat, work hard on yourself, and learn about the arts. This place feels super intimate and you start feeling welcomed and comfortable after a few weeks. It's like a 2nd home for me :)

My husband has been going to True Warrior for a few years now. In those years I have seen his…read moreself-confidence grow, his energy and focus improved, his desire to be healthy and strong increased. It changed the way he leads our family, being more present and wanting more for us as a family unit and wanting to have more of an impact on others - esp those of a younger generation. Earlier this year we wanted to find a family friendly MMA environment for our 9 year old - somewhere to build up his confidence, to feel encouraged, not afraid or broken down or pressured whenever he didn't quite get it right. When he told me about the Tiger cubs program we tried it out for our son. The 1st few weeks of my son attending he was all smiles...hesitant to learn something new but smiling. The kids are helpful and supportive, as they're encouraged to help teach new kids as a way of also earning stripes and advancing. Coach Toby's style of teaching is admirable - teaching them beneficial skills while also having fun; never putting the kids down or making them feel less than or shaming them, but encouraging them and partnering them with the right kids to help them. As a mom that meant a lot to me knowing I could trust this coach to have my son's best interest at heart. Shortly after, what was supposed to be just me observing turned into me joining my husband boxing, and then also joining the Warrior Women's Self Defense class on Sundays. Up until that point I was just a mediocre long distance runner, training every few years for a half or full marathon. Joining True Warrior/Warrior Women has made me feel stronger and capable (mentally and physically), more aware and wiser, and part of a community of women/men who support each other. Saturday family Boxing Day has made such a positive impact on my family - a day we look forward to working out together and training together, being close and stronger...together. That's what this school promotes - community, strength, skill, people helping people, faith and positivity, all in it together. We are grateful to Coach Toby and Coach Ryan for all they do and how they do it! Their skills are unmatched and amazing to see, but how they teach it and coach others is impressive. It's an environment that can be intimidating walking into, but walking out of those classes you feel welcomed, included, empowered, absolutely humbled at times (haha!), thankful, unified. I absolutely love this school and what it's done for my family!! -Rodriguez fam

Can't do better than this family of warriors. If you're looking for a place for your kids, family,…read moreor self to learn from a master but in a no-excuses environment - you've found it here. We love the esprit de corps, the values, and the spirit of fun and safety that embody this way of training. Led by Toby Grear, this special program has been a gift to our children's lives already in a short time.

Training in Muay Thai at Black Belt USA has been an incredible, life-changing experience in only…read morethe month or so that I've been training there. Each class is a comprehensive workout in itself, consisting of yoga-like stretching, cardio, pad training, focus on technique, and circuit training at the end of most classes. Dr. and Master King have completely dedicated their lives to this studio and to being absolute experts in all that they teach. What most stands out about training here is the culture. From day one, there's nothing intimidating, macho, or uninviting about being here. Students old and new are genuinely excited to welcome you into the Black Belt USA family. I have trained martial arts in a number of other locations and styles, and I can say that Muay Thai at BBUSA is the absolute elite choice.

From the owner: At Black Belt USA, we're dedicated to providing outstanding martial arts instruction in Muay Thai…read moreand Taekwondo, led by our renowned expert, Mr. King. Since 1992, we have empowered students in Charlotte, North Carolina, to achieve their physical and mental goals through our comprehensive and tailored programs. Key reasons to choose us: Renowned Expertise: Learn from Mr. King, a leading instructor with over three decades of experience in teaching Muay Thai and Taekwondo. Comprehensive Programs: Our classes cater to all ages and skill levels, helping students achieve their unique goals. Balanced Training: We focus on physical fitness and mental discipline, emphasizing focus, determination, and self-discipline. Inclusive Community: We foster a welcoming environment, making martial arts accessible to everyone. Proven Track Record: With a successful history of training thousands of students, we have a reputation for excellence. Traditional Values: We uphold the core values of martial arts, including respect, integrity, perseverance, and humility. Commitment to Safety: Our instructors follow the latest safety protocols, and we maintain a strict student-to-teacher ratio for personalized attention. Personal Development: Our programs foster personal growth, instilling valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Flexible Scheduling: With a range of class times available, you can find a class that fits your busy schedule.

Really awesome gym. Great facility, excellent owners, a…read morevariety of equipment for whatever strength sport you're into. Also looks like some fighting stuff and a ring but idk anything about that! Come check it out!

On the smaller side but that's how you avoid the Dow's YMCA with lines for every machine. The…read morecoaches here know what they're doing and the prices are reasonable, with a good selection of weights and a big garage door for fresh air and their music, it's a great place to get in shape or stay in shape and have fun along the way. The coaches have a very encouraging attitude, not a scary atmosphere at all

Great Space, great people, great classes. You feel good…read morevibes from the moment you walk in, and you can tell that Lucas knows what he is talking about whenever he explains a concept. Training is very hard, but at the same time, invites all sorts of people, and not only competitors.

I'm disappointed with the kids' program. There is no real team, no clear training plan, and almost…read moreno communication with parents about their children's progress. Kids come to class and leave, but where is the development? Stripes are given for attendance. I see children with gray belts who still lack basic skills. It's also unclear how students are assigned to groups. Younger children who were good training partners were moved to the older group, while the children who stayed behind are often left training with kids who just lie on the floor instead of participating. We gave this academy chance after chance and did everything we could to make it work. But the attention seems to go to a select few children. More and more kids keep joining, while the quality of training does not improve. To me, this feels like a business focused on enrollment and payments rather than the children's progress. If you want your child to grow and truly learn jiu-jitsu, look for a more serious school.

This place is great. The camaraderie, the training, the patience, everything. Being brand new,…read morenobody here made me feel out of place. They let you know, they were once brand new themselves. When they see you improve, even just a tiny bit, they let you know and congratulate you. It's an amazing feeling. Makes you comfortable and able to continue coming back and growing.

Top Martial Arts is more than a gym- it is a family! My Son started Jiujitsu here to gain some…read moreconfidence, and he has grown so much! A year into Jiujitsu, and he was able to compete at Pans out in California with the support of his teammates, and coaches! Jae Ho Lee is the owner, and truly cares about the individual. Your child, and you will grow in ways you never imagined. I started training here as well, and it something I am proud to be part of and I can appreciate all of my Son's hard work much better! Side Note- parents, let the coaches fulfill their role, and your child's needs will be met! Confidence, competition, health, stress reduction... the list goes on for all of the things you can gain by giving Jiujitsu at Top Martial Arts a try!

Without any previous martial arts experience but after much research, it was apparent that training…read moreBJJ was the path for me. The search for a place that was friendly to beginners (but provided the opportunity to grow), close enough to home, and affordable for my family was on. Prof. King said, "The hardest thing that folks walking through the door for the first time will do in this building is often stepping onto the mat for he first time." It's important to distinguish here between "hard" and "challenging." Each class (I've taken BJJ and Group Fitness classes) is incredibly challenging both mentally and physically. The absolute hardest thing to do, though, was to step onto the mat for the first time. Like most difficult things, though, my only regret is not having done it sooner. The community is truly amazing. Many are very skilled and accomplished BJJ practitioners. At the same time, I've not run into a single person who wasn't enthusiastic (sincerely) about showing new people some new stuff! I can't say enough great things about AOM.

From the owner: At Art of Motion Jiu Jitsu, we're proud to work with people of all experience levels, helping…read morecomplete beginners master the very basics while challenging experienced students to build their skills each and every day. We offer adult & kids jiu jitsu, fitness, and muay thai classes 5 days a week in the mornings/afternoon/evenings. Stop in today to start a 1 week FREE trial! Art of Motion also carries Charlotte's Web & Mary's Nutritional CBD topicals and rubs.

while the gym has A lot to offer the business side is horrible ! I sustained an injury enabling to…read moreno longer be able to participate in physical activities per Orthopedic Drs orders ! Despite 3 different ortho Drs notes , letters , request etc stating that further participation could result in permanent damage they refuse to acknowledge this and continue to withdraw for services I cannot use ! This practice shows they are more concerned about money than the personal well being of their customers !! Hopefully others will see this and Will Not Sign a Contract as life happens and injuries can occur

The most complete martial arts studio in Charlotte. Everything you need to become a fitter, tougher…read moreversion of yourself. The coaches are tough but nice. Family values and a focus to build a better community.