If you are looking for a special place for your kids or entire family to not only learn martial…read morearts, but also to learn life skills and values that will extend to the rest of their lives, then look no further than Pride Martial arts! Our family has been at Pride Martial Arts (PMA) since early 2018 and it's about time I write a review. Our eldest son Nathan started at PMA at 5 years old in the Tigers program. He was shy and had separation anxiety. He had not done any other sports or extracurricular activities yet. We tried PMA for a week and were sold. Whether it was a large class one day vs a small class another day, we were so happy to see instructors that were teaching our son not only martial arts, but life skills, self-defense and core values like respect, self-discipline, honesty and so much more. And most importantly, he was having fun and enjoyed coming to class, including sparring. A year later our son joined the Leadership program, which allowed him to take more advanced classes like Leadership and Tricking, and an unlimited number of classes per week. He eventually started to compete in tournaments and continued to thrive and grow further. What was once a shy and quiet boy, blossomed into a skilled, confident and strong young man. Fast forward to today, our 12-year-old son is a 2nd degree Black Belt, ATA Martial Arts Champion (5x World Champion, 10x District Champion and 10x State Champion). All thanks to this amazing academy. Our youngest son also joined several years ago and is on his way to becoming a Black Belt next year. My wife and I joined PMA in 2022, competed and earned several State and District Champion titles, and became Black Belts recently as well. We could not be more proud and grateful for what PMA has done for our entire family! PMA has weathered many storms (e.g. pandemic, economic downturn, staffing changes, etc.), but it has persevered. Their commitment to our kids and the community is a rare gift that should not be overlooked, especially with so many other martial arts schools in it more for the money than their students. I'd like to especially thank the owner, Master Lizbeth Ahn, for all she has done for my family. She truly cares about using martial arts to teach our kids good values and to become the best versions of themselves. Nathan would not be a World Champion without her belief in him, her detailed training and support. We believe in her vision for PMA and look forward to many more years of growth for our family.

If you're considering enrolling your child in tae kwon do, look no further than Pride Martial Arts…read more Both of my kids started at Pride in 2019, and it has been one of the best decisions we've made for their growth and well-being. Both of my kids have struggled with anxiety, especially when facing new situations, but from day one, the instructors at Pride have been incredibly patient, intentional, and encouraging. They have a way of making each child feel supported and understood, which is so important for kids who are a little more anxious about trying new things. Our eldest is now a black belt, and our youngest is about to test for his black belt next month! Watching them grow through Pride's program has been amazing. One of the things I appreciate most is that Pride isn't just about teaching the skills of tae kwon do; they are deeply invested in developing each child's character. The instructors are extremely disciplined and highly skilled, but they also emphasize values like perseverance, hard work, and self-confidence. Through the years at Pride, I've watched my kids become more determined and confident, learning what it takes to set goals and work hard to reach them. Pride Martial Arts has truly made a difference in our children's lives, and we're so grateful for the dedication and support they've shown. Thank you, Pride, for all your hard work and for investing so much in our kids! We appreciate you more than we can say.

It's got a great team and the coaching is top notch in the area. If you live in San Diego and want…read moreto train for Jiu Jitsu you should check out their academy and get some great experience with excellent coaches who have great experience with their history in the sports of Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts.

Had the best hospitality. I train at another gym and everyone was so welcoming. Highly recommended.read more

My 9-year-old son and I have been training at AKA for a little over a year, and it has been an…read moreoutstanding experience for both of us. The striking and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs are excellent, with knowledgeable coaches who emphasize not only technical skills but also discipline, respect, and strong values. The kids' classes provide a great balance of structure and fun, creating an environment where children can develop confidence while genuinely enjoying the learning process. For those interested in competition, AKA also has a highly competitive BJJ team that offers exceptional training and support. Whether your goal is self-defense, fitness, or competition, I highly recommend AKA. We are grateful to be part of such a welcoming and professional academy.

I was previously at another big name jujitsu school in the area. Then I found out the legendary AKA…read morewhich is well known around the world opened up in San Diego/ Chula Vista. I wasn't happy at my old gym because I was being charged too much for my kids to only attend few classes per week in just Jujitsu. At AKA, besides it is the worlds famous gym, the prices were much lower and my kids could attend as many classes they want in Jujitsu, MMA, Muay Thai, Taekwondo and Boxing . I was referred by my friend whose child is top ranked in Jujitsu. I found out that AKA has the #1 kids Jujitsu in San Diego. Since my kids has been coming here for over a year they have excelled dramatically and have been winning gold medals in Jujitsu Competitions. Thanks to AKA famous Coach T. for your dedication, hard work and expertise in helping my kids succeed. Overall my kids confidence has improved tremendously and they both have become more focused and dedicated.

Great School. Great learning experience for my daughter. She's learned so much not only skills wise…read morebut behavior and mental abilities as well. She's learned to be more self disciplined and I'm very thankful she has had and continues to have good experiences from Judo here at this Dojo.

This is an outstanding Dojo with a knowledgeable and well respected Sensei who I highly recommend!read more

Professor Vince is an awesome instructor. He has taught my kids and myself so much about jiu jitsu…read more The training is always good. It has a great vibe, great training partners and a facility is well equipped. A very welcoming space for kids and adults.

I should of posted this years ago, but better late than never! My jiu jitsu journey started 25…read moreyears ago with Professor Roy Harris, Progressive Fighting Systems and then later following his student, Professor Mike Cusi, at the original Stronghold in Point Loma. Being in Law Enforcement has always been tough for training because of shift work and/or injuries. Because of work and re-locating around the County, I trained at five other jiu jitsu schools. The one main thing that brought me back to the Stronghold was the feeling of family. The vibe all the way around here is awesome. It's definitely a great place to train if you're law enforcement. Professor Vince Colcol is very knowledgeable of the craft and has a vested interest in all his students. He and his wife, Professor Hana Colcol also run a great program for kids. On the plus side, Professors Roy Harris, Mike Cusi, and Johnny Tama also make appearances on the mat....OSS!

Herman is a great fighter and coach. He trains guys from the most beginning stages all the way up…read morethrough the highest professional levels in fighting. If you wanna fight mma especially I recommend this gym.

Great community, amazing coaches , and overall an outstanding gym! I was a bit nervous when joining…read moremy first MMA gym .. especially, being a smaller sized girl but, Gamebred was welcoming and motivating throughout my training. Coaches are very knowledgeable and experienced. The gym itself is always clean and very spacious. I couldn't ask for a better gym to train at. Would highly recommend to anyone interested to in learning true technique and form.

Excellent first class for my buddy. He's wanted to try BJJ for a few years so we booked an Intro…read more Professor Wilson hosted an excellent class on side control escapes and strategies. Professor Marco and May were very helpful. This school upholds the high standards the worthy of the Red Shield. OSS!

Excellent business. The owners and professors are friendly, family and community centered, and…read moreexperienced in the area. Both professors have more than 20 years of experience in BJJ and the owner is a both Muay Thai and BJJ. The kids classes are well managed and very effective and all the kids love participating. The environment here is very family oriented and welcoming, unlike some martial arts facilities that might give a sense of intimidation. A lot of the kids who train here have friends or parents who train as well and despite it being a family oriented environment there are competitors who train here as well. Since opening they've had multiple seminars, guest speakers, in-house tournaments and participation in regional/national competitions. They're expanding and always accommodating to bring people on to the mat. This is an amazing school and definitely worth checking out.

Olympian Martial Arts has been an incredible experience. Coach Christian sets the standard with his…read morepassion, discipline, and genuine commitment to helping every student become the best version of themselves. He teaches far more than martial arts--he builds confidence, accountability, respect, and mental toughness. What stands out just as much is the culture. The students show outstanding respect, work ethic, and support for one another, and it's clear that's reinforced both by Coach Christian and by the amazing parents. The respect and encouragement the families have for the program, the coaches, and each other creates an environment that's truly special. If you're looking for a place that develops character just as much as skill, Olympian Martial Arts is second to none. Proud to be part of such an outstanding community. Highly recommend!

I absolutely love this place! Professor Christian Vargas is an outstanding instructor- highly…read moretechnical, incredibly knowledgeable, and a man of integrity who truly stands by his word. His unique teaching style keeps every class engaging, challenging, and leaves you looking forward to the next session. Whether you're just starting your martial arts journey or you're looking to compete, I can't recommend this academy enough. Stop by, take advantage of the free trial class, and experience it for yourself. Hope to see you on the mats.

Best taekwondo studio in my life The teaching systems are…read moregood NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

I trained with the studio for 4+ years, and it was a wonderful experience !…read more The instructors are knowledgeable and very involved, and because it is family-run, all the students there are treated with great care and attention. It was also a great support system, since a lot of us were in high school and we would often times meet up during the weekends for tutoring/homework sessions. There were adults who would enroll their kids and then sign up for classes themselves to stay in shape and get involved, so the overall community was well-balanced and honestly, just great fun (: I think BBTKD is unlike any other "American" martial arts studio in the sense that they won't pass students simply because their parents can pay. They really push you to work hard, and discipline is everything. You can't expect to go in and drop some dimes to get a black belt. Overall, a GREAT experience. If you're serious about learning Tae Kwon Do, I highly recommend !

My son has been going here for years. Instructor is great and patient. They learn all the correct…read moretechniques of taekwondo.

Master Jang is an all in all nice guy. Very approachable and an expert in mentoring kids. And with…read moreall the many distractions at home (ipad, computer games to say the least), bringing my kids here is a treat. I see a happy, content heart leaving his class. May God bless you and your purpose! They have moved to a new and bigger location: --- 2010 Birch Rd. # 107 91915