Sensei Alec and Sensei Miles are outstanding instructors who genuinely care about their students…read more Their holistic approach to martial arts--strengthening mind, body, and spirit in every individual--is a refreshing change from most schools. This is the real deal: a true local gem. I can't recommend it highly enough. Words don't do it justice--just go see (and feel) the difference for yourself.

I was looking for self defense classes and came across the Matt martial arts , i never had any…read moreexperience in any martial arts or self defense so needless to say I was nervous. I started taking defensive options classes, bags and strikes. All the instructors here are outstanding and pay attention to each student. Alec is great instructor, who has been patient enough to deal with a beginner like me and at the same time incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, encouraging and motivating person who I trust and value. Another coach mat is Phenomenal, full of energy and motivational and training to improve the form and skill. Coach Lucy's HIIT classes are like "WOW! - tiring but really effective"! All teammates are a great group of people with good attitude, who have also been helpful and positive. The mat Martial Arts Fitness is a community of welcoming, knowledgeable and inspiring people. They offer so many stuff, self defense, MMA, Bags & Strikes, Kids Martial Arts, grappling, ground and many more for a very reasonable price but yet fine coaching. They don't have any contracts, you want to take a break, just say a word to Alec and he'll pause your payments. They offer free trial class so just give it a try, nothing to loose. I absolutely recommend the mat Martial Arts Fitness ( truly no experience needed).

Sensei Chip is a great instructor and allows all ages and abilities. He focuses on respect,…read moretechnique, and skill, not a bunch of belts that don't mean much. When you earn a belt in his class, you know he thinks you're ready. Both my son and I signed up for the class and have been attending for a year. We have both advanced and gone to tournaments (something I would have said was flat impossible 18 months ago) and done well.

Sensei Chip is a wonderful instructor. I am very glad that my daughter has begun going to this…read moreclass (north location) in addition to the classes held in the south location. She has grown as an individual physically, and in terms of cognitive development (focus, concentration, attention etc) since she began learning karate from Sensei Chip in September 2013. Sensei Chip is dedicated to his children; he puts his heart and soul into training his kids and making them the best they can be. He is a no nonsense person, who calls it as it is. He does not like to waste time or fool around in his class. His honesty and diligence in training his kids is wonderful to see. I could not be happier with the classes and/or my daughter in Sensei Chip's class. He is dedicated, hardworking and it shows. Take a chance, visit his south or north location, you will not be disappointed.

I've had the distinct pleasure of training with Gene Smithson of Austin Systema and Tai Chi Chuan…read morefor over 5 years now. There are a lot of martial artists and a lot of martial arts schools in Austin and specifically in Northwest Austin. But among all that I have ever encountered, Gene is unique. He's a straight shooter, telling you exactly what he thinks. He's kind, patient and amazingly perceptive, but he's also not afraid to push you (and himself) to reach our full potential. He holds several black belts in different styles of karate but also has extensive experience in Jujitsu, aikido, Tai Chi and Qigong, just to name a few. But where the magic really happens is with the Systema component of his martial arts school. Systema is a Russian Martial Art and compared to most is very free-form, very free and incorporates very healthy movement and breath work while focusing on maximum efficiency while using the least amount of tension possible. Many martial arts are destructive to the body over time whereas I'm convinced Systema is improving my body as I age (I'm 53). I've worked with a number of martial arts teachers over the years and I've never encountered anyone quite like Gene; he's truly one of a kind. If you are looking for classes for yourself of your child (he takes kids as young as 8) and you are looking for martial arts classes in Northwest Austin, I would look no further than Austin Systema.

Austin Systema & Taiji is a rare find. I've been involved in martial arts all of my life. I've…read moretrained in about 5 different styles. This school is the perfect combination of incredible martial arts and a wise and talented teacher. Systema is unlike any art I've studied. There are basically almost no actual techniques. Instead, we focus on breath, relaxation, posture and spontaneous movement. We learn to respond naturally to whatever threat is present but, more importantly, how to respond naturally in our lives. Systema is more than a martial art, it's a way of of life. Taiji (or "tai chi") is a beautiful and graceful art that creates incredible peace in the body and mind. It's a perfect compliment to systema. Also available is Brazilian jiu-jitsu for those interested in the grappling arts. Again, a great compliment to systema training. Oh... And on Wednesday evenings there's even a breathing, stretching and massage class! All classes are included for everyone. Come to as many or as few as you like. Lastly, Gene Smithson, the instructor for all classes, is the reason that all of this works so well. He is a deeply dedicated teacher for both adults and children. His patience with each student at whatever level they're at allows us to advance quickly as a group. Everyone that comes consistently has improved greatly in the time I've been training. I've been to a lot of martial arts schools over the past 40 years and this school has my highest recommendation.

This is a great place!! It's very well taken care of and a comfortable place to be at! The owners…read moreare wonderful and very family oriented! They also have great classes for all ages!

New to the classes but have had a very good experience so far. The people are kind and attentive as…read morewell as accepting to all the children. You can tell the children enjoy being here. Very nice family run business.

I've been a member of Fighting Fit / Austin Impact Jeet Kune Do for nearly two years, and I can…read morehonestly say that joining this gym was the best decision I made upon moving to Austin. I've always loved training in martial arts because it's a great way to get in an excellent workout all while focusing on continuous self-improvement, but I never imagined how much I would enjoy the community-focused gym environment at Fighting Fit. The coaches and fellow students are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people you'll ever meet, and there's something for everyone. For those wanting to meet their fitness goals and live healthier lives, the Fitness Kickboxing and Boot Camp classes are a fantastic workout, and the gym has a really active private Facebook group and frequently holds team challenges and other fun activities to keep you engaged and feeling like a part of the community. Coach Forrest and Coach Sarah even offer nutrition coaching to fully round out their holistic approach to helping members meet their health and fitness goals. Those interested in advancing their martial arts skills should also feel right at home. I can't say enough about how much I enjoy the Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes. I highly recommend checking them out no matter your previous experience -- the coaches and other students will work with you at your skill level, and you may even decide to start training for competition like some of our members. Learning from Coach Corey has been the highlight of my year, and I've genuinely loved going to class to learn and practice techniques with my fellow classmates (as well as to spar with the more advanced students). While I'm moving out of state and unfortunately can't pack up the gym and all its members in a box to take with me when I go, I will never forget my Fighting Fit family! I highly recommend this gym for anyone looking for a new one to call their own.

Can't get out the house? Dont live in Austin TX? Need guidance from people who really care?…read more Sifu (Teacher) Forrest of Austin Impact Jeet Kune Do invited me to a scheduled Zoom meeting this morning to learn about their "smartly" developed "1 Year "Athletic Muscle" Roadmap" program. I must say I am very excited about joining this well thought out and scientific based commitment to bring me personally back to my goals of desired weight, speed, functionality of my younger years. This not a hype program where one ends up in traction after 2 weeks. It is designed to start you on a path that is comparable to your commitment. I would suggest that everyone with a weight loss and workout dream, that has been shot down by life's twist and turns, get on Sifu Forrest's next call. You will be impressed by this functional and life changing plan to get literally moving from the darkness wanting, back to the light of having. https://www.austinimpactjkd.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AustinImpactJKD

We have been coming to Leander Taekwondo America for about a year and a half and absolutely love…read moreit. Mr Lacy and all the student instructors are very encouraging and helpful (especially for this mom with no martial arts knowledge). The little dragons program is for kids 4-6 and a great way to introduce the younger crowd to taekwondo. Mr Lacy and all the student instructors are so patient, yet they also are firm when they need to be. My kids love LTA!

Signing our son up for classes at Leander Taekwondo was one of the best decision we've made as…read moreparents! Our child was experiencing bullying and having trouble with his self esteem. Mr. Lacy and his team of instructors are incredible and our son is thriving. He earned his black belt last year and now he is very confident and loves to train. Don't hesitate to sign up. It's an amazing environment for the whole family.

Unexpected fee after cancellation + refund refused…read more We enrolled our son, Talen, at Johns Gym in Austin and withdrew/cancelled his membership in April as a result of a blood clot and condition that does not allow him to box anymore. After the cancellation, we were still charged an additional fee. We contacted the gym right away to request a refund, but we were told we missed the reimbursement/refund window, so a refund would not be provided. I understand businesses have policies, but this felt frustrating and unfair given that we had already withdrawn him. I'm leaving this review so other families clearly understand the billing and refund timelines before signing up. I'd appreciate the gym revisiting this situation and making it right.

Nice gym but more geared towards the kids. I think it's great my son is now 28 and he stated…read moreboxing @ 8.

After prepaying for a month, I walked away after two weeks. While I definitely need the exercise…read moreand I love Tai Chi with a passion, this school consists of one unacceptable teacher and his followers. He has very anti-American views and doesn't hesitate to say China or Chinese people are superior. That by itself wouldn't have driven me off as quickly as the rest of his behavior. He uses typical personality cult techniques of pitting students against each other, alternating praise and humiliation, etc. He railed against me personally, even attacking my balance which is poor due to a car accident, for ten minutes for asking one very appropriate simple question during his designated Q&A time when I was trying to learn a move. I was frankly stunned and waited until I got away from the situation to think through what had happened. I stepped back and looked at my experience in his classes as if I was an observer and realized what was happening. He claims to have the secret to longevity (Chinese alchemy approach) that he will share with a select few. Everybody else is a fraud according to him; he is the only true source of this occult knowledge. In the classes that I attended, he attacked Yoga, other Tai Chi instructors, former students, other forms of Tai Chi, America, etc. The only "good" according to his own statements is himself and those that follow him. He even talked about specific martial artists that he was sure he could beat up -- never had a tai chi instructor do that! Stay away from this school. There are way too many decent people and choices in the Tai Chi community to subject yourself to abusive behavior. Before coming to Austin, I have had the privilege of having world class teachers including the man who was the head of the Yang tradition at that time.

I have been a student of Jingyu Gu's for over 11 years. Previously, I studied Yang and Chen styles…read moreof tai chi in New Orleans, and prior to that, White Crane Kung Fu. What impressed me from the beginning was Dr Gu's emphasis on precision. He is careful to explain that you should not exceed your body's capabilities, but that you should do the form as precisely as possible within those capabilities. He doesn't talk much about philosophy or energy; he says that you must learn the form first, and that can take decades. Not just learning the moves, but training the body and the mind to unite and execute the form smoothly with perfect concentration. You are learning a comprehensive method of movement that is radically different from what most of us have learned previously. It is also incredibly efficient, especially when you learn to relax simultaneously. All this takes diligence, patience and time. While at times Dr Gu makes claims that seem incredible, I have experienced incredible changes in my physiology and psychology in the years I have studied with him. My body is more able to withstand extreme heat and cold, although not as well as Dr. Gu. I no longer experience intrusive thoughts or mood swings and can enjoy seated meditation, which has always been a challenge for me. And I have seen Dr Gu grapple with a man half his age for 30 minutes (informally) and stay relaxed and polite the entire time, while his challenger was exhausted by the end. Having been diagnosed at high risk for a heart attack, I perform cardiac stress tests annually on a treadmill. These are very intense cardio exercise sessions. I do not regularly perform cardio exercise, yet I regularly "pass" my tests with more than average scores for someone my age. This gives credibility to Dr Gu's claim that tai ji practice is as good or superior to cardio workouts. I happily tell new students that Dr Gu is the kind of teacher I never thought I would find--someone who truly understands the Tao and its application in tai ji chuan. The classes are very affordable, and if you are truly interested in learning and attend regularly, you may experience similar benefits.