I cannot stress how much I loved my time at Fight Academy Pasadena. I had been training for 5 years…read moreat different gyms (jiu jitsu) before finding Fight Academy and I stayed there for the last 2 years I was based in LA. EASILY the best training, community, vibes, and biggest improvement in my fitness and combat sports training was here. Savant leads an amazing team of coaches!

Been coming here 4 years and it feels like my home away from home. They are welcoming from day one…read moreand the coaches are high level. The owner Savant was a top 10 featherweight in his prime and always pays close attention to each student. Coach Chris though is light work every time

I used to have a much more positive view of this Krav Maga gym, but unfortunately it has gone…read moresignificantly downhill and is now in a noticeable state of disarray. The biggest issues are poor management and a lack of clear organization. Communication is inconsistent, newsletters routinely come out late, and administrative follow-through is unreliable. Even basic things like belt test certificates have been delayed by more than a year after the actual test, which speaks to deeper operational problems. There also appears to be a steady decline in membership, which is not surprising given the current state of the gym. The environment feels less structured and less cohesive than it used to be. From a technical standpoint, Krav Maga here feels like a "jack of all trades, master of none." This is an inherent trait of Krav Maga, but if you're going to steal from other martial arts, you should know the pure form of the art as well (at least at the instructor level) to demonstrate the cleanest technique and explain why you're doing certain things. As a result, students get surface-level exposure rather than real proficiency in any one area. If you are looking for strong fundamentals or mastery of a specific discipline, this is not the place. I have also heard repeated concerns about instructors not being properly compensated. Allegedly, some people taught for long periods with little or no pay, which raises serious questions about how the gym treats its staff and values their time. To be clear, this gym was never the best even at its peak, but it was at least better run in the past. At this point, the lack of organization, declining quality, and management issues make it difficult to recommend. I hope they take a hard look at what is happening and make meaningful changes, because right now it feels like a gym that has lost its direction.

Joined around Thanksgiving (2024) after having been at UFC gym forever. Enjoy the more intimate,…read moreclean, and relaxed environment to take classes in. Instructors are patient and friendly. Would definitely recommend if you want a good workout.

Enrolling my two kids in Master Machado's Jiu-jitsu class was one of the best decisions we've made…read more His experience, patience, and genuine kindness shine from the moment you walk in. My kids were initially nervous, but as soon as they met Master Machado, it felt like they'd known him their whole lives. He's engaging, warm, and incredibly approachable, which made all the difference for my beginner kids. Whether you're a complete newbie or looking to hone your advanced techniques, this is the place to be. For those who know about BJJ, the Machado family are foundational pioneers of the sport in the U.S.--they truly represent the cream of the BJJ world. Parking can be a bit tricky depending on the time of day (street parking), but it's worth a small effort for the class experience. Highly recommend for families and anyone seeking a supportive, top-tier BJJ environment.

Best of the best and nothing but class is how I would describe Professor Roger Machado and all of…read morehis brothers. With training, it's his attention to the tiny details and his explanations of difficult concepts broken into digestible pieces are what helped me and meeting lifelong friends on the Professor's mats was an added bonus. Thank you Professor for being part of my BJJ path and for all the lessons on and off the mats. You are one of my role models. And thank you to all my rolling partners who've shared generously just like Professor continues to lead by example.

The coaches here are all fantastic. I have two daughters in separate aged classes and they have…read morelearned so much, not only in jiu jitsu but in becoming better people. Coach Marco is a wizard at getting the kids to pay attention and grasp what is being taught. The kindness, safety, and combined knowledge is ever present here and I am so grateful we all train at this gym. My wife and I also train and continue to get better with every class. As someone that spends A LOT of time here, believe me when I say this is the gym you are looking for. It is more than just a place to learn, it can be a great community as well. Hearing some of the talks to the kids before class starts is inspiring. Coach Marco is like a violent Mr. Rogers in a Gi.

If you have children and haven't been to SBG SoCal, check it out!…read more We have toured all the major jiujitsu studios in Pasadena and none can match it in cleanliness, teacher:student ratios and quality of instructions. Coach Marco and his team really know how to teach and empower kids. Not only do the kids learn jiujitsu and other martial arts, they also learn life lessons. Marco has been a life coach for my son. Teaching him about humanity, friendships, bullying and respect. And it's super clean which I appreciate. If you are searching for a jiujitsu experience with both quality instructions and amazing instructors that care for your children, then check it out. I've learned how to properly execute gentle, yet firm, parenting, just by watching Marco in action. I also want to add that Marco and his team are heroes. During the Eaton Fire, they were helping displaced kids, housing them at the gym, and subsidizing dozens of kids' jiujitsu membership because of their loss. Kindness at its finest. A++++++

I'd tried Jiu Jitsu at other academies but always felt intimidated and like I wasn't really getting…read moreit. This is the first place I've actually stuck with it (two years now, and I have no plans to stop). Alex and Sally have created a warm, playful, safe place to learn, with real emphasis on injury prevention and accessibility. Their game-based method had me feeling like I was learning and succeeding from day one, and the progress has been so tangible that I even feel more confident walking down the street. This is a community of high-integrity people and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Alex and Sally run a really great school here. They've somehow come up with a way to cater to…read moreevery experience level and every type of practitioner. They have gi and no gi classes including fundamental classes for both for beginners and the advanced. I say advanced as well because they go over fundamentals but with incredible detail and nuance that even if you've been practicing for years (I'm a purple belt writing this), you're going to pick up details youve never seen before. they're like advanced fundamentals. I describe Alex as a Danaher-lite version. they have membership plans strictly for beginners and also advanced memberships where you can take leg lock classes, takedowns, and MMA classes all the classes taught are from a curriculum curated from Alex's decades of experience. every class builds on each other and it's amazing how much Alex can teach with so much detail. and of course the environment and people here are really friendly if you're hesitant just drop in for a trial class

Great instructors, great martial art. I take my 9 year old daughter there. Old school respect,…read morediscipline, resilience training that I value

The negative reviews? Yeah... I'm not buying It…read more As someone with decades in martial arts--two black belts, former MMA general manager, and lifelong student of combat arts--I tend to approach any new training environment with a discerning eye. I've been around long enough to tell what's legit and what's just... noise. So when I read some of these negative reviews, I have to call BS. Or, what you perceived is not what's reality. YOUR reality maybe, but not the truth. They don't match anything I've experienced, and frankly, some of them feel suspicious. Like they were written with an agenda. Maybe by a competitor? I don't know--but what I do know is this: Nobody here has ever cold-called me, hassled me, or been anything but respectful and professional. Claims like "they just want your money" or "students don't actually know kung fu"? Completely off base. I've never heard Sifu Edwards say, "You need to learn kung fu here for self-defense," and I've definitely never seen him misrepresent what he teaches. Quite the opposite--he's honest, knowledgeable, and has a clear passion for passing on authentic Northern Eagle Claw Kung Fu. Here's my actual story. I hadn't trained in about 15 years. I've got a black belt under the legendary Shihan Gordon Doversola in Okinawa-Te, and another earned privately under Master Ylagan in Armas de Mano. I ran Old Town Fight Club in Monrovia from 2009-2012 and spent years teaching and cornering fighters in the cage. I'm not saying this to brag or to impress you, I say this to impress upon you that I've been around the block. I've fought and trained, taught (and still teach), coached, and lived martial arts. So at 58, I started searching again. Not to relive glory days, but to learn. To grow. To be a student again. That journey led me to Northern Eagle Claw Kung Fu. I visited multiple dojos. I researched styles. I read books on Master Shum Leung. When I met Sifu Edwards, his philosophy aligned perfectly with mine. Watching him teach kids? They love him. Speaking with the black belts? Their skill, humility, and loyalty spoke volumes. Everything told me I was in the right place. Now that I've been training here, I can say it with certainty: this school is the real deal. Sifu Edwards is a master - period. He's patient, precise, and passionate. The curriculum is structured, the culture is respectful, and there's real lineage behind every form and technique. I show up as a white belt every day. Even when something resembles what I've learned before, I don't insert my way, I learn his way. That's the point. Everything is different, and everything is the same. And if all goes well? Five years from now, I hope to have earned another black belt, this time in Northern Eagle Claw. Don't let shady reviews mislead you. If you're looking for an authentic martial arts experience with a great teacher, great people, and a deep tradition, this is it.

Great Shotokan karate class ! ! Fantastic instructors and all of the appropriate international…read moreaffiliations.

Came to try Japanese classes here and although they didn't have my level, I loved my experience!…read more Class sizes here are small, the teachers are very knowledgeable, energetic and friendly. Tuition is considerably more affordable than Fuji School in Little Tokyo. They offer many varying levels of beginner Japanese throughout the week and both virtual and in person. The building is a little bit older and a bit creepy at nighttime but it's in a relatively safe and quiet area, parking is free, and the administrators are very responsive via email.

I wanted my daughter to train in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu because I always heard such great things about…read moreit. I didn't realize there was a Pasadena location but I stumbled upon them recently through a Google search. My daughter had two sessions and loved it. She's 12, and decided to participate in their Women Empowered classes before adding their Compatives class later on. She has no prior Jiu-Jitsu training, but has settled right in. Fred is the owner of this location. He has been nothing short of amazing, but his staff and instructors and have been equally impressive, particularly Crystal, Michelle, and Lilly. They've made my daughter feel so welcome and supported, and now empowered. All the women in the class are just as amazing. They have different programs and membership packages. It's very affordable as well, making it accessible. The facility is fantastic, very clean and modern. Parking is easy, validated for 2 hours I think, but then only a couple dollars after that. Restrooms, locker rooms, and waiting areas are clean and comfortable. I highly recommend this Pasadena location if you're thinking about martial arts. It's a great place to start training and an amazing group of people to be associated with.

I am so shook and confused at what just happened today 09/17 when I took my daughter to the little…read morechamps free "bully-proof" class (second class) from 5-6pm. I had originally reserved this on Eventbrite for Saturday September 5th at 1pm and Saturday September 12 at 3pm. Unfortunately, the time was wrong on their EventBrite page for the 12th because it showed 3pm instead of 1pm. Anyway, we missed the second class and they offered me to go any other day of the week as a courtesy, which I agreed to. So today I showed up with my daughter and I was questioned if I had already been to the "free" class and I said yes, but this is her second (free) one. The girl didn't seem too friendly (my daughter was all excited talking to her and she seemed MEH!), but she brought out a temporary uniform for my daughter and we went into the class. I sat on the back this time and my daughter kept yelling "mom", so I would stand up walk up to the front to make sure she was ok. Every time I stood up to look at her, her uniform was worse in terms of fitting. Her pants were dragging, coat sideways off her shoulder, and belt coming off. I let it be and thought they would fix it (which is what her karate instructors usually do). Eventually, she yelled "mom" again and at least 3 kids were lined up and one of the 2 male instructors was fixing their uniform. I told my daughter "you need to fix your uniform". She then looked at the instructor and said "Can you fix my uniform?" He kept doing what he was doing. No eye contact. Nothing. He finished fixing the other kids' uniform and my daughter was still standing on her own with her sloppy, baggy uniform. Ignored. Although she didn't line up. She spoke up many times, she yelled "mom" at least 3 times and neither of those times was she questioned or cared for. I then said out loud "they're not gonna fix it?" Mind you, the kids were no longer in line, so I told her to come to me and she ran across to the beginning of the mat where I was standing. I began adjusting her pants, which were below her butt, and then my phone fell, I lost balance, landed on my knees, and hurt myself with the wooden tile. Not one of the two instructors said a thing. Did they really not notice ALL that?! I then said "What's going on?! I'm confused?" We are not ghosts! Lol, Can they not see/hear us and offer help? I Looked back and a lady looked at me also confused. I then said, you know what, we're being ignored, let's just go. Took off that uniform and left it on the mat. I'm sure they noticed that. I told the lady in the front what happened she said she would see what happened. See what?! Idk, but everyone else saw. The least the instructors could have said was "Do you need anything?" after all those "mom" callings my daughter did. Was it because she didn't line up that she was ignored, even after speaking up? If this is a learning class, you could at least correct/redirect her, so she can understand why you're not helping her. AGAIN, 2 teachers ignored her. Don't offer free anti-bully classes if you're going to ignore a new kid who isn't a member and hasn't paid for your classes yet (but could have). This whole scenario and my daughter telling me she doesn't want to go back to this class because the instructors ignored her so many times is all I needed to write this review. One star for the older male instructor on September 5th. He was fun, caring, and paid attention to all kids. Otherwise, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu felt very unwelcoming this second time, and this is probably why I don't go based off first impressions anymore.

Best place in Pasadena for boxing and kick boxing classes. Super clean and friendly environment to…read morelearn the ropes and get a great workout! Mauricio is so helpful! Christian's boxing classes are the best. Plenty of street parking and nearby city lot for $1. You can sign up directly with them or drop in classes using the MINDBODY app. The intro $15 class drop in they provide you with wraps and gloves. then second $45 class gives you your own pair of wraps and gloves! Super friendly staff and peeps here. Sparing, personal training and separate dojo areas for the advanced too! Highly recommended for the beginner or pro!

I'm so grateful to have found this place! Very non-intimidating, and very welcoming…read more I specifically looked into this gym because a friend of mine had previously lost 80 pounds coming here, and I wanted to give it a try--it did not disappoint! If you're looking for a workout that gets you sweating without any judgment, this is the perfect spot--no matter your size, shape, or fitness level. The classes focus on technique and fitness, so you're not sparring or fighting anyone. Mauricio, the owner, is incredibly welcoming and sweet, which makes the whole experience even better. I've been attending consistently and have already noticed a positive shift in how I feel about my body. Plus, it's such a great way to release any aggression! There's nothing like the satisfying thud of a solid punch on the bag. If you're thinking about trying kickboxing, I can't recommend this gym enough--it's motivating, empowering, and a total game-changer :)

best gym in LA it's a good vibe and all the workers there are amazing!! very clean gym n organizedread more

South Pas Fitness has become my go‑to gym because it consistently delivers on everything that…read morematters to me: cleanliness, great service, and ease. The staff is always genuinely pleasant and helpful -- the kind of people who greet you with a smile and make the space feel welcoming. I love the infrared sauna, especially because you can book it in advance, which makes planning workouts so much easier. Their variety of weight machines keeps things interesting, and I never feel like I'm waiting around for equipment. It's rarely crowded except for the usual New Year rush. Parking in the lot can be a little tricky since it's small, but there's plenty of free street parking right outside, so it's never a dealbreaker. They also offer a great lineup of workout classes, which adds even more value. Overall, it's a gym that makes staying consistent feel effortless. Neighbors and friends are all members so it's fun to work out together and there are perks for referring new members too!