My kids have been going to UTC for approximately a year. Both my girls are in MMA. I just read a…read morenegative review and felt compelled to write something here. It is a family business which means there are kids, and an adorable dog. I love that about UTC. A family business knows how to treat another family. The lessons are wonderful. My kids have learned to defend themselves against bullies and are always smiling throughout the exercises. My youngest seems to really have blossomed as a fighter, which you would never guess to look at her. She is cute as a button, and a tiny thing with a lot of power. It can be a year contract for the cheapest overall plan and I understand that can be a deterrent but it holds you accountable. My kids are getting plenty of exercise despite the winter weather. There are month to month plans and I've never showed up to locked doors. I've been coming twice a week for a year, so I don't think this reviewer is credible. The owners exercise extraordinary kindness and guidance toward me and my girls. This place is a gem. Highly recommend.

Can't say enough about what this gym and the training here has to offer you and your inner self…read more You come here it will benefit your life in all aspects! Business, health, wealth, friends, family.

1) Yellowbot.com "Buyer Beware"…read more I was a member of this gym for almost 2 years. I took all of the different types of classes that were offered here- muay thai kickboxing, karate, and juijitsu. I even enrolled my two young children into their children's martial arts classes. For a long time I was very happy with this place, and can concur with the quality of the classes offered...however, the reason I definitely do not recommend this place to anyone, at least not to any women, is because of one of the owner's- Brian Johnson, who runs this business with his wife, Dani Johnson. Almost from the beginning of my membership here, I experienced what I felt was excessive and inappropriate attention from Brian Johnson. He made some advances towards me that made me uncomfortable and that were not reciprocated. He attempted to interfere with any interactions I had with other male members and/or instructors. He very loudly made false accusations towards me in an apparent effort to alienate me from other members. He openly spoke about other members private lives. When I did not reciprocate his apparent extramarital interest in me, he made up a false accusation against me and prematurely terminated my membership. When I attempted to speak with him about things, he threatened me with what he called a "dossier" that he had been apparently compiling against me. Brian Johnson is a former part-time, Tumwater, WA. police officer. Personally, I think it behooves anyone who encounters (former) law enforcement people to tread very carefully with them. Throughout my membership here, I almost always felt as though I were being avidly watched. While I truly learned a great deal of different martial arts, altogether, it was ultimately a very negative experience for me because of Brian Johnson's inappropriate behavior towards me. I strongly suggest whomever goes here to never leave any of their personal electronic devices unattended and to always lock up their belongings, which few if any members actually do, that I observed. Posted on February 25, 2025 & Last Modified March 06, 2025 Brian Johnson's Academy of Karate & Kickboxing Reviews 1) Yellowbot.com "Buyer Beware" Academy of Brian Johnson Karate & Fitness "Too bad I can't give you ZERO stars. Your customer service is crap. Your 6-month contract is a bullshit 7 month contract. You have inadequate facilities for women. You let people not in classes interrupt ongoing classes. You have no respect for the people who PAY you to go there. Your ignorance is unsurpassed. The fact that your unclean equipment gives people skin rashes is disgusting. It's..." -Ed McCormack 7/17/15. Yellowbot. "This is a very bad business. They are very unprofessional and not good with kids. They even have temper tantrums. You will be stuck paying on the contract for a year no matter how unhappy you are." -Yellowbot "Warning, do not sign the contract, they tell you false lies to get you to sign. This is a dirty business." -rateitall 5/30/2008 "Poor customer service, poor quality instruction, this business is in it for the money, it won't last long. It is a very negative environment. I would never recommend anyone signing your kids up here. What a waste of money. Prices are low, but you get even less of what you pay for." -rateitall. "Buyer Beware. This is a bad place for kids. There are a lot of scary people in there. It is a money hungry business." -Yellowpages. 4/7/2008 "Negative professionalism" -Natalie Martinez "This guy is completely unprofessional and likes to threaten people after assuming that they hang up on him." -James Dillman "My girlfriend attended the Academy of Brian Johnson and after the free week we decided to enroll her. It wasn't long before the older gray-haired instructors started staring at her and it made her extremely uncomfortable. Like licking their lis and putting out their tongues sort of thing. I've heard negative things about instructors there abusing their power to get with the people who go there so we decided to have her quit. On top of that the floors were very dirty with body hair on the ground and it smelled like stale socks. If you are a man maybe it's for you, they seemed to have a lot of people sparring and stuff, buit I'm not sure if the coaches are even qualified instructors in any shape or form. For a 7 time karate black belt master the owner didn't have any trophies, medals or belts of his own to speak of. Or any schooling or paperwork behind his credited instructors. Very suspect and a school that has a very sexual innuendo type thing going on. Very suspect. " -VerView, AntiPopThought, 1/16/2018

I've been training Muay Thai/ kickboxing here for a little while now and I love every minute of it…read more Knowledgeable coaching staff and friendly people.

Sarah is spectacular. Her wisdom and knowledge is deep and I have gained so much in the short time…read moreI have known her. I cannot recommend her enough.

Sarah Hartman is the best trainer, coach, "counselor" you will ever find…read more I am a 62 year old female who just needed some workout help when I met Sarah. She was fabulous and with each session she was prepared and knew exactly what I needed to develop muscles and maintain a healthy body. She taught me "gym" skills I will never forget and confidence to work with weights and understand my body, showing me how to improve it. Little did I know that I was in need of a complete hip replacement at the time. While I waited for my surgery, she worked with me to keep my body strong and muscles toned so that my recovery would be the best possible. Six weeks after my surgery I returned back to Sarah (weaker, and unsure if I would ever be the same). Her training techniques and exercises were designed just for me and I became stronger and more confident. She understood how to correctly help me and not only manage my physical needs but also my mental fear of having a new hip. I am now able to walk better and use my left side (new hip) just as I do my right side. She is the best. I could go on and on about her expertise, fabulous people skills, outstanding knowledge of every exercise, weight, and technique to help her clients. I highly recommend Sarah to anyone, at any age, in any physical condition as a trainer and coach. You will not be disappointed!

So this is tucked back behind a few ramen places. The parking lot isn't huge, but there's plenty of…read morespots and people constantly coming and going. Staff here is dope! The person at the counter was super nice and the ease of getting a drop in class was a nice touch. The VIP package comes with a pair of gloves, so if you're new and want to keep coming it's a good investment. The facility is clean and tidy. They have a locker situation for your things and after each class the bags are sanitized and the floors as well. The class is a quality workout and wonderful lesson! I feel like I learned a ton just about the motion of my body. I drove all the way there from Puyallup and it's the real deal. Instructor is a for real a FIGHTER. He's fun and upbeat and really gets you warmed up. I was pretty scared, but this was a whole new experience. It's helpful that the instructor checks on you a bunch and tells you how to fix your motions. I worked muscles I hadn't in so long. The workout was intense but fun and I felt amazing after. I hadn't gone to bed at 7pm in years. Lol. 10 out of 10 recommend.

From the owner: #BestHour Fitness has been named the #1 Fitness Facility every year for the past 5 years! We have…read morebuilt a vibrant fitness community where people cheer each other on during the 7-rounds of kickboxing, all against a 220-pound free standing bag. You will work every muscle in your body and watch your mental and physical fitness improve. Guaranteed! Kickboxing is a great way to build strength, endurance, and confidence. We love beginners and welcome all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels. Check out our beginner specials.

2 kids, completely different personalities. Our oldest loves to try new sports, the youngest not so…read moremuch. Our oldest is a purple belt and has competed in a tournament in Tacoma and got first place in his form in his age. He continues to excel and learn. We set up 2 intro classes for our youngest, one on one with her and Sensei. She was excited after them, then we got to the group classes and she was scared and didn't want to do it. We kept at it and every time Sensei would ask her for help getting things to keep her active. FINALLY he got her to play a game and she fell in line right after with the rest of the kids!! She didn't even realize she was now doing things with the class but she did it!! I can't tel you how proud of herself she was when she got home and so were we (Mom, Dad, and big brother) but the way Sensei works with these kids is just mind blowing! I suggest Aspire Karate for anyone looking for another option to sports for their kids, or themselves. OSS

Sensei Trace is very skilled, has top notch pedagogy, and a great attitude towards all his students…read moreboth young and old. I recently got back into training since stopping 15 years ago and chose to join Aspire, and I look forward to learning more. Great Shotokan school.

These guys are awesome and family friendly. If you want to go harder and train w higher level…read morefighters they're here too.

You can't get any more real here!…read more Master Saohin has held the PABA Champion in 2 different weight classes. Muay Thai Champion in Bangla, Thailand as well as S1 Championship in Phuket Thailand. Master Saohin holds a combined Boxing and Muay Thai record of 88 fights with 70 wins, 47 knockouts, and 18 losses. Master Souhin has also fought for the WBA World Championship two times, WBO World Championship one time, and challenged many title holders of WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF IBO, OPBF and fought Lumopine and Rajadomnern Champions in Thailand. Not all fighters make great coaches, but Master Saohin excels at both. He's taught in Thailand at Tiger Muay Thai, but also he taught Muay Thai and Muay Boran. His Muay Thai style is strongly influenced by his boxing, which I love. He's also a Muay Boran instructor. He just traveled back to Luktupfah Muay Thai and Muay Boran academy in Bangkok to renew his certifications. Anytime I train with him, I learn new things. He brings a different perspective to the sport and movement that is priceless. Besides being a really great instructor/teacher, he's also one of the kindest people I know. His heart does nothing but grow for Muay Thai. In his teaching and everything else, his love for the sport shines through in all of his actions.

We loved our time here! And would have stayed if we hadn't moved. Mr. James and Ms. Tasha…read moreintroduced our daughter to the world of jiu jitsu and it's changed her life. She's learned a new realm of both discipline and fun, which prepared her well for where we are now and helped shape her into the young woman she is today. Thank you for your commitment to good instruction, a fun environment and for always pushing your students to improve!

I've been training BJJ for 7 years and the last 3 has been at Cat 5. Whether if you're a…read morerecreational BJJ athlete or a serious competitor this is the place to train The school has been growing due to Professor James has been making a lot of improvements at the gym. Professor James is very technical and is able to articulate his knowledge so it's easy to understand. Come stop by the gym and step up your ground game