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.

USMAC is a great activity for kids! My son loves the tumwater location. He has a blast and I love…read morethat they are teaching respect and to listen to adults!

Update: We have now been part of this community for 2.5 years!…read moreReviews written by my kids who attend USMAC: 7th grader: USMAC is such an amazing community to learn discipline, self defense, respect, and self- confidence. It's a great place to find community and all the instructors are helpful and kind. I especially love the Tumwater dojang because of the size and you feel like you are cared for. 6th grader: USMAC is a great place and TKD teaches you skills that are important and will help you become more self confident. The instructors are great teachers and they will teach you discipline. 2nd grader: USMAC is very good and teaches me self- confidence and how to defend myself. _____ Our family is so proud to be a part of USMAC. My husband and three children (ages 11,10,6) all train together. It's incredible that it is so family oriented that each class caters to every age. Doing TKD together has brought our family closer together. Since coming to USMAC, over a year and half ago, I have seen an increase in my children's confidence, skills, and flexibility. In addition, this school not only teaches the physical aspects of taekwondo but the culture and values. They instill values by having "Home Rules" of respect and encourage them to become leaders. This is evident by the leadership of every instructor and master. They are absolutely incredible! You can sense their care, great skills, and training. When you enter the dojang, you will be greeted with a positive atmosphere and be part of a family! Highly, highly recommend!

This review is belated, as both my son & daughter are now in their mid twenties, having received…read moreblack belts in their early teens. But I want to share how much this place meant to us and the positive, loving attitude that it has. My son is in his first teaching position, & after asking him what he thought his influences were he said "Tae kwon do". It didn't surprise me, but he had a lot of other influences besides that. Having a situation where teaching is part of learning & age is not a factor is really unique. But it wouldn't have been a part of our lives if it weren't for Gregg & Michelle. They make it what it is. Amazing and welcoming. A blessing. Keep it going guys, you are helping create good people in our world.

Gregg and Michelle are amazing folks! They are kind and welcoming to people of all ages and…read moreabilities. I'm impressed by the way they teach self-discipline, martiAl arts, and fitness simultaneously- all while having fun. Our son loves this place and we do too!

Master Bob is truly amazing! He connects with the children, makes it fun but also provides…read morestructure. I love his teaching style.

My son has thrived so much under the tutelage of Master Bob. I have seen so much improvement in his…read moreskills the last few months, and I am thrilled at what Tang Soo Do is doing for my kiddo. Master Bob is so patient with the kids, but also doesn't let them walk all over them. He is so good at finding the balance between fun and discipline! My son asks to go to Tang Soo Do everyday, which I think speaks volumes to the quality of the classes being provided. Check it out!

Was excited to see they offered Saturday classes. However, can't seem to get ahold of anyone.read more

Never thought I could love training in this sport. I was wrong it has built self esteem and has…read moreshown me self defense. I love how everyone is treated like family. Ohana last forever! Huge on sanitation is a plus too!

Donnie knows his stuff. Need structure and a way forward, He da man.. This place has what you need…read moreto get fit.

I have been going to Whetstone for about 5 years, and I like it…read more I previously went to a "corporate" type place and after 8 years, they shut down and did not even notify me. Whetstone is smaller but that fits me. Weekday mornings there is usually a dozen or so "mature adults'' and it is a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Typically, Folks greet each other even if just to say "good morning". I have had trainers offer suggestions or help even though I am not their client. The facility is well maintained and clean. When Donnie, the owner, is not with a client he is usually checking equipment or cleaning something. He is very concerned with maintaining a high-quality facility. It may not be the place for everyone. I'm just an old guy that feels better when I work out and I think that is common on weekday mornings. I intend to continue going to Whetstone Fitness.

The Pilates class was great, calm atmosphere, supportive instructor, and a workout that felt gentle…read morebut effective.

Well.. the time has come for me to write this review for OTF West Olympia. In the previous years,…read moreI've written two lengthy, detailed reviews for OTF Downtown Bellevue, so for reviews on workout programs and membership info, please check out my other reviews or other reviews here. : ) This review is for the staff at OTF West Olympia, and what makes this location the best one yet in the Puget Sound. I have been to several OTFs locations in Puget Sound, and some in California and Texas. This location has a great balance between the front desk staff and the coaches, they work so well together. They're truly "OTF FamOly (otf family Olympia)." The entire culture here is extremely inviting and encouraging as how OTF should be (though I've not felt so much at other locations). Front desk staff are very knowledgeable and friendly and you can also see them working out in the studios sometimes. Coach Kylee, Jamie, Q, Megan, Dilllon are a solid team of coaches here at OTF West Olympia they all have different coaching techniques and background so I find it fun to try all of their workouts. To be honest, at other studios, I used to have favorite coaches... and some I did not enjoy as much. Here, that has never been a problem. Oh, and they all have great taste in workout music which is huuuuge! Another very important point I should mention is that OTF West Olympia's Facebook group and Instagram pages are managed extremely well. Other OTFs, not so much- you see very outdated social media pages and no postings from coaches. Lastly, they have done a fantastic job with their communication on Studio hours and program updates during pandemic. They consistently review and update studio times to fit our "WFH schedules" and managed to try 30-min, and 45-minute workouts for those who have busy WFH lives. This studio is only less than 2 years old and have already accomplished so much. I am so glad to have this studio so close to me.

There appears to be some kind of cultural phenomen where young women treat mothers like complete…read moredog sh*t. This is after a really crap experience shopping yesterday, where I spent hundreds of dollars and was negged to the point I asked my husband "Do they hate me?" And all he could say was "I don't know. I think they are just b*tches." I may be overwhelmed, but never once am I rude. It takes about a second grade level to decipher the difference. Day in and day out, I am spending time just making everyone else around me happy for the holidays. I don't know where this sh*t comes from. I have not experienced such female venom in my entire life, and I speak as the party girl who went home with your boyfriend back in the 90s. Now I am a mommy. And I am raising girls to be bada!!es in a world where their civil rights hang in the balance. Why the actual F am spending a good chunk of change where they treat me like a nuisance? Furthermore, by a specific demographic of women who are better off than say many others in our country.() I do my due diligence in this community. I vote, am active in the union, and speak to legislators about improving our schools. I am also nursing my senior RESCUE dog of 15 years to certain death. Like... what is your problem? What the F did I do to you? Why am I justifying the need for basic human respect when you are in a service position? I don't need you to kiss my , but how about you don't meet my questions with a stone cold glare when my children are learning how to socialize with adults? I asked for help from a nice male customer to avoid Mean Girl Mentality. He offered to help on the section where someone has to man the ropes. I told him the girl in front is so rude and cold, I am not comfortable asking her for anything. He offered to do it for us. Perhaps a white man can solicite a more appropriate customer service attitude than a mom who is raising two liberal girls who want to get comfortable with extreme sports ... (Newsflash, she was nicer to him). I will tell you what, I am sick and tired of young women treating me like sh*t. And I don't know why but I certainly won't spend this amount of money where customer service makes it a point to make me feel unwelcome. I will go to Tacoma and save myself the horrible social interaction. I am done with Cirque. (Post script, there was a nice woman my age who helped us return our stuff. That is the human interaction I understand and appreciate. However, I will not return with the current staff in place.)

Loved visiting this place! I'm a total beginner and my spouse and I signed up for one of their…read moreorientation classes, which includes rentals and a day pass to the gym for that day. I found it to be a great deal. Miles showed up around and taught us a lot! He was very knowledgeable and patient. Everything is in very good shape. We got to try bouldering, auto belay, and top roping. Also got a tour of their gym, which includes a lot of climbing-specific equipment along with tradition gym equipment. The place is very spacious but there did seem to be a lot of families on the weekend, so a little crowded near the auto belay. Not a knock, just something to be aware of when timing your visits. They have a lot of events and theme nights too. It's just a really cool place, hoping I can build some muscles so I'm not so sore next time, and can come back soon!