BMAC doesn't do a ton of marketing, but make no mistake, this is the place to train Jiu Jitsu if…read moreyou live in in the area. Several factors make BMAC stand out: -Every single person there, your training parters, are all simply awesome people. Everyone is there to help everyone else learn. There is zero ego at this gym, which is pretty rare. It's an extremely positive environment, while still being high intensity. That culture is set by Sensei Marcelo and Sensei Alex, and that permeates the gym. Whether you've been grappling for decades, or you've never stepped on the mat before, you will be welcomed at this gym if you have a good attitude. -The instruction is top notch. Sensei Marcelo is a life long martial artist. He's committed his entire life to the study of the martial arts, and decades in jiu-jitsu. You won't find a more experienced teacher in the area. His philosophy is holistic. Meaning, he doesn't simply teach for "competition rules," he also teaches the original point of jiu-jitsu, self defense. -There is more than Jiu-Jitsu. There is Muay-Thai as well, and a fitness area with rings, kettlebells, ropes, etc. The place has it all. Can't say enough good things about BMAC. It has everything: Gi, No-Gi, Muay Thai, great teachers, and great people, and an attitude of respect permeates the entire gym. Just don't expect fancy amenities like some fancy corporate gym. People come here to TRAIN, push themselves, and get better. It's not a fancy spot, but it's *the* spot if you have a great attitude and you want to find out what you're capable of.

Really enjoy training at this academy. I wanted a school with a welcoming environment rather than a…read moremacho vibe, and this place delivered. The people are genuinely kind, supportive, and ego-free, with a wide mix of students. I've been training here for the past two years and learned a lot!

I just started to learn BJJ as a beginner this year. At first, I was a bit hesitant going into a…read morenew gym being the new guy but this place made me feel welcomed from the start. Rodrigo and Bruno are great instructors (evening beginner classes) as they take their time to teach their wealth of knowledge while remaining affable. I've also spoken with another instructor named Joe and he too was helpful in taking his time to talk to me about this martial art. Other students are polite as they take their time to greet and shake your hand. Even when rolling with a few higher belts, I was taught several helpful tips and never felt "beneath them". You also don't feel rushed to leave. When class is over, there are always instructors and/or students around to ask additional questions and to spend additional time on the mats. This academy is a great place to learn as they blend technical skills with their interpersonal skills. I also have to mention that this is a great workout and I look forward to getting myself better skilled and in shape this year.

I came on a Sunday morning women's training class for my first class. There was a group of women,…read moresome with their daughters who have been consistently coming to train for a few years. The instructor showed me around to the locker room and informed me of the directions of bowing and greetings other as I got on the mat. There were a few warmups that were a little tricky to do, but with practice it gets better. After the warmup exercises, we were paired up to do some partner drills, and then ended the class with a couple of quick matches. This was definitely a good workout and helps you understand your body awareness in relation to others around you. It's a very close contact sport and definitely good a good workout. I would definitely recommend trying it out at least once and would love to back and try one of their gi classes to see the difference.

My son has been going to Sigma almost since it began. We started with one class a week, which…read moremorphed into every day. He now wants to go on Saturdays! It's great to see him gain confidence and respect as he continues to advance through the program. The community he has built with the senseis and classmates will last a lifetime.

Sigma is awesome. The instructors are super friendly and helpful. They are seasoned professionals…read moreand everything is at your own pace. A great variety and mix of people from different ages, experience levels, genders and goals---and it all works together awesome. And the facility is super nice. All new and high end everything.

A great place to learn if you are a beginner or need to polish your technique…read more When I first joined, the instructors helped me come to up to speed. I appreciate the timing method that they use. A safe place to learn new skills and build seeks confidence!

I recommend coming here with your kids to learn taekwondo with your kids. They teach self…read morediscipline and self defense. If you're willing to learn also you can also take classes to either learn taekwondo,muay thai,and also boxing. It is fun learning new workouts or new techniques. It is a great atmosphere and safe. They have plenty of parking.

Chuck E. I was looking to learn traditional kung fu, and fortunately I came across Metrowest Kung…read moreFu (MWKF). I took the free week of classes (kung fu and tai chi), and decided to take both styles. MWKF has a good schedule of classes, is very progressive in that they invite special instructors that teach similar although slightly different kung fu styles, and has an overall excellent culture that focuses on the students. If you've studied kung fu before or are curious about the style, I highly recommend giving MWKF a shot.

I have been a student here for 6 years, and I can safely say I have been made a much better person…read moreby it. The family that is created there and the care that Laoshì Eliot has for all of us students is unmatched. He always finds new ways to challenge us and improve our kung fu. He shows a patience that I have never seen in someone before. The school is easily the most welcoming environment I know (other than my own home of course). In fact, it is like a second home. We don't go there just to train and get fit, we go there to grow as people and as martial artists. We learn to protect ourselves and others, and to show respect for everyone, no matter who they are. The environment is also very safe, and from what I've experienced with some years in both the kids and adult classes, Laoshì can handle a full plate like an absolute champ. This place has without a doubt changed my life.

I started attending classes at Zhen Ren Chuan a few months ago and what a wonderful place it is to…read morelearn, grow and live. Instructor Charles is a fantastic teacher and is very intelligent. He constantly looks to explain things in different ways to aid your development and understanding while catering to the individual. He is conscious of both physical and mental abilities, injuries, capabilities, and real life circumstances. Instructor Charles looks to use these things to push you, to help you grow, to challenge you and make you look inward. Instructor Charles brings a passion to his teaching which is contagious and joyful. It is evident in both the adult classes and the junior / child classes. You see the passion in his face, in his demeanor and how he holds himself. He genuinely loves and lives what he does and what he teaches. I have never left a class with a feeling other than calm, happy or tired (expect some classes to be challenging physically while others challenge you in a different way, a more mental challenge). The classes are very good at accommodating multiple skill levels of individual. Often times you will see the assistant instructors and black belts working on one form, the intermediate students working on another and the beginners learning their first. There is truly a wide variety of people who attend the classes. Men, women, old, young, big, small... this is a welcome and wonderful place to develop ones physical and spiritual lives. My only real regret is I cannot attend as frequently as I would like. If you are considering martial arts schools in the area, you would be hard pressed to find or do better than the Zhen Ren Chuan Martial Arts Center.

Our children had the privilege of taking lessons at this martial arts school under the guidance of…read moreCharles, and we could not be more grateful for the experience. Beyond learning valuable self-defense skills, our kids gained lifelong virtues such as respect, self-sufficiency, discipline, listening to parents, and common sense. Charles is not only an outstanding martial arts instructor but also a man of great humanity. His dedication and positive influence have left a lasting mark on our children's lives, shaping them into stronger and more responsible individuals. We wholeheartedly recommend this school to any parent who wants their child to grow in both skill and character. Thank you, Charles, for everything you have done for our family.

We have been going to Sarah's School since our son was in "Little Dragons" - the youngest class for…read morethree year olds and up. I loved how Sarah is with the children. She brings them out of their shell, and through play, engages them in learning. With the newest teacher Sensei Josei teaching each class as well, there is lots of personal attention and the kids are learning a lot of karate, but there is still always one game for each class as well as the "gathering time" where they talk about the monthly theme (like "How can I be kind?" and "How can I help my parents?". The other students are friendly and kind people, probably in part because they take these classes. The only complaint I have is that I can't figure out the system for advancement. I would like to use it to motivate my child. For example, if it is based on a series of movements, I could encourage him to practice his kata, take a video of it, work together at home. Or is it based on time spent? or is based on mastering certain other things? I don't think it should be easy to advance, but I'd like to know what the child has to achieve in order to do so. Overall, rules in general are hard to figure out (for parents). I have to rely on my child to tell me what he needs to do and not do. I guess this is an exercise of letting go and letting my kid do it without me pushing or helping. But overall the whole atmosphere is so warm and so stress-free that I think that is OK. Some other schools may be more "hardcore" about everything, but here, the children are really nurtured and I love that it's about the whole picture - not just cultivating a physical prowess but about cultivating one's spirit as well.

We haven't attended any other karate classes in the area but come from Watertown each Saturday…read moremorning for my 6 year old daughter to attend. Sarah, Isaac, and Adam are very patient and knowledgeable. It is great in the winter when kids need to let out energy. We have struggled with listening / attentiveness in the past (gymnastics etc) but the skills she is learning in the class, and team sportsmanship, seem to alleviating some of these issues.

I can't recommend the Women's Self Defense classes enough! I have taken two now and plan to…read morecontinue with the series. There is so much to learn and you can never be too prepared. The instructors are great and provide hands on experience and real-life scenarios. SIGN UP FOR THE PEPPER SPRAY CLASS. You will be surprised by how much you don't know about using your pepper spray. The studio is a bit difficult to find and feels a little sketchy. I thought I would need to take a self defense class just to make my way into the studio. You're in the right place if you're in a dirt lot under the bridge around nothing else. Once inside, you can take these creepy industrial stairs up to the top floor or there is a massive elevator.

I have been training under Gershon ben Keren at Krav Maga Yashir since February 2012. In my opinion…read morethere are four reasons why Krav Maga Yashir Boston should receive serious consideration from anyone in the Boston area seeking to learn self-defense, learn a martial art, or simply vastly improve their physical fitness. Number 1 = Quality of instruction. This is the sine qua non of any martial arts school. Mr. ben Keren and his assistant instructors are professional, competent, and dedicated. Techniques are expertly demonstrated, remediated, and reinforced in a variety of partner-based and group-based drills. Students are always shown the "context" of a technique: what happens leading up to it, the purpose of each movement, and what happens afterwards. My belief is that when new students are able to perform a technique effectively on their first try, it actually reflects far more credit on the teacher than the learner. I see this happen all the time on the mats, and it speaks volumes for the knowledge and competency of the instructors. Number 2 = Krav Maga Yashir teaches the entire spectrum of violence, an area where other martial arts have major limitations. A striking art (boxing, muay thai, karate) may teach you to fight an imaginary assailant. A grappling art such as BJJ may teach you to escape from said assailant on the ground. Neither addresses the more important questions grounded in reality, such as: How did you get there? What if a knife or gun is involved? What if I accidentally trip and fall? Get taken by surprise? Get backed against a wall? Have a significant other I need to protect? Krav Maga Yashir teaches simple, direct, pragmatic solutions to all of the above, and more. Nobody needs to be Donnie Yen or Ronda Rousey to effectively defend themselves, and this school gives you the tools to do that. Number 3 = Value for your $$. Monthly membership rate is comparable to market rate for other area martial arts schools, and much lower than Crossfit gyms and other functional-fitness type places. The membership also gives free access to 5x-weekly cardio bootcamp classes, special outdoor training, and use of the gym at the studio. New workout equipment is constantly added and incorporated into the bootcamps, which themselves are a hell of a workout. Members also get first access to guest seminars with top outside Krav Maga instructors. Number 4 = Great social atmosphere. I'm always impressed by the respect, humility, and maturity of other students. It's very rare to have anyone beating on others in an attempt to be the tough guy, and such behavior is *never* tolerated. Students are all ages from 20s to 60s, all body types and fitness levels. Since all of class is partner or group based, you quickly pick up names and personalities of fellow students. Sometimes when you're on the brink of absolute physical exhaustion, you just can't help but look at each other and laugh at the insanity of it all. That's the kind of esprit that can't be faked, and a major reason I spend 10 hrs a week here without hesitation. Overall, Krav Maga Yashir gets my highest possible recommendation. I am constantly being that annoying guy urging my female friends to try it, and it's what I look forward to every day at work (when I'm not wasting time on Yelp reviews that will end up getting filtered anyway). You can try classes free for a week through the school website as well.