Post Covid emergencies, this dojo remains top notch. The community is respectful, talented,…read morepleasant and healthy. Families are still welcomed, encouraged and treated well. Looks like they've grown a bit too. I recommended this dojo to a retired Air Force person. He loves it. Best of all, when it comes to the Aikido world, this dojo is peaceful and warm. Ownership is responsive and humane. Can you tell, I really like this place? . If you wanna learn Aikido or Battodo, give them a go.

If you're in the area and looking for a dojo, check this one out. Highly experienced, friendly and…read moreencouraging instructors providing safe and comprehensive guidance for practicing a wonderful and effective martial art, and they offer both Aikido and Iaido there. Great people, highly recommended.

Came in visiting from California--brown belt, been training ~7 years--and got absolutely destroyed…read more(in the best way). Left the mats questioning everything: "Bro... do I even know jiu-jitsu?" "Should I just move here?" "I should probably go home before my wife gets mad at me for training all day." Seriously though, amazing room. Everyone was super friendly, respectful, and very safe to roll with. The gym is really clean, and the level is high. Different training partners from white to black and ages from young competitor monsters to hobbyist parents. Chazz was the black belt coach that day--welcoming guy and great instruction. You can tell there's a strong culture and attention to detail. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area. Just make sure you check their rules/etiquette beforehand--pretty standard stuff (white gis only from what I saw, trimmed nails, good hygiene, etc.). Will definitely be back next time I'm in town. Than you everyone at Essential

Notice the 5 stars and the comment Yelp gives right after it? Woohoo! As good as it gets! My son…read morehas had the privilege of training with JT Torres, the owner/professor of Essential Jiu Jitsu. You literally cannot ask for a better more experienced instructor for adults or children. Hartsdale is so fortunate to have a true Brazilian jiu jitsu world champion in their midst, so please take advantage of it. There are few people in the world that match JT's ability to compete, train, and effectively communicate with students. If you want to learn BJJ, this is the place. Need more proof? Check out his profile on BJJ Heroes. https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/jt-torres

I may be bias beacuse this is my home school but I have visited plenty of BJJ school in the area…read moreand across the country. The people, the environment, and the no politics make this place a great place to train.

Great place for all levels ! A lot of fun and you will not regret trying it out. A real sense of…read morecommunity.

Membership allows great flexibility -- there are classes almost every day and it's drop-in - go as…read moreoften as you like and no problem missing a class if a schedule conflict arises. Promotions are based on progress and number of classes. Kids and adults in the same classes, a lot of parents take along with their kids. The class is a real workout for adults (I was in decent shape and it took a couple months of training before I could do 2 consecutive classes). The trainers have high expectations but calibrated to individuals' abilities. Students learn discipline, self defense, and endurance.

Dude- my size 10s have been fitting tight on me since the middle of last year's pandemic and the…read morehell I want to start inching towards a 12! Gyms are back- but took me a while to nail "the one" because many rely on machine work which I would do- but they're necessarily not my thing. Classes are more up my alley because I love to get my body worked up real good with an instructor and Belmars in the Greenburgh area of White Plains, met me there. Belmars is primarily known for Muay Thai but with one call prior to my Saturday class, Peter mentioned there's Circuit training and Zumba. He texted location details as it's off the Route 119 path and prices for each of those. Because of COVID, Peter mentioned not many folks are hitting the gym and classes have been small. The entire Belmars space is big. It opens with a large exercise room, wall-to-wall mirrors, boxing ring further back and a smaller Circuit Rm- where I and someone else, dripped in sweat with Christine. Don't be fooled by her small frame- my girl will have you hating her...I did- but it was all love and the burn was real even the next day! Plus her playlist was bomb! From Freddie Mercury to old school hip- hop to some pop- she had us going. Listen- I'm a size 10 and felt super comfortable not to be exercising with size 0 Beckies like you see in high-end gyms. By the end of her workout, my muscles shook like never before. Christine's Circuit Training class wasn't an easy ride but made such and an incredible difference even it's just Saturdays for 45 minutes. After a year+ not stepping foot in a gym, coming here gave me adrenaline for more!

If you are reading my review, you are most likely looking for a Martial Arts School or a gym to get…read moreinto shape. You may have joined a commercial gym. But quit because you felt out of place. You may have joined a Martial Arts school and realized that you are going to get hurt and you're not in shape. Or, you are like me looking for something different, I have practiced Shotokan karate for over 30 years. I have jumped from martial art school to martial art school and weight gym to weight gym. I completed Peter's 5 week beginners Muay Thai and fitness class. It's the class everyone has to take to advance to the Muay Thai Kickboxing and Boxing classes. That first class was filled with about 20 + people. I thought I was strong, but I was wrong. I can't jump rope and It was the first time I did a pushup in about 20 years. I also did not know what a Burpee was. (Peter made this exercise look easy). By the end of the 5 week class, I was at 50 Pushups, 3 minutes jumping rope and about 15 Burpees. Maybe Martial Arts are not for you, but you want to get in shape. You want a body of a boxer or you just want to take your shirt off at the beach. Or, if you are like me, you need to shed some pounds. (I was over 270lbs I now weigh in at 230lbs.) My name is Charles White. I hold black belts in Shotokan Karate and Kendo. If I could compress my 30 + years of experience. I would tell everyone to take the 5 week beginners class at Belmars Gym. There are even classes for children over 6 years. I even sent my two nieces and my nephew. The ability to defend oneself is a skill every child should learn. The ability to defend oneself is a skill they will remember for a lifetime

Have been going to the Karate Dojo on and off for over 20 years. Classes are for all skills levels…read moreand ages. If you're in the area, you should check it out!

NOT closed! Still open! On the second floor. Mon, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday classes. No…read moreclasses on Tuesdays but save that day for a rest day or for lifting. 530-615pm are children classes and 615-715pm are adult classes. Great for beginners and students with experience. Very friendly and no contracts!

Everything. My daughter loves it there. She enjoys learning different types of classes that they…read moreoffer .

Great instructors and masters. I learned core life skills like patience, discipline, and…read moreperseverance. Would strongly recommend.

I trained here once in 1986 or 7? when it was Sensei Hioki's Dojo! If it's the same dojo in…read moreScarsdale (in Westchester County, NY?) that I'm thinking of. I am amazed and thrilled to see that it's still operating, and apparently under the capable direction of the now SHIHAN, Sakai, (whom I knew since S. Sakai was a white belt in our Founder, Saiko Shihan Shigeru Oyama's Dojo (School) in Manhattan, and at the time then, I was also just a lowly white or Blue belt myself!) Shihan Sakai got to where he is now, only through sheer determination and HARD WORK! I personally recall that he couldn't speak much English. He had no money. He had no one to Sponsor him here in America, and had no one to help him! (It can be a lonely thing for any human being to experience that!) Yet, in spite of all THAT, (or BECAUSE of it!) this fellow, Sakai, worked very, very, VERY hard to train himself. So much so, that in fact, (once in a while), the Master would have to remind Sakai to keep an extra dogi (uniform) handy, just in case. But when the Saiko Shihan, saw that Sakai was always at the dojo, and training as hard as he did, the Master said: "You might as well come and live here, and keep the place running smoothly while I'm not here." And so he did! Sakai joined the ranks of the "uchi-deshi," or "inside" students, who would clean and keep up dojo) when the Master wasn't there. So I liked the fact that the now SHIHAN Sakai had taken over the Scarsdale Dojo. It couldn't have happened to a better person! For, Sakai had progressed through the ranks very, VERY quickly, and earned his 1st Degree Black Belt and on up the ranks; due mostly to his hard work, good character, and relentless Courage! I'm proud to know him! And I wish him every happiness continued success withhis Dojo(s), there in White Plains! From your old Friend, Julie A. Cipolla

From the owner: World Oyama Karate is full-contact. In our teaching style, we connect basic training, KATA training…read moreand KUMITE training. World Oyama Karate is the highest quality martial arts training program for those who want to become stronger, both physically and mentally. By pushing yourself, through training, you will develop self-confidence and relieve stress in a positive way. We offer classes for kids 5 and over; as well as men and women of all ages and skill levels.

My kids started at Master Kim's Scarsdale Taekwondo about 2 months ago. They did their…read moreintro/assessment with Master Kim who was able to tell right away way they needed work with (one with focus, the other with confidence). We signed up right away. Unlike many other activities we have tried with our kids, we never have to force them to get ready for TKD. They look forward to their 2 classes per week. Last night they had their first belt testing and got their yellow stripe. One of our sons also got a trophy. They have a great way with kids and teaching them motivation, discipline, respect, focus & confidence. Looking forward to them attending for a long time. Open now with safety measures in place (masks, no one allowed in lobby area etc,). Enroll - you won't regret it!

I highly recommend this school. The staff is very friendly and they take pride in delivering…read moreexcellence in their teaching. From beginner to black belt the discipline of Taekwondo is a discipline that you will be proud to be a part of and carry with you throughout your life.

Wish there was a gym like this when I was a little younger…read more Anyway, it's 5 stars to balance some of the unfair reviews I've seen - though I'd easily give this place over 4 anyway, It's clean inside, which is not the case in quite a lot of gyms. I've been to enough gyms to see that cleansing is not always the case. If you leave it up to the patrons or members, then chances are you're going to see evidence of someone's sweat lingering on the equipment you plan on using. While not overly huge (other UFC gyms are larger), it's sizable enough depending on what you're planning to do. There's more than enough bags to use, a speed bag, treadmill, benches, bikes, elliptical machines, and other random things. There's gloves you can borrow for a bout with the bag, but make sure you sanitize when you're done. There's plenty of UFC merchanise available to purchase as well depending on what you're interested in. There's also an octagon cage available for classes and practice, My son's in one of the classes there and the instructor is great. I really wish there was a mma/jujitsu class around back in my youth, The staff is always friendly. It's located on the corner in a fairly busy section of White Plains. Street parking is horrendous and the meter police are all over the place looking for any excuse to get White Plains money - so park in the municipal parking lot behind the building - it's about $1 an hour. So overall a great gym. I plan to get a membership soon myself to pound on the bags at will. If you're curious, I would ask about a trial membership. Recommended.

Honestly, DO NOT JOIN THIS GYM! Ignore at all costs! THEY…read moreWANT TO STEAL YOUR MONEY... Literally!! I was a member for a year in mamaroneck and loved it there but once white plains gym opened I decided to change my gym to the ufc in white plains. I regret my decision. Staff members are rude there! Very disrespectful! I cancelled my membership back in November and my bank account let me know in December that ufc gym tried to take out monthly charge! I was surprised, called ufc immediately. The young girl up front answered and was very rude. I talked to a manager named Jeff back in November he said everything was fine, after the upcoming payment was paid I would not be charged and membership would be cancelled. A few days ago a third party collector called me about ufc .. And I was surprised again! I called ufc and Damien, the GM, spoke to me. He let me know Jeff is no longer there and whatever Jeff has told me about my account being canceled is a lie. He also said I needed to pay for December! It's ridiculous! I asked to speak to someone higher than him and he transferred me to the owner Dean Ballantoni.... ITS BEEN A WEEK AND THIS GUY HAS NOT CONTACTED ME BACK! All ufc staff member keep saying is I have to pay the month of December, which I never attended once and didn't even know my account was still not cancelled. Now I am stuck paying a whole month for no reason!!!!!