Over the last 3 years I've watched my Daughter, grow and become and overcome through many different challenges both on and off the mats. Through the expertise of the leaders and staff she has gained confidence and high self esteem along with essential life skills and tools to navigate the world far beyond martial arts. It's a pleasure watching her advance and it's going to be awesome to see her earn her black belt. read more

Elite Martial Arts - Martial Arts Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

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Highly recommend this place, if your kid is interested in martial arts while having fun and making friends. My kid has been part of this place for 3+ years now. It has helped with self-esteem, discipline, and fitness. It is a family-owned business, and it feels like you're part of it. read more

My kiddos loves the martial arts classes! Fun and discipline in the same place!!! If you are looking for a great time and opportunity to use your kiddos energy, this is the place. read more

Elite Martial Arts - Branding - Martial Arts Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

My 3 year old thrives here. The tiny tiger classes start with a warm up routines, lessons, testing time and end with a game. The 30 minute classes go by quickly and my daughter loves the structure. Camille, Chaz and Andrew are engaging and really work with the kids to ensure safety and fun. read more

love coming here to watch my daughter grow and grow to be a better more successful person in this world. i cannot thank the staff and everyone enough with how welcoming and wonderful everyone is. Thank you EMA staff and family! read more

We love EMA! Our child has grown in discipline, confidence, athleticism, perseverance, and self control over the last 3.5 years. We love the master teachers and are committed to many more years! Fantastic program for children who are not neurotypical. read more

Elite Martial Arts is one of a kind! It is such a positive place, where newcomers are welcomed like family and everyone supports each other. Rocky and Camille have built such a great environment for kids to learn and grow; they do after school programs at the local elementary schools, and Rocky has even come to be a guest teacher at the school where I work! My kids have made good friends (so have I!) and they are learning to be respectful and responsible leaders in all aspects of their lives. The kids look forward to class each week and they look up to their instructors so much! read more

Elite Martial Arts is fantastic for kids, with instructors who are great at teaching martial arts while enhancing listening skills and following directions. The positive and supportive environment has helped my kids build confidence. We highly recommend it to any parent looking for a comprehensive martial arts program. read more

This is now our son's most favorite after school program that he looks forward to every quarter. We are very happy with the progress he is been making in the last 2 years and highly recommend the school and its skilled & dedicated teachers. read more

Chaz is the best! My kids love doing martial arts with him! They enjoy coming to EMA and discipline and concentration is for sure improving.

The EMA family has significantly contributed to our daughters confidence, taught them how to collaborate with others, and helped them understand the importance of discipline. read more

What a great martial arts school. Rocky and Camille do a wonderful job at commanding the kids attention and teaching them to be wonderful martial artists as well as human beings. read more

EMA is a great experience! Kieran has grown so much and made great friends :-) He always looks forward to going and had developed great self control skills. read more

We love elite martial arts! Two years into it and my son has learned so much! Not just martial arts but respect, discipline, self-control and many other disciplines. He loves going and there's always something fun for him to work towards, like a badge on his uniform and it encourages him to work harder at home, school and martial arts. We love it here! read more

We found EMA during Covid and I wasn't sure what we would be getting. I assumed it was just a place for a kid to get some energy out and also practice and learn martial arts. I was mistaken!! This place is so much more than just a dojo. They care about the well being of your child and they do their best to make everyone feel warm, welcomed and they really want to make these students into fantastic adults. It's not just martial arts. There are life skills. Leadership training. And they encourage everyone to do their best and have fun. This isn't cobra Kai! They're not training you to hurt someone. They're teaching self defense and how to use your martial arts only if necessary, which is so thankful. EMA feels like family and we've even made some friends along they way. We've been going for almost 3 years so this isn't a one week review but more of a true review of our experience at EMA After three years, I'm looking forward to what 3 more years at EMA will bring. If you're looking for a dojo that will teach your child/children how to be amazing individuals that know some martial arts, this is the place to go. Just come in for a visit or just sign up. You won't regret it. read more

The Elite Martial Arts community is the most inclusive and encouraging group and has had such a positive impact on my grandchildren. This is attributable to the wonderful owners and staff that work beautifully with all students. read more

Our son has been going to EMA for the last 6 years and never a day has gone when he isn't inspired to be there. Master Abild and Master Camille have a created a safe place for the kids to learn, grow and become leaders. A requirement for testing is that the kids bring a letter from their school teacher and from parent to make sure they are demonstrating black belt attitude outside of the dojo. If you want your kids to become student leaders while growing their skills in martial arts, then Join this EMA family. read more

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Horrible horrible experience! First of all got lots of annoying text messages and emails. Got an appointment scheduled for 5:45 and paid for the class. We arrived 5 minutes before the class and they DENIED my son to take the class, a class I already paid for. They where finishing with another class and they were not even started with the class my son signed for. WHAT A SCAM! No where I was told that if I didn't arrived 15 before class, they were going to denied my son the class. I will report this business with my credit card as a scam!! read more

If anyone is looking for a place to build your child's self esteem, be part of a place that makes you feel like "family" then check this place out! I've never seen such a positive environment for our Autistic son! He had thrived in just 3 weeks! No judgment, just ACCEPTANCE! They teach life's valuable lessons! I can't say enough positive experiences we've encountered! We couldn't get our son out of the house or interested in ANYTHING! Took 2yrs talking about taikwondo and finally he was willing to try it! Thank God we found this place! read more

My son has been doing martial arts at this studio for just over 4 years. Rocky and Camille did a great job of keeping the kids engaged having zoom workouts during Covid. My son is now trying to earn his 1st degree black belt this month. Rocky and Camille really want to see the kids succeed at the studio, in school and in life. read more

My son was in the Little Dragon's program (5/6 year olds) for about a year and a half and now is in the beginner program. In the Little Dragons class, he loved learning new karate moves and playing games to develop coordination, strength, and listening skills. The instructors always kept the class activites age appropriate and fun while instilling values of respect and discipline. My son now enjoys the Beginners Program where is learning more advanced karate curriculum. read more

My son began the enrichment program offered by EMA at his school last year and absolutely loved it! He now takes classes at EMA and we have been nothing but impressed by the program offered. The instructors are top notch, kind, and committed to supporting each child grow and reach their goals, not only with martial arts, but at school and home as well. Over the last year we have seen tremendous growth with our son's discipline, focus, and confidence! EMA has created a wonderful community that is inclusive for everyone. read more

Owner Rocky Abild just sent an email a few days ago informing members of Krav Maga Kirkland his business was closing. I'd just paid for another 60 classes with my daughter amounting to $900 in September and we have a total of 73 classes left over. He's dodged all emails and calls for refunds and we were informed by staff that they were suddenly laid off. Do NOT patronize any more of this guy's businesses, he's a scammer. read more

STAY AWAY. I was a member of the affiliated Kirkland Kickboxing, also owned by Rocky Abild, until a couple days ago when a brief email was sent out informing members that the gyms (Kirkland Kickboxing and Krav Maga) were closed. Instructors had no warning and are now left with no job, and members having paid collectively, thousands of dollars for classes we will not be receiving. Rocky gave us no recourse. He is not responding to any question regarding refunds or transferring memberships elsewhere. He made the gym's Facebook group "secret" and is removing anyone who is asking questions about refunding our money. There are other questionable business practices coming to light and all I can say is...stay away!! Don't risk your money here. It was an incredible experience, even for the few months I was able to participate. And this was because of the culture created by the instructors and other members. Find them. For that, I am thankful. read more

Our sons have been going to Elite for the past several years. The whole community at EMA is great. Master Rocky and all of the other instructors and staff are honestly like "kid whisperers". I'm always amazed at how they can get our boys to focus and work hard to achieve their goals in the studio which then carries over into their schoolwork and attitudes at home. We were really happy when EMA was able to hold classes virtually during the pandemic but it's been so nice to have them back in the studio working hard and having fun. read more

Please do not go here, the instructors are verbally abusive (especially to the weak) and sit your kid out 1/2 the time (not mine but it was really sad to watch kids that were trying so hard SO HARD to be scolded). I didn't understand why they were still in business. Not to mention, the name calling by instructors at children. I understand it is a fighters sport to use used for protection but the classes got out of hand and they would bring kids to tears. My son finally asked me if he "had to go back".....That was that, bye bye EMA! STAY AWAY! Also, expensive as F! read more

I updated my review and changed my rating from 3 stars to 1 star. So we went ahead and signed up for the $99 once a week option that they don't ever advertise or mention during their high pressure sales pitch after your first free class. The whole entire experience here is sort like a high pressure sales experience even after you pay. They have quarterly belt tests and if you don't sign up in the short amount of time they give you then you have to pay for $39 for it. Also if you can't make the one single day they have chosen for testing then you must pay $49 more to test on a different day. Then you must attend the ceremony they hold that is painfully long because it includes ALL their students, it last for SEVERAL hours! Then after that your child can move up a belt. Good luck trying to just skip that whole process because they mention it multiple times in class to your child. I honestly didn't want to sign up past the 6 weeks but they offered us the deal mentioned but now I'm roped in for a another few months because they require you to sign a contract. This place is worse than joining gym. So here we are stuck paying until December. The staff of very unacceptable and they offer no flexibility so be prepared to plan your vacations and life around them. They also managed to irritate my husband who is about the most patient person ever. read more

Elite Martial Arts - Martial Arts Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

I bought a Groupon deal for 10 classes. After completing the 4 class I signed up as a member I loved it so much. I have done kick boxing classes at the gym before but nothing like this. You get an actual bag to kick which is awesome. I absolutely DREAD going to the nasty gyms and getting on a treadmill. I come here, work out for an hour and feel the burn. My muscles were sore for a week but now I am getting noticeable results! Everyone here is really nice and friendly. I go to the 5:00 kick boxing class on M/W. It is usually all women, no more than 12 -15 ppl in the class which is nice if you are new. Mathius is a great teacher and will give you a good work out too. Of course you can put as much in to the class as you want to get out of it. read more

I've been going to kickboxing here for roughly two or three months now. Originally, I signed up after purchasing an UrbanDealight Deal and have more or less become a permanant fixture here once or twice a week ever since. I lack any sort of coordination or natural athleticism, but the trainer, Rocky, is always really patient with me and is happy to help me one-on-one when I ask him for help with a particular combination or recommendations for warm-up stretches. I feel like I'm getting a much better workout than when I had my gym membership -- and Rocky's one-on-one feedback has helped me to not only improve my technique, but ensure that I'm getting a better workout than I might just jogging on a treadmill. Their late-evening classes are also a plus as my job sometimes keeps me at work until after seven. If you're looking for a good place to take kickboxking classes in the Kirkland area, I can't recommend Elite enough. read more

Overall, I have been very happy with Elite Martial Arts. My son LOVES going and has enjoyed summer camps, day camps, Parent's Night Out activities and regular classes. The strength of this school is hands down Mr. Abild. He has a way with children that is quite remarkable. He is encouraging and inspiring while still expecting kids to listen and pay attention. I've sat and listened to many, many lessons and I've never seen him lose his cool. He is very good leading the class and the kids respond very well to him. It's a gift. One thing that can frustrate what I would call "tech parents" is the website and Facebook page is very generic. It doesn't have a class schedule (which changes quarterly,) and originally, I found it to be slightly disorganized. I know he is trying to drive dialogue between his families and the school, but even when I've gone in and asked, I still don't get all the answers I had hoped for. This has steadily improved. His staff sends out weekly emails to keep parents more up to date and has asked for more on feedback on class schedules, offerings parents and kids would like to see, and summer camps. This is a great school for kids. I'm glad my son is on his way to earning his black belt there. I recommend it to everyone I talk to about marital arts. read more

One thing which stands out with Elite is they are focused on all round personality development of the learners (black belt attitude and discipline as they say!). My son has been attending for last 3 years and would not miss a single class , the motivation is intrinsic but Master Camille and Master Rocky institute regular challenges and special events regularly to keep even little kids engaged. When the pandemic raged and all the classes my son goes to started closing, Elite martial arts were the very early adopters of virtual learning, and just nailed it. Discipline and character are something they emphasize on, and I have seen the effect at home, at school and elsewhere. Great learning experience, and they make it engaging and build leaders, every class. read more

my kids really enjoyed the time there, I'd definitely recommend , Thank you EMA

What a kick ASS PLACE! Finally I have somewhere I can get my ass into shape . The gym was not cutting it for me anymore and this place makes you get up and go nonstop . The Trainers are AMAZING everyone of them . They come with something different with every class they teach. Always willing to help you correct your form , Great attitude and class ! Now I'm always wanting to get off work early to go class . Dragging your love ones too is always a plus :) read more

We are so glad to have found Elite Martial Arts. Our son really enjoys it and he's learning life lessons there, not just karate skills. The instructors are great and the atmosphere is very positive. In addition to the instructors the older or more skilled students helping and encouraging the younger ones. It really is like a family environment. read more

I can second what other people have said about deceptive practices and poor quality. The teen instructors, although sweet, don't do a lot in terms of teaching the fundamentals of martial arts. If you compare EMA to other options in the area, your choice should be pretty clear. If all you want is a place where your children can play for half an hour, there are better and cheaper options available. If you are serious about martial arts, definitely go somewhere else. One detail about the facilities: there is only a single one-person restroom! That's it! Only one little space where all kids can, one at a time, get changed and use the toilet before and after classes. read more

Rocky was so thorough with communication and having enthusiasm in his teaching! He brought confidence in my son's hearts and I felt confident in his leadership! The team at Elite Martial Arts have a genuine heart for the growth of our children to become well trained with character and skill! read more

The owner ignores people, I have left many voicemails and emails about getting my money back for pre paid lessons and they refuse to speak with me. I would advise all people to invest their hard earned money in more reputable establishments. I was a loyal student for years and when it really counted, they treated all of us like we didn't matter. Very disappointing. read more

My kids like this place. I like the instructors. My kids have learned a lot of life skills over the last 3 years. However, they nickel and dime you to death with fees and 'penalty' fees. If you want to take the summer off, you pay $30 per kid. If you don't attend a mandatory quarterly awards night, they will charge you per kid. They don't have a heater and they don't have air-conditioning. Be prepared to reach deep into your pockets, especially if you have more than one child in the program. My husband and I BOTH accidentally took advantage of a promotion to pay in advance and get a discount so now we're paid up WAY into the future so we're stuck. I recommend you don't take advantage of ANY promotions and just pay as you go. This will make your experience better in my opinion. read more

I was initially very excited about all the great self confidence and self discipline this school promised for my kids, but what my kids really learned was that sometimes adults just treat kids badly. The teacher would loudly talk to herself in front of the class saying things like "well if parents don't care enough to be on time I don't see why I should try either." She would routinely berate kids, even 6 and 7 year olds and make them sit out for most of the class if they couldn't repeat back what she had just said or made a mistake. On two separate occasions I saw an adult student allowed to violently discipline another person's child, knocking the boy to the ground and standing over him yelling. I approached staff after the second incident and was told they wouldn't even speak to the man about it because they were sure he already knew it wasn't appropriate and probably wouldn't do it a third time. Beyond this, the school was very focused on money. If your kid couldn't attend the very lengthy graduation celebration they couldn't get their next belt and would have to wait 3 months, even if they passed all the tests at the testing ceremony...unless you paid a bunch of money to take the test on an alternate day. Even though gear was clearly marked with names, staff would throw it away if it was left in the cubby and parents would need to pay the school for a replacement. Expensive, abusive and no regard for other people. Keep your kids safe and don't go near this school. read more

Both my daughters go to EMA Kirkland. Our youngest started at age 3 and our oldest has been attending since she was 9 and she's on track to earning her Black Belt in a couple weeks after 5 years of hard work and consistency: two valuable habits learned and developed through their program. I can't say enough positive things about EMA Kirkland. Rocky and his staff make karate fun for all families and age groups. They treat us more like family than customers! Confidence, accountability, focus, safety, motivation and encouragement, respect and leadership...these are just to name few things I expected our kids to learn in the program and I can honestly say they're getting way more than just that through their positive association and friendships they have developed over their time in the program. I highly recommend EMA Kirkland and see their program as an investment in our children's future! read more