I've had the privilege of training at Gracie Barra Encinitas since 2005, and it's truly been one of…read morethe most meaningful and consistent parts of my life. Under the guidance of Professors Nelson Monteiro and Rafael Ramos--both world-class instructors and incredible human beings--I've grown not only in my jiu jitsu journey but also as a person. Their leadership has cultivated a culture that is as welcoming and inclusive as it is technical and disciplined. From day one, this academy felt like home. The atmosphere is warm, the community is tight-knit, and the values go far beyond the mats. It's a place where lifelong friendships are made and where everyone, regardless of rank or background, is treated with respect and care. I earned my black belt here 14 years ago, and I still look forward to every training session. That says a lot about the kind of place this is. Gracie Barra Encinitas isn't just an academy--it's a family.

This has been an amazing experience for our kids. All the instructors are amazing and very…read moreattentive to assure that the kids are practicing safely and all of the students are doing it with good sportsmanship. This is the first class facility through and through.

I've been training with Kickforce Martial Arts for the last 3 months & all I can admit is…read more.. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to break a SWEAT. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to become a LEADER of your own LIFE. Don't think about joining here if you're not READY to be part of the FRIENDLIEST COMMUNITY around. Training at Kickforce Martial Arts not only allowed me to improve my Martial Arts. But, also become an individual who can take lead within my own community. The community here is so openly supportive that there's no space to say "I LEARNED IT ALL". We all help each other grow one another whether if it's in training, character & on development. I really RECOMMEND taking Mrs. Aguilar Kickboxing Class on Tuesday's. She will work you, break you & build you back up as a whole new fighter & individual. I don't have any kids myself, but I witness growth within all individuals of all ages. From a 5 year old to their 40 year old parents. There's just so much confidence that kids are introduced too. That if I had a kid, I would waste NO TIME on having them be part of the community.

My experience with Kickforce began in June of 2025. It began with the Tigers program for my then 5…read moreyear old, about to turn 6. He was adjusting to something new and out of his comfort zone. Which leads me into something that I have taught my boys now that I learned from Master Aguilar. The best way to put it is each time we do something even just a little bit outside our comfort zone, that circle that bubble that is protecting our fears and our anxieties its opened a little bit more. I loved hearing that because it's what I've known to be true for so long and that way of explaining it. Anyways aside from Master Aguilars Moments Of Wisdom, I will call them, I began to see my son needing a closer role model. So we began the beginners class, both of us. My son is loving it and he's gone up 2 belts and almost going on a third. He is using his voice more and for the first time (yes after 8 months ish) he didn't give me any push back on going. He has been being recognized for accomplishments and we are BOTH getting stronger together. Tara and her husband are amazing The customers and their children are humble and nice. This is the place to be for your martial arts journey.

I cannot say enough about WCMAA. Sifu Alliota is an exceptional martial artist, and it has been a…read moreprivilege to be training with him on-and-off for the last 17 years. One of the many things I like about his training style is how he is able to show you the practical application of every technique he teaches, that is a rare thing to find from an instructor. Master Jen and the other instructors also impart great knowledge and respect. Once you start training with them you are not just a student, you are family.

I went there before it's really fun and on Fridays they normally have little party witch are funread more

This beautiful, well-maintained gym is home to many talented and passionate Brazilian jiu-jitsu…read more(BJJ) practitioners and hosts a team of great coaches and mentors to continue improving your skills and techniques and also growing your passion for the sport. Although the name nor location stands out much at a glance as a gym for BJJ, it is well known among locals and visitors of their excellence and commitment to expanding the roots of the sport in this area. It's been heard near and far about their ability to bring in top practitioners for seminars and guest visits. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to come in for a couple sessions taught by Eric and his team. With multiple sessions a day, multiple days a week, it was flexible to find a time that worked for me and with people of all levels, it was a great opportunity to learn from some talented folks. They do host gi and no gi sessions so if one's more your cup of tea, consider checking their schedule to determine the best days and times to attend. With a private parking lot, it makes it also convenient to come in at any of their sessions and be able to hop in and out without worrying about finding parking or getting stuck in traffic while trying to navigate the constantly construction-ridden streets of Solana Beach. The first impression walking into Studio 540 was the immaculate training area which included the main area of mats but also the side areas, staging area, and bathroom/showers. Eric and everyone who came in were extremely welcoming and made the session a great learning environment. The training was balanced with warmups, drills, and open rounds and had a good pace to keep bodies warm and flowing. I only wished I had more time to come by more often! Overall, Studio 540 is an exceptional gym for those looking to get into the sport of BJJ as well as for those who are a bit more advanced and looking to level up your game. Their facilities are extremely clean (they expect team members to wipe and sanitize the mats after each session) and well-maintained. Their footprint in the community has quite a reach and brings in folks from afar to come train so you may have the opportunity to meet a great group of people. If you're looking for a gym to call home or simply a visitor interested in keeping up to speed and in shape, give Studio 540 a look!

Amazing martial arts studio! The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and great with students of…read moreall ages. The environment is positive and encouraging, helping build confidence and discipline. Recommend for anyone looking to learn and grow!

I am a black belt who has been training with Master Joyner at USSD Encinitas for over 17 years. If…read moreyou think that suggests a biased review, let me explain. I have actually trained with USSD since 1998 and have experienced the style and discipline of 4 other instructors, including another Master instructor at another USSD studio in the last few weeks. I am a Physician by profession and can easily discern personal as well as professional skills and comportment. Master Joyner masters both. His group classes are rigorous....but karate is not meant to be easy. Considering he is a 5th degree black belt, with rare exceptions, Master Joyner is always the instructor in his group and private classes, very unusual in this industry. He also works really well with children of all ages. If you have any desire to do martial arts or to simply help your child with discipline and structure, I highly recommend this skilled and compassionate instructor at USDD Encinitas!

This place is horrible. I came here and did karate for 2 years until i was a purple belt and had to…read moreleave because it was terrible. My brother is a little sensitive, and Master Joyner hates kids who cry. For example, my brother forgot to bring a note to class, so he was stressed about it. He was given 50 pushups and leap-frogs, and was out of breath so naturally, he started crying. Master Joyner got so mad that he grabbed him by his HAIR and yelled at him. He also grabbed the back of his gi and shoved him into the closet, and there was another person even watching. he resumed saying to the other kid who was a white belt, "See, *name*, I'm not rude, this is just how I act, okay?" The kid nodded in shock and I was standing against the wall while he said this, and I was scared horribly when he did this because it is generally scary to have a teacher do this. My parents later emailed him and he said that he didn't do it!! he is a horrible liar and a bad person in general.

I have a black belt here and it is a great studio. The instructors teach you good techniques to…read moredefend yourself. They also teach you that you don't automatically fight someone until you have nowhere to run or go. Only fight when necessary

Amazing Team! 10/10 staff! My son joined for summer and we will definitely be bringing him back!…read moreRecommend for any parent looking to get their kids to grow and become more focused and disciplined.

I am amazed and thankful how our 7 year daughter has grown in skill and confidence in only 30 days!…read more Master Pattison knew exactly what to say and how to get her comfortable very quickly and worked with her through her initial unease. Thank you

We love CMA! My 4 yr son is so excited to go to class and asks every day if he can go. I really…read morelove that it's paid like a gym membership that he can use or not use as much as he wants. The patience of Master Pattison and all the teachers there is really amazing. My son can get very distracted and unfocused and the teachers gently bring him back and he is really learning respect, focus and self control. We are very glad to be a part of CMA

My daughters have done martial arts before at a different studio and took a hiatus for a few years…read morebefore telling me they wanted to do it again. We started back up here and I've been able to see my kids build their confidence, have fun, and become more disciplined than ever. I'd recommend this place to anyone who wants their kids to build confidence, discipline, and learn the power of self respect.

My son has been a student here as part of their "Little Dragons" since last October and has really…read morebeen thriving. Watching his confidence and ability grow has been fantastic. Kyoshi Manie and Sensei Summer are fantastic teachers and even better people. They have such great energy and are amazing with the kiddos. My younger son has been watching his brother and is so excited to finally join the dojo! Thanks for everything, we're excited to keep being a part of this school for years to come.

I've been attending Four Winds since 2021 and impressed with the vast knowledge the instructors…read morehave of samurai arts. I've attended other schools but have not found another that teaches real ancient Japanese arts or "koryu". If you want to learn the real thing and learn how to handle a sharp blade, this is the place to come.

Dojo of the Four Winds provides training you will not find elsewhere. I have now been studying…read moremartial arts for fifty years, and can honestly say I have never seen anything like the style taught here. If you are serious about becoming a better person and training deeply in martial arts, you should come and participate in a class as a guest. This is one of the best styles for protecting yourself and your loved ones because it is very discrete. Instructors here have the best interests of the students in mind always. There are no bloated egos and everyone is taught at the appropriate level. Unlike other styles I have studied, even minor injuries are exceedingly rare. There is a true spirit of self-improvement by both instructors and students. If you are a looking for martial arts training, no matter your level, you should stop by and see what Dojo of the Four Winds has to offer.

Our two kids (now 12 and 9) have been training at this gym for the past three years, and we…read morecouldn't be happier with the experience. The coaches do an incredible job creating a positive, supportive environment while still teaching discipline, hard work, and respect. Over the years, we've seen our kids gain confidence, improve their fitness, and develop resilience both inside and outside the gym. The coaches genuinely care about the kids and take the time to help each athlete grow at their own pace. The gym has become more than just a place to train--it's a community. We appreciate the positive role models, the emphasis on character, and the way the staff makes every child feel welcome. We highly recommend this gym to any family looking for a fun, challenging, and encouraging environment for their kids.

This place is very family welcoming, yet at the same time an excellent boxing, MMA and traditional…read moregym. There is something for everybody. Super motivating to be in there. Great energy and also my 15 yr old daughter loves it.