I've been coming to Osagame for BJJ training for about a year and half. From day one I found it to…read morebe a very welcoming environment--both from the instructors and fellow students. The instructors explain everything well and put a strong focus on making sure you learn the fundamentals (as well as more advanced techniques). BJJ training is difficult, but Osagame is an environment where everyone helps each other learn in a safe manner. Also, unlike many other other gyms, Osagame does not try to lock you into a months-long contract. You get 30 days free and then pay month-to-month with no contract after that.

My son has been coming to Osagame nearly weekly for martial arts training for six years, and I've…read moretrained on and off as well. I can't say enough good things about Osagame. The coaches are knowledgeable, personable, and protective of the students. I can't imagine our weekly routine without this gem.

I've been training here for about a month now and couldn't be happier. Coach is knowledgeable and…read moreinsightful and gives clear instruction. It's a great workout and a great martial art/combat sport.

I was in Philly for a couple weeks on a work trip and needed a place to train. I stopped in to the…read moregym and was pleasantly surprised. Coach John and his staff are very professional and friendly. The rest of the class was very welcoming. I highly recommend this gym!

This is one of the best Brazilian Jiujitsu in the north east. The owners are some of the highest…read moreranked black belts around. The rest of the instructors are very skilled and great teachers. This place is great for all levels of jiujitsu. You will feel safe and welcome to the balance family.

Balance studios is a wonderfully inclusive environment. My whole family has trained for 15+ years…read moreat their various locations and have ALWAYS felt welcomed. The confidence we have received from training with balance is priceless! The instructors are professional, world class athletes that train all levels with courtesy and consideration. The best in the city in my opinion!! Try a class and make your own decision, you will not regret it!

Avoid at all costs and sign nothing that comes from EFC. My kid didn't go here, but to Joe's…read moreprevious location. Once he's outed as a fraud and grifter, he packs up, changes business name, and moves. My story with this clown began normal enough. I had a special needs kid that showed an interest. Everything was cool for a few weeks. It went from Joe being there in person to being "on vacation" for weeks at a time. The instructors were a mix of people who were skilled and competent to men I don't really want around my kid. And eventually there was one instructor for almost 20 kids. My kid was yelled at multiple times because he wasn't doing what he was supposed to. However, he didn't receive ANY instruction. He was just being berated because Joe can't bothered to staff his supposed gym. Then comes the separation issue. We withdrew our kid because he wasn't literally not receiving instruction. I kept time on my phone. The final day it was 37 minutes without any direction. I tried contacting Joe multiple times about how unsatisfied I was with the unprofessional behavior. After notifying Joe we were done he threatened us with breach of contract. That's right. As soon as the money starts drying up he's Mr. Responsive. He even threatened my credit score. I received tons of emails from EFC, his hatchetman, to pay up or face consequences. Well, turns out Joe can't keep records, like most absentee business owners. He couldn't produce a signed contract, because I didn't sign one despite his insistence. He constantly needed more time to find it. And kept initiating charges on my credit card until I reported it as fraud. He eventually produced a document signed by someone other than me hoping to bully me into paying. I reported EFC as fraud to my credit card and my lawyer had to send Joe a strongly worded email to cut his fraud act out. He backed off eventually, and moved shortly thereafter. If I didn't have access to a lawyer, I would've been on the hook for hundreds of dollars, if not more. To Joe: you're a fraud. You prey upon people to sustain your lifestyle. You provide no real service or value. I think the term for that is parasite. I still have screenshots of all your texts where you threatened me with financial harm. Before you reply, my lawyer hates...what was it that he called people like you..."scum bags." Yea, scum bags. And he's up for another run at you and EFC. Get a real job. You're both a has been. You're a never were.

The quality of the classes is good, but I docked serious stars for the lack of clarity about…read morepricing. The classes are more than the earlier review that said it was $129, and they are not unlimited at that price point, anymore. The price listed in the contract omits at least $150 in mandatory exam fees-you even get charged to find out what material is covered by these exams. These hidden fees left me with a bad feeling and I asked to be released from the contract within the cancellation period listed on the contract. The owner was extremely belligerent and threatening. He outright refused to honor the terms of his own contract. Despite the lack of professionalism, the quality of the instruction is good. So, my advice is to ask about the exam fees, registration, class fees, required gear, and the costs of exam materials.. Take a good look at the schedule (there is only one class per discipline per day).

I found this gym on Reddit and it was well worth it. They are the only Jiu Jitsu dojo in the Philly…read morearea to do free open mats frequently and you can have the first week free. The first Friday of the month is also a time to drop in for free. I looked for so many dojos in Philly and this one was very welcoming. It's truly beautiful inside. Super clean. 2 showered. Many changing rooms. So much clothes and merch you can buy. Clean mats and nice people. It's right off the train about a block off the L. It's in a good neighborhood :) come through! I come for free often as a student who can't yet afford to pay for training. So this place helps me keep my bjj learning continuing for free. I love it here!

Josh and Angie Vogel are experienced jiu jitsu teachers, practitioners, and business owners. JJC is…read morea professionally run school that prides itself on quality instruction and a drama-free training environment. This is a particularly great space for women to train while feeling safe, seen, and 100% supported in their growth. Josh and Angie have a unique and effective teaching style, in which they spend a substantial amount of time dedicated to a theme and are very involved with providing individualized feedback to all students, regardless of rank. This works particularly well for my knowledge retention and ability to truly grasp a concept. The amenities and space (showers, towels, gorgeous natural light, plants, balcony, community area) are nice bonuses, though I would train in a pit in the ground if that's where the Vogel's were!

Dropped in for a Saturday BJJ open mat. Very welcoming group of great people. Awesome spot to train!read more

Incredible establishment. The staff is welcoming and super helpful. Very clean. All the coaches are…read moreknowledgeable and humble. Teammates are awesome.

I've been going to Fitness Works for just over a month, and wanted to give it some time before…read morewriting a review. I have never liked going to gyms, and have spent the last few years working out at barre studios. After moving to Philly, the barre scene just wasn't cutting it, because I now work from home and need a lot more activity to make up for that. I found FW through ClassPass, and am so glad! They have a nice variety of cardio and strength classes that fit right into my schedule. Both the instructors and the class attendees have been very warm and welcoming. I mention this because some reviewers mention it feeling like a clique. Although I do see that a lot of people know each other and socialize there, no one has ever ignored me or made me feel like an outsider. Also, the front desk staff has been very friendly and helpful-both when I was visiting through ClassPass and once I joined. When I needed help finding the spin studio and the boxing room, they were eager to lead me there. I've taken spinning, zumba, boxing, trampolines & kettlebells, step aerobics, water aerobics, and yoga. A great value!

Hello, I have been a member of this gym for over 20 years…read more Many times, I have told people EVERYWHERE that this is the best gym in the world because of it's variety and amount of equipment and space. I have left reviews on the internet to this effect. I would like to continue this sentiment, but I just cannot anymore. I recently took a long break from the gym after renewing my membership (I think in September or November of 2025). The main reason is the music played on the PA system. It is HORRIBLE and WAY TOO LOUD. It is like a bad nightclub with crappy inappropriate music that serves more to distract and drain energy. It is so loud that I can't even bring headphones and enjoy my own music without turning them up so loud I nearly go deaf to drown out the terribly loud crap music in this gym. Not everyone that works out in a gym wants nightclub type "thump thump" or crappy pop music. SOME PEOPLE WANT NO MUSIC AT ALL SO THEY CAN CONCENTRATE AND BE IN THEIR OWN THOUGHTS. It also causes people's conversations to be overly loud and obnoxious. The TYPE of music in this gym is disgusting and in poor taste. The volume is so bad that people wearing headphones complain that it is too loud. I have seen people who graduate from ear buds to noise resistant "can" type headphones in this gym just to drown out the music in this gym. I have voiced my distaste and annoyance about this to the staff and owners many times and I seem to be disregarded, which I find HIGHLY DISRESPECTFUL for someone who has been paying for year-long memberships for over 20 years. I have become so desperate I even offered to pay for the Sirius XM membership if you would just shut it off and you laughed at me WHEN I WAS DEADLY SERIOUS. This is how bad it is. Not a single person there wants to hear this music and especially at this volume. IF I WANTED A NIGHT CLUB, I WOULD GO TO A NIGHT CLUB. IF I WANTED AEROBICS MUSIC FOR A DANCE CLASS I WOULD GO TO AN AEROBICS DANCE CLASS. I COME TO THIS GYM TO LIFT WEIGHTS/WORKOUT, NOT DANCE AROUND LIKE AN IDIOT! It just tells me that you don't care about your customers/members and disregard anything they desire. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, READ THE DAMNED ROOM! EVERYONE IN THAT GYM IS WEARING HEADPHONES. EVEN THE CLEANING CREW WEARS HEADPHONES! READ THE ROOM! TURN OFF THE DAMNED MUSIC! Clearly this is impossible for you to understand and don't care. I live next door to this gym, but I will seriously pay more or walk many blocks to go to a gym that listens to their customers and doesn't force feed them crappy clubby teenage shit-pop music when everyone is wearing headphones trying to avoid it. READ THE DAMNED ROOM!!!

We were traveling though and decided to stop here for a class. The instructor Mike Shorty was…read moreawesome. The techniques he taught were articulated very well. He and everyone else at the gym were very welcoming and even gave us tips on what we should do while in town. This is a great gym and if you're looking for a good place to learn jiu jitsu, I recommend you stop by and try a class.

Shorty's BJJ has been an amazing experience. We tried out at least 3 different gyms in the area…read morebefore joining this gym. It was BY FAR the best gym we have ever joined. It has a community feel to it, and it's not uncommon for us to grab a beer with the students and instructors. Mike has been wonderful from the start to end. He cares about all his students and has a phenomenal understanding of BJJ. Brittany has taught us a lot from a woman's perspective(woman's class on Sunday is ) This gym is NOT a bunch of agro dudes out to rip off each other's head, but this gym DOES have talented hard working competitors and practitioners. If competing is not your thing it's also just fun to learn BJJ as a workout and make friends. We are moving and not looking forward to find another gym and will be coming back to visit when we can.

Action Karate - South Philadelphia is awesome. The owner, Mr. Fernandez, is one of those lucky few…read morethat loves what he does and does what he loves and it shows. He brings an unbelievable energy to each class and the kids feed off of his enthusiasm. Mr. Fernandez takes a genuine interest in every kids development and takes the time to help each kid without losing focus on the enrich class. 10 out of 10. Would definitely recommend.

From the owner: Welcome to Action Karate South Philadelphia, our premier Martial Arts school situated in the heart…read moreof South Philadelphia. Our mission is to empower both kids and adults through the transformative art of karate. At Action Karate South Philadelphia, we offer programs designed to provide a perfect respite from screens, focusing on promoting fitness and overall well-being. Our commitment is to challenge students not only physically but also mentally, cultivating discipline, focus, and improved attention spans through specialized training. You can rest assured that our top-notch instruction will leave you feeling healthy, safe, and confident in the real world. Embark on a family-friendly martial arts journey suitable for all ages, including kids and adults. Our expertise spans a wide range of disciplines, including MMA, BJJ, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Judo. Proudly serving the vibrant communities of Passyunk Square, Lower Moyamensing, Whitman, and Newbold, Action Karate South Philadelphia is the go-to destination for martial arts enthusiasts. Unleash your full potential with Action Karate South Philadelphia, the foremost martial arts school in the region. Embrace this empowering adventure and join us today for the best martial arts experience in South Philadelphia. Explore our diverse programs, including karate classes in South Philadelphia, and take the first step towards a healthier, more confident you.