AK Martial Arts & Fitness has been a lifesaver and we could not be happier to have found them. My…read moreson not only trains there but he is a part of the After School Program. The program is so much more than I ever expected. The kids do homework, computer lab, crafts, agility, and martial arts training. The staff, the owners, and the instructors are amazing. My son is in the best hands when he is there and has learned so much more than martial arts. He has learned discipline, respect, self-defense, a new language, and life skills. I know that he loves it as he wants to train and be there all the time. We are so happy to be part of the community that they have built there.

Highly recommend AK as it has been such a huge hit with my…read more5 year old who has never done martial arts before. He looks forward to his weekly classes with Master Estes who has done so much for his & his friends' confidence. Master E makes each class fly by with a variety of engaging activities & makes the kids laugh throughout, while ensuring they're using proper form & focusing on each new skill learned. My son always comes home to show me a new sequence or kick/ hit move (and he's actually impactful doing them!). We want to offer sincere gratitude for this company because they also went above & beyond to create a safe space in accommodating our families that have higher needs for health mitigations - Master E created a private class for our kids to support them & we feel so lucky to have found him + AK.

North County Martial Arts has been such a wonderful experience for both my daughter and me. We…read moreoriginally joined for the after-school program, and it has become so much more than just a place for her to go after school. The after-school program has been fantastic. The staff genuinely care about the kids and create an environment where they feel supported, encouraged, and excited to be there. My daughter has gained so much confidence, discipline, and independence through her time at NCMA. We also participate in the EMA (Evening Martial Arts) program, which has been an amazing addition to our experience. It's something we can do together while learning martial arts, building confidence, and staying active. I really appreciate that NCMA makes martial arts enjoyable for both kids and parents, while still emphasizing discipline, respect, and personal growth. The instructors are attentive, encouraging, and genuinely invested in their students. You can tell that NCMA is about much more than teaching martial arts. They're helping build character and creating a strong sense of community. If you're looking for an after-school program or a martial arts school in Carlsbad, I highly recommend North County Martial Arts. The combination of the after-school program and EMA has been a great experience for our family, and we're very grateful to be part of the NCMA family!

A Truly Exceptional Martial Arts Community at NCMA…read more NCMA has been an incredible place for our family, and we are so grateful to be part of this karate community. The studio shares the same facility as Carlsbad's Best, but the martial arts program deserves its own special praise. My oldest is now a black belt, and watching that journey has been amazing. My youngest and I are working through the color belt ranks together, and training side by side has been one of the best experiences we've had as a family. I love that karate is a lifelong sport. There is always more to learn, and the community here makes you want to keep growing. The coaches are outstanding teachers. They know how to push students in a positive way and bring out their best. Their approach helps build discipline, self-respect, and real confidence, not just in class but in everyday life. One of the things that stands out most is the black belt community. Every black belt student I've met here seems wise beyond their years. They know how to communicate with adults, support younger students, and speak comfortably in front of groups. It's a level of maturity that is rare to see, and it reflects the quality of instruction at NCMA. If you are looking for a place to train, learn, and become part of a strong, supportive community, NCMA is truly something special.

If your considering martial arts and aren't sure which style to choose I highly recommend checking…read moreout Swiftkick Martial Arts. What's cool about this place is that you will be learning practical martial arts that work in real life situations. Here you will be learning kickboxing, boxing, and grappling. The coaches are all extremely knowledgeable in MMA and are excellent with children. My daughter's progress over the past year has been nothing short of amazing. I'm no longer worried about her being able to take care of herself with rough groups of kids at school or at local parks. Now she can more than take care of herself and its nice not to have to worry. I attend the adults classes and look forward to each and every class. This gym really has a no ego attitude and all of the employees are friendly and welcoming. Please do yourself a favor and give it a try.

I'm so happy we found this place. We had tried other karate studios but they all seemed overly…read morecrowded and my son looked lost. Thankfully we found Swiftkick. They have amazing coaches, staff and they even have older kids from other classes help coach the younger kids. It's almost like getting a private lesson every time because they truly make sure each child has undivided attention. We've been here for almost a year now and they always find ways to keep it new and interesting for the kids. They also teach valuable life lessons.

Our daughter has been attending Bushikan Karate Dojo for the past three years, and we couldn't be…read morehappier. Sensei Chrisan and Sensei Franco are exceptional--knowledgeable, patient, supportive, and genuinely invested in every student. They teach far more than karate, helping the kids develop confidence, discipline, focus, and respect in a positive and encouraging environment. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Bushikan and recommend it wholeheartedly!

I can't speak positively enough about our experience with Bushikan. Both of my children (3 and 6)…read moreour current student students, and we have been coming here for several years. Coming to classes, one of the highlights of my kids week and we love the effect that being members of the dojo has had on our children. We see improvements in their focus, their manners, and their agility. Perhaps what's more important though is they both genuinely enjoy it and have a fantastic friend group there. Sensei Chrisan is fantastic with kids.

This truly is an amazing place. I love training here. The instructors are incredible and always…read moreencouraging. Highly recommend.

My son has been taking karate classes at San Elijo Martial Arts since he was 4 1/2. He is now TEN!…read moreWe both love the studio and he loves his instructors. He has learned so much in all those years. The discipline and instruction are simply the best. My son had a hard time staying focused and staying put but now is doing much better. The studio also offers sparring and weapons once you join the black belt club! Kyosanim Salgado and Sensei Emerys are very patient with all the kids. They make you feel like family! You won't regret it for your kiddos!

MAI has been our family, our community, and our support network for the past four years. We spend…read moreseveral days a week at the dojo, so it's natural everyone there has become a big part of our lives. Along with martial arts, this organization is also training my kids to be well-adjusted, balanced, kind, loyal, respectful, responsible human beings. These are qualities that will last them a lifetime. My son started out as a hesitant 5 year old and quickly gained a sense of belonging, pride, determination, and respect for himself, the program, and the people in his life. Looking up to her brother, my oldest daughter then began the program two years later at age 4. (I will also be putting my other two daughters into the program when they are old enough.) We started out the program gradually on a month-to-month basis to make sure my son stuck with it. After a year, we knew we were definitely in it for the long term. Both of my kids entered the Black Belt Club, which is a program where students commit to seeing their training through to the black belt level. My kids also joined the tournament team, which is a blast! This gives them an additional day of training each week in preparation for regional tournaments. It has been thrilling to not only see my children progress, but also expose them to an extended martial arts community where they can observe the other dojos compete and further challenge themselves in their own training. The senseis at the dojo are amazing. They are firm and motivating, encouraging the kids at all times to do their very best. They foster an atmosphere of positivity and good sportsmanship. They recently started a monthly Dojo Champ program to honor exceptional students--both in and out of the dojo. Many of the older kids, as part of their advanced training, also help teach the classes. They are like big brothers and sisters to the kids--someone for them to look up to and aspire to. Covid times were rough for us, and we held back on group classes for a few months (I am at a greater risk, being pregnant), but Sensei LoBell worked with us to get the kids in for private lessons in lieu of group classes. Since the kids have been back at school five days a week, we resumed our regular schedule at the dojo. They literally have not been happier, and simply can't get enough! Even on non-karate days they are asking to go to the dojo. It is so wonderful for them to be with friends again in a safe environment. The program has been worth every penny we have invested in it; we have gotten so much more out of it than we had ever expected or imagined. While other sports we tried (soccer, baseball, etc.) quickly fell by the wayside, karate has remained a constant in my kids' lives. It's a lifestyle, and it is our community and family. I couldn't be more thrilled with the program, the dojo, and the people at MAI.

Finally over this place. This is an update review. It WAS a great place. I used to work at martial…read morearts international but had to leave because they could not get over their shady business practices. All the reviews are true both positive and negative. The quality and content of what kids are learning is great, but it was used as a justification for uncalled for actions. The martial arts training was fun and exciting for both students and instructors that care for bringing martial arts to families. However, when the owner has a "I don't care what's being taught as long as my margins are good mentality" you run into the issues most people have and express here on yelp. All the instructors and assistant instructors left at the peak of good training, some to go on and train elsewhere. This should be a red flag in itself. Martial Arts international WAS a good dojo to train but it is not what it once was. It was ran into ground over the years because of the young entrepreneur mindset of cutting corners and bad deals. Then the answer to continue in the business was to figure out how to lie, find ways to cheat employees and clients to get better profit margins. Go to the trial class, hear the used car salesman pitches and vibes. Glance over the small print in the contracts. Look at the owners new Porsche but also couches the parents sit on that are falling apart. They are nice and great at first but when they get comfortable with you the true colors show. That's why everyone that knows them eventually leaves.

Great studio Kind and organized leadership…read moreSolid instruction Pricey though, I wish classes were longer so that we would get more bang for our buck or that you didn't have to pay so much (for your kiddos to level up. (However, I feel like a lot of karate places charge too much, I need a Mr. Miyagi studio)

Our son is really enjoying his Karate class here! His Sensi Michelle has a wonderful way with the…read morechildren! I am so grateful we found this place.

My child attends American Kenpo, jiu-jitsu, and weapons classes at Key Martial Arts, and it has…read morebeen a great experience. Sensei has a teaching style that I really appreciate. He is straightforward with the kids and doesn't sugarcoat things. He teaches them that the real world isn't always easy and gives them the confidence, discipline, and skills to handle themselves when faced with difficult situations. He expects his students to put in the effort and holds them accountable, but you can also see how much he cares about them and their progress. The student assistants are wonderful as well and are always there to help and encourage the kids. This isn't a place where kids are simply handed praise for showing up--they're encouraged to work, learn, improve, and earn their accomplishments. I've seen a lot of growth in my child and am very happy we chose Key Martial Arts.

Sensei is a wonderful amazing teacher mentor and man. My grandson appreciated his words of wisdom…read moreand encouragement with jujitsu. It's more than a class it's a message from the heart and soul and it hits home with him of meeting challenges and working through tough situations. Tapping out is fine and winning is never giving up. Great life lesson. Highly recommend this martial arts location for young boys girls Laureen

Good Training with a lot of one on one experience…read more I was in Carlsbad for a reunion with a Daughter and her family and Friday Night was Tang Soo Do Practice with the Grandson who was just a couple days shy of 10. Not being familiar with Martial Arts much less the individual styles, I asked if I could tag along and watch the class. I was impressed. At first it was a normal rambunctious group of school kids that under normal conditions would have been next to impossible to control. Not here. As soon as the class started, everyone settled down and obeyed every command and order. The kids followed readily and with enthusiasm. I've been to many places where the kids go through the motion to make Mom happy and this is true of many youth sports. Not the case here. The kids were eager to learn and pushed themselves to do their best and improve. Zayden, the 10 year old blond Grandson and his friend Dylan worked hard at in this practice but you could see it was something the really enjoyed. The Master did a great job motivating this diverse group of kids and I commend them for a job well done.

My 2 kids train at West Coast Dragons. They are motivated abd eager to attend their training…read moresessions. Master Osai, Shakira, and Aida keep their students focused and disciplined.

This dojo is awesome! Master Waterbury is not only a fantastic instructor, he's also a wonderful…read moreperson. His classes are clear, concise and well thought-out. The culture in his school is very welcoming and there is no ego or posturing that you sometimes encounter at other martial arts schools. I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking to train and grow as an individual. Perfect for kids AND adults. He also offers a lot of cool classes like fitness or self defense workshops for the community. Top notch!

We adore ZUltimate self-defense! The private lessons are absolutely fabulous! The instructors are…read moreknowledgeable and ready to help you train on any given day! Thank you to the instructors for a fabulous experience!