The Ohana is strong at Hood's. The instruction is top notch. The students support each other and…read moretheir goals. Owner is in it for the right reasons, helping people be the best they can be!

From the owner: At Hood's MAA, we teach the effective self-defense system of Kajukenbo Tum Pai. Kajukenbo is a…read moreHawaiian-born mixed martial art (MAA) designed with street self-defense as its focus. Our art is a blend of KArate, JiUjitsu/JUdo, KENpo, and BOxing (Chinese and Western). Tum Pai (Central Way) represents the influence of Tai Chi in our art, the result of a desire to create a balanced art - utilizing both "hard" and "soft" techniques.

Love this facility and the owners for giving my son the chance to do Judo when times are tough for…read moreour family! They are extremely understanding and work with us with classes! They care about each and every student and take the time to teach them well!

I've been training here since December 2021 and the academy is top-notch! Extremely welcoming,…read moreperfect for beginners, and just awesome world-class instruction from Professor James. If you ever considered trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or just martial arts in general, look no further than SKBJJ. I believe they offer a few trial and there are classes 6 days a week.

1 What they offer 2 The experience…read more3 Who goes there 4 See the gym in action 5 Equipment 1. First off, the gym is named Zanshin. Zanshin is a MMA school. Within the walls of Zanshin is also the DaJoGen School of MMA and home of local fight team Chaos. The benefit of all three is a beautiful marriage of experience you'll find nowhere else. The following Martial Arts Styles are offered at Zanshin: Aikido Brazilian Jujitsu Jiu-Jitsu (Jujutsu/Jujitsu) Judo Karate Kick Boxing Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Muay Thai Boxing 2. As far as gyms go, this is by far the nicest MMA gym in the area. I dont know of any other gym with a spring board floor catered to MMA and fitness. The equipment is top notch with a variety of bags and cardio equipment. You can walk into this newer gym and work out side by side with world class athletes. The best part is, you dont have to be a world class athlete to train here! The ambiance here is like a big family in addition to being family friendly. As a beginner to the sport of MMA, i found the DaJoGen school of MMA to be a great way to condition myself for my triathlon season and i didnt feel like i was lost in the class. 3. ***WARNING!!! Its addicting and probably the best fitness training you'll get. At any given time, you can be training with people of all professions from active military soldiers and professional fighters there for specific training to college students and house wives there for fitness. The variety of attendees is a unique experience and great networking. 4.Here's a video tip DaJoGen puts out monthly on their Facebook account that gives a glimpse into the conditioning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGOwCHfbTaM&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL 5. As far as equipment you'll need, you can buy anything you dont already have at the gym. The bonus is the gym doesn't try to make any money off of you on product sales. They're genuinely there for the love of the sport. I would suggest 3 things: Boxing gloves Mouth guard Shin guards

The training here is just amazing. Top notch athletes and coaches!!read more

The ATA Black Belt Academy operating at this location is great. The owners are very friendly and…read moregreat with children. I started bringing my son in for Taekwondo lessons after Mrs. VP taught a lesson at my sons school. She also handed out free first month and uniform vouchers which was a great incentive to start. I drive about 30 min to bring my son twice a week and joined my son in the family Taekwondo classes. I thought I'd have to find a closer and cheaper martial arts school when we first started but I quickly found out that it was defiantly worth the investment for my sons future.

Karate for Kids is more than an activity, a private school, or a gym. They are a shining star of…read moreconsistency in an ever changing world. They do provide healthy activities for children and adults, but also examples of respect, discipline, and courtesy for everyone. During the shutdown they maintained an online schedule and as we all emerge they have practices in place to do so safely. They have ramped up their already thorough cleaning procedures, adjusted class sizes for extra distancing, and modified lessons reducing equipment use. They can monitor everyone who comes in and still provide high quality education. Having this opportunity gives students and parents a place to interact responsibly, and having the school open to go to gives me motivation to suit up and show up for my own benefit as well as to help other students.

Aloha Kickboxing is an awesome place to train--Coach Leroy brings the perfect mix of skill,…read moremotivation, and patience to every class. He really knows how to break things down so beginners feel comfortable, but he also pushes more experienced fighters to level up their technique and conditioning. The gym has a welcoming vibe, great energy, and a community that feels like family. If you're looking to get in shape, build confidence, and learn real kickboxing skills,

Aloha kickboxing has been amazing! Super patient trainer Leroy who takes his time to help you grow…read more He has a lot of knowledge in the disciplines he offers and is a tremendous teacher. 11/10 recommend for anyone no matter what the experience.

Impact coaches have no learning structure or idea what they are doing. With no plan, the…read moreinstructors ask what the kids want to learn and end up trying to teach "arm bar from half guard"... that's not a thing, and anyone who even allows such incompetence in instruction shouldn't be running a gym. Will not be going here to learn anything about jiu jitsu!

In 2007 and 2008 I used to attend Capitol City Cage Fights (CCCF) in Salem as a spectator, and then…read morelater as an announcer for a few fights, which featured mostly amateur MMA fights with the occasional pro fight. It soon became apparent from watching the fights and interacting my with the fighters during the CCCF bouts, the technical skills of the Impact fighters (from various Oregon Impact locations) were a standout amongst the other gyms that had fighters competing. Their averages for wins were above the rest. I also never observed an Impact fighter show up ill-prepared or overweight. Impact's professionalism and discipline was apparent; and their fighters were great ambassadors for their brand and the sport. I haven't kept up with the Oregon fight scene in a long time. A lot has happened over the years including the successful spreading of Impact gyms down from Portland to Sherwood, Newberg, Salem, and McMinnville. In 08 I became a dad & money/time became extremely tight as I sought other entrepreneurial ventures. I trained occasional with friends or my bro-in-law when I had a chance but never Impact. Years later around 2017, still a cop, I started at the Impact location in Salem training off-and-on always having phenomenal experiences. I would also train BJJ separately with some of my cop buddies. Fast fwd to today. I haven't trained with Impact in a couple of years (not Impact's fault), but I continued to train with weights and work on the heavy bag to keep up some level of grappling conditioning in view of Impact training sessions at the Courthouse gym they operated out of. I will say this about Nic Gilardi (Salem owner). He is dedicated to his coaches, students, and their betterment. I've seen how the children's, women's, Muay Thai, boxing, BJJ, and MMA specific classes are all run. What I have seen consists of good folks all working together to get better where egos are expected to be checked when one steps on the matts (read the signs they have posted). It's also worth noting Nic Gilardi (Salem Impact owner) has also devoted his own personal time to training law enforcement officers. For those that don't know, as a former 'defensive tactics' (title for law enforcement's version of martial arts, so to speak) instructor (which doesn't make me anything special by the way), when the public sees what they deem as excessive force, it's generally a result of a poorly trained cop who panics and use poor techniques when faced with a physical fight or resistance out of their comfort zone. Good training like what Nic offers for cops to take part in during their off time directly results in more cool-headed confident cops, who can more efficiently and safely take a resisting subject into custody, vital for the wellbeing of the public especially in the bipolar political environment that at times can be at odds with law enforcement. I digress.. but will say one more thing. Some people gripe about the price BJJ gyms, but I will say Nic is a self made guy who scrapped his way up to earn and continue to earn his BJJ black belt plus a few stripes while dealing with all the trials and tribulations of being a business owner including during COVID. Salem Impact continues to help people become better people. Current estimates are that only .0006 % of the world (maybe 50,0000 out 8.1 billion people) walk this earth that have a legit black belt in BJJ. His instructors have put more time into gaining their ranks than it takes to get a bachelor's degree, with a few who have more time in than it would take to get a PHD, with 3 black belts having been created in the under Nic. For those who don't know who are used to seeing 10+ black belts walking around in kata-based 'traditional' martial arts dojos, developing 3 BJJ practitioners (all of whom have humbled me on the mats in a way where no ego was involved that made me better) is a huge feat which contributes to the Salem-Keizer community as whole. Their presence quietly and humbling walking amongst us makes our community safer. The level of expertise offered is at bargain compared to other specialized trainings found in the professional or corporate world. Training in BJJ or any worthwhile martial arts that includes sparring made up of more than just katas (not talking trash on katas) makes better humans and is a great antidote to the Victim mentality that has become a cancer in today's society(my views do not necessarily reflect Impact:). It's import to note, I have no dog in the fight in regard to Impact. I have not talked to Nic in a couple of years. I also have nothing financially to gain by this post. Whether it's with Impact or somewhere else... Get your kids and yourself signed up. OSS!

Myself, my 75 year old father, and my 4 and 6 year old girls take lessons here with Mr. Alex Clark…read more It has been life changing. Dad was barely getting out of bed and now is out walking 3 miles and is recovering his more youthful self. My daughters have so much fun, have learned so many life skills, defense skills and how to just be good people. They love and respect Mr. Alex and Mr. Ryan. I myself can't get enough of the place..lol. I go as many days as I can. I have back, neck, and knee injuries I have been struggling with from the past and practicing Kempo with Mr Alex has done more for me than any physical therapist could. I was barely able to do a pushup when I started and now 9 months later can do 42 in a row! There is a real family feel to this Dojo. Not a big corporation. Love it!

Our son just started his first lessons at this studio. It is wonderful! The owner is very…read morepersonable, the cost is afforable and month to month. We looked at bigger karate studios that rope you into an expensive 6 month commitment, then nickel and dime you all the way. Our son loves these classes and for a small amount more per month, also gets a private lesson from the owner per week. He is not only building strength and self-confidence, but learning the art of karate. We recommend this studio to anyone. The kids have a great time too! Pam L.

My father received his first blackbelt through this company and decided to pursue his second degree…read moreblackbelt. So when he went back, he paid in advance $4680 to receive training. Before taking any classes, he was told by his oncologist (my father has cancer) he would not medically release him, and therefore he could not participate in any classes. My father called the owner numerous times explaining situation and never received a call back. When my father finally spoke to the owner, he refused to give him a refund, no exceptions! Seriously this place is shady and untrustworthy! Who takes that kind of money from a 78 year old man and refuses to give him a refund for services never used?! Especially for a customer who was diagnosed with bone cancer. Hope my father finally gets justice through small claims court because this is ridiculous!