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.

Took the free first class today and absolutely loved it. Half the class was done before I even…read morerealized it. Came into it with zero experience in training or martial arts and it wasn't a problem at all. The instructor went over everything well and I was able to go at my own pace for the more complicated things. I signed up for three months right after class, but the three class punch card for $20 is a killer deal if you're still unsure after the free class.

My friend and I came to Krav Salem for a women's self defense class and we had a blast! I have…read morealways wanted to try a self-defense course and this class was exactly what I wanted. It was a densely-packed session that was very beginner friendly. I walked away with skills I could use right now, and I know what skills I can work on when I come back to get more skilled. There were plenty of instructors there to help so you got lots of feedback and attention -- which was a pleasant surprise at a big event! Try this place out if you're considering it: the instructors are engaging and helped me feel comfortable within the first 10 minutes of being there.

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!

Order: Crossfit Training/Workout with a side of burpees…read more Pros: this gives you a well rounded exercise for more calorie burning! I always leave feeling sore yet good at the same time! Overall, this is really good. The cost for a month is $180 or 45 per week, which equals $180 lol! Side note: when I checked in via yelp, I received a free set of 10 Burpees LMAO!!!!! Ima just save the ticket for later ha ha ha! Cons: n/a

Did a drop in. Great WOD and class size was perfect. Nice coaches that were helpful. $20 gets you…read morea t-shirt and a class I will be back.

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

I took a boxing women's boxing camp at this Keizer location and it was such a fun time with a great…read moresweat and I even learned a few things. So excited to hear that they are going to be in Keizer full time !!!!

From the owner: **Grand Opening Jan 3rd!** Reputable coaches teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Self Defense,…read moreKickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Judo, Kids self defense, kids Jiu Jitsu, and fight fit classes. Cardio and weightlifting equipment available, beginner and family friendly group classes, sparring, and pro-fight training.