Experienced and dedicated instructors teach traditional Shotokan karate at this dojo of Shotokan…read moreKarate of America. Dojo members have different backgrounds and skill levels, but all share an honest attitude, strong mentality, and a desire to learn and understand their martial art. I was looking for a new karate dojo in 2009 after moving to the U.S. and having taken a break from practice for several years. At this dojo I immediately found a new home, new friends, new motivation, and a journey that is continuing to this day. If you're thinking about trying karate or trying a new dojo, I highly recommend visiting San Diego Peninsula Shotokan Karate Dojo. You will not be disappointed.

Worthy of its stellar 5 star reputation, Shotokan Karate of America stands proudly thanks to its…read morefocus on tradition. Following the orthodoxy of their founder Tsutomu Ohshima Sensei, a direct disciple of Master Gichin Funakoshi, and now under Shihan John Teramoto, Shotokan Karate of America prioritizes the true essential teachings of karate-do as taught by Master Funakoshi; not introducing innovations but preserving his tradition. Continuing that historic legacy are some of their current incredible instructors: Erik, Gary, and Brian at the San Diego Peninsula Dojo. Shotokan Karate of America - San Diego Peninsula Dojo prioritizes the values at the heart of martial arts like discipline, tradition, strategy, and the internal spirit. It is a true art form. This place is worth your time, your money, and your dedication.

Our daughter (7 years old) has been training at this martial arts school for over a year now, and I…read morecan honestly say it has been one of the most meaningful experiences of her childhood so far. When we first enrolled her, it was simply to introduce a new form of exercise and help build her confidence. But what we discovered was so much more than just a class--it became a place where she grew, matured, and found something she truly loves. From the very beginning, I noticed how happy she was every time she stepped onto the mat. Watching her focus so intensely during class and seeing how proud she was of her progress made my heart full. Her confidence has grown in ways I never expected, and the joy she brings home--even practicing on her own--shows how deeply this has resonated with her. One of the things that stands out the most is the incredible consistency and structure the dojo maintains. The principal and the foundation of this dojo are grounded in expectations that are strict, but completely reasonable. Students are expected to come prepared, stay focused, practice, and give their best. And what's remarkable is how the instructors carry that same tone throughout every session--firm, supportive, and unwavering in their commitment to holding each student accountable. This level of structure has helped our daughter thrive, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Each Sensei is compassionate, attentive, and truly invested in each child. They all make sure each student receives equal attention, no matter their pace or personality. I love not only rooting for my own daughter but finding myself cheering for every child in the room. You can actually see them growing--not just in technique, but in kindness, courage, and respect for one another. What moves me the most is the culture Freestyle Martial Art has created. Yes, the kids compete with each other sometimes, but afterward they show such kindness and encouragement. They lift each other up. They celebrate each other's wins. They comfort each other's frustrations. That kind of environment isn't an accident--it's a direct reflection of the teaching, leadership, and values here. We are incredibly grateful for the impact this school has had on our daughter. Her confidence, her focus, her discipline, and her sense of pride have all blossomed because of this place. Watching her progress under such exceptional guidance has been a gift, and we look forward to seeing her continue to grow in this amazing community. If you're looking for a martial arts school that teaches more than just technique--one that shapes character, builds confidence, and creates a truly supportive culture--this is the place.

Great place for kids to learn martial arts. Mr. Miller is very patient with children. He teaches…read morekids to be respectful and to follow rules, but creates an environment that's fun for the kids. My son loves coming here!

If you're serious about learning real Jiu-Jitsu, Legacy San Diego is the place. This is a true…read moreJiu-Jitsu academy focused on skill, discipline, and community -- not ego. Professor Edson Jorge is a 24-year black belt, former MMA fighter, and a black belt under Draculino from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. He's not only a master of Jiu-Jitsu but also a master teacher -- humble, patient, and deeply dedicated to every student's growth. The atmosphere is tough yet welcoming. You'll have hard rolls, improve fast, and be surrounded by good people who treat you like family. I train here five nights a week, and it's been a game changer for my life. If you want to evolve on and off the mats, come to Legacy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Point Loma -- it's as legit as it gets.

I can't say enough about Legacy! It's a family run gym by Professor Edson, his daughter Mavi and…read moreher husband Brandon. They are amazing instructors for all ages. Mavi has a special gift with the kids and advocates for girls and women to gain confidence through disciple and self-defense. My daughter loves her. Brandon spends time with the new students one on one to get them some fundamentals before joining the class. As a beginner I can say Professor Edson is an amazing instructor and trainer. He sees your strengths and weaknesses, training accordingly. The energy is friendly and super positive. This is a special place, I hope you check it out!

The staff make all the difference. It's awesome that it's never too crowded and as a larger person…read morejust starting on a new health journey; I don't feel super judged, and def feel welcome by all the trainers. Started doing personal training with Natalie S. After one session I feel like a whole new person. She listened to my concerns and my goals and tailored a regimen to my specific needs. Love the Chill Zone - just wish it was included in the membership instead of $20 a session (you do get one free session per month which is nice). The infrared sauna is a great warm down! Grateful for this community and excited to try out more classes. Just wish there were more offerings, the classes I like are only offered once a week.

I chose this gym for the convenient location and easy parking. I'd never done a full walkthrough,…read moreso I popped in one afternoon and was genuinely impressed by the old-school vibe. It felt like a perfect match for someone who appreciates real gym culture over shiny boutique studios. But the longer I trained there, the more the cracks started showing--and they add up fast. The equipment is a mixed bag. The free weights feel satisfyingly heavy (old-world heavy, great for pumps), and I really loved the turf area--it's loaded with punching bags, sleds, aerial bands, kettlebells, Bosu balls, a vibration plate, and more. It's genuinely impressive... when it's not a zoo. People constantly cut across paths or leave equipment scattered everywhere. Lanes or some basic traffic management would make a huge difference. The machines, mostly older Techno Gym and Hoist units, are where things fall apart. Many have off motions, some are missing weight scales entirely so you can't even tell what you're lifting, and the abductor/adductor machine has a weirdly tilted seat that forces awkward positioning and incomplete reps. The locker room was a constant frustration. Way too small for the traffic, with tiny lockers that barely fit a gym bag--forget squeezing in shoes, a phone, or a hat. It's also uncomfortably hot with terrible ventilation, and the black toilets plus lack of any real vanity area made post-workout routines feel like a hassle. Same story with the abysmal shower water pressure. Nothing about the space felt luxurious despite the "low membership, high quality" marketing. The infrared sauna gets plenty hot but is clearly showing its age (the teak creaks like it's begging for maintenance). The cycle studio is actually awesome--super dark and built for intense rides--and the yoga studio with skylights and soft wood floors is cozy. The stretching room has a stretching cage and free percussion guns, but with only one cage and limited space, it quickly turns into a crowded mess. Two reformers are a nice touch, though. The recovery area has real potential: hot bath, cold plunge, red light panel, and Norma-Tec boots. But everything is pay-to-play after the first use (one free recovery session per month, $35 extra after that; InBody scans are $15 each). At my previous luxury club, these were included with your membership. They send a cute monthly newsletter highlighting employee of the month and new equipment, which is a nice touch, but it doesn't hide the feeling that the club is running on limited operating capital. Everything feels a little gimmicky and nickel-and-dimed. I really wanted to love this place for its old-school soul and solid turf setup, but at $199 per month, the headaches and lack of luxury simply aren't worth it. I'll miss the turf training the most, but I won't be renewing. Best avoided unless you're okay with paying premium prices for a dated experience.

Since my last review, things have changed. They now have a cleaning crew that keeps things clean…read more Also they are remodeling this location and have added and installed more equipment. The staff at this location are very knowledgeable and helpful. If you're interested in getting in shape and looking for a good place to workout, this is it. Also check out the classes they offer to members. See you on the floor

I was given a three-day pass and walked into what looked, on paper and on the tour, like it could…read morebe the one. 34,000 square feet across two levels. Turf. Sparring ring. Mat arena. Recovery area. Brand-new half-million-dollar renovation. The bones were impressive. Then I stayed long enough to actually use the place. The equipment is almost entirely Hoist. I cannot stand Hoist for serious lifting. The entire aesthetic is black-and-red themed, which I found nauseating after about ten minutes. I tried to force it. It never clicked. The locker room is the real tell. Tiny lockers. Clear shower doors. Bathroom stalls that looked dirty. Sinks with no paper towels. I had an accidental spill from one of my bottles and there was literally no way to clean it up. Meanwhile the main floor is stocked with spray bottles and paper towels for the machines. Hygiene and recovery get treated as secondary. Turf day was chaos. It was supposed to be open free space. Instead a class of roughly thirty people had taken it over and the staff didn't seem to know what was happening. The tire flipper was missing its inner weights. The turf itself is small enough that people were stacked and grouped on top of each other. Absolute bedlam. Upstairs the studio instructor was excellent--warm, noticed I was new, invited me in. That part felt right. The recovery room looks solid, but requiring a towel just to use the sauna is one more small friction that adds up when you're there six days a week. Everyone I met was friendly. The culture is warm and welcoming. People clearly love the place. That's why I kept second-guessing myself. But I am not looking for a themed environment that forgives operational gaps because the paint is fresh. I need order, elite free weights and machines, and a locker room that matches the standard of the training floor. Hygiene and renewal are not extras. They are central. This gym has the square footage and the new equipment, but the mismatched details--neglected bathrooms, missing pieces of equipment, uncontrolled open space, small frictions everywhere--turn what should feel like a high-level training center into a hodgepodge rec center with a nice renovation sticker on it. I wanted to love it. I didn't return after the tour. It just isn't my tribe.

We stumbled into this place for a birthday party. It is big, spacious, not corporate and I got a…read moregood vibe from the owner and instructors. This option works way better for us that Karate places 20+mins driving away in Point Loma with only 30 min classes for more money. I like the drop in structure. We signed up and can pick from 4 or so classes for my 7yr old. The class for the 4 yr old uses great story telling to teach poses. We are intrigued. Yes, the owner is a character, with certain ideas and proposals of how to do things. But he was very responsive, collaborative when we needed to negotiate and find a solution. In general, please dont CAP and rant. This does not make yelp reviews believalble and spoils the community vibes of yelp. If you are so angry, that you can only scream, take a karate class elsewhere for composure and come back with a calm, reflected review. I do check yelp to learn what people complain about. Yet this.:.

I attended a Women's Self-Defense Seminar at the Old Town location. The course was very informative…read moreand covered situational awareness and basic self- defense techniques. The three instructors were excellent. I highly recommend this course for women of all ages.

It just doesn't get better. I don't think I have ever looked forward to something more than my…read moredaily training session at 8Tribe. The instruction is strict, precise and quality. This is authentic world class Muay Thai right here in the United States and I give my highest recommendation.

Ronnie is the real deal! I started training in Thailand with legendary Thai fighters, so the bar…read morewas set pretty high even though I'm still a beginner just looking to stay fit and have fun. Ronnie quickly met and surpassed my expectations. He's got a watchful eye and offers personalized technical corrections that are easy to understand and implement. Each class is challenging and different so my body and brain don't get bored. The small group of men and women are welcoming, down to earth and work their asses off. Classes are held at Self Made Training Facility and it's solid - free parking lot, clean equipment, showers and only open to people with trainers, so it's never over-crowded. So happy to have found this gem and highly recommend Ronnie to anyone looking for authentic Muay Thai training.