Been training at PKG for almost two years now. The coaches Rod Malek and Stephanie Ruiz helped transform me from a total beginner to an advanced Muay Thai fighter. The greatest strengths of PKG are the community, culture, and coaching staff. I have made true friendships at PKG, it's more than just training. There's a very strong sense of family in the gym. The staff and coaches do a great job creating a culture of strength, humility, and most importantly: fun. The coaches are PKG's greatest strength. Their high expertise and kindness allows them to develop fighters from every level of skill. They know how to help complete beginners and highly advanced fighters. I love this gym with my whole heart. Daniel Fenex. read more

PKG Martial Arts Academy - Me (yellow) training - Kickboxing Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Even after reading negative reviews - I made a mistake and I joined this jiu-jitsu studio over the summer. This studio has plenty of complaints all over their yelp about horrible billing practices, not offering make-up classes (when out of town), etc. But because it is so close to where we live, I decided to give it a try. When I signed up, I was explicitly told that the membership was month-to-month and that I could cancel at any time. When summer break ended, I called to suspend my membership, but it was very difficult to reach anyone. I called the studio multiple times and left several messages with no response, which made the cancellation process unnecessarily frustrating. Eventually, I reached someone, but I was told that the next month had already been charged and that I would not receive a refund. They agreed to cancel the membership going forward. However, when the following month came, I was charged again. I went into the studio to resolve the issue and was told they use a third-party billing company and that they "have no control" over billing, and that I would need to contact the billing company myself. The staff was unhelpful and took no responsibility for resolving the problem. Based on my experience, this studio seems far more focused on collecting payments than on customer service or student satisfaction. If you're considering joining, I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere and being very cautious about their billing practices. read more

I tried this place out for a short while and had a terrible experience with one of the instructors that I won't go into. There are so many better options out there in my opinion. read more

Ignored requests to cancel membership and continued to charge me. They also refused to disclose their rates online or over the phone when first starting, and when cancelling stated there is a cancellation fee but refused to disclose that as well when asked. Extremely scummy business practices overall read more

I really wanted to like this place, along with my daughter's coach, coach Stephanie. I wish I could rate this facility and staff no stars. I'm extremely disappointed by their lack of professionalism and communication skills, and truly wish I would have done some research based off the reviews. I did not realize how old and outdated these reviews are. I enrolled my daughter in late September and communicated with her coach that I cannot commit to a 12 month program as my daughter was 4 at the time, and will most likely be transitioning to kindergarten that is outside of Westwood. And also, because my daughter is 4, I wasn't certain if she would even enjoy a grappling class. I also chose this martial arts studio as it is only 2 blocks up from my daughters school, and class time for children her age started at 4:15 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Well, after I shared this information, Stephanie assured me that it would not be an issue in the event we choose to no longer attend due to any type of unforeseen circumstances. She claimed that although I signed a contract stating that I am committing to 12 months, the contract can always be adjusted and this is also the reason why I was on a monthly installment plan. She also mentioned that if we did decide to commit to a 12 year contract, she would credit back the downpayment to align with my payments had i transitioned from the monthly installment plan. My daughter definitely enjoyed her time here and even made a couple new friends. However, on Feb 10, 2023, Coach Stephanie announced through text, that there had been a schedule change, and class for my daughter would start at 3:30 pm. I considered it, but realized that pulling her out of school 2.5 hours early is senseless as she attends private school which costs 25k a year !! This gym does not allow any other availability of classes on different days, or time, which led me to my decision of ultimately canceling my daughters membership. I also want to mention, that they do not prorate the cost of your membership for holidays, such as Thanksgiving, or when class is canceled due to the coach being sick. They also take weeks off for Winter break, which is not a problem, but they will still charge you the full monthly installment of $159 a month. And also, because there is only two days a week of training, with one time slot of 4:15 pm, which is now 3:30 pm, you also cannot make up any classes you miss, but will most definitely be charged. When I asked the Coach about the holiday credit, she explained that it would be credited at the end of the 12 month contract!! That makes absolutely no sense. Why would they not just roll it over to the next month ?? This is a clear indication of a greedy business owner who clearly does not care about his clients, and i'm absolutely appalled by the email that I received when I was trying to terminate the contract and asked if my daughter can just finish up the month as there are only 2 more days left in the month!! Also, I feel the need to note that Coach Stephanie on several occasions made comments stating that "I'm not a mom to my daughter". I think she was trying to imply that gentle parenting is not effective ? Idk but she should just focus on her job assignment instead of sharing unsolicited personal opinions. The irony of a woman who IS NOT a parent trying to give some backhanded ass comment to a full time mom. I would always laugh it off as I presume her assumption of me is due to scarcity of education and class. Anyways, I'm attaching the email exchange between me and whomever it is that I needed to get in touch with to terminate the contract. I reached out and asked if my daughter could finish the month and I received no response after my last email. This place is terribly managed, and I would suggest to not overlook the negative reviews under this business as they all apply to billing. read more

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I am so lucky to have found PKG to begin my MMA journey. This gym operates like a family, they care about their students and breed that culture amongst them. Coach Stephanie and Johnny are not only amazing martial artists, but human beings. They put everything into each class and don't want their students to just break a sweat, they want them to progress and become formidable MMA practitioners. If I could give 10 stars I would. I feel blessed to be apart of this gym. Thanks coaches for making PKG so special! read more

Have been a part of the PKG family for the past couple of years. This gym feels like a family in every aspect. The people and coaches are super nice, welcoming and are eager to teach you the right technique. Especially Rod. Having an active fighter and a future superstar as a coach is very motivating and he always pushed u to be better everyday. read more

I've gone to this place for a year, from June 2020 to June 2021. T-bone and some other guys are great, and the BJJ staff chill. This is not a Muay Thai or boxing program, but a Dutch kickboxing from Bas Rutten and a few other guys. A word of caution, the vibes are a little weird if you are (East) Asian, I do not know why. The biggest problem is that there is no sparring. If you want to bonk your buddies on the head, you will have to pay another couple of hundred dollars, to come in at a specific time on Friday. One of my friends, Nathan, got beaten up on a beach in Santa Monica. He wanted to prepare for a rematch with the assailant, but was not allowed to practice at PKG. Perhaps they do not want to deal with people training freely on their mats. The second biggest problem is a lack of transparency regarding scheduling and events. The coaches are good, and they do push you hard toward what each individual needs. Mike is an energetic coach, and Steph is quite friendly. You will get a decent conditioning, albeit without sparring and creativity. What I mean by a lack of creativity is that you are not allowed to come to the mats to practice hours outside of class, you are forced to drill the same combinations for months when you could learn them in a week or two, or even a couple of hours, doing nothing but those same combinations over and over again, and you can only practice on the heavy bags for a short period after classes. This is good in a certain way. You will develop a solid fundamental skillset and excellent muscle memory. read more

I literally just walked out the doors of this establishment. I entered as an interested polite guest and I was shocked, SHOCKED at the disrespectful, confrontational and down right argumentative treatment that I received. I grew up in this neighborhood and I would tell everyone to avoid this place. It is absolutely shameful for anybody to be treated in such a disgraceful way. It so unfortunate to see such lack of professionalism and politeness, especially from a martial arts academy. I read Jackson's review below and I believe him 100% and believe things are worse. read more

I was initially very excited to join this academy, not only because of the great reviews and reputation, but also because of its facilities and proximity to my work. Unfortunately, I was basically driven away by Jonathan. I had met with Jonathan a few months ago, and at the time financial issues had kept me from signing up. Today, I went back for another meeting (I was just asking for rates, but they said I had to come in) which I guess was a chance for Jonathan to SNEER at me. He asked me why I suddenly wanted to join again after all this time, and I said well, financial reasons. He responds: "it's not financial. Any bum on the street can afford $200." Wow, I really don't enjoy being called less than a bum, but OK. He also said "the reasons are financial, and you're living in Los Angeles?!" with a skeptical look on his face. Last week I had to cancel because I had to escape a dangerous roommate situation (physical threats and verbal abuse, but that's another story). I apologized to Jonathan for having to cancel, and he said no worries, but apparently he was still salty because he brought it up again saying "we arranged for last week and you didn't show up". If you want to come to a place where you get insulted for your lack of finances (and your choice of city), as well as to deal with coaches who bear grudges because of your life outside of the academy, this is perfect. Otherwise, I would give a hard pass. read more

This is a really special place and one of the many reasons behind that is the top-notch coaching staff. In addition to being great people, they're incredibly invested in your success and overall growth as a person. I joined this past November for the kickboxing program (Bang Muay Thai) and had no idea the changes that would occur beyond the fact that you do get pretty shredded if you show up and put in the work. What surprised me were the changes to my thinking and to how drastically my stress-level has been reduced as a result of their A+ curriculum. When they say martial arts helps build confidence, I was under the impression it's solely because you learn how to defend yourself. I didn't realize how it builds that confidence in every aspect of life. I truly look forward to each class as it provides me an INCREDIBLY fun, supportive and super positive environment to go to every day. Because of the coaches attitude and investment in each and every one of us, it trickles down to the students that attend as I've made some great friends and am a part of a tremendous community of like-minded folks. The gym has a lot of fun social events as well that I'd highly recommend as the cherry on top. You'll know what I mean once you walk thru the doors and feel the undeniable energy and pulse- there's nothing intimidating about the facility as, once again, this is a very special place in which i'm truly honored to be a part of the PKG family! read more

I absolutely love this academy. It changed my life. I randomly came in and decided to give it a try and never looked back since. The coaches are tough but awesome and great at what they do, professional and highly knowledgeable. They care and encourage you to push harder and give your all. If you're more on a softer, sensitive side, and take things personal, this place might not be for you. The coaches notice when you miss class and show that they are not here to waste your time. If you invest your time and consistency to this place, you'll improve greatly... Over a year now, it has become a second home to me, part of my life and weekly routine. My overall conditioning, body stamina, and coordination has improved drastically. I just love this place so much..... read more

Great spot for muay thai, love all their coaches! You learn something new every day, and at the end of class the strength and conditioning really pushes you! Shout out to Coach Mike, the best in the biz! read more

Initially I came In for boxing classes, and they were ok. The facility is small, equipment is old, but the trainer has some life in him so I stayed. Got a class package and went for a few weeks. Unfortunately, I was involved in an accident which kept me bed ridden for 2 months. When I called to speak with the owner and explain the situation, he had the audacity to say "tuff luck buddy, you lost your money be smarter next time and don't get into an accident". I thought hey he's having a bad day call in next week. The owner went on to cuss at me and threaten to "break my neck" if I ever call back or walk in. At this point my money is burned, but I'm sure this establishment won't last with the negative attitude and their mindset they have. read more

Great staff, great people and outstanding instruction. You will learn the best striking system- Bang muay thai- and brazilian jiu jitsu under the best staff of instructors in LA. They truly care about you and your progression through your martial arts journey. Facility is clean and offers many classes at different times to fit your schedule. Top tier martial arts academy. come train now! read more

Lack of experience in communication, I've been waiting for over 3 weeks and didn't get any reply to my 4 emails, they just replied to one if my email and said i have to give a call to the FrontDesk to get more information about prices then when i did call them the coach Mike said will send me the prices by email which is doesn't make any sense why they let call them despite i sent an email asking asking about prices, then till now did not get any reply, i'm not interested anymore, i'll look for another gym to join in but guys please try to add more experience in communication or just at least reply to the emails . Thank you read more

PKG is a top-notch private academy. Coach Mike and Coach Jonathan truly know how to bring out the best in you. They're never short of enthusiasm or support, which shows in every smiling student. Upon joining, the first thing I noticed was high attention to form and technique. It's remarkable. If you're looking to improve every aspect of your life, this is the place. This place has become my second home. It has molded me both personally and as a martial artist. I am truly grateful. Thank you for all that you do! read more

PKG will forever hold a very special place in my heart. I first joined in August 2017 and for the first year, mainly attended Coach Jonathan's core boxing class where I learned proper footwork, distancing, head movement, etc. However, Coach Jonathan and Coach Mike always encouraged and pushed me to become better and take it to the next level so eventually, I moved up to the Advanced Kickboxing (Bang Muay Thai) program where I continued to progress until I had to leave due to a job opportunity in September 2019. PKG heavily emphasizes proper technique and form. There is a lot of drilling with some classes with more pad/mitt work than Holland-style (glove-on-glove). It takes time, effort, dedication, consistency, focus, and passion. They aren't huge on sparring, but once you reach a certain level where they can be pretty certain that you will be safe and controlled (and not just recklessly trying to take each other's heads off), sparring opportunities are there. You get what you put in here. You're not going to become a pro fighter by taking two one-hour classes a week. Of course, start off slow and start with a couple classes to get the hang of it and if you fall in love like I did, upgrade to the more advanced classes where I promise you there will be coaches and other students to help you progress. I can go on and on with this review, but I'll just end it with this. Stepping foot into a martial arts academy (especially for the first time) is intimidating for everyone. What set the coaches and students apart from other gyms was how welcoming everyone was. Please do not be scared and give PKG a chance. My experience here changed my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world. OSS! read more

Used to love it there. I practically lived at the old spot for 3 years. It was like a little family there. Then I stopped training for about a year & 1/2 because I got pregnant & had a baby. In the meantime, they moved locations and started getting all corporate & weird. Even though I was hearing bad things, I still wanted to give the old family a chance. Nope. It was a completely different place and most of the core people were gone which by itself says all you need to know. I did a few classes - but it was so packed I barely had space to move. Plus, they hadn't finished their floors so the impact was too hard on my post baby joints. All in all, it wasn't worth the $160 a month for the 4 classes a month I could make with the baby schedule anyway. Oh and as someone else mentioned, they sell their gym memberships to a shady billing company. First off, I had never cancelled my original membership - just put it on hold until after the baby. When I went back, they asked me to sign some new paperwork even though I already had a membership, bc they were using a "new system" and just had to get me set up in there. Being trusting of guys who I thought were my friends, I signed it after we agreed that I was just going to see how it went for a month or so to see if my body was up to training again. I only went a few times and asked them to stop my monthly membership. Six months later I start getting emails & phone calls from this company ASF International saying I owe on my membership. ASF, by the way has an F with the Better Business Bureau and has hundreds of complaints and people wanting to file a class action suit against. Sucks. I miss the OG spot. But I still have Seb Boxing! read more

Billing here was a nightmare. I tore my ACL last year and couldn't continue my training. They have a third party company handle their payments, and I couldn't cancel because the third party said my injuries must be permanent in order to cancel my contract. As if a torn ACL isn't "permanent"... I requested a copy of my contract that PKG had me sign on the spot, and after receiving it, nowhere did it say that anywhere on the contract. Even the third party confirmed it in the end, but still sent a collections agency after me that THREATENED to ruin my credit if I didn't pay up, word for word. It would be a much bigger waste of time and money if I tried to fight it through the law, so I ended up paying the 2 months dues that was left of $300. I called PKG more than several times over weeks for a solution and Chad George or any of the other trainer/owners never returned my calls as promised. I also walked in a couple times after that but was never able to catch any of the "important" guys, however they promised me they would call me back but clearly I was left waiting. I ended up leaving this situation behind and moved on. Training-wise, wasn't bad at all, however I'm rating this as a business, and business-wise, the way I was handled is absolute 1 star, if that. I'm late in leaving a review as all this happened last year, but remembering this today and especially the difficult situation I was in, I am forced to come back and leave this review. I hope they got their payment shit together as the "third party" billing company is still an extension and part of this business. I have resumed my training elsewhere and as a member of the mma community, for the sake of not having this happen to anyone else, I will continue to advise any future prospects against signing with PKG. read more

I'm going to start off this review with the disclaimer that I'm a bit biased since my boyfriend trains & teaches at this gym. :) However, I am a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, so I've been to my fair share of gyms- good and bad. I'm also currently a member at Bodies in Motion primarily for their spin & bag classes, so I've got comparisons from all angles. Here's the rundown.. PKG's facility vs. other gyms: PKG is super clean, has towel service, locker rooms separated for men & women, showers, beverages for sale. It's a little small and doesn't have any of the other equipment that I usually like (weight rack, cardio equipment) but has kettlebells, which should be considered a perk since there aren't any gyms that I know of that have kettlebells for free use by the members. The lack of weights/cardio equipment is fine though, as this is an MMA gym and not a 24 hour fitness. PKG's classes vs. other gyms: My only frame of reference for classes is Bodies in Motion, as previously mentioned. I love the instructors at BIM- I'm friends with most of them. They are all super qualified (Savate, pro boxing, pro kickboxing, karate backgrounds) but the classes get boring for me and most lack technical instruction. Most of the instructors are just there to be there. The boxing/kickboxing classes at PKG are great- all of the instructors are also highly qualified (either former or current pro fighters). The instructors take time to explain what you are doing and walk by each student to answer any questions or to correct form. Most instructors will pair you up to work focus mitts, which helps improve form/technique and definitely adds intensity to the workouts. In my opinion, much better than hitting 100-punch jab/cross combos to the beat of some obnoxious Beyonce techno remix. More than anything, I base my 5 stars on the people there. Tahi, who is the owner of the gym, is very talented and just a really good guy. Ian Harris, Sean Choi, Matt , and Seb are also amazingly talented and super nice people. Chad George is kind of an a-hole (lol I'm jk, that's my bf). There are also a number of pro fighters who train here and everyone I've met has been super down to earth and personable. Usually there are a lot of egos when you go to any martial arts / boxing / kickboxing environment due to the nature of the sport, but the guys (and girls!) here make it easy to feel comfortable regardless of what level you're at. read more

PKG is a gym run by a family of amazing fighters and you couldn't make a better choice than going in signing up for classes. I've always stayed pretty active but after a motorcycle accident in 2010 I was on my butt for six months and got pretty overweight and out of shape. After rehab I did cross-fit to get back in gear and I really liked it. However, after a few months it got a little expensive and I was ready for a change. I grew up watching UFC and always wanted to try MMA but unfortunately the accident left me with a blown knee and wrestling and grappling aren't really an option. I researched boxing a little bit, read a lot of the positive reviews here on Yelp and went in to PKG to give it a shot. As someone with ZERO fighting experience, it's a little intimidating to walk into a gym and start asking questions to sign up. There's a lot of tough guys (and girls) in here but everyone is welcoming and there are zero egos when you walk in the door. I had a lot of questions and Chad walked me through the whole process, helped me wrap my hands, found me some gloves and put me right into a group class. It didn't take long to get hooked and I've now been there about 9 months. I know it's super cliche but I can definitely say I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm 28 and back to near my high-school weight, rocking a six pack for the first time ever, and feel lean and mean. It's so addicting I'm at PKG 6 times a week, taking 1 on 1 classes with Seb Zewdie, and prepping for my first boxing match at their PKG Fight night next week. It's baffling the amount of value you can get out of this place. If you're willing to put the work in, for much less than the cost of cross-fit and even some regular gyms around LA, you can get to 7-8 group sessions a week with instructors ranging from Mauy Thai and MMA champions and Olympic boxers / trainers. Seb, Chad, and Eddie are all amazing boxing coaches and the people in their classes couldn't be more helpful. For a little bit more a month you can try mma, muay thai, and jiu jitsu classes and I hear they're all great as well. I can't stress enough how amazing PKG is as well as the people who run it. If you're looking for a major boost in confidence, a healthier way of life, or just some skills in the ring, you won't find a better place to do it. read more

I've been going to PKG for about six months now, so I finally feel qualified to write a review. One stat pretty much sums up my experience: when I started at the gym, I weighed close to 240. Without changing much about the rest my life (diet, sleep habits, work habits) PKG has helped me lose 35 pounds. Repeat: while still eating pizza and drinking beer as I please, the workouts here have whipped my backside into shape. Now, I don't know what makes for a good boxing coach in the world of professional fighters, but here's what works about PKG: they're all supremely qualified and accomplished in their fields. Some of them have trained Olympians and other high-level athletes, and all of them have fought professionally, and most continue to do so. In spite of the high caliber of instructor, they are as down-to-earth as can be. It's pretty awesome to have a guy who's trained professionally stand there and patiently explain to a newbie like me what a jab is supposed to look like. And explain it again when I get it wrong. And then remember me well enough in the next class to check up on my form. That kind of attention to detail is what keeps me coming back. As I've progressed, I've also noticed that the nature of the instruction changes to keep pace with where I'm at. Obviously, it's not a 1-on-1 session, but the notes and tips help a lot, and also let me know that the folks who work here really do care about their clients. And, of course, the workouts are off the charts. I worked with a new member a couple of weeks ago - five minutes into the first round, he was sucking wind. It was at that moment he admitted (in a quiet voice) that he was a personal trainer. Yeah, it's that good. read more

I started about a year ago, and had to put my membership on hold because I started training for the marathon. I loved this gym and plan to go back once I am done with the marathon. I knew this gym was different from my other boxing gyms I have been to since there were changing rooms and showers specifically for women! Yippee! Additionally they have towel service (that smell fresh and clean too!). My favorite part as a germaphobe is that they provide towels to be used to wipe the sweat on the floor vs towels you use for your sweat on your body (hopefully there's a difference between the two kinds of sweatf for the people there...) The gym overall is clean and well organized, but still is laid back. I do admit I was intimadated the few times I went in, since there are people wearing all these crazy pads and shiney fighting shorts...and filled with mainly men. There is also fencing on the top floor, which to me was strange to see- but you also have to understand that I usually have worked out a true boxing only gym where I only would see a ring. The classes had trainers that all have been very supportive, helpful, knowledgable and friendly. I was able to quickly learn and improve so much on my skill within a matter of weeks since they really pack in a lot of teaching in each lesson. The classes are also great workouts to the point I usually was sore for at least a day or two. This is not a tae-bo or cardio class, it's to actually learn how to fight properly. I would definitely say to try out a few classes since each instructor had their own style of teaching. Each of the classes are not based on some cookie cutter manual that the instructor needs to follow, so they were unique according to the instructor. I would recommend to take a few to see what instructor and style fits your needs. Great facilities, great workout, and great instruction. read more

I love this place. I'm a recent "convert", just over a month now... and I am extremely pleased with my experience at PKG. I was hooked after my first boxing class, which was taught by Seb... a former Olympian, and certified USA Boxing Coach. Seb, along with the entire crew at PKG make you feel like you belong. Whether you've had experience in the ring, or not... they give you wonderful one-on-one attention, and always make sure you're performing at your best. Classes KICK YOUR ASS!! It's so awesome. These guys know their stuff... and so will you, once you "convert" too! Oh, and ladies... the women's locker room is fully stocked with awesome facial soaps and lotions, that make you feel oh so clean after a sweat-fest workout! read more

Former member of 24 Hr Fitness, LA Fitness, and Equinox here. I was so, SO f*ckin BORED with picking up weights, putting them back down. I hated cardio. I'd tried Equinox's boxing class - it was cardio-boxing, no technique. I wanted to find a workout I actually ENJOYED. Years ago, I took a tour of PKG at their previous location. I was nervous and intimidated. Pro fighters train here, right? What is my skinny butt doing here? When the gym moved to Westwood, I mustered up the courage to join the boxing program. I found extremely knowledgeable coaches, friendly staff, clean facilities, and no egos, just students of all ages/sexes/walks of life/skill levels. I'm a regular at Chase's boxing class, and added on muay thai last year. Every class is different, so it keeps you engaged, your mind occupied, your body guessing and burning serious calories. It seems like every member has a story about how much weight they've lost, or how they're in the best shape of their life. Take a free class and check it out. It's cliche but true: my only regret is that I didn't join sooner. ** PS. Ask for Helen at reception, she is the absolute sweetest. And let her know you were referred by my review! ** read more

Dude. Have you seen my boyfriends abs? Well they didn't look like that two years ago. My boyfriend has been training here for awhile now and I've seen him progress so much both in skill and as a person since he started going. He's even gotten some medals in competitions and just earned his blue belt. I've met Tahi the head instructor and he's a really good person. And he's a pitbull rescuer. Anyway this is a great spot and their new FIT classes are a great workout. Check it out! read more

Of all the classes I've tried at PKG, BJJ is the most challenging and strenuous. However, it is also the most intellectually stimulating (you're actually learning something), so it makes the workout seem less like "work." It's also nice to know I stand a better chance at choking out my friends should they ever try to pin me down for some reason. I think douchebags are hard to avoid when it comes to these environments, so I'm pleased to say it is at a minimum here. There are definitely a couple of guys in the BJJ classes who might be overdosing on testosterone pills and take the whole fighter-warrior-military-macho thing a bit too seriously (you know who you are), but I'd say the large majority of the trainees are really down to earth and friendly. Most are there to learn something with each other, not prove something to each other. People, let's not forget this is Westwood, not West Point. And please be sure to bathe and wash your clothes/gi/gear AFTER EACH CLASS (NOT EVERY OTHER CLASS--you know who you are). It's fucking disgusting. That's my nose in your armpit for crying out loud. Jesus Christ. And yes, I know I tapped out, but it's not because you have an amazing triangle choke, it's because you smell like horse shit. Anyway, instructors are knowledgable, friendly, and passionate about their craft. They will push you to your limits. But again, this ain't the military, so set your own limits. It's just a gym; don't be lazy, but don't be stupid and get yourself hurt either (or hurt other people). The boxing classes are nice in that they're only an hour long, and it's an hour of nonstop exercise/cardio. Definitey more fun than running on a treadmill for an hour. I wish the instructors would provide more feedback on actual boxing and real-world self-defense techniques, but it's hard to do that with each individual in a big class. Still, you'll likely learn something valuable over time. There will be good and bad days, you just have to keep at it. That's what I tell myself. Oh, BTW, like any BJJ/MMA gym anywhere, good luck trying to get them to be upfront about their rates. Any time a business acts like they have something to hide, it means they probably do. Sadly, I'm not surprised to hear about Alfredo's experience. read more

This is exactly what I was looking for! I just took my first class today and loved it. I wanted a solid boxing class with trained professionals at a professional studio and I found it. Very friendly folks. They pushed me hard (which is what I wanted) but only to the point of exhaustion, not beyond it. I'll definitely keep going back. read more

They just upgraded the entire floor. They took out the boxing ring(great choice), and put in padding for the floor. Taking the classes on hard concrete then moving to the pads has made the class much more enjoyable. The removal of te boxing ring makes the training floor so much bigger! The coaches are very knowledgable!!! Tahi is probably the best coach for BJJ I've ever had, and Dom teaching the Muay Thai is great too! I could go on and on about everything they've done for me working with me about payments and scheduling! read more

PKG Martial Arts Academy - Bjj time. - Kickboxing Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Ali bumaye! Ali bumaye! The Almighty in heaven knows, I love this place! I've been going to box there for almost a year now (on and off) and I have to offer all my love and respect for the master coach Seb! Seb is an incredibly talented and versatile coach with several years of experience in boxing, not just in the US but around the world (1984 Olympic Boxing team & 2008 Trials). His routines are really hard and he never fails to surprise you by breaking out a new one ever so often to hone your skills. In his own honorable words.. it pays to "suffer!" Occasionally, he does sport a UCLA jersey, but I forgive him for that. Just with Seb's class alone I lost a good 20 pounds. I have to confess that a recent trip to India wreaked havoc on that number and I have seen some un-welcomed "regression." That's just plain old me. But I'm back in the village and hoping to reach my goal soon enough. I know Seb's got me covered for the long haul. The rest of the boys, be it Tahi who owns the joint or Chad, Jeremy, Julian, Ed, Matt, Louie.... they're always willing to chat you up and guide you through the hour long soul-rejuvenating workouts. I definitely recommend the place with five stars! read more

I have been a member of PKG for approximately 1.5 years. I'm 45 years old with 3 kids. So, basically, I'm tired all the time. After 3 kids I was out of shape (I know I didn't have the kids, but being a good father takes a lot of time, and there are a lot of sleepless nights, leaving little time and energy for exercise). The truth is, I hadn't exercised in about 8 years by the time I joined. I started with the boxing classes, which I took for 6 months, then tried my hand at Thai Boxing briefly, and have, for the past year, settled into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Recently, I have begun to combine striking and grappling by attending the MMA classes. So, why 5 stars? First, and foremost, the instructors are really skilled at their art, and are patient in their teaching style. I have trained with Tahi, Mark, and Eric for Jiu Jitsu, Chad, and occasionally Matt for MMA, and Triet and Dominic for boxing and Muay Thai, respectively. Each has a unique style. This breadth is, perhaps, the greatest strength of the program and the reason to join PKG. 4 of my 5 stars are just for the instructors. Second, the students all have their heads in the right place. They're supportive of less skilled fighters, and there is an absence of ego. When we grapple at the end of class, there's no bravado. That said, they do fight to win. This portion of the class is no place for old men like me. I leave beat down, exhausted, and really, really happy. Third, the workouts are exhausting. I have gained a fair bit of muscle and reduced the tire around my waist substantially. My aerobic fitness is vastly improved. I feel much younger. Fourth, at times I have had to bring my kids with me to PKG. They have always been welcoming to my children, making it that much easier for me to make time for a workout. PKG is an all around fantastic place to train. read more

Changed my life. Simple as that. There are few businesses out there that can legitimately claim to have such an impact on peoples lives, PKG is one of them. I came to the gym in 2012 to shake up my lifestyle from physically complacent, travel too much, back-to-back meetings and irresponsible eating habits. It did just that, way beyond my expectations and almost seamlessly. I went from 205 lbs to 155 lbs in about six months (I'm 5'-8"). Every time I walk through the doors a world of stress goes away. It really puts things in perspective. The culture is great. Mix between professionalism and team environment with that laid back California feel. Some of the most stand-up people people and coaches I've met. Eric Steans gave me my first work-out. I felt like throwing up afterwards. That's just testament to how out of shape I was. I picked up Boxing and have since had the pleasure to work with the likes of Chad George, Triet and Seb Zewdie. After picking up fundamentals through boxing I combined that with Muay Thai through the coaching of Dominic Clark, Matt Bahntge and Ed Wedding. I'm now increasing my technical abilities through the Combat Athlete Program where Chad George and Coach Zar are helping work through my movement, defense and striking. I started as a casual fan/student, but I guess I got addicted once I started seeing continuous progress. The facilities are what I'm looking for in a gym. The team recently moved from a smaller location to this larger space with a decent size locker rooms, showers, etc. There are well defined and new Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, conditioning, ring and lobby areas. The staff constantly keeps it clean in and around the workout areas. Because many of the coaches & athletes are fighting professionally there are always fights and events to attend. It's great to get out and support the local crew. In short, PKG is awesome. If you're preparing for a fight or just want to get in shape, I would definitely give it a look. read more

Punch Kick Grapple! My boy Chad is the head instructor here and he is a great teacher and a champion fighter!! This a great place to train! read more

Great place to train. You can train MMA, boxing, thai boxing, jiu jitsu, or just get a general workout in. Top-quality instruction, kettle bells up to 40 kg, lots of bags to hit (speed, heavy, and double-end) and a full ring. Most importantly, it's a good group of guys. The people you train with matter way more than what's in a gym. A few #!@ clowns can ruin a gym. No out-of-control egos. (I can only speak for the MMA class, since that's what I train.) Beginners are welcomed and not put into a "trial by fire" situation. If you want to fight professionally, there are plenty of guys who do that, too. So it really is a good place for people just looking for a workout and for people who want to fight. read more

PKG has an outstanding Brazilian jiu-jitsu program! I started training at PKG 2 years ago because I wanted to step-up my jiu-jitsu game to the next level as well as start training in the gi. I'd been competing in no-gi and was referred by my previous coach and others that had trained with PKG's Chad George (2x jiu-jitsu world champion and pro MMA fighter). All the jiu-jitsu professors are awesome. They are badass black belts, and between them there is a nice variety in teaching styles. We train a lot of judo/wrestling/takedowns compared to other academies. Another reason I chose PKG is that they offer more no-gi classes than most BJJ schools. I compete often and am very successful. The coaches take special care to help me fill the holes in my game so I feel confident in competition. If you've never tried Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! This practice has changed my life and made me more confident and successful in every way. PKG has a great fundamentals program and all the students come out of it really strong when they join the regular class. I love being on a team with a bunch of rad/dorky/loving brothers and sisters! We've got artists, lawyers, feds, you name it! People that train just for fun, tough BJJ competitors like myself, and pro MMA fighters. I don't know how I handled the fashion industry before I got to grapple my stress away every night. PKG feels like home; I'm so lucky to have found this gym! read more

I'm gonna miss PKG a ton! Been there for almost two years and just moved out of la. Great instructors, great facility and great group of people. Overall an incredibly amazing experience!! read more

This place will dominate you and then pick you back up and shake you off for more. I train consistently with Seb in the boxing classes. I am an avid fan of his now. He puts you through grueling workouts, and pushes you to go harder than you did the last time. He also cares about the techniques you learn in his boxing class, and doesn't let you just flail around to burn calories. The staff is very friendly, and always joking around with the rest of us. Chad is top notch and if you're very lucky, you might see the owner bring in his 2 pits (adorable dogs). All around, I thoroughly enjoy this gym, and find it worth the membership. In terms of membership fees, we pay something around ~$130 for 2x boxing a week. read more

PKG kicks my butt every time I go. The environment is very welcoming and the workouts are intense. My shirt is drenched at the end of every workout. The instructors are very helpful and you can take an intro class to see which ones are best for you. Boxing: a phenomenal workout Muy thai: fun experience Jui jitsu: they have gi and no gi classes; I have no wrestling training so this was a good way to see what it is about MMA: beginners are welcome but I highly recommend bringing a mouth guard If you're curious, take a look and you will get hooked. read more

Great place, great atmosphere, great guys! Want to train at a true MMA place? Whether you have plans on being a fighter or just train like a fighter, this is the place to be! read more