I tried a few different places to start training BJJ. I chose this place for a few reason. 1)…read moreEveryone in the class from the instructor to fellow students are awesome and very helpful. 2) They've got a lot of different classes if I want to try anything else. At the moment it's just bjj but I can see myself taking a few others just to try them out. 3) They have a number of different bjj classes for varying skill levels. 4) The place is small enough to feel like a local gym but large enough to attract a diverse group of folks. Most importantly, the bjj classes aren't huge but there are still quite a few folks in every one. 5) The support staff was welcoming and friendly from the time I walked up til now. There are quite a few folks that I've talked with who are much more experienced and skilled (in bjj) than I am and they give the place a thumbs up.

This review is for the no-gi class taught by Mohammad. I'm an out of towner that came in to drop-in…read morefor two classes while visiting. Having trained at multiple gyms in New York and now in San Francisco over the last 5 years, I wasn't sure what to expect walking into Tsunami, but I was pleasantly surprised! First, the gym/mats/locker rooms are all clean and in great shape (just to get that out of the way). The class size was around 12-15 students and everyone was super friendly and welcoming. Mohammad is an active and accomplished competitive grappler, and as such, he is the exact type of instructor that you would want to learn from if you're trying to progress rapidly in this sport. He observes all his students and takes time to give everyone something they can adjust or work on to improve their game. It's a testament to his character and the kind of instructor he is that he would take the time to watch me roll and give me personalized advice while knowing that there was no chance of me becoming a regular student in his class. You can tell he enjoys what he's doing 100% and genuinely wants to help you improve. I rolled with a few of the other students and after chatting with them afterwards, I was consistently surprised by how little they said they've trained because they were honestly some of the most well-rounded 'beginners' I've come across. Solid students, solid class, solid instructor, and everyone trained safely. If I lived in the area this would definitely be my home gym.

I have been taking my kids there for 8 years. It has been a great experience training them mentally…read moreand physically. I recommend Decatur Martial Arts Academy whole heartedly.

Master Sullivan and Decatur Martial Arts Academy have been beyond excellent. We really love the…read moreprogram, the communication, the community, and seeing our kids learn important life and physical skills.

I 1000% recommend Gracie Jujitsu Decatur!! I've been so lucky that my kids have been going to…read moreGracie for years and they love it! the summer camps are fun for all ages and their classes teach them not only self defense but also self regulation, respect, and even helping around the house for their parents! I love their #1 rule of "avoid the fight at all costs" but I also love that my kids know how to defend themselves if needed. the owners are so very kind and members of the Decatur community and they are always sponsoring local sports and such. I am so glad our kids have been a part of the Gracie Decatur family!

A great place to work out, train and recover in the IR sauna. Jason is a great trainer and pad guy!read more

My uncle is a second degree black belt and an instructor at this aikido dojo, so I was here with…read morehim and his family, watching his daughter test to get to the next level. This is a beautiful space, clean, serene, airy and simply but beautifully designed. The dojo has a little kids class, kids classes and adult classes. They have a bunch of couches and an area of people to sit and watch others practice, which was perfect for myself and my aunt. There were others sitting around and mingling, which is always nice! I am sure if I lived in Atlanta, I'd be taking classes here!

Unit 2 is a fitness community of kind, passionate, unique individuals. You will be greeted with…read moreopenness and consideration when you show up for their kickboxing, cross-fit, or BJJ classes. The staff maintains cleanliness and safety procedures during these times which allows for a healthy experience. I cannot recommend this place enough, for they have supported me and all their other members beyond any other gym I've been to. They cultivate an environment where you can ask for help, discuss your goals, and celebrate your accomplishments. Try their free week but expect to stay because it truly is a lovely place.

Very friendly coaches and staff with a very clean and upbeat environment. My son enjoyed his…read moresession and plans on returning for more sessions.

Atlanta Shotokan Karate has been an incredible experience for our family. Our 7-year-old has been…read moreattending for two years and has grown in ways we never expected--from improved body control and focus to better emotional management and discipline. Sensei Renner is exceptional. He's gentle yet holds high expectations, creating an environment of both respect and motivation. His deep commitment to the art of Shotokan karate is clear, and the students genuinely respect and respond to his leadership. He takes his craft seriously, and it sets a powerful example for the kids. Our child has pushed himself harder in karate than in any other sport, and we've seen real, lasting growth. We couldn't be more grateful for the experience. Highly recommend Atlanta Shotokan Karate to any family looking for more than just a sport--this is a place where character is built and confidence grows.

From the owner: We are a traditional Shotokan Dojo geared toward family engagement. Focus, self-discipline,…read morerespect, and confidence are the primary benefits we wish to instill in our students. Focus is addressed in the first class and expected to improve during training. Students are expected to sweat and follow instructions. Legitimate black belts take effort and discipline in our school-becoming one bestows confidence. We don't push uniforms, exams, or tournaments (but they ARE available, if interested). We don't push "membership dues" or contracts. Fees are typically for a session of about 9 classes at $20/class. Registration is through City of Decatur Parks and Recreation "Community Pass."

I contacted Shifu Mitchell to perform a dragon dance at my daughter's first birthday. We really…read morewanted something different but exciting for our guests as well as leave a lasting impression - and Chien Hong delivered! There team of 4 (1 drummer, 1 cymbal and 2 dancers) were very professional. They arrived on time and even brought 2 sets of dragons for us to decide between: a vivid blue and a red. Based on their suggestion, we went with the blue since it would probably not frighten the young children and I am so happy, the dragon photographed beautifully! I cannot say enough great things about Shifu Mitchell and his team. They helped make our event so memborable!

I've been training at Chien Hong for a year now and have plans to be there for quite a while. I'm…read moreone of those who gets hopelessly bored at the gym, and elementary gym class flashbacks pretty much prevent me from ever going out for any team sport, ever, so martial arts is one of the few ways I can happily get a workout in. (Funny how the idea of a punch to the gut is way less frightening than the thought of hanging out in a baseball dugout, but apparently someone read way too much into Lord of the Flies as a child.) The school is run by Shi Fu Gary Mitchell, who has been training in kung fu for 20+ years. He offers traditional Hung Gar kung fu (for adults and for kids) as well as Tai Chi Chuan and self-defense, and there will also be a new Wing Chun class this fall. No matter the style, though, Shi Fu tailors the material depending on who is attending and what their level is. So, no two classes are the same: you may see elements of boot camp, shadow boxing, light sparring, etc., or you might focus on particular techniques (hand strikes, blocks, kicks, and so on). There is also a specific curriculum you have to know for your level, so you're always learning new things and finding ways to improve upon what you already know. Shi Fu is undoubtedly devoted to the art, so he has has high expectations for his students and is continually motivating us to give it our all. There's an awesome community at Chien Hong. The training brothers and sisters are super supportive and friendly, and they're always happy to answer questions and help you practice. Also, the school participates and performs in lots of activities around Atlanta--Chinese New Year and parades, notably--so that's pretty darn nifty to show off to your friends and family.

Good instruction. Clean mats…read more Cool gear. High quality rounds. Can't ask for much more. Thanks for having me!

Superfly Jiu-Jitsu is a vibrant academy. I visited from out of town for a week and had the pleasure…read moreof training in the no-gi classes. The instructor, Jake, is super welcoming and makes training on the mat very fun. He shouted out instructions and motivating calls during live rolls. There were about 6-7 black belts on the mats. All the students were courteous to me, a guest. On the days I was there, it was 10% warm-up, 20% instruction, 25% drilling, and 45% open rolling. Both days were focused on leg locks. There were about 30 people on the mats. And on one day, they invited some guest teachers in for a knee bar seminar. It was an amazing seminar, and I've been incorporating what I learned at Superfly into my game at home. Come check out Superfly!

Sensei Kevin and Sensei Ross are incredible teachers. They balance the importance of taking the…read morelessons seriously while injecting fun dad jokes and an overall light environment where students aren't afraid to ask questions. My daughter couldn't get into anything until we started going here. I'm so glad we took a shot, because we have learned so much in the last 6 months alone. 10 out of 10 recommend.

Premier is absolutely amazing! The staff are truly passionate about their craft and do an amazing…read morejob of teaching the little ones new skills and techniques both physically and mentally. The business is well run and instructors are just great at what they do. Huge shout out to Mr. Kevin, Mr. Charles, and the owner for providing a professional, well maintained, and fun space for our little ones to learn and grow. Oh and they do AMAZING birthday parties as well!!

I practice Northern Shaolin with this organization, so it's only that one class that I'm…read morespecifically referring to in this review. I've practiced other martial arts in the past, and I've found my home here. The class structure is usually some warm-ups, followed by some conditioning and some drill work, concluded with a bit of forms work. There is a great breadth to the types of movements that a student learns, but they are all martially applicable. A good deal of time is spent on learning the applications to the techniques and practicing with classmates in order to become effective in their use. The one note of warning is that there is quite a bit of physical conditioning that is taught in this class, as this style can be physically demanding. Accommodations are made to suit the various fitness levels of the individual student, but you will definitely be encouraged to work hard and try your best. Chances are that you will "feel it" the next day. If are open to engaging in that level of exercise, then you'll probably have a lot of fun. If you take issue with the thought that your muscles have actually been made to do some work, then you probably won't attend more than one class.

I've been practicing Northern Shaolin with PATHS Atlanta for about a year now. I highly recommend…read moreit for anyone interested in learning Kung Fu. Class typically begin with a variety of stretching exercises and a circuit drill for conditioning. Following that we get into the substance of Nothern Shaolin. There is a heavy emphasis on forms and applications. I really like how we learn how each movement in a form could be used practically. We will also learn meditative techniques, history of Northern Shaolin and other styles, and the theories behind our martial practice. There is a lot of individual instruction in class. It is not uncommon for one student to be working on one thing while other students are practicing something else, but it never feels like you have been forgotten or excluded. Also common is that other students will momentarily pause what they are doing to offer you guidance or answer your question. The instructor is very knowledgeable, not just on Northern Shaolin but many other styles. Many times in class he will teach us some aspect of other styles for our martial education. We also are expected to learn the history of our lineage of Northern Shaolin which I think is really neat. There are two unique things about our class that I absolutely love. First, the classes are outdoors. While sometimes in extreme weather (August heat and January cold) I wish we had an indoor space, I almost always enjoy practicing Kung Fu outdoors. The second thing is the social aspect. Typically after class we go out for drinks and food. That aspect was a pleasant surprise as there I have really bonded with my fellow students and they all have interesting and diverse lives to learn about. One thing to note - I think the class structure has changed some since Phillip wrote his review. While physical conditioning is a part of class, I don't think it is as intense as when Phillip wrote his review. Still, you will get a good work-out and it will get you into shape (I have had many friends note that I look to be in the best shape in a long time.)