BMAC doesn't do a ton of marketing, but make no mistake, this is the place to train Jiu Jitsu if…read moreyou live in in the area. Several factors make BMAC stand out: -Every single person there, your training parters, are all simply awesome people. Everyone is there to help everyone else learn. There is zero ego at this gym, which is pretty rare. It's an extremely positive environment, while still being high intensity. That culture is set by Sensei Marcelo and Sensei Alex, and that permeates the gym. Whether you've been grappling for decades, or you've never stepped on the mat before, you will be welcomed at this gym if you have a good attitude. -The instruction is top notch. Sensei Marcelo is a life long martial artist. He's committed his entire life to the study of the martial arts, and decades in jiu-jitsu. You won't find a more experienced teacher in the area. His philosophy is holistic. Meaning, he doesn't simply teach for "competition rules," he also teaches the original point of jiu-jitsu, self defense. -There is more than Jiu-Jitsu. There is Muay-Thai as well, and a fitness area with rings, kettlebells, ropes, etc. The place has it all. Can't say enough good things about BMAC. It has everything: Gi, No-Gi, Muay Thai, great teachers, and great people, and an attitude of respect permeates the entire gym. Just don't expect fancy amenities like some fancy corporate gym. People come here to TRAIN, push themselves, and get better. It's not a fancy spot, but it's *the* spot if you have a great attitude and you want to find out what you're capable of.

Really enjoy training at this academy. I wanted a school with a welcoming environment rather than a…read moremacho vibe, and this place delivered. The people are genuinely kind, supportive, and ego-free, with a wide mix of students. I've been training here for the past two years and learned a lot!

I had the privilege of training at Mass BJJ Acton for almost a year before I moved out to Los…read moreAngeles. Top-notch BJJ training environment for the gi and no-gi with very welcoming instructors and classmates! Nate and Scot were both phenomenal and lighthearted instructors that took their time to really explain techniques, positions, and their decision making process. The most defining characteristics that stuck out to me was how down-to-earth and goofy Nate and Scot were during all classes. It makes you feel at ease and relaxed. No ego at all. Don't get me wrong -- they will absolutely destroy you during the advanced classes, but it was fun having the chance to roll with both of them and feeling the huge difference in skill level. All the classmates there are friendly, too! If you go to the non-fundamental classes, you'll have a great time rolling with the upper belts. The competition team was fantastic with Luis and Josh leading the way. Competition training was always fun and intense, but never out of control. Special thank you to Luis and Josh for taking time out of their weekends to come coach during competitions! You'll have a solid competition team to go compete with. If you have the chance to learn from Pat and Nick during the weekend classes, I would highly recommend it! Learning from these two high level black belts is always a good time. If you get a chance to roll with them, even better! Be prepared to be effortlessly destroyed by them. Only has a couple chances to learn from Ed before I left, but he was awesome!! 10/10 would recommend this place. I miss this academy and everyone in it! You'll love going here -- trust me! Thank you to Nate, Scot, Pat, Luis, Josh, Ed and Nick!!!

I cannot rave enough about our experience to date. Nate and Sue are lovely humans and this is true…read moreof all of the teachers my kids have had in jujitsu and kickboxing. Shout out to Scott who patiently works with my kindergartener and can level with my middle schooler. This is truly a family-friendly environment where my kids eagerly show up to classes, are treated with respect and feel welcomed wholeheartedly. The adults have yet to find the courage to try classes so a more full review will follow.

CW TKD's youth program is fantastic. Our daughter has been going for about 2 years now (now in the…read morelevel 2 classes), and is always excited to go. The curriculum is age appropriate, and the instructors are extremely attentive and responsive to kid's needs and level. I also really love that their teaching model has mentorship built in: senior youth students (black and near black belts) are always present as assistant instructors to support classes, which makes kids get individualized attention even if it's a large class. There can sometimes be a bit of a delay when communicating via email, but they always respond and are very accommodating.

CW is an awesome not-for-profit TKD club…read more 2 principle factors that make it A#1: great people, great instructors (active competitively at the local, national, international level) who enthusiastically share and spread their love for taekwondo.

One of the best things I've ever done for my self-confidence was to take classes at Apex. My…read moreawareness of my personal surroundings has increased and I feel equipped to keep myself and girlfriend safe from potential trouble makers when we're out and about. Students are friendly and the culture is one of helping others and continuous improvement. The instructors are professional and give direct, but kind feedback . The weekly conditioning classes are a MUST if you want to see improved endurance fast. And if you're single, what better picture to put on your dating profile than one in your Krav uniform?

In a word: respect. The team at Apex respect my age and my abilities. I'm allowed to progress on my…read moreself defense journey at my own pace. They create a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere for both me and my son. The instructors are highly skilled and knowledgeable. They provide the opportunity for everyone, every type of person, to become proficient in Krav Maga. Through their example, students learn the importance of gratitude and gratefulness; as my fellow students and I complement each other on our successes and reassure each other when we stumble. Krav Maga self defense is a lot of different things for a lot of different people. But no matter what your reason is, this team is there to help.

I was just going to leave a single star, but yelp won't let me escape without leaving a comment, so…read morehere goes...... I wasted 9 years as a student here. What did learn there????? This school has two types of students. The "talent".......... And "everyone else" Everyone else exists to keep the mortgage/bills paid so the instructor can have the luxury of playing with his star student. (He even admitted a couple of times that if he was rich he would only take elite students who could pass a ninja warrior style obstacle course, but he can't afford it so that's why he takes all students.) Also, when you do beg for support (if you can grab his attention long enough) you WILL be told "the details don't matter." Unless you have talent of course.......... Even if you show up for class 5 - 6 days a week, every week, including 2 times a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays, AND attend all the extra Saturday seminars, (yes I took 7 classes a week - 8 any time there was a seminar) you only have value if you are talented. (*He has actually said that he will spend extra time going over all the little details *** yes, the details he told me "didn't matter" *** if the student is hard working **AND** talented.) By all means, if you are elite athlete-level talented, are able to learn something after being shown only once, or can completely and perfectly memorize an entire routine in an afternoon, (and therefore have value) this is the place for you...... However, if you struggle with any of these, even a little bit, (especially if you show any signs of a lack of natural talent) be prepared to be treated as an inconvenience and an afterthought. *****And if you call him out on the double standards and special treatment for certain students, you will be branded as difficult and disobedient. AND he will resort to personal attacks about your body and any health conditions you may be struggling with.***** So if you think you are talented enough for him to pay any real attention to you, OR you enjoy having every last shred of your self esteem completely destroyed, this is the place for you. Good luck.

This place is pretty awesome. Been doing Martial Arts since 1989 on and off; I wish I meet Narcyz…read more(aka: Sifu) 20 years sooner. I highly recommend Athletic Balance.

Getting thrown is like getting a ride on your own personal roller coaster: you lurch forward when…read moreyou least expect it; you go ass-up in the air; and then you land--usually on aforementioned ass. (I've been given to understand that if you land on someone else's ass instead of your own, you're doing it right.) The only deviation from Disney World is the part at the end when your roller coaster operator does her damndest to sit on you. I found out about Tohoku because I tried a Krav Maga-based women's self-defense course in Medford, which led me to try a Krav Maga class in Watertown, which led me to check out a BJJ class across the street, which led me to meet a woman who runs a dojo in Southie, which led me to meet some of her students who, at the time, were looking for warm bodies to participate at a women's shiai (read: tournament) at this place in Somerville called Tohoku. The competition commenced about ten minutes after my first class. I was shaking in my proverbial boots--I had never seen anyone thrown before, and I was supposed to fend that off? Lucky for me, everyone was very welcoming and willing to clarify things on the go. I'm not an especially outgoing person, so the circuitous social route that landed me at Tohoku required some serious outreach on others' parts. The folks here really do make a point of trying to reach out and connect with both individuals and other communities. I don't go to Tohoku very often; it's rather far from home, and I'm already in a committed relationship with another martial art. I just visit every now and then when I feel the urge to take part in something that starts looking vaguely like a triple time step and ends looking vaguely like I've been arrested for disorderly conduct. And it's cheaper than a trip to Disney World.

This is one of the best Judo dojo ever. It has a long list of history and all sensei are world…read moreclass Judoka. Everyone here is very helpful and willing to help you to learn. I come down to the dojo and train as much as I can.

Our children had the privilege of taking lessons at this martial arts school under the guidance of…read moreCharles, and we could not be more grateful for the experience. Beyond learning valuable self-defense skills, our kids gained lifelong virtues such as respect, self-sufficiency, discipline, listening to parents, and common sense. Charles is not only an outstanding martial arts instructor but also a man of great humanity. His dedication and positive influence have left a lasting mark on our children's lives, shaping them into stronger and more responsible individuals. We wholeheartedly recommend this school to any parent who wants their child to grow in both skill and character. Thank you, Charles, for everything you have done for our family.

Zhen Ren Chuan Martial Arts is a great program I have been a student for many years and came from…read morenp experience with martial arts and have learned so much from my training about not just form and movements but discipline mindfulness patience and persistence. Instructor Charles truly cares about the growth of his students and their experience. I have grown a lot from experiences at the school. The students and community within the school are friendly and welcoming as well which makes it a lot of fun. I highly recommend this program for anyone with the ambition to learn martial arts.

My 9-year-old daughter takes a Bokatai Kickboxing youth group class once a week with Coach Robert…read more He is fantastic--has a wonderful rapport with children, and she learns so much during her rigorous 50-minute class. She enjoys it tremendously, and cannot wait each week for her next class to begin. The studio is clean, bright and modern, with seats where parents can sit and observe their child's entire class. The owners are kind, knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommend!!! A+++