Updating my review since our family recently moved away from Menlo Park. My daughter started taking…read morekarate at USSD alongside my son and they both loved it. Since I came to the night classes here as well as the women's kickboxing class, I've had plenty of opportunity to get to know the instructors (Teacher Caldwell, Teacher Willie, Jodi, Brian, etc.). They are not only all excellent teachers, but friends that our family will miss. Since this location hosts many classes, I'll break down the review into each class/instructor Karate: My kids (ages 5 & 7) just tested for their yellow belts here and are both eager to continue karate. They tell their friends about how much they love their class. I was so pleased with their instruction that a close friend started her kids training here as well. Teacher Caldwell is kind and patient with the kids, and Teacher Willie's energy makes him one of the kids' favorite teachers. Kickboxing: The women in this class have become good friends. I loved this class so much that I would tow my younger two children (5 & 2) to class when I couldn't get babysitting. Jodi is energetic and knowledgable and let my kids play (or held my toddler) while I trained, which is a rarity. Expect a hard cardio workout with a lot of focus on careful technique. Tuesday/Thursday night grappling/striking: I made this class less frequently than the others but was always glad I came when I could. Willie brings the same energy to this class that he does to the kids' karate class, and I appreciated learning not only from him but from the other class participants whose experience surpasses my own. Grappling is (in my experience) focused on BJJ and takedown techniques while striking is strikes/kicks. Both classes often involve sparring, which I've found to be one of the most helpful ways for me to put what I've learned into practice. Monday/Wednesday Urban Combat: An excellent self-defense/HIIT workout class. I left a detailed review on the Urban Combat Yelp page. Martial arts has become one of my favorite things to do, something I'm hoping to teach in the future, and a source of discipline and confidence in my life. I owe it all to the investment and mentorship I have received through this studio, and I will miss it dearly. If you're looking for a solid martial arts experience for your children or for yourself, USSD is as good as it gets.

The instructors are all well versed in their arts, and have a terrific appreciation for those who…read morecome to learn. From beginners to those more advanced everyone comes together in a supportive, and motivating, way that fosters challenging one another to improve themselves. I have had the pleasure of participating in both the Urban Combat, as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking to learn self-defense, as well as those seeking a wonderful alternative to an hour and a half at the gym.

Pros: Instruction is consistently terrific, and the regulars there are friendly and welcoming. It's…read morein a convenient location, and at an excellent price. Cons: I'd like to see the mats cleaned more regularly, and I wish there were showers in the building. The street and permit parking can sometimes be annoying.

Good instructors, good hours, and good attitudes.read more

My son started training at Redwood City Martial Arts Center and it changed how he approaches…read moreeverything. He set the goal of earning his black belt, and the discipline he learned on the mat carried straight into school and daily life. He has achieved his brown/black belt and is on his way to a full black belt. Sr. Master Hafez Adle and the instructors hold kids to a high standard. My son learned to focus, follow through, and earn his progress through effort. That kind of character building is hard to find. If you are looking for a program that teaches your kid more than kicks and forms, this is the place.

My son is neurodivergent, and finding a sports activity that supports his confidence, focus, and…read moresocial skills hasn't always been easy. Kuk Sool Won has been an incredible fit. Master Hafez Adle is patient, kind, and truly understands how to meet each student where they are. He celebrates progress--big or small--and create a welcoming, respectful environment for all kids. My son looks forward to every class and has grown so much in confidence, coordination, and self-discipline. I can't recommend Kuk Sool Won enough, especially for families with neurodiverse kids who want a place where their child is seen, supported, and included.

Our family moved away from Menlo Park this past month, and I knew I needed to update my review to…read morereflect my experience here. For 8 months I've trained at Urban Combat, and not only can I say that the instruction is stellar, but the people have become like family to me. Due to the small class size and the built-in mentality of mentorship from more advanced students, I felt like I was part of a community who not only cares about self-defense, but cares about building up the people who train here. For example, when a student has a competition coming up, or when I had a certification I was hoping to test for, the class learns the material alongside their classmate to help them prepare. As far as self-defense is concerned, the curriculum is thorough and engaging. Brian covers everything from home invasion, weapons defense, situational awareness, striking, multiple opponents, and everything in between. I loved that the class built in strength and conditioning as part of the program so that I was getting in a solid workout as well. As our family relocates, I will be looking for a new place to train, but the bar is high after my experience at Urban Combat. If you're looking for solid self-defense training and a great time, look no further.

Exceptionally good training . I have trained in various styles in different cities over my adult…read morelife and can confidently say that this is the best overall training that I have found Effective and reality-based but without the edge some places have

This is a wonderful Dojo. Excellent for kids. Great blend of karate and kung-fu. Focus on…read moresparring and practical applications.

My two children have been attending Z-Ultimate karate with Sensei Molly for over a year now. The…read moredojo emphasizes three principles: - Respect - Discipline - Humility But in the time my children have spent with Sensei Molly, I've seen them develop so many more attributes, including: - Confidence - Enthusiasm - Strength - Coordination - Agility - Teamwork - ...and so much more I could go on and on about how much of a positive impact Sensei Molly and her dojo have had on my kids, but seeing is believing. If you are even remotely curious about signing up your kids for martial arts/self defense lessons, I highly recommend you drop in and view one of Sensei Molly's sessions--or, better yet, sign up your kids for a trial class. That's what my wife and I did, and it was a no-brainer for us to sign up for twice-weekly lessons. Whether in the dojo, at home, at school, or anywhere else, Sensei Molly's lessons of respect, discipline, and humility will shine through your kids.

We've had a fantastic experience at Tamayo's Judo. The Sensei is an excellent instructor, and he's…read morecreated a wonderful community of supportive parents. He's very good with the little ones and has many different levels of classes in addition to adult classes, including "Parent and Me" classes as well as classes for 4-6-year-olds to get them ready for transitioning to the more advanced classes. My son has learned a lot about Judo techniques, but also self-control, motivation, collaboration, teamwork, goal setting, and pushing himself outside of his comfort level. The Sensei is an amazing mentor and has tremendous patience and kindness for the littles. Highly recommended.

Great location in the heart of the bay area. The mats are super unique and have some sort of…read moresprings under them. It makes the throws much more comfortable. Coach Raul is a very experienced Judoka with a background in other grappling arts. I've learned so much from him and am excited to continue my Judo journey with him.

Wushu Central is an incredible organization and one of the best programs you can get for your kid,…read morefor both obvious and non-obvious reasons. Like in any martial arts school, your kid is going to get plenty of physical exercise, practice coordination, agility and self-defense, but this program offers so much more. First and foremost, the instructors are *incredibly good* at working with kids, including very young kids with all of their quirks. The lessons are always engaging and fun (kids really enjoy them), while successfully teaching not only physical skills, but also important life skills. Very young kids will learn and get used to following instructions (which is one of the most important early skills), and older kids will work on developing grit, focus, growth mindset, helpfulness and respect, and other desirable qualities. The program is brilliantly designed to be engaging and motivating in positive ways. Very importantly, while Wushu Central teaches martial arts, they do not teach aggression -- in fact, there's a lot of emphasis on NOT hurting others. Moreover, every session there's a 5 minute "circle time" where coaches and kids talk about safety, good behavior, how to be a good member of society, and other goot skills and traits. Our son joined when he was 4 and a half. We loved it so much that after only a month we decided to buy a lifetime membership, and it's paid off spectacularly well. Almost 3 years later he still loves these sessions and is very invested in his progression. In fact his interest in this class never dropped, which is almost unheard of at such young ages, and he's the sort of kid (a geek) we didn't expect would enjoy martial arts. The entire time we've had nothing but good experience. Sifu Troy and the instructors are all incredibly kind, humble, professional and passionate about the art. In fact many of them have been practicing at this very institution since they themselves were small kids -- a testament to the vision and the incredibly remarkable job the founder David Chang has done since he started the program decades ago. This place deserves nothing but praise and the highest possible recommendation.

Kung-Fu Kids in Palo Alto has such a vibrant and fun atmosphere!…read more I trained and took classes under Sifu Troy, who is the head instructor here. He played a huge role in transforming me from a shy, soft-spoken kid, into a confident (and very loud now) leader! His patience and compassion is unmatched, being able to connect with all children and students. Sifu Troy always knows how to keep classes fun and effective, where we learn real skills in an engaging way!

I regret that I didn't learn Kung Fu long ago as it's made a tremendous positive impact on my life…read more I did actually try a few classes throughout the years, but they were always lame in some way (e.g. lots of shouting, too macho, too much like dance class). SiFu Don's class is perfect. A wonderful combination of exercise, practical instruction, and learning elegant ancient Kung Fu forms. SiFu Don is impressive in his mastery of his art, yet undertstated in his manner. He will encourage and inspire you to achieve more than you imagined you ever could, but is also kind and understanding of your current ability level. He translates complex movements into simple step-by-step instructions that he demonstrates meticulously and gently corrects you as necessary. I couldn't recommend this class highly enough!

Always wanted to learn kungfu?! Then take this class!…read more This class under Sifu Don is a great way to introduce yourself to the discipline of kungfu, especially if you're starting from zero. Sifu Don brings years of kungfu training and does a great job of translating it into a learning environment. Everyone hears of draconian kungfu teachers with their insane punishments, but thankfully, Don isn't like that (though he's still badass). Instead, he understands the various skill levels and physical limits of his students and provides gentle encouragement along with lots of one on one attention. Whether you want to explore a new hobby or revisit some old kungfu skills, come to class, bring so loose fitting clothing/athletic gear and a willingness to learn something that most people suck at right off the bat. Doing Bruce Lee caliber moves as a beginner will take time, sweat, and (hopefully very little) blood, but this kungfu class provides that road.

I trained at Serao for over two years and greatly enjoyed my time there. The only reason I've left…read moreis because I moved out of the Bay Area. I believe the kind of environment Serao has fostered is genuinely unique. It's inclusive, caring, and casual. You're treated like an adult. Instructors will push you hard and there is of course basic etiquette and respect, but no one is preaching life lessons or expecting you to bow and grovel at their feet. If you want to show up and go hard, you can. If you're a parent squeezing in classes whenever your schedule allows, that's just as welcome. Nobody makes you feel like you don't belong either way. This gym became a third space for me and I will miss everyone I trained with. Highly recommend to anyone considering BJJ, whether you're competing or just want a great workout and a good group of people.

I trained at Serao for 1.5 years while getting my master's at Stanford. This academy has a special…read moreplace in my heart as it is where I started my BJJ journey - I've learned a ton here and signed up for my first two competitions while training here! I mainly attended the no-gi & wrestling classes, but both the gi and no-gi instruction was great. On the surface, Serao is a friendly, humorous and fun place to train for hobbyists. People are nice, it is kid-friendly, and bad behavior gets rooted out immediately. Leo goes out of his way to create a safe training environment (he'll match sparring partners himself) regardless of skill, size, or gender. The instructors are great and care about your development. Underneath the surface, you'll find a small, tight knit group of competitors that train intensely and compete at an extremely high level. There's something for everyone here, I'd highly recommend it and as a bonus, parking here is extremely easy and accessible. Will miss this place!