My daughter started at HK Taekwondo as a Tiger (5 years old) and over the last five years has…read moreearned her Red Belt. HK Taekwondo has been the one to take her through this entire journey so close to reaching the top. HK Taekwondo is probably the best experience I've not only had with a martial arts studio, is has been and still remains one of the best family owned businesses I've ever had experiences with. Master Kim and his Teachers are firm, consistent, teach discipline but not through aggression or anger rather sternness and firmness at a level the child can comprehend and understand. I believe this is why over the last five years, I have seen other kids also grow up in the same program. If you want to start this journey as adult or with your child I very much highly recommend this school. PS - I also know this school follows guidelines and teaching standards for a path to the Olympics.

Most of the high reviews are from years ago…read more Master Kim, the owner, is missing and rarely interacts with students. The instructors are hit or miss. If you get one of the 2 that actually teach they have different approaches that contradict each other. A 3rd teacher is a student that has no business teaching. He has no leadership ability and the students have no respect for him. At one point in 2022 their main instructor at the time went on vacation and then was out sick for an extended time. During that time, the owner, master Kim was still no where to be found and the classes were taught by students. When the instructor came back most of the classes were a disobedient mess. No one was prepared for that round of testing so they had the students repeat the previous test since they went 2 months without learning anything. When you look at the calendar it is packed with classes, but that is not up to date. They teach multiple experience levels at the same time in a relatively tiny studio. There is no common space, for parents, gear, backpacks or shoes. Just a narrow walkway with a row of benches right off the mat. Students get close enough to hit spectators. Kids are stacked too close to each other and run into each other while practicing forms. There is so much confusion about which class is at each time, you almost always end up with lower belts in the advanced class. They take 30 minutes to warmup, split into groups, maybe do 5-10 minutes of Taekwondo, and then spend the last 15 minutes of class playing a kids game like tag or jump rope. The week before each test they realize how under prepared most students are and suddenly get serious. They need everyone to sign up for the test because it is a revenue generator. You get to the test, where master Kim makes an appearance. His rambling and confusing comments drag the event beyond the expected time, usually running an hour late for 1 hour time blocks. The test devolves into him referring to everyone as "you" since he doesn't know any of his students names. He starts teaching a class during the test. It is really more judgement on the poor quality of instructors rather than the students trying to pass. The parents sit there asking themselves where this level of instruction has been the prior 3 months. Ultimately the students try multiple times, take breaks to have 1 on 1 training sessions before they try again. Eventually after enough attempts most of them pass. I wrote this review while sitting at a belt test, watching multiple students fail even though they required a testing form to be signed in advance by an instructor, acknowledging they were ready. Master Kim determines if the kids pass the test, but the instructors somehow have no idea what his standards are. In the weeks leading up to the test, us and other families were requesting help on specific aspects of the test but the help provided by the instructor (who is actually a student on the performance team) was minimal and provided no constructive feedback. Over half of the students failed and the owner told those families that he would personally guarantee to work with them for 2 weeks and they would retest and pass. From Friday to Tuesday master Kim forgot about the promise he made. It turned into assigning a different instructor to work with them which turned into students (who were not instructors or black belts) working with the kids for about 15 minutes in one of the classes. The most frustrating part of the re-test was an instructor telling the kids if they worked "this hard" before the original test they would have passed the first time. Absolutely disconnected, if the instructors were consistent every class, rather than just the week before a test, their students would have actually been prepared. But keep letting the kids run around playing tag with pool noodles.

Sensei Alec and Sensei Miles are outstanding instructors who genuinely care about their students…read more Their holistic approach to martial arts--strengthening mind, body, and spirit in every individual--is a refreshing change from most schools. This is the real deal: a true local gem. I can't recommend it highly enough. Words don't do it justice--just go see (and feel) the difference for yourself.

I have been attending Krav Maga and Brazilian Jujitsu classes at The Mat for quite a while now. The…read moreinstructors are great and very patient. Overall, it is an excellent place for people of all ages to work.

We signed up our daughter who became interested in Karate and we couldn't be more pleased with…read moreRockhold Karate! We've seen her practice at home on her own without being asked and her confidence grow in just a couple of months. We're so happy we found the right place for our daughter.

We went to take my 5 year old to a free trail last week. It was extremely uncomfortable &…read moreunprofessional. When we walked in the "owner" didn't even shake my hand or look me in the eye. Within 5 minutes of being there this Chris weirdo decided to tell a child who was not acting up mind you, to "DONT EVER LIE TO MY FACE EVER AGAIN". In an extremely aggressive tone. That kind of response is never warranted to let alone an adult but a 5 year old!?? He very lucky it was not my child. But it disturbed us enough to bolt out of there. This man has some serious control issues and I would never trust him with any authority especially over young children. I've reported this establishment to the right authorities. The "5 stars" this place has is from 10 years ago. Keep that in mind & keep your children safe!

One of THE BEST Martial Art School. It's not only about Martial Art and Technique that you learn…read morehere, it Body Mind and Spiritual connection and mostly important the Quality Mind Set. We did shop around different martial art school but we found Round Rock Karate Academy to best fit the Vision and concept of Martial Art. Sam Bo Nim is a Great person and the Instructors are so great as well. Not everyone can instruct the class, instructors needs to be certified so you are in good hands no matter whom you work with. This is a school of martial art without boundaries to learn. If you or your kids are really interested, then no one is stopping you to come for class. My son comes all 5 days possible. Extra Saturday class (1hour class) is of such a great extra class that you learn very quality lesson. All these comes with no extra cost to you and that is so great of Sam Bo Nim (Daniel Dalenela). There are online videos for member to watch and learn if you are really into martial art and again comes with no extra cost. This is such a great resource. If you are capable then Sam Bo Nim don't holds student back to make money per month, (there is no contract to sign. If you don't like you can leave the school and there is no penalty and trust me once you are here you will not leave), He would let student advance and learn higher level material. His philosophy is if you work hard than you get what you deserve. It is not how long you stayed with school, it's how hard you worked. My son he joined in 7 months back as a white belt at 10th Gup level and now he is already Green belt with two stripes at 4th Gup level. And it's not he just got it, he was tested real hard to his limit and that gives us satisfaction as well. Also With in 2 months of joining the school he participated in Tang So Doo 13th Annual tournament at San Antonio as a white belt but competing with 2-3 higher rank belts and he got into first place. That's what it tell all about the quality of Round Rock Karate Academy VS others. In very short after all this long text, you won't find any other martial art school any close to what Round Rock Karate Academy does with its Disciples in mind.

I do not ordinarily write reviews, particularly negative ones, but after several months of…read morereflection I felt compelled to share my experience with Round Rock Karate Academy. I have chosen to remain anonymous for personal reasons. My children were unenrolled a few months ago, and I had initially hoped that, through communication and patience, some of my concerns would improve. Unfortunately, after repeated attempts to seek clarity, I ultimately lost confidence in the process. My greatest frustration was the lack of transparency regarding student progress. Children would continue training for many months, sometimes well over a year, without being invited to test, yet parents received little proactive feedback explaining what specifically needed improvement. Only when parents enquired about testing would concerns or explanations suddenly emerge. As a parent without a martial arts background, I was not expecting automatic advancement. However, I did expect clear communication and a structured pathway. The stripe testing process in particular felt inconsistent and unpredictable. Since stripe progression is required before belt testing, I expected there to be a clear schedule or at least some transparency around evaluations. Instead, stripe tests often seemed to occur without warning, leaving students unprepared and discouraged when they did not pass. The overall system increasingly gave the impression of being financially driven rather than genuinely developmental. Parents were repeatedly told never to ask about testing because instructors alone would decide when a child was ready. Whilst I appreciate maintaining standards, there appeared to be very little visible progress tracking or measurable roadmap for advancement. I was also disappointed by the conduct of one senior instructor in particular. I personally heard remarks directed towards students such as "don't waste my time" and "why are you begging for tests." Regardless of intent, I found that manner of communication inappropriate for an environment meant to foster confidence, discipline, and respect. To be fair, not all aspects of the school were negative. Several instructors like Mr Green, Ms Ani etc were genuinely kind, professional, and invested in the students' development. However, I also noticed some capable instructors leave over time, which added to my concerns regarding the overall culture. I should add that the overwhelmingly positive online reviews do not reflect many of the private conversations I have had with other parents over the years. Several expressed similar frustrations but felt reluctant to leave because of the considerable time and money already invested, as well as concerns that their children would effectively have to start again elsewhere. This review is not written out of bitterness, but after months of consideration and disappointment. I simply hope other parents find this perspective useful when making an informed decision.

My 8 year old daughter loves going to PMA. The instructors and staff are very knowledgeable and…read morefriendly. The welcome package is well equipped for students to start from the get go the uniform and equipment is all included. The classes are not too big right now so each student gets 1:1 attention. Great program to teach student respect, responsibilities and self defense.

PMA is awesome. My 3yr old joined 2 weeks ago and he loves it. Teachers are very patient.read more

TL;DR: Martial Athletes is life-changing. The coaches are incredible, the classes are challenging…read morereal combat sports, and the community is amazing. In just six weeks, I've gained confidence, improved my fitness, and seen benefits in hiking, running, and even how I focus at home and at work. Keep reading for my full experience below. _________________ I've been training at Martial Athletes for about six weeks, attending striking with Coach Cannon, Jiu-Jitsu with Coach Freddy, and HIIT with Coach Maria. From day one, the gym has been welcoming, encouraging, and energizing. I'm a woman in my 40s with a background in weightlifting and CrossFit-style sports, and I was looking for a new challenge to get back to the fitness and confidence I once had. That mindset has helped me dive into these classes. These classes are challenging and real combat sports, not just cardio boxing. Don't let that be intimidating! Just something to keep in mind. Aside from watching Pride and UFC with my husband, I had virtually no martial arts experience before joining. Six weeks is still a short time in a martial arts gym, and my skill level definitely shows. It can be frustrating at times, but I keep showing up, and little by little, I'm improving. The coaches are incredible. They make you feel welcome no matter your skill level. They won't sugarcoat your abilities, but their feedback always comes from a place of honesty, patience, and kindness. The community is amazing, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping you grow. Walking into the gym can feel intimidating at first, but by week three you will be hooked. You might wonder, if I'm still learning and not very good, what's the point? Here's a story. I love hiking, but I used to constantly look down, never fully trusting myself on the trail. On Christmas Eve, after just five weeks in class, I went for a long hike and found myself looking up, confident, and trusting my body and my feet. I was able to enjoy the golden hour sunset and take in the horizon instead of staring at the trail beneath me. I recently ran a full mile, something that may not sound impressive, but I did it without pain. Unlike weightlifting, my training here strengthens my joints and ligaments along with my muscles, so I don't experience the usual aches. Again, I ran with my head up, chasing the horizon instead of watching my feet. Striking and BJJ demand focus. You have to pay attention, follow your opponent, and anticipate what's coming next. This practice has also improved my active listening at home and at work. I thought I was a good listener before, but now I can tell I'm much more present. Coach Cannon, Coach Freddy, and Coach Maria, you are patient, skilled, and inspiring. I can't say enough about the gym and its community.

Master Chad is a great role model and an experience mixed martial artist. My kids love him and…read moreenjoy the karate classes. During the day, it's family fun dojo but at night it might be a fight club, I'm not sure if I am even suppose to talk about it. Oh snap, I got to go but try a free class to see for yourself.

Awesome martial arts center for kids! The owners are a very nice couple (both accomplished martial…read moreartists). The vibe is definitely welcoming and family-oriented (the owners' baby is often hanging out by the mats). This particular center stood out to me because they offer classes for toddlers (their Tiny Tots classes, ages 2-3). My daughter attended for a couple months until they unfortunately dropped an early time slot that worked for us (due to low attendance). It was a 20 minute class but it was filled with a variety of exercises -- climbing, crawling, jumping, kicking, catching, and much more. The classes were bookended by an intro to discipline (bowing and addressing their Sensei). I definitely saw an improvement in my daughter after multiple sessions -- her physical skills improved as did her attitude. She seemed to really enjoy it as well. We intend to return when she's a bit older. Highly recommended for kids of all ages.

Raymond Daniels is a very special martial artist. I have learned more in the last month only taking…read morea couple classes a week than I have in probably the last 3 years. I'm a 1-0 pro MMA fighter with a 5-0 amateur record and striking is my strength, so I've had some very good coaches, but this is another level entirely. Raymond has such a deep knowledge of the game and has systems and principles that are easy to learn and make improvements in short order. A lot of students are there for self defense, a hobby, or a workout and they have a blast too! It's such a cool style to learn, and I believe there's no one better to learn distance fighting from.

AKA is the best! Regardless of your age or skill level, Austin Karate Academy will welcome you with…read moreopen arms, and give you a heck of a workout! I've had to dig deep and push myself harder than I ever have before, and I've made a lot of great friends along the way. Especially as a young adult, there are a lot of distractions in life, but the instructors and students have helped me develop my focus and better myself as a person. Tang Soo!

We've had a fantastic experience at AKA. A neighbor has been going there for several years (she is…read morenow a black belt), so we knew they were good people. Signed my 8yo son up almost a year ago, and I joined a few months ago. The instructors are fantastic -- they really push and challenge the students, but in a very respectful way, never condescending. They will particularly challenge kids who are not listening or behaving respectfully, but again will do so in a respectful way. At the beginner level, it's mostly kids (I believe that's the case at most studios) with a handful of adults, but don't be fooled into thinking it's going to be easy! They do a great job of catering to a range of skill levels in the class. As someone in his mid-40s, I get a great workout and have increased my strength, flexibility, and stamina even in just a few months. The main instructor (a 3rd degree black belt) has an INCREDIBLE amount of energy and passion and really gets everyone fired up, and he knows every student by name, and greets them by name as they enter the studio. I highly recommend AKA, for kids and adults alike. It has been a great journey learning karate with my son and being able to practice together outside of class. Several of the adults there also have kids in the studio and they joined because they've seen the quality of the program over the years. Join AKA, you'll love it!