(There is also a Kid's Kung Fu program now - at both school locations)…read more I enjoy the classes and the people and have made many new friends, including friends with the instructors and job leads. The instructors are great and come from a variety of martial arts backgrounds. They respect the students and instill confidence in your ability as a student to learn the style and as a student you have confidence in their ability to teach. Of the three styles I have taken Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) has proven to be the most fun and is at the same time challenging enough so that you can't get bored. The classes are usually a mix of starting with your forms (there are 2 for students) or punching exercises as a warm up and then moving into practicing what is required for your student grade by either working with students of the same grade or higher ranked students. You also get to practice the other stuff you have previously learned by working with the newer students and nearly everything has an application in the real world of defense. Do we not spar (unlike other styles, such as Tae Kwon Do), Ving Tsun is not a "sports" martial art, it is for self-defense, you defend yourself and stop the other person before they can hurt you (in the real world, not in class) so there is no gentle, safe way to spar (Google Wing Chun if you have doubts). There are also few forms; actually there are 3 empty hand forms, 1 wooden dummy form, and 2 weapon forms, and students only learn the first two forms until the end of the student grades. Not that there isn't plenty of stuff, do such as Chi Sao and Lat Sao, both of which require a partner and help built technique and reactions, while "teaching" your muscles how to react (check out Wikipedia for more information).

This is a fine martial arts studio that provides you just that, the ability to study a…read morewell-designed martial arts system meant for practical applications, not performance arts. You will build upon your reflexes and ability to deflect and deliver strikes with each passing class, and if you work hard, you will feel it. I've joined as a student of Sifu Jeff Webb, the head of the National Ving Tsung Organization, to learn as much as I can during the time I have remaining in Texas, before transferring to a student of his in the North who is now also a Sifu (instructor or master, I'm not quite sure really which term is most appropriate). Thus far I have learned a great deal, and observed the high level of skill possessed by each of his students ranked from low and high, with the higher ranked students also working as assistant instructors to provide valuable input and more skilled training partners to guide your development. I attend classes in both the North and South locations to experience a broader range of instructors and training partners to build upon my understanding more comprehensively. Classes consist of an initial period of taxing and difficult form practice that appears hella easy when done well, followed by exercises with a partner that exhibit and employ the techniques learned in the forms, generally taking up much of the class. Very straightforward, but not at all simple, with only heavy effort bringing about real improvement. Ving Tsung/Wing Chun, made famous by Bruce Lee and Ip Man, is a center-line striking style created by a woman for close-quarters combat that requires one to be relaxed excepting the points of impact, allowing strength to be overcome by angling and reaction time, making strength all the more powerful once the style is understood, something my boxing and other training is making difficult as I'm relatively rigid and tense, so this style is helping me to learn fluidity and to better employ my power at appropriate times rather than wasting energy when it isn't essential. Yoga oddly enough I approached as a strength and stamina-building exercise, so it has done little to improve my flexibility, just power and reaction time, as I am not zen enough apparently. The wing chun perspective I will transfer into my legal studies and eventual practice, as it is an expansive philosophy useful elsewhere in life that helps you not waste energy, and have the push-through when it counts. One of the key precepts of the system constructed by Sifu Webb is something to the effect of "If the way is open, move forward", something entirely in tone with the Norse ideology of the Vikings, and I appreciate this. The studio is absolutely worth checking out if you are serious about your training, and definitely is not a lunchtime cardio or high-flying acrobatic activity, it is a place to go to learn a fighting style with hard-working and committed fellow students and teachers that follows a logical progression and isn't going to waste your time.

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 amazing. I can't say enough about the gym and its community.

Character building for children Coach Cannon is genuinely…read morekind, patient, and attentive towards our kids' needs and interests. Working with young kids is not easy, but Coach makes class fun and challenging. My 4yo started out relatively shy, not knowing the moves or words, and within only 5 lessons, he's already more confident and enthusiastic about learning martial arts. Both of my kids really like Coach Cannon. In 5 classes, my son's learned: punching, kicking, blocks, jumps, stances, movement, combo moves, and agility practice. Trial classes are offered. We've surveyed the older kids' class out of curiosity, and I truly like that class begins (and ends) with the coach creating a connection with the kids. He asks them about their interests, school life, friendships, and promotes an anti-bullying message. Great Environment for the family Classes are available for young kids (4yo and up). There is a homeschooling class available on weekdays. Private lessons are available for children and adults. Space is clean, bright, fun and welcoming. There is a small play area for younger kids to play with blocks and lego while their older siblings attend class. Classmates are engaging and seem to get along like a team. Pricing: Fair, Accommodating Personal Bonus: Coach Cannon has Marvel gear (Spiderman and Captain America) That's pretty awesome! We sincerely recommend Martial Athletes.

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.

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!

This is a beautiful gym. Never crowded, great equipment, well-maintained…read more I've worked out in clubs all over the country and this one ranks right up there.

We loved this gym from the moment we peeked in the windows. Amazing renovated historic building and…read moretop notch fitness facility - great Precor machines and plenty of free weights and cardio equipment.

My son is in the little warriors class, and LOVES it! He has learned so much in such a short amount…read moreof time. Tae Kwon Do has really helped my son learn to focus a little more, and it has overall been such a great thing for him!

My daughter has been going here for almost a year. Our neighbor had a birthday party at the school…read moreas she is a student there. We went and my daughter had a blast and the parents couldn't say enough good things about the instructor/owner Mr. Evans. So we talked to Evans and he said for her to come to a real class for free and see if she liked it (as the birthday parties are a little more loose and silly compared to regular class). Sounded like a solid deal so we did 2 days later and to our surprise she loved it. She goes to class about 3-4 times a week only because some days the class for her belt group was at a time that we couldn't get off work in time to get her there. The new location is awesome because it is so close to our house and Mr. Evans and some of the black belt student instructors like Donald and Daeyon (god I think I spelled that right) are amazing. The amount of patience these guys have with working with kids from 5/6 all the way up to 13/14 year olds for the "kids" classes is amazing. We have seen such a big difference in our daughter's confidence as well as manners too (not that she was a bad kid or rude to begin with) but they teach kids about respect and courtesy and what it means to have self discipline and other values. Plus the exercise she gets has been great for her too, and I feel that if she did get picked on by bullies she could deal with it. The place is great, lots of our neighbors have daughters that go there and it is awesome seeing the girls kick ass as much as the boys. We couldn't get my daughter into any extracurricular activities like Dance or anything, so we were very happy she has found this. The school also rewards kids for good attendance as well as getting good grades at school. If you are looking for your kids then call them and set up a day to check it out. I would be surprised if they didn't love it and it is very affordable.

Yelp review Tiger…read morerock has been a great choice for an after school program for my kids. We wanted to do Martial Arts, and this place has several pros: -picks up my kids from their school (a charter school with fewer options than other schools in that regard). -reasonable prices and discounts on more than one child -they are friendly and fun teachers but also expect a lot from the kids -there is some downtime for kids to decompress from school (important for my kids' personalities); time for homework if needed, a TKD lesson, a workout, and some activities afterward available until parents pick up. -easy to contact with questions -if needed they also do camps for days off school (convenient) My kids are challenged here and really like working towards the various belt stripes and upcoming ranks. They have grown in confidence and some risk-taking in order to advance. I am pleased we signed up.

I can't rave enough about TKD Leander and the Looney's!! They are a wonderful family and have been…read morea blessing to ours!! Our boys love this place and have been attending after school, Summer Camp, and camps in between for about 3 years! I trust the Looney's not only teaching my boys some awesome TaeKwonDo skills but also life skills...like "yes sir, yes ma'am"!! I tell everyone about them!!

I had the pleasure of meeting Coaches Josh and Knight. I drove up from Orlando for a private…read moresession just working on basic footwork. I'm an older guy getting started learning boxing just for fun and fitness and am honored to even be able to come train a few basics from these gentlemen that have dedicated their entire lives to the sport of boxing. I would highly recommend checking them out. 5 stars for anyone serious about boxing

I just signed up recently and I really like it the key things I like about it is 1.great coaching…read more2.he pushes you to be better 3.theirs all types of weight classes.