This is one of the best Brazilian Jiujitsu in the north east. The owners are some of the highest…read moreranked black belts around. The rest of the instructors are very skilled and great teachers. This place is great for all levels of jiujitsu. You will feel safe and welcome to the balance family.

Balance studios is a wonderfully inclusive environment. My whole family has trained for 15+ years…read moreat their various locations and have ALWAYS felt welcomed. The confidence we have received from training with balance is priceless! The instructors are professional, world class athletes that train all levels with courtesy and consideration. The best in the city in my opinion!! Try a class and make your own decision, you will not regret it!

If you are interested in Kendo and Iaido - the Japanese Budo and Martial Arts - this is a genuine…read moreDojo you can find in Philly area. Come and give it a try - hopefully you will enjoy and join this lovely family here.

From the owner: KENDO is originated from the experience of the samurai who trained to use “Nihonto” – Japanese…read moreswords in distinctive appreciation of the “principle of the sword”. It is believed that through learning Kendo one can gain an understanding of the “principles of the sword”. It is important to study the spirit of the samurai, which is related to these principles, and can be learned through rigorous training in the use of the sword. This is why the object of Kendo is refereed to being a way to develop the human character. – All Japan Kendo Federation IAIDO is complimentary Japanese martial art that focusing on the swift and efficient drawing of a Katana and executing a decisive strike, emphasizing precision, mental focus and the art of drawing the sword from a peaceful position. They are numerous Iaido koryu school in Japan, but All Japan Kendo Federation has unified Iaido school into Seitei Iai set of 12 techniques called Seitei Iai. Our school belongs to Jikidan Eishin ryu, one of many koryu practiced today in Japan with linage to mid-1500s to a swordsman named Hayashizaki Jinsuke. Kendo not a self-defense martial art and will not do much for you in term of defending yourself again street attack. So, why Kendo? We base our teaching on the principle of Samurai Swordsmanship • Kendo teaches you how not to cheat and lie. • Kendo teaches you how to fight laziness. • Kendo teaches you how to respect others. • Kendo teaches how to live with dignity.

A great way to exercise, gain flexibility, blow off some steam and meet some positive folks, this…read moredojo has been here for over 40 years under the leadership of Sensei Teruyuki Okazaki and now with new blood from his nephew Hiro Okazaki. My dad trains here with my daughters and me. There are classes for kids after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:45-6:00 and Saturdays at 11:00. There are also classes for adults MWFSS at 11:00 AM and evenings M-F at 6:15. They train in and study authentic Japanese Shotokan karate. Some classes are for advanced students. They also sell uniforms, belts, gloves. The wooden floor, tin ceiling, mirrors, ceiling fans and knotty pine paneled walls make for a real old school dojo feel. The roar of your classmates KIA! will give you the energy to finish the class. Better than yoga IMO.

From the owner: The ISKF is a traditional Shotokan Karate organization, founded by Master Teruyuki Okazaki, who…read morestudied directly under Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate. The ISKF is rich in tradition, but continuously moves forward to bring all countries together to follow these same guidelines. We specialize in the instruction of both children and adults. No prior Karate experience is required.

If you live in the Philly area and want an inclusive and fun gym to build strength I would…read morerecommend 8 Limbs. Unfortunately I didn't get to work with them long but the intro class was great. Seems like folks who frequent there really enjoy it. I didn't feel too overwhelmed by the class size. They do ask you to take your shoes off so make sure to wear socks if that's a thing for you...

really nice and super knowledgeable coaches. they really care for your progress as a student. I…read moreespecially appreciate how much effort Charlie and Kate put into creating a strong sense of community there.

Best Bjj Gym in Philly! Doesn't matter if your experienced or a beginner, this is the spot!!read more

Took the free self defense class- I'd recommend it. It was very basic so you don't need any…read moreexperience. The instructor went slow, and was very clear. I couldn't get all the moves and he didn't make me feel at all bad about it. We just moved on. The place was clean, and looked new.

I live in the neighborhood and was looking for a good gym to attend. I gave the owner, Don, a call…read moreand he told me to stop in and check it out. I did just that and now, after about 3 months of doing the kickboxing class, I'm hooked! He offers lots of classes during the weekdays and on Saturdays. The teaching mentality is very focused on learning the fundamentals first before moving into advanced moves, which seems to be very successful among the participants. I would highly recommend giving Don a call if you're interested in learning martial arts, kickboxing, or jiu-jitsu.

From the owner: We are a family-owned and operated right here in Philadelphia, PA. We began teaching in Fishtown in…read more2012. Our staff is made up of Black Belt instructors who have taught professionally in both the US and Canada with over 50 years of combined experience in Tae Kwon Do-Mu Du Kwon, Tang Soo Do, Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, Tai Chi, Mixed Martial Arts and a variety of other martial arts. In addition, all of our instructors are Certified Personal Trainers. Individualized training focus based on YOUR strengths and weaknesses (challenges). The focus is placed upon instruction and individualized correction to technique is learned properly an with reduced risk of repetitive use injury. You will NOT be exposed to "do as I do" type teaching! Students who train here have reported, improved self confidence, fat loss with improved fitness and tone and practical (actually used!) self-defense. This can be a family art to be enjoyed for a lifetime that aids in self control reducing stress, anger and depression. Tai Chi Fusion day classes. Tai Chi for the WEST of us!

I've been taking the adult Monday/Thursday class offered by Guy for several years. I highly…read morerecommend our class for adult learners of all skill levels. I started as a white belt and am now working toward yellow.

This is such a great class. We started by sending our kids only, and then realized it would be…read moregreat for the whole family. Guy manages to teach to all levels in the class at the same time. I see progress every class, across our whole family. It's a bright spot of our week!

Located in a very nice part of the city near historic Rittenhouse Square, Aikikai of Philadelphia…read moreis an extraordinary dojo with an amazing array of instructors. Sensei Roderick Johnson is very patient, precise, and detail-oriented in explaining all of the techniques. He is big and strong, yet fluid and graceful in all of his movements. Dr. John Porter's classes pack a plethora of techniques in a short period of time. He incorporates fun exercises in our training to allow us to think outside the box. Carlton Harris' classes, like Sensei's, are also very structured and blend power and precision in all of the techniques. I wish I could take more of Carlton's classes, but the day of the week doesn't work for me. Ed Shockley is a weapons master. He is so very humble in person, but when he's on the mat, he radiates energy. His Aiki weapons classes feel very much like yoga, linking the mind and body as one. John Holt teaches the weekend children's classes. His classes always blend fun activities with the serious stuff like movement and ukemi. The dojo community includes a rich blend of people of all ages and ethnicities. Everyone here is very kind and passionate about Aikido and the senior students are all very approachable and willing to explain the techniques to the junior students. I think that fosters the best kind of learning environment when both teachers and senior students help the junior students grow. If you are thinking about studying Aikido, you can sit and watch our classes to see if it looks like something that resonates with you. However, once you begin, you must understand that your training will take time and patience on your part. Everyone progresses at different speeds and understand that you are placing your trust in people who've experienced what you are about to experience in your training. This is not like many forms of karate where you train to achieve a black belt in a short period of time. Aikido takes a long time to get to an advanced level and even when you get there, you realize there is much more to learn.

I took my 6 year old here for kid's Aikdo at her request (they have Saturday morning classes. The…read moreSensai is very nice and the instructor Suleman, is funny and a skilled martial artist. My child, however, is a little too young still - so we'll be back again when she's older. Meanwhile there is also a Karate Studio (unafilliated) next door that teaches Shotokan. The Dojo is well used and well appointed with plants along the windows. If you or your child want to study Aikido, this is a great place to go.

I am proud to be a member with this club and its community. The discipline, confidence and…read moreconnection I find in this club extends out through every aspect of my life on a daily basis. We have a lot of fun and congregate a lot of respect for these arts so far that it feels like I have joined an international and historically rich family.

I'm still a beginner, but despite this, my confidence level with defending myself, has already…read moregreatly improved. I highly recommend this club.

I quite enjoyed my time at he Bellevue for a while that it's done a complete 180 in the last…read moreseveral months. The good: Very big and nice facilities with amazing great variety of equipment. A TON of group fitness classes if you're into that including free reformer Pilates classes (if you can get in.) Issues (that are unacceptable in general or just completely insane to have at the membership price point...these are things you deal with a budget gym or someplace you go for free): Constant elevator issues which cause lines and long wait times during peak hours. And for the last 6+ months they've only had two of three functioning if that. You know it's an issue, fix it for goodness sakes. Good luck if you rely on parking here. The entrance are closed half the time causing you to have to detour for a good ten plus minutes to get in and then exiting you're stuck behind trucks delivering in the alley they've left "open" for you to get out. And yes the validate but they randomly increased the price from $11 to $12 one day. Not a huge deal but why not tell members in advance? It's just sloppy. The sound systems are suboptimal for group classes especially in the HIIT studio. It is a vibe killer for sure. The spa that we were promising was coming soon when we joined in November of 2023 is still nowhere to be found. The locker rooms are adequately maintained but there are so many privacy issues. Often there are signs that there will be men working in the women's locker room. And the phone use is NUTS. People are on video conference calls! How is this allowed?? The cafe hours stink for early birds. If I'm done with my workout before 7am and I want coffee, I'm SOL. It's also insanely expensive. I cannot speak for the food there because I won't eat it after I saw a mouse in the cafe area while I was working from there one day. Treadmills are constantly broken. They added a bunch and now there's somehow less available because they cannot seem to maintain them. Out of service for a day or two is one thing but it goes way longer than that. Good luck and Godspeed accessing an assault bike or a ski erg between 10:15 and 2pm on weekdays. They're fully monopolized by the turf class and the HIIT studio is used for classes including mat Pilates (??) Generally speaking maintenance seems to be an issue. A pedal was hanging off one of the two assault bikes on the main floor this week when I was using it. A tread was sticking a few weeks ago when I started to run on it. I couldn't strap my foot into a rower the other day. It doesn't seem like it would be too much to ask that they keep their eye on this. I do feel like it used to be under control but had fallen off a cliff recently. Too many people here are shooting footage for social media. I cannot complete a workout without being concerned I'm in the background of someone's selfie-video or photo shoot. Hotel guests have full access to the gym. It adds to the insane crowds on the weekend and needs to get in check. Many of the trainers and instructors are great but a handful of trainers that either do personal training or turf classes are flat out RUDE. I was treated disrespectfully and even bullied by one of them while minding my own business just trying to complete my workout. This is embarrassing for the gym and needs to be addressed. Ultimately, I could no longer justify being a paying member with so little care shown by management about the member experience. Perhaps spending less time posting less on social media and more time listening to an addressing member feedback would be helpful.

There's a lot about this gym that's phenomenal, but the phone use in the locker room and sauna…read moredrags this place way down. This is a serious privacy violation, whether someone is intentionally taking pics not. (Sometimes they are taking pics.) Most people have camera permissions enabled on their phones for lots of apps. A sauna or locker room is a place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, but the phone use means you do not have privacy here. It gets worse: the same people using their phones in the sauna are usually the ones who wear their dirty socks and gym clothes in there (sometimes even their sneakers), and you can even tell when it's empty, because the wooden benches are dirty from it. Gross. This isn't an occasional problem with only a few offenders. If you walk past the sauna (it has a glass door) you'll often see 4+ people in there scrolling their phones. The gym does have a couple of signs telling people not to do either of these things, but the signs are ignored. At $200 per month, this is considered a high end gym. The other high end gyms (Fitler, Equinox) in this area don't have the same problems, so I don't know what's going on here. I guess someone started doing it, no one stopped them, and now others see this and think it's ok? This is a shame because the equipment here is good, there are tons of great classes, and the space overall is very nice.