Over the years I have checked out many dojo's. The staff here are great, my 6 yr old works hard and…read morethey work great with all the kids. This is more of a family than a business. I have had many of my children take martial arts. If there is one place this is it, they get the kids and the parents involved and are always building the kids and parents confidence.

My son started coming to MX for about 1.5 months now and we are so glad we decided to enroll him…read morehere. We just can't say enough good things about this place. The coaches are fantastic and we really love everything they are teaching the kids. They are nurturing and really attentive to the kids. I love that they teach self confidence, how to be responsible and also teach them how to stay safe. I would definitely recommend this place, you won't be disappointed!

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Ocotillo is truly something special…read more From the moment we walked in, we could tell this wasn't just another martial arts gym it was a family. The coaches genuinely care about every student who walks through the door, and you can feel that every single class. Coach Lucas, in particular, goes above and beyond. He doesn't just teach Jiu-Jitsu; he builds confidence, discipline, and respect in his students. He takes the time to connect with the kids on a personal level, and it's clear he's passionate about helping them grow both on and off the mat. Our daughter absolutely loves going, she looks forward to every class and is always excited to show us what she's learned. The positive, encouraging environment has helped her blossom. We're already planning for our youngest to join soon too! If you're looking for a place that combines world-class Jiu-Jitsu instruction with a truly caring, family-friendly atmosphere, Gracie Barra Ocotillo is the place. Couldn't recommend it more highly!

I decided in the new year to sign up for a trial class and check out BJJ. I've always wanted to…read morelearn but thought I was too old, and haven't literally never played any sports, ever, I assumed I wouldn't have any skills to compete and learn. But what the heck, let's give it a try. What I found was a really cool group of welcoming individuals that were helpful, gave tips, included me, and helped me along. Day one I was able to spar with blue belts & much more experienced men at BJJ, but it wasn't as intimidating as I imagined. No one was trying it hurt anyone, no obvious egos at play, just guys trying to get better and help others get better at the art. My take on BJJ: it's a self defense martial art, yes, but in practice it felt much much much more like a dance than a fight. It felt much more like a chess match vs at battle. You do not have to be the strongest person to compete and win at BJJ, but you have to be the smartest. You do have to have superior knowledge. Once you start to learn the way the body works, tricks to maximize your position and take away someone else's power or advantage, it's really a cool thing. Literally, a 125lb female can easily beat a 225lb male in this sport, if she has the knowledge. It's not all power or size, while that helps, it can be stripped from an opponent when you have superior training and knowledge of the sport. That was the coolest part for me to see. A huge confidence builder knowing you have the ability to defend yourself or others, if necessary, against odds you may have once thought not possible. Anyway, I enjoyed my training there and would recommend it to virtually anyone that has been considering learning BJJ. It's a good place with good people teaching a great skill. Just do it.

My son has been attending M3 Karate for six years. After trying many sports that he didn't enjoy,…read morehe finally discovered his passion for martial arts. He had been struggling socially and emotionally at school, but M3 became a place where he could gain confidence. Master Mendoza and his team provide an incredibly positive environment. They don't just teach martial arts--they also instill discipline, resilience, and respect. I have watched my son grow into a more mature and happy young man during his time here. On top of that, the parents are extremely supportive of all the kids, always cheering them on when they improve or move to the next level. We are truly grateful to M3 for providing such a loving and encouraging learning community for our children. Master Mendoza is an excellent mentor who genuinely cares about each student and builds meaningful connections with them. I highly recommend M3 Karate to anyone looking for a supportive and impactful martial arts program.

Life lessons taught while learning a variety of martial arts. Master Mendoza loves his students…read morewhile striving for excellence and holds them to a high standard. Highly recommend for self discipline, excellent training, and self confidence.

Both of my kids have been training at Master Shin's Taekwondo for 2.5 years, and at just 8 and 10…read moreyears old they've already earned their red belt black stripes. The experience has been phenomenal. The studio fosters an environment of camaraderie and care while also providing the challenges and opportunities kids need to grow. My children have developed not only physically but also mentally thanks to the outstanding instructors and well-structured curriculum. I love watching them master new forms, push through challenging kicks, and build confidence in their self-defense skills. I highly recommend Master Shin, Mrs. Shin, and the entire team of instructors to anyone interested in starting their taekwondo journey.

We were nervous to start our 5yo in TKD because any previous activities would usually end up with…read morehim getting frustrated and sitting with us. From Day 1, our son was actively engaged and we've seen a huge boost in his confidence over the past year and a half. We started his twin brother in it as well, and he's also loved it. Master Shin is absolutely phenomenal. He runs a very structured and tight ship but he's funny, engaging, and the kids all love and respect him. His wife Mrs Shin is a black belt, is at almost every tiger class, is also super engaging and friendly, and knows every child's name from day 1, it's pretty impressive. They have at least 3 other black belts in the Tiger class to assist and they are so hands on (we especially love Ms Kolby!). There really aren't enough great things I can say about Master Shin and his team except they truly are world class!

My daughter has been coming here for three months and just had her birthday party here today. I…read morehighly recommend this program. Everyone here is committed to teaching and dedicated to karate. I am impressed by their passion and patience as my daughter is learning! The first couple of weeks were very difficult as my daughter was learning a lot of coordination she never done before, but they made sure she felt welcome and confident. Their birthday party program is amazing too. Thank you guys for investing in my daughter.!

Sensei Scrima and Barkley are great instructors, they are not commercial, music in the studio are…read morenot too loud like other karate place, the frequency of the music not 440hz. They engaged with students, clear instructions, fun, and very friendly. Not too many students in the class.

Joseph is an AMAZING trainer, friend and mentor! Our family made the move from Cali to Arizona last…read moreyear and prior to officially moving I started my search for the right trainer. I had very specific needs of a trainer for my son (14 yr. old) to continue his years of training in boxing / martial arts. He met them all! Joseph was very attentive in reaching out and responding to me. I explained what I was looking for and that I wanted to see if it was a good match for him and our son to train before committing to anything. At the 1st session I knew right away Joseph was committed and a master at what he does. My son instantly clicked with him and he himself said he wanted to give it a go @ Kajukenbo, this was a new form of training for him. His background was mainly boxing with some experience in Jiu-jitsu. Joseph teaches discipline, assertiveness and helps students gain confidence. He supported me in things I have my son focus on as well; responsibility and accountability. I appreciated the one on one talks he would have with my son. Words of wisdom that my son will carry on for the rest of his life. I will NEVER be able to thank him enough for what he has done for my son! Unfortunately my son returned to Cali for other reasons and we were sad to lose the AMAZING training he had a every class. Joseph is one talented, dedicated Master and his style of training will not disappoint anyone interested!

My 9-year-old daughter joined Bautista Kajukenbo in August and as soon as my 5-year-old daughter…read moreturned 6, she wanted to join her big sister as well. I was a bit nervous having her join so young, but with Sifu Joseph's direction, she has taken to the sport very well as is one of the fiercest little Little Dragons. Sifu Joseph dedicates so much of his time to his students and helps us out when he can (travel issues, gear/supplies, gently-used uniforms) either personally or by brainstorming with the other parents to resolve the issue. My daughters have recently earned their yellow belts and I am happy to see them thrive in Kajukenbo. I place so much trust in their sifu and am grateful to him for mentoring and guiding my girls. Rocio M.

This school doesn't emphasize "flashy", and doesn't charge equally flashy prices. This school is…read moreone of those hidden gems you have to look for to find. Very little advertising or other overhead, so he can avoid charging his students through the nose. And no contracts. Sensei Hughes is presently a 5th degree black belt with Shorinryu Shorinkan, training under some of the premier martial artists alive today (including most recently Doug Perry and Eddie Bethea). The art he teaches is Okinawan Karate, taught as it has been for hundreds of years. If you want tournaments and trophies, this is not the school for you. No flips or other flowery routines. This one is about self defense, pure and simple. And while some time is spent on self defense techniques, all of these are derived from kata. Kata is not just a dance, it is a way to ingrain sequences of movements to the point where you do them without thinking about it. Those sequences can disable or devastate, depending on the situation. THAT is where the self defense really comes from. And developing it takes time. This is what we focus on. Kata, and applications of the different movements in the katas. There are several katas, and various techniques within each to keep it interesting! We also do weapons (for which there is no extra charge!!). I have been training with sensei for over three years now and am a blue belt (that's the 5th color, there are five more promotions to reach black). If you want trophies, or an expensive workout, there are many schools that can do that. If you want to learn real, practical self-defense, this is one of the best schools in the Valley. After my previous "training" at schools of dubious quality I consider myself fortunate to have found this one.

Sensei Hughes is an amazing martial art instructor. It's hard to explain his depth of knowledge or…read morelevel of expertise. He has trained in many different styles of martial arts and chose Okinawan Karate to be the one to master. His emphasis on kata and bunkai is definitely the traditional approach. Physically he is tough, strong and a little intimidating (in a good way.) The words of wisdom that come out of his mouth are what truly impressed me. He breaks-down a defensive move slowly and explains it. He'll show how it was done in the old days on Okinawa, then show multiple variations. He talks about bullies and street thugs and the psychology behind their approach, leading me to believe he has firsthand knowledge of dealing with such individuals. If you live anywhere near Chandler, AZ and are interested in the martial arts, you owe it to yourself to stop by and observe a class or better yet join. It's a small school, but the level of instruction if very high.

I love grappling and I have been fortunate to find an excellent instructor at Lopez Martial Arts…read more Sensei Lopez, I call him Sensei as I'm a Judo traditionalist, has direct, clear and detailed explanations. He demonstrates each movement introducing the particulars that make a difference in your learning. I've visited and trained at many dojos/ gyms in the valley, across Arizona and locations across the country. This school has to be in the top 2% of quality of instruction. The facility is roomy, clean and comfortable for training. The mats are on a suspended floor which remove much of the ache from any takedown practice. Finally, the students are part of a cooperative community - helping one another to win on and off the mat. Visit and watch a class and you'll see the quality difference knowledgeable BJJ, Judo, and Kickboxing practitioners look for.

Everything! Great, friendly people, amazing technical instruction, all ages, terrific sport to get…read morein shape and stay in shape. Try something that might get better out of your comfort zone that might change your life for the better!

We have been with Elite Taekwondo for about 7 years now. Our experience with this place has been…read morereally wonderful. As many other reviewers have said, at first, we were a little hesitant to sign up for a rather long contract with little children, but because of the commitment we had made, it was motivation for us as well to push ourselves when we had our ups and downs. For the first contract period, our two kids joined the training because we brought them and they were ok with it. The next contract up until they earned their black belt, they chose to join because they wanted to complete the first part of the journey they had started. For their second degree black belt, they wanted to learn more so they both asked to join. Throughout the years, they have had moments when they didn't want to go here and there. But eventually, they learned the valuable lesson of commitment. We read the contract and knew what we were signing up for. I don't agree with some of the statements that there is no way of getting a refund. If it is not simply a change of mind, for situations like moving away (there was a distance stated in our contract,) you can get your money back. It is a contract. I believe Grandmaster Kim has the full right to make decisions on how to run his business just like we have our right to choose to be customers or not. It is not a charity but a business. I don't doubt Grandmaster Kim knows he is taking a risk of losing potential customers by insisting on a long term commitment. If you are only in business for money, It may be easier to earn more when you take many more short term trainees. I particularly love the fact that the contract is set based on how many classes you get to take and you get to keep them until you reach the goal you have set. As we went through our lives, especially with young children, we had to slow down sometimes and the arrangements he had made allowed us to do so without getting stressed out. And more importantly, my kids got to experience the joy of completing a goal they have set without giving up. There are always pros and cons in everything and since there are plenty of people focusing on the cons, I wanted to address some pros we appreciate. We respect and appreciate Grandmaster Kim's dedication to a life of Taekwondo. He is a 7th degree black belt and it takes longer and longer to move up to the next degree as you go. Not only that, in Korean culture Taekwondo requires you to be diligent in other areas of your life as well to move on. It teaches confidence, persistence, resilience, and hard work. That is part of the nature of this martial art. If someone is not happy with these particular traits, they clearly don't understand and I agree that they should not have signed up. It is not for them. He has achieved something and he is still going, and I want my kids to learn from and be exposed to those character traits. Our kids have had lots of positive influence from him and have grown noticeably since they first joined. My kids are not naturally gifted when it comes to physical activities. They had some struggles here and there, but every experience has been valuable to them. Taekwondo alone is not going to shape their character, and I agree it is more up to us as their parents. However, I am confident that it definitely has brought many positive effects in my kids lives.

Get ready, this will be a long one…read more.. My 8 year old son has been taking TKD classes here with the owner/main instructor Grandmaster Kim for a lil over a year and he loves it. He also has 3-4 instructors with him to assist in the class. From what I have seen, they are encouraging, supportive and patient. Yes the instructors all still wear their masks but I don't see anything wrong with that. Unless you are an anti masker, then you are prob cringing. Lols There are two rows of chairs inside for parents/guardians to stay and watch the kids. I like how they mop the floor mat after every class. Kids are taught the correct TKD techniques while getting physical activity in like jumping jacks, push-ups, running, stretching, etc. Yes it can be a lil fast paced so if your child is one who needs slow step by step instruction, then this might not be the class for them. As well as if your kid doesn't like being active they probably won't like TKD either. The kids are also taught to be respectful for example, addressing the instructors with yes sir and yes mam which I think is great. The kids are given a workbook for reference with all the steps in it. If your child needs extra help, I've seen the instructors guide them to the side for a lil one on one as needed. I've never seen them be hard on the kids. They also make it fun with board breaking days and relays. *Things to think about* I agree, the contract to sign up is long- about a yearish from start until the green belt. Once you finish that, then you may choose to stop or sign up for another contract for the black belt path. If your child decides say half way through they don't want to do it anymore then unfortunately you are SOL. You don't get a refund! TKD is an investment and I guess in a way teaching your child not to give up. The "two week free trial" is technically only three classes. So I can see it being tough for some kids to decide if they like it or not. But my kids' swim, dance and gymnastics classes only offered one free trial class so... Lessons are not the cheapest and there are extra fees like each time you graduate to another belt and any equipment like gloves and sparring accessories. Grandmaster Kim does offer payment plans. He will give you all the paperwork and fees to look over before you decide to sign up. I know some people wrote they was pressured into signing up their child but I never felt pressured at all by Grandmaster Kim. I was able to bring the info back to discuss with my husband. He did ask me to write a review on Google once but not for a discount or anything in return. I've had businesses ask me to write a review also so it's not weird to me.