Martial Arts Schools near St. Louis Park

“10 years ago I was in the military and did about 2 years of MMA / BJJ training. I had my first class last week and am extremely impressed.All of the students there seem genuinely interested in learning and improving rather than just hanging out. The instructors are not only extremely knowledgeable, but several of them actually compete in MMA competitions.I've seen them demonstrate some very high-skill techniques, and they're exceptional at explaining what they're doing.Bottom line, there are only a few places in the area to train in MMA, but don't bother with the others. This place is amazing and totally worth it if you want to develop skill in MMA / BJJ fighting styles.“

“My daughter has been attending Master Moon’s Tae Kwon Do for about a year now and we could not be happier with our experience. Not only do the students learn the art of self defense but also learn; discipline, respect of self and others, as well as focus that goes beyond just their Tae Kwon Do classes. My daughter takes such pride in earning each belt and has been extremely proud of having reached the yellow belt level. She has learned that it takes time and hard work to achieve a goal, and that it is all worth it. She is more self confident and is passing on the knowledge she has learned, more specifically the three principles of focus (body focus, mind focus and eye focus), to her academia and other activities she’s involved in.The Instructors are knowledgeable, experienced, and personable, and have used that knowledge to create not only a helpful and safe learning environment, but a warm and inviting one as well. The class may have many students at once, but they are broken into small groups by ability and each student gets a lot of individual attention from the teachers. No matter your level of skill, they are able to communicate their expertise in a way everyone understands. As a parent, I highly recommend joining this class!“

“I just started attending here and am truly blown away by the kindness, communication, and respect of this Gym. The owner Hayden and the coaches are knowledgeable, hard working, and know how to teach. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a gym. Very beginner and experienced friendly.“

“We have tried out several different martial arts gyms and couldnt really find one that fit. My son, daughter and nephew joined Alliance several months ago. I am a people watcher and observer. I have watched these coaches plant so many seeds for success, confidence, and just an all around wholesome experience into so many individuals in the gym and their families. Everyone has been very kind and welcoming. The head coach and his wife are really awesome people, along with all the coaches. My son has become so much more confident, he loves this gym. His demeanor has changed in such a positive way. We are very grateful we found this place, it definitely fits for us.“

“Awesome awesome awesome!It’s a very good place if you want training for taykando!Very very behaved and polite teachers!A very disciplined and friendly environment inside.“

“DEFINITELY recommend this dojo & location to anyone!!! My son is 7 yrs old has been going since age 5 yrs. He has very high ADHD, along with social anxiety & etc. On day one (just the trial practice) the instructors picked up on his stuff before I said anything to them and did an awesome job.I love that you can pick the classes you want to attend based off work & school schedules and finding less crowded classes. On lower attending days my son would even get just on-one-on training! Master Jones, Master Alsan, Master Sean (& the list goes on & on) are just all naturals at teaching kids (any age) and truly get to know them and the families.Thank you all so much!!!!“

“Last spring I started training with Professor Gina. It has been an honor. She is an amazing instructor and fosters an awesome community.“

“Enjoyable, transformative experience. Fitness for body, mind and spirit. Welcoming community.“

“I’ve been going to Hopkins NK for a while now and it’s really engaging. The instructors are a great combination of nice and critical.“

“My entire family (two grade school kids, my husband, and me) have been going here for about six months, and it's really enriched our lives and improved our health. This school fosters community really well, and I feel like we're all in it together, helping each other pursue our goals.Personally speaking, I'm forty years old and have some chronic health issues. That I'm able to study martial arts with my family alongside twenty-year-old men in peak health speaks to this school's ability to encourage people to grow from wherever they are in life. It has also been a blast learning martial arts as a family (a feat only allowed thanks to this school's pricing structure). I'm able to have fun with my kids while we learn, and sparring with my husband feels like date night.Having never studied martial arts before, I can't compare this place to anywhere else, but here are a few of the things I find striking...The school uses a volunteer format for their instructors. It helps keep the costs low--nowhere else I called could compete with their price--but it also creates a built in sense of comradery. Instructors teach for passion, not a paycheck, and have a personal investment in your success. The instructors rotate on different nights, and students are able to learn from multiple perspectives.Teachers are actively invested in your success regardless of your belt color, but they also care that your belt color *means* something. Students are not bumped up from level to level to make them feel good (you won't find any twelve-year-old black belts here), but as a signifier of knowledge and advancement. It makes this a great place to learn for both beginners and those who are already serious about martial arts.On one recent Thursday night, our two kids received focused instruction in self-defense from a four-time kickboxing world champion, while my husband and I went through our one-steps (a kind of belt-level-based series of movements) with the school's lead teacher. In the background, another black-belt helped students go through form. It all felt so personalized and thoughtful, and I feel privileged to be part of it.This place, in a strip mall basement with aging carpet, is a hidden gem. Give it a try.“

“We have twin boys going to Kindergarten in Richfield. We looked at *lots* of after-school options and are so glad we went with Hwa Rang Do. The kids enjoy getting better at martial arts — it's so fun to see them practicing their moves at home, and they felt so proud when they graduated to the next belt color. And the portion of the program that isn't martial arts is exactly what we wanted in an after-school program: the instructors are great with the kids, and find a balance between letting them goof off and get out energy and keeping the environment calm and organized. Every time we pick up the kids they're in the middle of some creative new art or craft, from making gingerbread houses to making their own "swords" from cardboard to beading and sculpting. I really like the physical space too — lots of board games, art supplies, and books, as well as foosball, an aquarium, and couches to just hang out. We highly recommend this program! Thanks to all the staff!“

“Excellent self defense school! Our 7yo daughter can’t wait for her next class. She has been enrolled for 8 months. The instructors are really good and teach the kids to be respectful, focused and work hard. I highly recommend this studio for families who want to have their kids in a routine, learn respect and gain confidence in a fun way.“

“National karate has a great karate program that is open to all ages and abilities. One thing that has been great for our family is the way Mr. Hill supports each karate student's individual goals. We could not be happier with the high quality of instruction from all of the Eden Prairie instructors.“

“I dropped in here for a free demo class on a Saturday while looking for a new reality-based jiu jitsu gym to call home after five years (pandemic interrupted) at another Minnesota-based gym after deciding I needed a change. I arrived only 5 minutes before class, sorry, but Steve welcomed me with open arms and the place was filled with the sounds of the students having fun talking before starting. Steve had a great relationship with the students and commanded their attention with minimal effort. Light stretches to start, followed by increasingly intense partner bag work blending kicks and punches. Then came technique which today was some sit through escapes from bottom. Class finished three rounds of rolling and then everyone seemed to be welcome to hang out and talk, stretch, or even keep rolling. Steve invited me at this time to roll with him which I love to see. An owner engaged and willing to roll with all students! He was patient but forceful and made me tap a half dozen times before he had had enough! The diversity of the students is great, many women present and a great age range so anybody should feel welcome. No snobbery here with uniform rules and a focus on fun while learning a very real and practical version of jiu jitsu. Nothing fancy but a tremendous value thanks to building ownership offering the lowest tuition rates in town. Truly a unique and historic school! Thank you again for letting me join you!“

“I am now a brown belt after 2 years it is a great experience and I do the summer camp online school and day camp and after school the after school I do when it is not Covid-19 and I love all.“

“Without a doubt Master Lindeberg and his School not only Changed my life But Saved my life. I have been a part of his classes going back 26 years. It is hard to put it into words what you will get out of this School. But I can say you will get more then expected. You will have a new family.“

“I joined American Karate Studio in 2008 and I absolutely love it! Such a great environment and very helpful instructors. STRONGLY recommend!“

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“I have been going to Dojo Karate for a year and a half with my six year old grandson and have enjoyed it. Learning Karate and great exercise. All of the instructors are great!“

“Great inclusive gym with one on one coaching option. Started here with no experience and have had a great time. The instructors are great and classes move along at a good pace. The classes develop in complexity over the course of the month and I would advise starting early in the month and consistently getting to a class.“