Martial Arts Schools near Mckees Rocks

“My kiddos love taking Master Nam karate classes! He is very kind and understanding. I couldn't ask for a better teacher for my kids.“

“I like to visit different gyms when I travel. This place was everything you want in a gym. Great guys to roll with from all skill levels, friendly culture, not formal. I would happily call this my home gym if I lived in the area. Plus, they have striking classes as well.“

“I trained at scma from ages 10 to 22, and the experience was nothing short of transformative. The family-like environment and welcoming culture made it a place I looked forward to every day.

Mr. Chris and Santino are truly exceptional instructors. All instructors have an amazing way of breaking down complex techniques into digestible, practical lessons. their attention to detail and genuine care for each student’s growth set him apart as a leader in the gym. Santino is incredibly knowledgeable, always pushing you to be the best version of yourself both on and off the mats. He creates a positive, high-energy atmosphere that makes each class feel exciting and rewarding.

What I appreciate most is the emphasis on respect, discipline, and community. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced competitor, the culture at scma fosters growth, respect, and teamwork. It's a place where you feel encouraged, not just to succeed in jiu-jitsu, but to improve as a person. I have made lifelong friends here and am beyond grateful for the impact this gym has had on my life.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for top-tier BJJ instruction in Pittsburgh – you'll leave better than you came, both on and off the mats!“

“My daughter is in her 3rd year with North Hills ATA and I cannot say enough good things about the program. She started as a Tiger where she learned the basics and what it means to be dedicate to her commitments. Even on the days when she’d rather play outside than go to class, she would put on her uniform and give it her best. A few months ago she advanced to Karate for kids. The first class was a bit of a culture shock as it became clear she was going to have to work even harder to achieve her goals. The path from Camo Recommended to Camo Decided was an adjustment. She needed to be more dedicated than before, work harder, and practice without instruction using videos at home to memorize her forms. I watched her face the disappointment of leaving class without that third stripe, and watched her sit quietly working through those feelings. She knew that her stripes weren’t going to be given to her, she had to earn them. She practiced and practiced, taking over the living room as we watched Master Wilson do Songahm 5 200 times. Her next class she was called to do her forms and nailed it. The pride she had in her achievement is more than I can ever ask for as a parent. She worked hard for what she wanted and she achieved her goals, receiving her Camo Belt Recommended last night. The North Hills ATA team teaches discipline with kindness. Their tactics and mission are consistent with every instructor. The focus is not solely on the development their taekwondo abilities, but who these kids are going to be when they grow up. My daughter has built immense confidence, learned the value of hard work, and that dedication leads to success. For that, I am eternally grateful.“

“Awesome experience for my ADHD son. He’s made tremendous growth over the last several years with Sensei Gaddis!“

“My sons experience at Kinder Karate has been positive from the start. It’s the first activity he has tried that he seems truly eager to attend and participate. I like that the class sizes are small and he is grouped with others his age. I am already seeing changes in his confidence and look forward to him continuing on.“

“This is an awesome gym community with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Classes are different every time, offer a challenging workout, and can be modified for anyone's unique needs or restraints. All of the trainers/instructors are helpful and down to earth. I highly recommend giving this place a try!“

“Sensai Gino makes it a fun experience for kids to learn Karate. He incorporates activities for kids to practice leadership and to build confidence. Kids are pushed to an age-appropriate manner to persevere through challenges. Overall: Excellent instructor and program.“

“5/6/23 - Still highly recommend. Earned our yellow belts, lost weight, got stronger, learned great skill sets. Started Ju Jitsu as well. Great fun.

Highly recommend. Master Dressel gives you first couple classes for free to see if you like it. Great fun. No judgement and very friendly atmosphere.“

“A Hidden Gem in Martial Arts Education

This martial arts academy is truly a standout. The space is immaculately clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully designed with an open-concept layout that allows parents the flexibility to either stay and observe or drop off and pick up with ease.

What sets this academy apart is its clear structure. Each student receives a booklet that outlines the types of lessons to expect, which helps set goals and track progress. The belt system is merit-based—something we deeply appreciate as it instills a sense of hard work and accomplishment.

A highlight for us has to be Coach Josh and his incredible ability to engage every child, no matter the class size. He doesn't just teach punches and kicks—he introduces the kids to “E-guard” (Emotional Guard), helping them build not just physical strength but also emotional resilience. This balance of physical and emotional education is rare and incredibly valuable.

The dojo games are a major hit, and it’s easy to see why—learning and fun go hand in hand here. Coach Josh’s energy, consistency, and passion create an environment where kids are not only learning martial arts but also life skills.

As much as I’d love to keep this gem to myself, it’s simply too good not to share. The growth which I have observed in my child in terms of physical and emotional was what sparked me write this review so that other people (be it for a child or a grown up) may benefit from this Martial Arts Academy.

P.S* The diamond logo might be misleading but this place is truly a gem!“

“I started my judo training with Master Eugene Kim and he truly is the best. His sons are great too and I’ve learned much from them. Though I’ve moved out of Pittsburgh now due to work, I truly miss training here.Edit: 4.5 years later, I returned to America and glad I found a job in Pittsburgh so I can train here again!“

“Great school with many long time practitioners. I recently started with my teenage son, everyone there has been welcoming and helpful.Prices are very reasonable and the quality of training is awesome.“

“Great place! Wonderful instructor, very personable, highly experienced. My son loves it.“

“I’ve been doing martial arts for more than 40 years, and research and write about them from my home in Japan. You won’t find a better place to learn.“

“I was a student of Chief Master Kaminski back in the 90s, and now almost 30 years later, despite not practicing in that time, I still remember techniques, combinations, and some self defense.

I now live in another state but I stopped by last night with my own daughter, who studies a different style of taekwondo in our home town. Chief Master Kaminski was so kind to both of us. I was amazed to learn about his world championship wins and his work designing the weapons forms for the organization. We got to observe class and he is still an incredible teacher. It's obvious that he cares a lot about his students and has such strong rapport with them.

This is a world class taekwondo studio and an incredible asset to the community. Highly recommend!“

“I go to this wonderful school and it is so amazing and i recommend it a lot! It's for children over five and adults. It has kickboxing too! It's great if you want your children to learn self defense. It's also amazing to get your child in line and to learn manners! I heavily recommend this place for you or your child!“

“I practiced at Aikido of Pittsburgh for 25 years, until the COVID19 epidemic moved my family out of town. I will always be indebted to Shihan Masutani and her excellent instructors for their dedication to the future of Aikido.“

“Black Hawk Martial Arts is a great place to train, work on your fitness, develop excellent relationships and just have fun while sweating it out. The instructors (Master Ron and Ray) have a great understanding of each student's personal needs and abilities and are willing to work within those limitations. They teach traditional martial arts, but show us how to use it, if needed, in a modern day application.For youths, I have watched them gain confidence in themselves while learning discipline, focus, and respect. For the adults, including myself, we have learned more focus, strength, and confidence.Black Hawk Martial Arts is a great place for individuals or families to learn and have fun at the same time.“

“I've been practicing here for nearly two years. The environment and community are top notch. The coaches, Kate and Gina are champions and care about each student, working hard to ensure all of the needs are met. Master Bao is an amazing Tai chi instructor and very personable. Would recommend to anyone who was interested in either tai chi or a martial arts form. Jai Yo!“

“Wexford ATA is definitely my favorite place to go to every week! The environment is amazing and has helped my confidence and not caring what anybody thinks! The instructors there are amazing! They push you to be better in a VERY positive way! I have been going to Wexford ATA for a little over 2 years and I could definitely say that Taekwando is my favorite sport and Wexford ATA is the place to be!!!“

“The main instructors have combined Aikido experience of over 70 years. They also organize regular seminars, where legendary Aikido instructors teach several classes a day over a weekend, and if you have never been thrown by a 7th dan Sensei, you don't know what you're missing (actually, if these words make sense to you, you probably do).Complete beginners are welcome--you only need to bring comfortable clothes to exercise in. To enter, you go past the sliding gate facing the street, continue forward, and then take a left. The studio door is going to be in front of you. If you see woodworking equipment, you are at the right place; this studio shares a courtyard with Jones Furniture Design.“

“I took self-defense/strength training classes here and it was very empowering. Walt teaches with honesty, respect, and decades of knowledge. He cares about improving the lives of his students, and makes learning new skills really fun. I'm truly grateful that I took a chance on something that was outside my comfort zone and got to have this life-changing experience!“