Martial Arts Schools near Mercer Island

“My children started training with Mercer Island Martial Arts several months and it has been a very positive experience for them. Master Krista Wells and her team of black belt instructors excel at teaching young children in a fun and engaging way. They are exceptionally great at teaching children. They have a great program that teaches students not only about martial arts, but also about kindness, self-discipline, and following instructions. Watching some of the older students who have trained with Mercer Island Martial Arts for many years shows that martial arts training can help young adults feel confident in who they are and feel more self-assured as they navigate middle school and high school. I highly recommend Mercer Island Martial Arts.“

“I’ve been going to MMAA for almost 2 years now and I love it! the teachers are so nice and all the skills you learn are fun. This experience has been a great time for me and everyone else at MMAA.“

“If you’re afraid you’re gonna catch a bug or two, this isn’t for you. Awesome contact sport for kids. Builds confidence and strength with friendly coaches.“

“A true gem of the Pacific Northwest that is a fantastic dojo for all skill levels. Whether you are interested in recreational judo just to learn the art or in high level competition, the dojo has something to offer you. The instructors are great. The attitude is friendly and family oriented, and the participants range from kids just there to learn and have fun to national level competitors.The coaches are international level competitors, who have reached the very highest levels of achievement including the Olympics, continental and national championships. People who would normally only be accessible through the rare special seminar are here to teach on a daily basis. The kids learn not only judo but also what it really means to have dedication, commitment and discipline.Beyond the people, the facility itself is excellent. The mats are on a sprung floor that increases the level of safety and reduces long term impact especially for older adults. If you’ve ever trained on mats places straight on foundation versus mats on a raised, sprung floor you’d immediately know the difference. The mat space itself is huge which give a lot of room to move and makes it safer to train.I highly recommend Phoenix Gym to anyone.“

“This is the only school with multiple classes throughout the day running 7 days a week. You won't find that at any other school. I trained three years at fosters and had to quit due to a medical condition. A few years later, I decided I was able to train again and started looking at schools. Bigger brand name schools like GB doesn't compared. The lack of classes 7 days of week left something to be desired. Foster is a family atmosphere. Friday nights was my second home. Back to back classes with a bunch of people just having fun. So much great experience. I recommended fosters over any other school plus it's in a warehouse not a strip mall like most schools!!!“

“My son has been training there for more than 5 years. The whole program is designed around the core philosophy of Martial Arts. All of the instructors are very skilled and deeply caring of and committed to, our kids learning.“

“This company really cares about the students. My Grandkids have learned so much and Love coming to class every week.“

“This school is really nice! I had a lot of fun and gained experience over there! Master is just so great, really experienced and always teaches kids not only how to fight, but the philosophy thing. Defiantly recommend!“

“Gracie Barra Kirkland provides an excellent environment for anyone's Jiu-Jitsu journey. The camaraderie and friendships formed here are invaluable. Attending their in-house no-gi tournament with my family was a blast, thanks to the welcoming atmosphere and clean facilities. The genuine kindness of everyone at the gym, coupled with their commitment to students' growth, makes it a top recommendation for those in the Kirkland area. It's a place where you not only learn Jiu-Jitsu but also evolve into a better version of yourself.“

“A True Gem for Learning Practical Self-DefenseAs someone who's trained in martial arts since the age of 6, I can confidently say that Conqueror is a true gem for passionate martial artists like myself and anyone who is interested in learning practical self-defense skills.While I've competed in various disciplines, including Sanda, wrestling, MMA, and Brazilian Jiujitsu, throughout my life, as I've gotten older, my training priorities have shifted from sport to self-defense. I went to several different schools in the area, but, ultimately, settled on Conqueror.To be honest, I was originally a little hesitant to try Hapkido since I'd heard criticisms that it isn't very effective. My initial skepticism and preconceived notions were dispelled during my first class.Master Ali teaches a unique self-defense system that integrates Hapkido with other arts, such as Brazilian Jiujitsu, Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Boxing, wrestling, and Judo, with an emphasis on real-world applications.As such, he has modified the traditional Hapkido techniques by combining them with Brazilian Jiujitsu and wrestling principles, making them undeniably effective. Right off the bat, I noticed how my existing skills were enhanced and complemented by his instruction.Master Ali and Master Roland are both exceptional. Frankly, I don't think other instructors in the area have even close to their level of experience in both martial arts and real self-defense situations. Their wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience makes every class engaging and enlightening.While they push us to improve our skills, they keep classes fun and enjoyable. They also foster a positive and respectful environment that encourages students to grow and excel, both on and off the mat.Whether you're a seasoned martial artist like me or someone looking to start their martial arts journey, I highly recommend Conqueror. The caliber of instructors, the integrated self-defense system, and the practicality of the training make it a one-of-a-kind experience.My skills have improved immensely, and I'm excited to continue my martial arts journey here. Don't miss out on this opportunity!Five stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“AMA is fantastic! My daughter has been doing karate there for more than 4 years. She started in person before the pandemic, took online classes when AMA pivoted to online, has been back in person for months and is preparing to take her junior black belt test this month. The instructors are great and Mr Herrman is very responsive. I love that they teach karate and how to be an all-round good human. AMA gave my daughter a reliable activity and reliable role models during the pandemic, when not much else was reliable. I can’t say enough good things about AMA.“

“Grandmaster Kim and his Kwon Moo style is a rare find in the sea of martial arts schools. Grandmaster is all business when it comes to training and his black belt students reflect his ethos. Great family friendly environment, great instruction and great people.“

“My 8 yo daughter and 9 yo niece love attending Fairwood Martial Arts (a family-owned business). They're always excited to practice their newfound skills on me after each class. It's a non-competitive dojo, so no Cobra Kai vibes here if that's what you're looking for. I refrain from yelling at my daughter to sweep the leg during classes, although I freely do this at home.- I was impressed that the staff/instructors addressed my daughter and niece by their names after only attending a few classes, an indication to me that they clearly value their students.- The classes are relatively large (20-25 students in the most recent class). However, the kids split up into smaller groups after the warm-up to receive specialized training from their instructor(s) based on belt ranking. There are typically 3 sub-groups each class. I find that the instructors are able to provide the proper attention and feedback with the smaller, more manageable groups.- I appreciate the focus on doing your best, working hard, etc in conjunction with teaching form and technique for the younger students. - Some of the instructors are school teachers, so I've observed that they are beyond patient and able to communicate with the young students effectively.- There are optional extracurricular events that pop up. The dojo participated in the Renton River Days Parade last month (July 2023)- super fun and a unique experience. Other examples include popsicle week, "bring a friend" week, and guest speakers. It's an awesome bonus and adds to the family friendly vibe.I highly recommend Fairwood Martial Arts. It's a fun way to exercise, build confidence, and participate in an activity that doesn't involve their tablets. If you're hesitant, they offer one free class and a $99 unlimited trial for a month that includes the uniform. It's a great introductory price.“

“My son has been a student at Alpha for a year a a half and it's been an amazing experience. Mr. Ness and his staff are incredibly dedicated to the students and work hard to create engaging and fun classes, as well as great camps and events (my son wishes the camps ran all summer long!). The program fosters the development of physical and mental skills along with a sense of goal-setting and achievement. It's been so rewarding to see my son's confidence and self-discipline grow as he's moved through the different belts and class levels. I cannot recommend Alpha enough!“

“Really great community-my daughter was welcomed and really enjoys Capoeira. Very much recommend lessons.“

“Contramestre Jaba is an amazing, dedicated and patient teacher. His classes are technical, to help learn proper form, high energy, an excellent workout, and lots of fun. Group has kids classes as well as adults. Group is not meeting Renton, but in north seattle. Love this place!Jena Peterson ND seattle“

“Amazing and recommended!!! Master Park is wonderful with Kids of all ages. I have a KG , who is Master Park student since December 2023. Within this short period, he has improved focus, determination and discipline. The number of reviews here on google reviews does not showcase the great work that Master Park . If you are in the Bellevue area, I would highly suggest Master Park's TKD for all round development for your child.“

“There are many types of martial arts classes out there. But if you want to learn the martial arts especially from self-defense perspective, Enso center Hapkido should be the place to start. The environment is so friendly and welcoming. Everyone is having fun while learning. The mix age makes it all the more interesting experience for learning. And being non-profit they welcome everyone to the classes; all you need is dedication to learning. I have been sending my elementary school aged daughter here for past few months and I can see the difference it is making. Strongly recommend to all parents looking to teach martial arts is stress-free environment for their little ones.“

“Simply an amazing experience. i'm tired, I have a giant bruise on my wrist, and I have not stopped smiling all day. This review is for the self-defense 101 class.class began with rules that instantly made me feel comfortable. Rules letting us know that anything we feel is OK, if we ever need to stop or don't want to participate in something, it's fine, things like that. Very comforting. we are then taught everything from how to use our voice to how to use our bodies. We are taught that we are allowed to trust our instinct and respond however we feel necessary to defend ourselves. We are taught ways to get away from people, ways to defend ourselves by hurting the other person if needed, and everything in betweenFor me I must say that there was one clear highlight... After not even 90 minutes, we got to break boards! I I mean, how bad ass is that? Let me tell you something... It felt like the most bad ass thing I've done in a long time and I've been watching the video over and over again and smiling. I want to do this class again and again and I encourage anybody and everybody to go to Quantum“

“We love this place. The teacher for the kids (Jeff) is super professional, very nice, and extremely patient. My daughter says he’s the best teacher she’s ever had in her life. They learn a lot more than just Aikido techniques, but also good life philosophies.“

“Nice and knowledgeable instructor. I come here to train twice a week and already learned a lot.“

“Two Cranes Aikido and its community offers some of the best Aikido study anywhere in the world. Kimberly Richardson Sensei leads by example, with grace, elegance, and integrity. The dojo is a rich treasure of compassion and kindness, very much needed in today's chaos we try to live in.“

“Bellevue Kendo is incredible. This is no "black belt mill" - you actually have to earn your advancement. It's run by Jeff Marsten (well known in Kendo) and his crew of senseis.If you want personal challenge and serious growth, or a place for your kids where they are driven and worked hard - this is it.What you get for the price is truly incredible - it must be subsidized by the city.“

“Having trained in Tokyo in the past, I can definitely attest to the fact that this dojo brings the authentic philosophy of the martial art. There are many dojos who struggle to maintain the balance between the budo and harmony aspect of aikido, but this place succeeds in striking that rare sweet spot. Members of various level make this dojo a great place to practice, and the seminars held regularly invites practitioners from the world over providing an ideal environment to train under world renown shihans. Endo shihan graces us with yearly visits, which adds to maintaining a much sought after aikido style.“

“I can’t say enough about the quality of the teachers and administrators here. They truly care about the success of each student and will go out of their way to ensure each student is comfortable and confident. Plus, they sprinkle in fun to keep the kids laughing and engaged.“

“Sensei Eric was a great teacher and very friendly. I got personal attention throughout the class and loved the aura of the place. Definitely recommend everyone to try this place at least once. Aikido is a beautiful martial art form.“