My kids and I have been taking classes since they opened. The instructors are very educated in their field. Classes are fun and interesting. They always have something fun going on for the kids and adults. I highly recommend this business!!!

I have been training in karate with the instructors, Pierce and Jake for six years, and I feel very confident in my ability to defend myself, and as a female, I believe that is very significant. They are extremely knowledgable of the content and explain self defense in a way that is applicable to the real world. They take a personal interest in each student, and work with them in a personalized way. The Academy would be my number one recommendation for those who are serious about learning to defend themselves.

I am proud to be studying Martial Arts with The Academy Martial Arts. Pierce Toomey, Chief instructor, has been my instructor for over two years. I now take lessons from both Pierce and Jake. They are great instructors and dedicated to my success. I am in better shape, at age 60, and motivated to stay with it in large part because of their skill and expertise.I work for the Office of Bar Counsel for the State Bar of Nevada. I prosecute lawyers who break the Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct. The job is stressful. Practicing Martial Arts with Pierce and Jake allows me to focus my mind and body in a positive way. It is also good to know that I will be able to react quickly and decisively to any threat against myself or my family. While there is discipline in learning the Kempo forms and techniques that strengthen the body and increase reaction time, Pierce and Jake are committed to making sure that if one of their students is attacked we will win to train some more.

Im very satisfied with Jake and Pierce. Excellent training...not only are they talented in martial arts but they are very good teachers as well.

This place is great!!! Definitely go there if you are looking for some serious self-defense classes!

I sincerely believe that The Academy is the single best place to learn martial arts if you are seriously interested in defending yourself. Having seen the quality of instruction from other locations via the skill level of other martial artists (friends and otherwise) in relation to my own, I can confidently say that the Academy is the superior choice in martial arts training in the Reno/Sparks area.I have been training with Sensei Toomey and Coombs for over nine years, and I still feel like I have mastered a fraction of what they are capable of teaching. The instruction covers such a vast array of situations, scenarios, and most importantly, concepts that would save your life if you ever find yourself in a confrontation. Their advice is logical and sound, based on a system of martial arts that is over a thousand years old, and still relevant today.Maybe I am biased, but if you are seriously looking for an avenue to learn real self defense, then definitely give The Academy a try. We are all excited for new members!

Our daughter went here for 2 years. At first, we were impressed with the enthusiasm from the Instructors/Owners; however, over the past year we have watched their tone and actions deteriorate and become very unprofessional.We had some specific concerns and, after we expressed them to the Instructors/Owners, things actually got worse for our daughter. After that, we knew we had to immediately remove her from the dojo.Even though she will miss the other students, they were all great, we all knew there is no way we could leave her in such an unhealthy environment and pay $$ for it too!! No way!Now she goes to another Martial Arts (Zai) where the instructors are much more professional, fair and friendly to all their students.My suggestion, as a parent, would be to make sure you are present for ALL the classes (even though you cannot really watch the class, you can sit in the lobby area and listen) and be sure to watch ALL of the interactions before and after class.Feel free to message me if you have concerns or would like specifics.

GOOD SCHOOL BUT BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SIGN AND READ THE FINE PRINT.It is NOT in your best interest to commit to a 6 month agreement, regardless of what the owners tell you. PAY MONTH TO MONTH AND DONT SIGN ANYTHING. Jake and Pierce are excellent with kids and their school is amazing. Anyone who can afford such a great experience for their children should definitely try the Academy of Martial Arts. Be careful, however, if you are on a budget. The classes are very expensive for most families to be able to afford, after the initial discounted trial rate, and the fees only go up from there, with added costs for testing and activities at the dojo. If you sign a 6 month agreement you still pay a considerable amount for one child and the classes and fees easily add up to several thousand dollars a year. PLEASE ALSO BE AWARE THAT YOU WILL BE CHARGED VERY HIGH PENALTIES IF YOU EVER DECIDE TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES.After paying for my daughter for almost a year, she still did not enjoy karate and longed for another activity so I finally let her quit, something I had been urged repeatedly not to do by Jake when I signed my second 6 month agreement. Some kids just dont take to certain activities, however, and I believe its better to let my daughter find the activity she is passionate about, instead of forcing her to continue classes she dreads. I withdrew her in the 5th month of my second 6th month agreement. I expected to pay for the final month to fulfill my obligation. I did not expect to also be charged the amount of money that was discounted for the full six months. By paying for the final month of the 6 month agreement and giving written notice 30 days in advance I believed I was fulfilling the agreement. However, I was billed for the discount I had been given for committing to a full 6 months, as well. Had I opted to pay month to month I could have withdrawn her at 5 months with 30 days notice under no further financial obligation. By committing to a full six months, and receiving a discounted monthly rate, I unknowingly made myself subject to fine print that allowed the Academy of Martial arts to double my penalty for withdrawal. Already stretching my budget to pay the high tuition rates, I then had to pay an additional several hundred dollars just because my daughter was unhappy and wanted to do gymnastics instead.I have nothing but compliments to give for the way the school is run and the program itself, but the costs associated with this program and the unethical billing practices upon cancellation are reason to be cautious before enrolling your child. If money is no issue, and you dont mind paying indiscriminately for fees and penalties you dont technically owe, then this is a GREAT choice to give your child the best experience possible. BUT BE CAREFUL and read all the fine print before you sign anything. If you are a good client with a long history of timely payments and have a friendly relationship with the owners you will still never be treated as anything more than a line entry on their profit statements. Even a slum lord is not allowed to make a renter pay for the remainder of the lease AND back bill them for the discount they received for signing the lease because there are laws mandating unscrupulous billing practices under the Fair Housing Act. Unfortunately no such laws exist in this industry and this business takes full advantage of that fact, regardless of circumstances.