MKG Martial Arts International

Boot camp was great. Good people. Try it!

I trained at MKG Seattle for about 6 years and I miss the place a lot. The only reason I stopped training there was because I moved out of state, but I have kept in contact with folks and Sifu Andy has continued to give me advice and suggestions throughout the years. Having been to other schools in a few different states, MKG is one of those rare schools that you will get a solid mix of art forms at a very high quality.
The key to training in martial arts anywhere is being patient and this is especially true at MKG. Sifu Andy is very careful to not rush people through a curriculum and makes sure folks are learning the basics. Classes do vary a bit by instructor, but having been there for a good amount of time, I saw that moving up and becoming an instructor is earned and not just given. Every instructor has their own teaching style, but regardless of who taught each class, it was still going to be very high quality.
More than anything else what I liked about MKG was that it was a very safe environment to train in. The staff was very careful to make sure that students were learning and not getting hurt. I also enjoyed the camaraderie that existed at MKG as many of us would get together outside of class to watch UFC events, train and socialize.
MKG is definitely a place to check out.

I started the two week onboard class thinking I’d just go to learn something’s and then go work on my own but then I got there and got my a$$ handed to me on a silver platter. My legs were wet noodles and I couldn’t walk right for two days, then the next class came and beat me up again. I was so sore but I felt so good. I was constantly motivated and pushed to not sell myself short. John is an awesome coach! I just signed up for the two days a week package and while the classes to any crossfit gym might be expensive it’s a lot cheaper than a hospital bill in the future. I highly suggest signing up and giving it a shot. I’m ready to change my health for the better in a safe efficient way

My son just had his 10^th birthday party here and it was fantastic. He wanted a «ninja» theme and the two instructors dreamed up a set of martial arts activities and dressed up head to toe, I kid you not, as ninjas. The guests were a set of energetic and excitable boys and they were exhausted and happy at the end. The instructors were amazing at keeping them focused and tuning the activities to each of the kids’ ability levels. Great space, well-​organized — I highly recommend as a perfect indoor winter birthday.

MKG is an amazing place with a fantastic community and owners that genuinely care about sharing their passion for martial arts. This is really two gyms in one (martial arts and Crossfit), but the Crossfit portion is pretty standard. MKG’s best attribute is the lack of ego or tough-​guy mentality; anyone like that would be shown the door, or would probably show themselves the door because they wouldn’t fit in.
The martial arts programs include all types of disciplines — this isn’t just about boxing or MMA fighting — so you can get a killer workout or practice technical skills, or both. The teachers are all excellent, and having a large number of teachers means that there is always something new to learn or a new way to think about how you move your body.
Unlike what you may remember as a kid, this isn’t a bunch of people lining up and punching air so that they can buy another color belt. MKG is more about learning, fitness, and guidance.
What I find compelling is the diversity in membership. You may find yourself sparring with a competitive Muay Thai fighter, and you might rotate partners and be paired with a software developer. Maybe the fighter IS the software developer. The gym is the great equalizer where everyone is just there to get in shape and learn.
My single criticism of MKG is that they are not confident enough about their business, so they resort to the old-​fashioned-​gym pricing methods of «it depends.» I think that model is designed to get people in the door, but in the era of the internet, even car dealers will tell you what the invoice price is. MKG is more expensive than your big-​box gym, sure, but you’re paying for an education. They could just call their monthly fees «tuition» and set a couple of pricing options and be done with it.
Overall, writing a review of MKG feels a bit disingenuous at first, because I feel like I’m writing about a best friend’s restaurant. MKG is such an excellent community that you feel more like family than a customer, so it’s obvious that any member would give them five stars. Because MKG deserves all five.

Great One-​Stop-​Shop!
Being a fitness enthusiast that was looking for the ability to both strength train as well as learn BJJ, I was very lucky to find MKG through a coworker. The staff, instructors, and facilities are all top-​knotch. If CrossFit and martial arts are something that you’ve previously thought of as things that are too expensive to combine, worry no more, because MKG provides you with everything you need to build a physique than learn how to use it for competition, self-​defense, etc.
Can’t recommend this place enough, if you’re new to Seattle and looking to continue mastering a martial art and/​or find a great place to stay fit with all the necessary equipment (olympic rings, TRX, climbing rope, barbells, etc.), look no further than MKG.
Big shout-​out to Chad and Phil for being awesome BJJ instructors!

Awesome place for kickboxing! My friend and I felt really helped our first time there. The instructor was super helpful and nice and paid us some one on one time. We didn’t feel as foolish as we thought we would. Unfortunately the normal pricing is more than I can afford, but I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.

TL;DR Nice people, but you are clearly $$$ to them. Ridiculous bureaucratic rules that break trust. Incompetent staff. Mediocre instructors (except one). Training structure stymies growth of quick-​learners.
I highly recommend you read this to ensure you might know what you’re getting into.
The 1-​on-​1 intro class was very fun and gave me a taste of what I hoped I would experience at MKG, and in my initial excitement, I decided to purchase the 6-​mo. package since it saves hundreds of dollars compared to paying month-​to-​month. Admittedly, that was poor judgment on my part, but I had to make a snap judgment since you cannot get the 6-​mo. deal after you become a member.
What they don’t tell you is that the «6-​mo.» package actually REQUIRES you to pay for month 7. Here’s why: When you purchase a 6-​mo. package, you are not allowed to cancel at ANY time within that 6 mos.; however, in order to cancel your membership, you need to give a 30-​day cancellation notice. Since you cannot give that notice within the 6 mos., you are automatically charged for the 7^th month when it rolls around (which isn’t small: $ 157). To avoid paying for the 8^th month, you need to go to the gym RIGHT after your 6 mos. is up so that you can give your 30-​day notice at least 30 days prior to when your card would be charged for the 8^th month.
They refused to refund month 7 despite me not attending class for many months. This brings me to my next point:
I stopped going to MKG Martial Arts ~4 months in. There are several reasons why the program wasn’t for me:
1) Lied to me in intro class. When they gave me the gym tour, they said if you purchase the 6-​mo. membership, you get access to the entire open gym, including the Cross-​Fit area. After I purchased the membership and was using the open gym, they informed me that anyone in the martial arts program can’t use the Cross-​Fit area of the gym even when empty.
2) The contradictory information given to me about the open gym illustrates a clear lack of awareness of gym policies from the staff members, which diminishes my trust in them.
3) I was disappointed by arbitrary policies that held me back from advancing despite being ready to advance. I was in the beginner’s class long after I was ready to move up b/​c they have a set number of classes you must attend to move up. What was especially frustrating was they do not TELL you that there’s a specific number of classes you must complete. Instead, they kept stringing me along. I asked them when I would move up, and they said, «Let’s talk about it next week.» I talked to them about it the next week, and again they said, «Let’s talk about it next week.» At this point, work got busy and I took about 3 weeks off from MKG. When I returned, I was still jaded by the beginner’s class, so I asked about moving up once again, and I got the same canned response «Ask me about it next week.» This time, I pushed back a little, informing them that this was the 3^rd time they’ve said that and I was clearly ready to move up. I was very disappointed by the fact that I was paying a lot money for a service that was giving me nothing in return. This was FINALLY when they told me that there is a set number of classes you MUST hit in order to move up. I automatically assumed that I had not yet reached that number since I was still in the beginner’s class, so I pushed back on that policy specifically to no avail. There was a pause in the conversation, and he says «Actually, let me check on the computer how many classes you’re at,» and guess what! I had JUST hit the number of classes to move up to Phase One! Coincidence? Maybe… But let me get this straight: They don’t actually KNOW when students meet that criteria unless they manually check each and every student? There’s no notification for when that number is reached?
4) I finally moved up to Phase One and was disappointed to find that the skill-​level of my partners was about the same as the beginner’s class, and I was constantly teaching my partners. I hate to sound conceited when I say that, but that’s just how it was. They often don’t let you choose your partner & make you switch a lot, so I rarely got to be with who I wanted.
5) The instructors are not very good at communicating (except Vincent, who’s awesome). The gym is loud, and rather than bringing everyone in close to explain concepts, they would just try to shout over all the noise. Oftentimes, they would be facing one direction, so perhaps everyone they are facing hears them, but everyone behind them does not. They also have trouble speaking idiomatically to those who are new to the concepts being taught. I generally had to pay very close attention to their bodies and ask them questions about their movements; however, they were often unsuccessful at explaining movements without the prodding of questions.
I simply don’t recommend this gym to anyone who doesn’t have the patience for those arbitrary rules, incompetent staff, and a program that stymies growth.

This is for the women’s self-​defense workshop & company in general:
I am so impressed with this place, and what they are offering to women with their facility, staff, time… expertise. It is really amazing what they are giving to their community. I just attended the full-​day women’s self-​defense workshop today. The information was simple and clear, and we got lots of time to practice, even with guys in padded-​attacker suits, so you can go full out. I can’t really say enough about how great and empowering this experience was… take the workshop if you can!
Thank you MKG for what you are doing!

I love this place!
I’ve been wanting to get into martial arts for years but have frankly been too intimidated to get started. The scene in the Karate Kid where Daniel walks into the Cobra Kai dojo kept playing through my head. Cheesy I know, but you get the idea. When I signed up for the free tour and workout that is not what I was greeted with at all. Everyone was very nice and incredibly helpful and that vibe has continued in the three months I’ve been attending phase classes here.
Whether it’s other students, instructors or the owners, everyone is very willing to help and you can tell how excited they are about being there and sharing their knowledge of martial arts. I’ve never felt out of place or awkward and look forward to going to class every week.
If you come in with a positive attitude, an open mind and a willingness to learn you are definitely going to get your money’s worth and a great experience to go along with it.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
I hated doing martial arts as a kid. My parents made me do Tae Kwon Do for a couple years and I found it to be very structured, slow paced, and not much room for variety. Unless you really had the drive to work your way up to being a black belt, there wasn’t much else pushing you to continue. It was excruciatingly boring. Needless to say, I stopped going as soon as my parents let me and never looked back. That is until I came here to Seattle.
A friend of mine works out here and also loves the place. He always said how much fun the martial arts classes are and how engaging the instructors try to be. He mentioned the free trial phase class (1.5 hr class where they cover multiple styles of martial arts rather than just focusing on one) and said I should check it out. So I did. I was pretty hooked after that.
It started off kinda slow with some Kali, picked up with some kickboxing, and then killed me (in a good way, haha) with Muay Thai. But you do so many things and you partner up with so many different people that you don’t notice how fast the time is going by. You’re not just working out when you’re here; you’re making friends and learning some vital info that could be used for self-​defense (there are some crazies out here in Seattle if you didn’t know).
On the downside, the price can be daunting for some people, but let’s be honest… we all have our vices that we choose to spend money on. So put your money somewhere that will enhance your lifestyle instead. And for what you get out of training here, I think it’s well worth the money. You’re not just going to a gym and running on a treadmill or lifting some weights, you’re getting trained professionals who know how to whip you into shape, motivate you to push harder, and impart their knowledge of martial arts.
Sooo yea. Sign up. You know you want to.

G-​R-​E-​A-​T! MKG has an awesome and very helpful staff, trainers that know how to push you and motivate you without getting you hurt and plenty of options for great workout programs.
I fully intend to sign up for the Women’s Cage Fighting series when I have more time. I had an awesome chance to try out their free trial of the Max 10 workout and even just that one day kicked my butt! So it’s a great program for anyone looking to get into shape quickly.

I did their boot camp program a few years ago and it was really fun. It took a lot of self-​motivation to continue going towards the end of the 10-​week program, but for the first half, it was pretty amazing and heart-​pumping.
They provide you with gloves if you buy the 10-​week program and every other day they focus on cardio and strength training on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The instructors are really nice and encouraging. Kickboxing is just so fun in general and to be able to push yourself to get to that ideal weight is tough, but this place makes it more fun, at least!
Parking is never a problem here, it’s really just the self-​motivation that is tough.
The only real down side is that it smells like body odor sometimes…

**This review is for the MAX10 Program**
I got excited when I purchased a deal from Bloomspot for a 5 week MAX 10 fitness program. I have been in a fitness rut so I figured this would be a great way for me to get back in shape.
Right from the beginning, I like how thorough the trainers are. During orientation, they measure and weigh each student and go through basic Muay Thai movements. I thought I was in decent shape but when I saw my weight and body fat results, WOW that was a rude awakening! They also go over nutrition in a realistic manner (no fad diets!) and provide feedback during class.
My first week was ROUGH. I don’t mean that in a bad way but it made me realize I had to change certain habits in order to improve, such as getting in the habit of having enough sleep and eating breakfast. My biggest regret was missing out on a few classes (due to a cold) and I totally paid for it during the next session I attended. I highly suggest that if you enter this program, it is best that you try to not skip classes for the best results.
So how are classes like? One instructor is assigned to a different day of the week so you don’t know what to expect when you come into class. For the 9 am sessions the Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes are martial arts based while on Tuesday and Thursdays the classes are focused on cardio and strength training exercises. I personally love the martial arts classes more than the cardio and strength training but both classes go hand in hand.
Now that its week 5, I have seen improvements in my strength and stamina, especially when it involves jump roping, burpees and push ups. I also do see some muscle development all around which I personally think is a lot better than trying to meet my weight loss goal of 10 lbs in 5 weeks. Although these have been an intense five weeks, I personally feel that it was not long enough, which is why I decided to sign up for the full 10 weeks.
The cost of the program might seem a bit high but when you do the math and consider what you get out of the program, it’s actually a great deal! Besides having classes 5 days a week, you’re also assigned a coach to monitor your progress as well as having different instructors every day of the week and you get your own punching gloves to keep. You definitely get your moneys worth at MKG!
I plan on updating my review at the end of the full 10 weeks. Thanks to the MAX 10 program, I’m considering of signing up for either their cage fitness or martial arts classes!
TIP: Once you sign up for classes, you should like their page on Facebook so you get updates regarding seminars and special classes that are held usually on the weekends. I attended a foam roller workshop not too long ago and it was wonderful. So definitely keep that in mind!

I decided to give the MAX10 fitness program a shot after falling into a boring, repetitive routine at my gym. After giving a trial class a shot, I’m surprised I came back.
«Wait, huh? Surprised you came back? Explain yourself! You gave them five stars!» Not that the class was horrible in any way, quite the opposite; the trial class was so kick-​ass, it left me curled up in the corner, weeping in a ball of sweat and sore muscles, questioning my manhood. And then it hit me, as I slowly unfurled myself and my motor skills returned: this isn’t sweat, this is my fat crying as it realizes its impending doom. Thus, I hobbled my way over to the office and muttered three words… «sign me up.»
Let me sum up my next five weeks:
Week 1– «AW, COME ON! My body fat can’t be that… really!?» «I totally could’ve done way more push-​ups, I just… um… it’s a full moon… and I was abducted by aliens…» «.make the hurt stop… please…»
Week 2– «Sooo tired… I’m totally over this. Hey, check it out, I didn’t realize I have these muscles! Sweet!»
Week 3– «It’s week three already? I wonder what excercises we’re doing tonight? I love all this extra energy!»
Week 4– «I better kick up my game this week, gotta make sure I’m rockin’ it out at the fit test next week!»
Week 5– «This *can’t* be the last week! What am I gonna do after this???» «YEAH BUDDY!!! Check out these fit test numbers! Take THAT, Week 1 me!!!»
Part of the beauty of the class is they’re structured around components of martial arts, and familiar cardio and strength training routines, but no two classes are the same and will keep your body always guessing and your fat crying. What you get out of this class is completely up to you; the instructors and your session coach do a fantastic job of keeping you motivated, teaching you healthy habits, and pushing you without making you want to punch them (or jab-​cross them… hahaha, okay, that was a MAX10 joke. You’ll do a lot of those.). The rest is up to you and giving it your all. Sure, you could ease off a bit, and just go 50% today, why not? It was a rough day. Go ahead and drown the day in extra desserts. Hey, whatever, it’s your money, not mine.
Speaking of cost, some might think it’s a bit steep… but really, we all spend money on a regular basis on things that are unhealthy for us, and if you truly want to make a change in your health, or at least get on track and learn some good habits, you won’t come up with excuses.
Check your ego at the door, come in with a desire to be challenged while having fun, and give it your 200%. At the end of it all, you’ll walk away proud of yourself, in much better shape, and craving more… see you around!

Go. Immediately. Sign up. You won’t be sorry but your fat will be!
I’ve been wanting to try some kind of kickboxing-​type class for some time now and after a combination of a friend who raved about MKG, a Tippr deal, living in the area and the desperate need to mix things up; I finally stopped by for a trail class. OMG. I thought I was in pretty decent shape but boy was I sorely mistaken (literally)! After the trail class I picked myself up off the ground, wiped away the sweat pouring down my face and signed up for the MAX10 5 week course.
Well my this is week 5 and I can’t believe it’s almost over! I lost a couple inches and my strength has doubled! We did a fit test the 1^st week and let me tell ya, I could barely do the 18 push-​ups in a minute that I got. But here I am in week 5 and I hammered out 41 push-​ups in a minute! Plus, it was SO much easier!
The routines are varied and the instructors are super helpful and nice. If you give your all in class you will definitely be getting your money’s worth and then some. Now the price may seem a little steep but when you think about what you should spend your money on; a kick butt, super intense, theraputic (yes, theraputic. Punching and kicking the bags after a long day at work does wonders) workout that will get you seeing and feeling the improvement doesn’t seem so bad.
Give it a try. There are trial classes all the time but I warn you; you will be hooked :)

Initially, I started attending the MKG body sculpt program. At the time, I was in my early 30s and over 200lbs. The 10 week challenge was so uplifting and inspiring that I had to take it again! After 20 weeks, I lost over 40lbs and felt stronger then when I was in my early 20s.
The experience was so amazing and the people were so great that I decided to sign up for the regular classes. I wasn’t much of a «martial artist» but I found great knowledge from the instructors which just inspired me to become more knowledgeable.
After over 4 years, I am still a student of MKG, I’ve weighed between 135 and 140 for about 3 years now and I feel stronger than ever.
In a nutshell, no matter if you’re looking to lose weight, become stronger physically, confident with your abilities or if you just want to have fun and meet great people (without being in a cult-​like environment) — MKG is the joint for you! For sure!

I trained here for 2 years and had a blast with my wife. We learned a tremendous amount in a relaxed environment. I thought was great that they had a diverse set of classes at many hours for every skill level. There were helpful instructors and the classes were well run, organized and consistent. They also train from within frequently and have a path for good students to become teachers as well.
There are no belts yes, but there is a level and testing program so that there is healthy competition and students continue to strive for more and not get complacent. This is a great place to get introduced to mixed martial arts from striking to stick fighting but you can also build up to more advanced sparring and even point competitions. Moreover, MKG has what I’ve seen in few places schools that combine disciplines and that is respect. They have respect for each art and each other They show this from the moment you step onto the floor and when you greet each other in class.
I personally think the Muay Thai instruction was the best part for me there. I got great instruction and the kickboxing gave me the strong foundation for my future MMA endeavors. The only things that did not work for me as much were the tests and added pressure to participate in other events and carry higher level responsibilities. This is not a bad thing but I just wanted less of that after my karate years. I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a safe, fun, comprehensive view of the best martial arts and self defense systems.

I just had my first class and was impressed by the fun classes they had to offer. The phase classes combine several different martial arts that give you an all around workout and handle on real self defense moves.
I strongly encourage people to give it a try if they are bored with the same old routines at the gym and want a fun way to meet new people and get a great workout. All the instructors and upper levels students are super nice and encouraging.
Despite the smaller space, it allows enough room to get the most out of each class. The coordinate the class times and open gym time to allow for optimal space. All the instructors are willing to stay longer and help you work on things even far after the class is done with.
I am very excited to continue my classes and see the results further down the line.

Simply put, the 10 week body sculpt class will kick your ass and you will want more.
Before I joined I was in a bit of a funk. Usually I would work out at home in the early morning before I went to work. But the last couple months I’ve been extremely lazy. This also means I’ve been getting extremely fat too.
I joined the 10 week body scupt class not quite knowing what to expect. For one hour a day, five days a week for 10 weeks you really push your body to the limits. During the class you are cursing at yourself wondering why the hell you are here then at the end of class and during the day you feel proud.
For three days you do cardio which includes boxing (you get a pair of gloves when you join), kickboxing, sticks, and different combinations. Two days are strength training where you do a lot of push-​ups, sit-​ups, squats and work with resistance bands and weights.
They also help you track your progress by measurements and tests. I admit, I haven’t been too good about my diet but I can still see and feel the results as my pants get looser. Seriously awesome.
I am going to take this 10-​week body sculping class again in fall. I will be more strict with my diet so I can get my body ready for… winter. There are some other classes other than the body sculpt class that look interesting. I may try them sometime.
A tip: Don’t workout after a night of drinking. It’s like the trainers sense it and will punish you for it.
Zipzap Zubidy Bop!