157 Bedford St, Burlington, MA 01803
Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at Apex Defense Burlington. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
A great workout, practical defense skills, and instructors who are as positive and supportive as they are skilled. What more can you ask for?
This is one of the best martial arts and self-defense schools I have seen in my 25 years of learning martial arts. Classes are fun, high intensity, and are given with attention to technical detail and care for students. Ms. Araujo is a delight to work with and an amazing learning resource.
I Could rave about this place for hours. Everyone is kind and enjoyable, the instructor is the sweetest person ever, and you get a killer workout all wrapped into a class. I’ve Been attending for a year and a half and there has not been a single day where I lamented going to a class. Additionally, you don’t just learn how to fight, but you learn a lot of life lessons, such as loyalty, resilience, and mental fortitude. I Really can’t recommend this enough. 10/10
My 12 year old daughter and a few of her friends did a private self defense lesson with Miss Araujo. She was fantastic! The girls learned some valuable self defense moves and had a great time doing it!
Apex has completely transformed my confidence with self-defense, I cannot recommend this place enough! As someone who began as a complete newbie, their classes are perfectly structured to teach basics at a manageable pace for beginners, with the goal to consistently improve and learn more advanced techniques. Ms. A is a passionate instructor and leads her classes with efficiency and, most importantly, fun!
I’ve been going to Apex for about a year and I love this place! The people are all so nice and I look forward to seeing them because I know it’s going to be a great time. I genuinely feel more safe in my everyday life knowing that I have my training to rely on. Each lesson is useful while keeping fun the whole time. 10/10 would recommend for all ages.
I'm a student at Apex and really enjoy it. Has boosted my confidence, and I highly recommend it. Everyone is very welcoming and kind.
Since starting these classes a month ago, I've been coming 3x a week. My strength and conditioning has improved each class. I learned something new and challenge myself each class and am always breaking a sweat at the end of each class. It's a big confidence booster and I look forward to learning more as time goes on in the future and ways to improve. Our instructor Miss A is very knowledgeable and takes her time with each student and helps out the entire class.
I can’t say enough about how satisfying these classes are. Practical skills and lots of support—plus an amazing workout. Ms. Araujo is a gifted trainer. Try one class and you’ll soon get fit while having fun!
I cannot speak highly enough of Ms. Araujo and Apex Defense Academy. The instruction, fundamentals and encouragement are first rate. Ms. Anaujo is highly passionate and committed to her practice and the successful advancement of her students. *Bonus: in addition to the principles of self defense, folded into a welcoming community, you can expect unexpected HIIT workout results!
Best fitness and defense training in the North East.
I have gained a lot of confidence from coming here. I really enjoy how the instructor takes the time to explain the concepts and watch as we perform each step. She corrects her students with respect and wants us all to succeed. I am not tired of attending these classes and I hope to continue my training and earn all my belts.
OMG what a workout! Ms A is wonderful. She really knows how to make you feel comfortable and make you sweat. A must try for any age or gender.
I started with a free trial session, and then the journey began! Without exaggeration! This is my second home! Here you can gain self-confidence and self-defense with amazing professionalism! Intervene quickly to save yourself from any danger! Mental strength! It's a well-known and historical fighting game collection! Most importantly, of course, it is taught by a very respectable and professional staff that makes you feel as if you are truly in your second home. The training place is very clean and tidy, smells fresh! The atmosphere is very excellent and even the distinguished colleagues are friendly and polite.
Great instructor and comradery in the class. Very beginner friendly
I've trained at Apex for just over a year now and I love it. It's my first martial arts experience and I'm hooked. Ms. A is a great instructor, connects well with the class, breaks things down so they're easy to understand, and comes up with fun interesting combinations and exercises so every class feels different. I can't recommend it enough! If you're curious, come take an intro class and see for yourself.
Its good i love the painting of drake and how there was a mickey mouse mascout
The curriculum offered by Apex Defense is comprehensive, covering a range of techniques that are practical and applicable in real-world scenarios. What impressed me the most was how the instructors tailored the training to meet the individual needs and abilities of each student. Whether it was a beginner like myself or someone with more experience, everyone received the attention and guidance needed to progress.
Very thorough training and instruction. Thoughtful and empathetic staff. Well maintained, quality facilities.
Could not recommend a better place!
Excellent, practical instruction, positive attitude among students.
I cannot speak highly enough of Miss Araujo and Apex Defense Academy. My 17yo son and I (let's say 50) both take the adult class and it is the highlight of our week (we go 2x/week). Miss Araujo's personality is enthusiastic, energetic, and positive. Not only have we started to become proficient in krav basics, but our stamina has increased exponentially, so great investment.
For the past four years, Apex Defense Academy (previously America’s Best Defense in Waltham) has demonstrated over and over again that community is far more important than the dues they collect monthly. During the pandemic, accounts were all left open but automatic dues collection ceased. And while remote and outdoor classes were offered, dues were collected on a voluntary basis. The organization instead chose to appeal to the students to help keep the lights on. That so many students came through and continued to pay dues is a testament to the community Apex has built. Going through a career change to become a school teacher required that I attend night classes that conflicted with Apex’s class offerings. This on top of new financial hardship made attending class a challenge. Despite having signed a contractual agreement to pay dues for another year, Apex released me from that obligation, wished me the best of luck, and reminded me that I would be welcome back as soon as my schedule would allow. Since coming back to continue my black belt training, twice I’ve injured myself outside of the studio (lifting weights at the gym and a stupid basketball injury) and in both instances, Apex has suspended my dues while I rehabbed my injury. Beyond putting their students’ wellness before collecting dues, Apex has established a culture that puts safety and community above all else. Other Krav studios I visited did the same training and taught the same need for deliberate focused aggression to neutralize a threat as Apex does, but elsewhere, there was a common, pervasive culture of physically one-upping others in the class at the expense of creating a safe learning environment for newer students. Apex proved to be a refreshing departure from that culture. Developing skills to protect myself effectively and efficiently in any situation has been great, but at the end of the day, feeling part of a community that genuinely cares about my growth and well-being is why I’ve remained with Apex.
Love this place! Such a convenient location and great environment. I get bored too easily at a gym and needed to find a great workout to motivate me and this place is perfect! Takes my love of boxing and adds self defense, lowers my stress levels, I look forward to going twice a week and it has put me in the best shape of my life, and that's saying something in my 40's. Instructors are great teachers, they know what they are talking about, and are always supportive while helping you push your limits. Highly recommend!
I've been going here for almost a year and I absolutely love it here! I recommend it to everyone interested in Krav or self defense. The instructors are excellent and I've progressed a lot!
I have been bringing my 7 year old son for a couple of months, after trying a couple of other places and we love it here. Ms Arujo who is the instructor has an amazing way with the kids. She makes the class very interesting with her patience and her pleasant way of delivery. My son loves going to his lessons and looks forward to it both days of the week. They are reasonably priced and conveniently located. I love the attention my child receives and the valuable behavioral lessons that he learns. Glad to be part of Apex!
My son has been going to Apex for few months and loves it. Great teachers. Highly recommended
An incredible workout and generally a wonderful community to be part of. Everyone is very welcoming and encouraging and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time there. It’s very much worth your time and you learn self defense should someone attack you on the T.
Great program, and I got to meet some amazing people and an instructor who explains things clearly. If you're looking to learn combat and boost confidence, this is the place.
I cannot say enough positive things about Apex Defense. My son takes the Teens Krav classes, and myself and my boyfriend have been taking the Adult Krav classes since their Burlington location opening. Viviane is an amazing instructor with a natural ability to motivate and challenge everyone in the room, and her positive attitude is contagious. The way that the classes are laid out makes the combative and self defense methods easy to learn and moves at a pace that everyone in the classes can keep up with and build upon. I highly recommend Apex to anyone looking to change up their fitness routine, learn self defense, build confidence, or just plainly to have a fun workout in a positive and empowering environment.
Amazing Instructors with a friendly environment!👏👏👏
WOW! Took a few intro classes and let me tell you! AMAZING atmosphere. Great instructors who were ready to help at every step. Got a great workout and some helpful awareness tips to protect myself when alone. Loved it and will definitely return.
I had a blast at their Women’s self defense seminar! I was a little nervous coming in for the first time but they have such a welcoming culture, the instructor was very knowledgeable, and I left feeling a lot more confident in my ability to protect myself. If you're looking for a sign, THIS IS IT!
Took a Women’s self defense seminar with Viviane and it was great! Viviane was very knowledgeable and took time to go over all the moves with each group. 100% recommend and will be joining!
MAJOR RED FLAGS! The company billed us for 2 registration fees and 4 months when we only were there for 1 month. The owner started blowing up my phone when I asked to be refunded. They refused to respond to emails saying they would only do business over the phone or in person. When I explained I had lost my voice and they kicked my children out of their class! This is especially horrible because it is an ADA request. There is only 1 child left at the Burlington location. Buyer beware and don’t go there. We had to notify our credit card company of all of the fraudulent charges. They wouldn’t even give us a copy of the contracts they make you sign via docusign!!!
Bay State Martial Arts
338 W Cummings Park, Woburn, MA 01801
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