American Academy of Martial Arts / Judan Judo

2 of the current 5 other reviews are from sensei's who work there (neal and julio). Liv, devon and martellas (owen) were asked to write good review purposely after i first wrote this one 8 months ago also, the students dont touch on how 2 of them have had injuries (liv's shoulder was so bad she could no longer spar), martellas (owen) has been knocked unconcious during a mall demonstration and is pretty young (15) and mcmanaman had a broken wrist. All of the instructors have been champions in their own right and are legit judokas with real power, technique, and strength which is why id be cautious training here. They have guests whom i suspect are on steroids. They have lots of talent when it comes to takedowns and grappling. However, If you say you dont want to work on something because of an injury, you may get ridiculed. The sensei's (instructors) are very tournament oriented so they want warriors! The japanese ju-jutsu they advertise is only done on saturdays and is relevant to brazilian jiu jitsu yet, class was consistantly cancelled when i trained here because, the instructor who teaches it (sensei russ) is also an instructor for a police class at owens and rarely has time and cancelled almost every class (not worth $150 a month. Sensei russ is a good reference for heel hooks, if you like bjj, you'll probably like him but, they aren't big on new techniques like the imanari, berimbolo, or web gaurd takedown. Its very, very old school. When they do open at 9 a.m. sat if you decide to go at 9 you'll have to wait till 10 or 11 untill someone decides to train with you and its usually in the kids class. They tell you things like "we dont tap here!" Coming from a backround in brazillian jiu jitsu, it didnt match my style because they teach working through a sub instead of tapping appropriately (sure, we work mental toughness, but through training cardio and technique). In the month ive been there ive had my finger injured black and blue and have had my ribs bruised. My ribs became bruised when a guest blackbelt came in wearing a whitebelt and threw me very hard ("sensei" julio)... When i was wearing a white belt... I didnt even know how to take the fall or rather, i knew how to take the fall at 1/2 speed. When i told sensei neal he replied "i dont want to hear it". Because there is NO cirriculum and the teachers flip flop on who's going to teach and on what days theyll teach, you cant get lesson plans so you cant youtube the moves before going to practice. We spend maybe 10-20 mins on a throw and then move on, i guess if you're a prodigy thats a good way to train but it didnt match my style. Ive been coming here for a month and am looking for a different school because it's mostly sport judo. Their idea of self defense is eye pokes, which is great if you like prison. One instructor (sensei Neal) was training us on hard floor (not throwing us or anything that extreme but, made me think "and if i slip?")off the mat because he didnt want to put on a gi. Students are always dealing with injuries it seems. I used to go to practice dreading the next injury. It takes a different kind to practice judo for sure. If you come from a brazillian jiu jitsu backround and you're just looking for someone to spar with or train with, i wouldnt go here. Id go to badger jiu-jitsu which is right behind judan. You're not allowed to train by touching the legs because they only play by judo rules which, i should've researched. I just assumed that self defense would incorperate double or single leg takedowns which, judo does teach but, judan is very sporty and they train moreso on the sport side. They're self defense class teaches eye pokes, groin strikes and some takedown defense. When asked anything about self defense the instructors usually advise eye and groin strikes and almost never reference judo or ju jutsu which is weird and makes me lose confidence in the instructors. Also, their pricing may vary from person to person sometimes by a large margin. The kids class seems legit as the instructors keep the kids safe and active.

This is a great place to train. All the instructors are nationally certified and only want the best for their students. Safety, discipline and teaching is the only thing I've seen from Judan. Every one cares about the students and want to be as helpful as possible. If you're looking for a great place to train this is it!

A Little History about Judan Judo. This Club has been around since 1991. Sensei Gary Monto, Gene Fodor, and Russel Burke have Dedicated endless time with our Troubled Youth of Toledo Ohio. I myself was once one of those troubled teens involved in gangs and with that came the street life. Since I've surrounded myself with the family of Judan Judo I have changed my Way of Life. Judo means (way of life). Not knowing when I first started the true meaning of Judo. It has shown in my everyday life as a adult. If You fall get back up, you fail get back up,you lose get back up if doesn't work re-adjust what ever it may be and do it till its right. And never walk into a situation full because you won'te be able to receive whats needed in life. I wanna thank these THREE MEN that are not only are my Sensei's "and I say this all teary eyed" they are like Father's I've never had. Thank you for helping me through this (way of life). And I would encourage anyone to join Judan Judo. Four of my Boys are practitioners of Judo, three of them are State Champion's. In Three different States and one is a 2nd place National champion. My oldest is working to become a Black belt with Judan Judo to add to his already long list of accomplishment in his cage fighting career. Thanks again Sensei's

Okay, I have been going here for over a year now and I have had the best experience here. I have made more than friends, a second family. Everyone here wants the best for you so if you want to do competitive judo or use it for just self defense you will learn a lot, you will learn a ton of stuff from throws, pins, chokes, armbars and more. They really take saftey precautions here, in your first week you learn falls and rolls so you don't hurt yourself. They always say, tuck your chin so you don't hit your head, and tell you to breathe on your way down so you don't hold your breath, if you do that you'll get the wind knocked out of you. They have taught me to stay safe, how to defend myself, and to have fun exercising. I have gotten a lot stronger, both mentally and physically. Also, I love how there are multiple teachers so they can show you multiple ways to do one technique, so if you can't do it one way, you can do it another! There is practice Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Tuesday and Thursday it is around 5:30 or 6 to 7 for the kids, and 7 to 8 for adults. Saturday it depends on when people are there, sometimes it will be a couple people exercising and working on what they need to on the mat. That's one of the best things about this place, you can train with whatever fits in your schedule. Saturday is Ju-Jitsu for adults and goes generally from 8:30 (the time I get there, and others come in 99% of the time but some have other things going on, one if our senseis teaches police officers so he can't make it sometimes or maybe someone will work late Friday and can't get up in time, it's fine. There is always next week), Tuesday's and Thursday there is Judo on the main mat but if you ever want to work on Ju-Jitsu there is a second mat and that is open for working on a specific move you want to with someone else or for extra practice. This club has definitely changed my life for the better. If you want to learn more, come in and talk to one of the senseis or a student and we will make sure your questions are answered.

I have been under the training of the instructors here for 7 years. It has become a second home and family to me. I look forward to the next time I can go as soon as I leave practice. To majority of us when we walk in the doors everything going on outside is left behind, entering a place where you know you are surrounded by people who will love,care,mentor, and protect you. They are there to help you improve yourself inside the gym and out. The instructors are always accommodating to your needs in the training you want. A handful of the instructors have law enforcement back ground one in which who still works at the police academy (Instructor Russ) is always taking the initiative to teach self defense, Police tactics, Judo and Jiu jitsu. He has a passion for supporting the growth of the ones he has trained in the past and currently. You will always find him working along side his students rather than coaching from the side line. Sensei Neals is an amazing motivator in pushing yourself to the limits in order to show you the strength and confidence you never thought existed within yourself. Sensei Gary is the owner of the gym, full of knowledge from his life experiences. He is retired Law enforcement and Marine Veteran who is willing to share what he knows to those who ask even if it is not what we are currently learning. These instructors are highly motivated when it comes to teaching people how to protect themselves no matter your age,gender,size or if you have a disability. They will find ways to modify in order for the techniques to be most effective. These people are a life changer in so many ways to the fullest extent. I couldn't be more blessed for crossing their paths.