Reviews From Our Exton and Berwyn Martial Arts Community

2013 Sept. 180Lbs 36"waist. 5'7" At this point in my life (Age 48) & with the advice of the Doc I decided to loose weight on my own. As a Business owner I worked irregular hours ate & drank what ever I wanted. I worked all the time and had no hobbies, as who has time for them. I decided to loose some weight using MY Fitness Pal & doing some irregular exercise (just cardio). I got down 165lbs. 33" Waist, However that did not last, more irregular work hours and a lack of focus on my self I was soon found myself getting back into those old suits.   By 2015 Feb, I was back up 175lbs & by April up another 4lbs to 179lbs. Not good. In October 2015, Master Somnath Sikdar with the Dragon Gym Martial Arts & Fitness, Exton, who was also attending David Frees's Mastermind group in Phoenix AZ., asked me to look into Tae Kwon Do. I told him I did not have time for that. I'm busy & have to much work to do. All I knew was I had to change something as what I had been doing up to now was not working. So I went to check out the Gym. He ask that I make a small commitment of working out 2 a week for 1-hr at the gym, except for when I was traveling for work or on vacation. I agreed. I had no other plans that that. Train twice a week. Wow. I look back now and wonder why it took me so long to see that I was on the wrong path. Since joining the gym, I have found myself more focused at work, I get things done faster and I feel Great & Happier at home and with myself. I am currently a 30" waist 159lbs. and who would have known, that my small commitment of training 2 times a week, is just a portion of my workout schedule now. I have completed a version of Tyson Franklin's 365 Day Mental & Physical Challenge (Workout 1Hr a day for 365 days) & I find my self a TKD Black Belt plus my personal best for a dead lift is 356lbs. Not bad for a "over weight, over worked, stressed out business owner with no time." Brian Slater 53   P.s. You get a free 1 on 1 orientation and consultation at the start. If you want to make it happen, click HERE to schedule that orientation and consultation.

I wanted to start some form of martial arts for a couple of years but struggled to find the time between a busy work life and not wanting to take any time away from the family. However, with the kids training at DG, it created an opportunity for all 6 of us to train and spend time together with some common interests and goals. It started with our 3 youngest kids, followed by me and our oldest daughter, and then Sandie doing Tae Kwon Do. This was followed by 5 of us doing BJJ too. It is worth mentioning that I think we have been able to sustain and increase our interests over the past several years because of the people at DG. It is definitely a family and there is no other environment like it.

Matt Grulke

I too was a parent who sat up in the balcony watching my daughter train for almost a year when my husband signed me up for TKD classes. Putting on that white uniform and stepping on to those mats for the first time, yep, I was a ball of nerves mixed with a ton of excitement...and since that first class, I have never looked back. We have made some amazing friendships that have turned in to being part of an amazing family. Dragon Gym has done so much for both myself and my daughter in helping us to lead healthier lives, build a higher level of self confidence, create goals and strive to achieve them, and to become a better person. It has also given myself and my daughter a much stronger bond through our training together. Was I intimidated, absolutely, this was something that was so out of my comfort zone...was I worried about not being able to do it, you bet I was,...was I even afraid that people might laugh at me, yes ....but after the most amazing welcome in my first class, receiving all the encouragement and support from everyone on those mats and truly finding out what Dragon Gym is all about, those fears faded away. I've been training for over a year now and the support and encouragement from everyone on the mats today is still as strong as it was that very first day. I am so grateful to have this amazing Dragon Gym family in my life and I encourage everyone to take that next step and join us on the mats!

Debbie Felker 

I echo the comments of the parents above, and of course I would as we all became fast friends on the mat and now, off the mat as well! I was in the balcony for only a few months (over 3 years ago!) watching how much fun my son was having and realized I belonged down there with him. The first class was tough for me, heck the first month was tough! I had to stop and breathe several times throughout the class and each time, everyone encouraged me to work at my own pace and get right back in there when I was ready! Every single person in class introduced themselves to me and made me feel welcomed from Day 1. We help each other, we watch out for each other. We train each other. Now, on Saturday mornings, several of us even train together to practice the curriculum outside of the class schedule while our kids take the make up class or serve as junior instructors. That is how much we love being students and parents at DG! As for me and my son, we teach each other forms and practice at home. We review stances, kicks and punches. He makes up crazy combinations to see if Mom can keep up (most of the time I CAN!). We are bonding over this and it's just one more way for us to spend quality time. Although he's on another mat at the same time I'm in class, I look back every so often and smile at him or give a thumbs up and he does the same. There is literally not one negative thing I could say about our experiences as a family at DG. So, come on down and join us on the mat! You won't be sorry! The more feet on the mat, the better!

Dina Hoegen Perreault

My daughter and I came to DG for one reason, and have stayed for one million reasons. It’s an awesome feeling to be able to share DG with my daughter. There is so much to help you grow on so many different levels. I started with Kickboxing when Olivia started TaeKwonDo. I was carrying five years of baby weight and in most likely the worst physical condition I have ever been in.  I spent a lot of time in the balcony watching Olivia and the instructors when I wasn’t in class. I was fascinated by the dedication of the instructors, how skills were taught and lessons were broken down, and watching Master Kim and Miss Lindsay, as well as seeing the progress Olivia made in her classes. That fascination inspired me to want to try TKD myself. I love learning and it was a new venture for me to apply that desire to learn to martial arts. So, three years later, I take/have taken kickboxing, Taekwondo, Kettlebells, and JiuJitsu. I have participated in challenges and meal plans. I am now in much better physical condition than I have been in many years as the result of of a whole lifestyle change which I would not have been able to accomplish without the knowledge and assistance of the instructors and staff of DG. What Debbie, Sandie, and Liz said is true... while starting may feel intimidating, the support from your classmates and instructors is amazing. It’s true that if you want to be successful you need to surround yourself with people who will help you get there. I can honestly say that if I didn’t have the relationships with people at DG that I do now, I would not have come as far as I have. The investment in myself and Olivia has been so worth it for the development of her character and of mine, for self-confidence, for physical conditioning, for mental toughness, and most of all for fun. Thanks DG- we love you. To the parents in the balcony- come down and take the first step- there is so much for you on the mats- don’t miss out on your chance to become the best version of yourself.

Alicia de la Torre-Yoder

I think starting to train at Dragon Gym was one of the best decisions of my life, my kids had been training for several years and I sat in the balcony, I made some friends up there watching the kids BUT the moment I stepped on the mats (black at first for kettlebells and then the gray for TKD and then BJJ) I made great friends more like family. It is extremely intimidating to step on the mats but everyone welcomes you, everyone has been there too. Besides the family I have made I am healthier, showing my children that health and exercise is important at all ages, you can achieve anything you want to but I also I train alongside my family. This fall Abbey and I are training for an all women’s jiu jitsu tournament. So to all the parents on the fence (or balcony) you will not be sorry, come on down!!!!  

Alexandra K Grulke

For me, it helps to be organized at home with meal planning and plan ahead simple meals for training nights. I typically train M/W/Fs and my two kids most often attend T/TH, all at 6:30. For me, that means I am coming right from work without going home first on those days. As a family, we are all used to eating later dinners, typically between 7:30 and 8, not only because of TKD, but also because of other after school sports and practices. So a healthy snack for us all prior to our classes helps with simple meals after on the days I train.

Liz Peck

One of the many things that we love about the DG program is that the boys and girls are together. All of the girls who are in with my boys are incredibly strong, intelligent, and capable both on and off the mat. It gives both sides the chance to integrate and appreciate the opposite sex without there ever being mention that they are doing so. Quite often we separate boys and girls not realizing that in doing so we may be implying that one is “better” than the other because of their gender. While on the mat with girls my boys are learning that each person is an individual with their own strengths and weaknesses- not that boys or girls are better just because they are boys or girls. And because of the social environment at DG the kids really recognize that my boys can be great cooks in the kitchen and a girl can rock their favorite video game- the gender stereotypes seem to be left at the door- who could ask for anything more! **Shout out to Hazel who regularly inspires my boys to try there best by constantly driving them with her natural strength and force. Our household is bummed that you are moving and will definitely be keeping in touch!**

Fran Munoz

As a relative newcomer to Dragon Gym and somebody who has been practicing martial arts on and off for 15 years in various martial arts studios, I can honestly say this is one of the best, well-rounded schools I have known. The instructors are very knowledgeable, caring and do a good job of fostering an environment that helps students grow.

Ksenija Sabic

My daughter started classes two months ago and learning so much. The instructors are dedicated, kind and engaged.  

Tim Thomas