Reviews From Our Exton and Berwyn Martial Arts Community

I could not recommend the Dragon Gym and its expert staff any more highly! Everyone I've been so lucky to meet and/or train with has been fabulous, and they really care about their students. They offer convenient class schedules that work great for my busy schedule. (I train at night, during the week, and on the weekend.) Also, they will teach you THE REAL DEAL, and you will see results. Case in point: Two years ago, I walked into the Dragon Gym for my first Russian kettlebells lesson. I had always heard how fabulous kettlebells were for conditioning and weight loss, and after being at my heaviest point at 162 pounds, 31% BMI, and by "the charts" borderline obese since I'm 5'3," I was sick of myself and ready for a change. I had my first orientation session on 10/26/10 and loved it. I was sore for a week, but I came right back and started in the class for beginners. I kept up with classes, going at least twice per week and slowly adding on more classes as they were available. I trained hard, stayed focused, and started seeing results right away.  So, six years later, I haven't missed more than a week at the gym. I am generally there 4-5 days a week—3 at minimum. I love it. I have made so many new friends and really "found" myself by training at the Dragon Gym. I've also made major body composition changes. As of last week, I'm now down to 129.6 pounds—the first time the scale has been below 130 since college. I am also now down to 24% BMI and am starting to really see some nice muscular definition. (The 6-pack is starting to peek out!) I also got pretty darn strong, too. And besides all of that, my issues with my knees, wrists, and lower back pain are gone due to increased joint mobility and the muscles I've strengthened training with kettlebells.   I completely attribute my success to the super encouraging and knowledgeable staff at the Dragon Gym. I am forever thankful and indebted to all of my family at the gym for supporting me along my journey. (And, yes, I do consider them my extended family. I've made so many friends there that I know I will have for life.) This gym has absolutely changed my life.  I would say that almost all the students at the gym have a similar story as far as seeing results and/or exceeding their training goals, no matter what their discipline—taekwondo, kettlebells, Muay Thai, etc. All of the instructors are great, and even if you don't train with them, they’re all more than willing to answer a question or assist you. It really is a family atmosphere, and I recommend training at the Dragon Gym to anyone who takes health and wellness seriously.   Fill out the form to the left to find out how our Russian kettlebell classes could be the best choice you make for your health and fitness.

Kristin Dankanich

I started going to Dragon Gym last April for Muay Thai classes, and it's one of the best decisions I've made. I get an hour break from life, and I get to hit the pads to release stress. I feel great afterwards and look forward to each class. I've even started my six-year-old daughter in the taekwondo class for kids. Her instructors are terrific. Good people here!   Fill out the form to the left to find out how martial arts could be the best choice you make for your health and fitness.

Stephanie Falcone

I have been coming to the Dragon Gym Muay Thai kickboxing program for over seven years now, and I’ve never regretted my decision to give this gym a try! This place has become like a second family. I’ve grown close to so many people, and you can tell everyone really cares and is looking out for each other. I’ve also learned so many awesome skills! Before training here, I never thought I could do the things that I do now, and I continue to learn more every day.  I would definitely recommend this gym to anyone of any age or skill level. It’s a great place to train.   Fill out the form to the left to find out how martial arts could be the best choice you make for your health and fitness.

Erica Gonzales

Our son has been taking classes at the Dragon Gym for a year and a half now, and we are thrilled with the changes we have seen in him in that short time. In raising our son, we have found that challenges come and go so quickly, and the Dragon Gym has been there to help in so many ways. Not only has it provided him with physical training and control, it also works on his character and values. We are so happy to see the lessons he has learned in class being applied to his life at home and school, as well. The instructors work so well with the students and truly care about their work and relationships with the families. The Dragon Gym has become such an important part of our son's life and ours, too. His last birthday party was also held here, and he was so proud to get up and teach his friends all that he has learned! We recommend this gym to all of our friends in the area.   Fill out the form to the left to find out how martial arts could be the best choice in activity you make for your child.

My son has been going to Dragon Gym since he was four years old. He's always been extremely active, but we just couldn't find any sport he would stick with. At Dragon Gym, they really worked with him (especially the incredible Master Lonnie)! They work with my son's personality, his insecurities, his lack of focus—making it such a personal experience. He is now eight and calls himself a ninja, and I believe I have Dragon Gym to thank for that! His confidence level, self-discipline, and respect for himself and others are noticeably so much better. He is now known as someone who defends his friends and even strangers who are being bullied. Dragon Gym is so much more than a fitness program. It affects your physical, mental, and emotional body and your way of life.   Fill out the form to the left to find out how martial arts could be the best choice in activity you make for your child.

Peggy Carroll-Henry

Many thanks to you and all the staff at Dragon Gym for your mentorship, friendship, and constant encouragement! Justice is a wonderful, authentic boy who loves to reach out, meet people, and support others. He's a true friend. I'm blessed that your sentiments also echo those of his teachers in school, year after year. He's learned much patience, kindness, resilience, and compassion in his 10 years. These past four months have been marvelous for him, and I'm thrilled to have Justice passionate about attending DG. For the first time in his 10 years, he's finally found a sport that he thoroughly loves and desires to work hard at and excel in. Only two years ago, Justice was a little boy unable to participate in any sports. He has a hereditary blood disorder (hereditary spherocytosis) from birth that caused chronic anemia and an enlarged spleen, requiring blood infusions and spending much time in doctors’ offices and hospitals. To make a long story short, he eventually had surgery to remove the spleen. The pros of this surgery outweighed the cons, and he was able to start regaining energy, and there was no risk of spleen rupture. It took Justice a long time for his "mind" to catch up to what his body now had the ability to do. He was so excited to do things like wrestle with his brother without injury and finally play football with the neighbor boys his age, and our family was excited to watch him. On various occasions in the months following his recovery, he would come inside discouraged after joining in with neighbor boys during flag football and soccer. He listened to comments like, "You're not athletic," "You're horrible at sports," and "We don't want you playing with us because you don't know the rules." His older brother would look out for him but wasn't always around. Of course, most of these kids didn't know his history. We encouraged him, and we told him to never give up, to love, and to be a good friend. He's wired to march to the beat of his own drum—strong, sweet, and not one to give into peer pressure. He's not afraid to speak his mind and thoughts. He's sincere and  friendly, and he always seems to have a posse following him with his great ability to lead without effort. We've surely had to reign all this in from time to time. (Of course our greatest strengths can also be the greatest weaknesses.) In summary, DG has helped strengthen his weaknesses and mature his strengths! It's a joy to see him in "one of his elements," make new wonderful friends, desire to be teachable, and communicate to us how he loves a "strict yet fun" atmosphere that promotes discipline and care! Thanks again for taking the time to acknowledge our son and to find out some of his story.   Fill out the form to the left to find out how martial arts could be the best choice in activity you make for your child.

Reta Watkins

There are many martial arts studios in the area. We visited several. There are NO other gyms like Dragon Gym, for many reasons. The staff is amazing, friendly, and inviting, and everyone makes the kids feel welcome starting their first day. I guarantee they'll call your child by name at the end of orientation. The classes are wonderful and challenging. Clearly, they "know their stuff." But it's the inclusive nature that makes parents feel welcome—even cared for. There are adult programs, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, taekwondo, kettlebells and Muay Thai kickboxing, to name a few! And they even offer nutrition videos. They truly care about your whole family's well-being. Most importantly, the impact their training has on every child's self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth is immeasurable. I am forever grateful to everyone at DG for the incredible impact they've had on my son for the last three years. Going here would be the greatest gift you could give yourself or your child. It's so worth it.   Fill out the form to the left to find out how martial arts could be the best choice in activity you make for your child.

Lori Kendra

I never had success at a regular gym. Doing Muay Thai at Dragon Gym has been great for me. I have more energy and feel inspired to keep improving myself. I love that the classes take all of my attention, so for the hour, I never think once about work or my long to-do list. It’s an hour to completely focus on bettering myself. Thanks Dragon Gym!   Fill out the form to the left to find out how martial arts could be the best choice you make for your health and fitness.

Diane Flowers

When I decided to review Dragon Gym, I wondered what aspect of the gym I should talk about. There were the taekwondo, Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ), yoga, and junior instructor programs for kids; adult taekwondo, BJJ, and kettlebells classes; and other benefits, including personal training, many guest seminars, nutrition counseling, the people, and the impact on our kids and family. DG is not a karate studio. It is so much more. I am so impressed with how much they offer. They are not just focused on the physical—but also the mental. They emphasize that what a person can do is not as important as who he chooses to become. This is witnessed in every class as the instructors encourage other students or pitch in to help without being asked. The same theme continues into the adult programs, where we are constantly pushed to become more physically fit but also to become better than we are—learning how to set goals, how to obtain these goals, and how to support our classmates achieve their goals. I cannot say enough about how much Dragon Gym has done for my family and myself.   Fill out the form to the left to find out how martial arts could be the best choice you make for your health and fitness.

Sandie Grulke

We have been coming here for over eight years! They have everything for the whole family—martial arts for all ages, yoga, kettlebells, Muay Thai, and the list goes on! Everyone who works here is so friendly and helpful. You always feel welcomed when you open the door. The instructors and teachers are the best around. They not only care about your development during class but truly care about you as a person. My three kids ages 17, 13, and 7 all feel like this is a second home to them!   Fill out the form to the right to find out how martial arts could be the best choice you make for your health and fitness.

Jessica Hambridge