Excel Martial Arts Academy INC

One of the best decisions I've ever made for my children was to join Excel Martial arts. The programs, instructors, and facility are top of the line. The academy has helped my kids grow in ways I never could have imagined. If you're thinking about joining Taekwondo, you'll want to check out Ecel Martial Arts Academy in Woodbury....you will NOT be disappointed! more

I would recommend shopping around before locking yourself into a contract here. I think the training is ok if your not too serious about fighting - but too expensive for what you get in my opinion. I checked this place out and some others before choosing Next Level Combat, which has unlimited classes (excel limits your classes per week), no contracts (excel locks you in for 6 months+), and is less expensive (saves me $35 a month!!). more

My family has been going to Excel for 5 years. All of my children and my husband are students here. It is a place where everyone is welcome. As well as getting a great work out and physical confidence, my kids have learned self-control, focus, courtesy, respect and self-discipline, life skills they will use the rest of their lives. I recommend this school to everyone I know. more

My kids started at Excel 6 years ago. We were looking for a physical outlet that would help improve their ADHD self-control and focus issues. I have seen their self confidence soar, their impulse control grow, their focus increase, and their physical and emotional selves mature beyond my wildest hopes. This school is more like a family than a set of staff, and they have welcomed us and encouraged my children with their life-skills lessons like integrity, perseverance, honesty and respect, as well as the best martial arts instruction around. Age appropriate instruction, disability appropriate instruction, and always encouraging them to do their best. I can't recommend them highly enough! more

Excellent Jiu-Jitsu training. There were no aggressive tactics used to sign a contract. There really is a free ten day trial that this school honors. Avoiding automatic renewal of contract is easy if you inform the owner one month ahead of time. Instructors are professional and the training is equivalent to that of other schools affiliated with the Gracie Academy. This school is the only school in Minnesota affiliated with the Gracie Academy, which attests to its quality. The facilities are well supplied and clean. Representatives from the Gracie Academy have flown out from California to conduct seminars here. I would recommend this school without reservation.\r more

we found out about this school from our kids elementay school. Excel donated a starter package which we won!!! My 7 year old has loved every second at this school. As parents we are very happy with the progress our child has made. This progress is due to the wonderful staff at Excel. We can't wait for our next child to turn 3 and start at Excel. Would recommend this place to anyone. more

I'll admit this is a biased review as I was the chief instructor at this school for over 2 years before moving to California, but this is the premier martial arts school in the twin cities. They teach traditional taekwondo and gracie jiu-jitsu for the entire family. This school is not about selling you a black belt like many others in the area. They are about teaching your kids valuable life skills and getting adults into the best physical and mental shape of their lives. They will not pressure you into spendy long-term contracts. If you are not happy with your training, you are more than welcome to leave. But you will not find a better martial arts experience than this school. On top of all this, their new location (451 commerce was their old location) is the largest, cleanest, and most impressive in the entire midwest. The best thing to do is to go and watch (or even better, try a trial class) so you will see the difference for yourself. more

Trained at Excel for 10 years. Learned the material presented. Treated with respect, staff goes extra mile. Members treat you like family. Have alot of good friends at the school. more

This is a great martial arts studio, and they're popular for a reason:\r 1 - Amazingly effective workouts\r 2 - Real self defense, not theory\r 3 - Practical life skills for kids and adults alike - honesty, integrity, perseverense, self-control - it's all there\r 4 - Tournament competition, for those that love to compete\r 5 - Business integrity - you will be treated fair and square\r \r I've seen some shady characters in my 25-year career in martial arts, and these instructors are the exact opposite. You will definitely get what you paid for here!\r \r I've never heard these people bash another martials arts school, and I think that says a lot about the character of the instructors - very positive energy in this place! more

I have lived and trained in martial arts around the world (Hawaii, Germany, Guam, Phillipines, etc), and I have never received the type of instruction as I have at Excel. The way that things are broken down to assist in the learning of the techniques, and they way they are shown for real life applications. It is also the most family focused training center that I have seen. Whether you are a beginner, or have trained for years, you will get quality instruction, and feel welcomed. more

I remember looking for a place my daughter could go and learn tai kwon do! I walked into the door and right away felt welcomed and the atomsphere is very nice! 4 years later my daughter is stilling loving her classes and I always feel welcomed when I walk in the door. Mr. Niska and his staff are the best! more

Company will bait you in with a suppossedly free 10 day trial. They will then AGGRESSIVELY try to get you to sign a 1 yr contract saying the free trial is added to the contract. I have been in/out of around 25 combat gyms in my life and this place ranks at the top of the list in sleeziness. Even if I thought this place had the best training in the world, I would never train there or recommend this place to anyone. Avoid at all costs or you will be taken advantage of.......... more

Highly professional martial arts school! Large number of professional adult instructors and they never surprise families with requiring a long-term required agreement like other schools in the area. I would recommend this school to any serious martial arts student. Pros: Large clean building, professional instructors, national affiliation, extensive life skills training and requirements Cons: not open on Sunday more