Ryer Martial Arts Academy

I just started at Ryers. I feel 100% that anyone who would wright a less then perfect review MUST own another Martial Arts Gym. I can't imagine anyone being less then amazed with how awesome this gym is. Read my review on Google 5/10/11

A wonderful facility with a strong sense of community. The instructors are all very capable and totally committed to the students and the arts they teach. The variety of the classes offered makes it possible to find something to fit anyone's interests, schedule and ability. Definitely an outstanding environment to learn or train in.

The instruction from Ryer Academy is tailored for the students needs without a ' one size fits all ' policy. Located in a safe area this is the kind of place kids and adults are made to feel safe and welcome. If you are looking to augment you martial arts knowledge or are a beginner this is the place to go. Highly recommended

My son has been studying with Ryer academy for over 5 years now. He is gaining is a true martial arts training. I have friends who have shelled out big bucks for their kids to hurriedly gain a black belt. If you are looking for a place where your child will have valuable instruction, motivation, support, all in a safe environment, Ryer Academy is it!

Ryer Academy has been nothing but an incredible organization to me since I have joined back in May of 2009. All of the instructors are patient, professional, and courteous while offering numerous disciplines. Variety is the spice of life, and Ryer Academy offers different programs to match different sets of wants and needs. No one is ever pressured to sign up for anything they do not want... and no one has ever been "run around".

I just recently joined the Academy in september. As a 23 year old walking into a martial arts studio for the first time it was a bit intimidating. Josh Ryer and the rest of the Ryer community immediately put my mind at ease with a very down home atmosphere where everyone is welcome. In the past few months i have learned valuable skills for on the mat and off. The training is superb and the people are even better. I highly recommend The Ryer Martial Arts Academy.

Ryer Academy has excellent instruction and plenty of parking across the street in Shadyside.. Just about the safest area in Pittsburgh. The array of classes allows for students to become versed in multiple facets of martial arts. The academy allows individuals to experience different views on how disciplines approach combat. I highly recommend the school to any interested in furthering or starting their martial arts career

I have been involved in martial arts for over 24 years and I would hope I have a decent overview of what martial arts should be about. Ryer Academy is not what it should be. As a business owner myself I understand the need to be profitable, but I felt I being run around with all the differnt programs. They are trying to be all things and not really good at one particular one. Also, the area seemed unsafe at night with no parking and a seedy crowd surrounding the area. Went to a studio in Southside and was pleasantly surprised.

The cardio kickboxing class is awesome. It is challenging, and the instructors are great motivation. I would recommend this class.

Ryer Martial Arts is great. The workout that you recieve is always challenging, and the instructors are motivating and make to strive to do the best you can do. Mr. Josh is also wonderful with the children, my daughter is always excited to go to karate, and has developed so much self confidence since she started.

I have been taking kickboxing classes at Ryer Academy for a little over one year now. The workouts are excellent: you will work your arms, legs, and core, and you will leave class feeling like a million bucks. I cannot believe the difference in my muscle tone since I started this class. Josh and his staff work *extremely* hard to offer kickboxing classes in the morning, afternoon, and evening. In addition, Josh and his staff are warm, friendly, and very professional. I cannot think of a single aspect of this class that has not been outstanding. Thank you, Josh, David, Kristy, and everyone who had made this class what it is.

Just joined and love it. The cardio kick class is challenging and is just what I needed to switch up my workouts. They are also very friendly and care about there members. I feel very welcomed here.

Very nervous at first when I went there, which was at night. NO PARKING. The instruction seemed ok, but if I am taking my kids there I would be more comfortable in a differnt location. Joined CS KIM in bloomfield , a parking garage right next store.

I have been a member of Ryer Academy for a few years now, and I have never walked in to find the place dirty. The owner keeps the place spotless, and the mats are always clean, as well as the bathrooms and everything else in the facility down to the mirrors! One thing that I have found remarkable is that simple fact that after the kids line up and get drinks from the water fountain, the instructor will wipe up the floor after them if they have dripped anything on the floor. I think it is sad when people try to discredit any business without a valuable reason. Not only does my child enjoy karate at Ryer Academy, but my child has learned very valuable life skills and has become more confident and more outgoing. My child has learned priceless lessons from Ryer Academy and I am thankful for all the hard work that the owner and his staff provides each day. The only con I can say about Ryer Academy is it is sometimes hard to find parking. Everything else is top knotch!

I have been a student at the Ryer academy since July '08. Since then I have been very impressed with way the school is run and how classes ...

I have been taking private sessions with Josh for 16 months now! I started with his Real Cardio Kickboxing Class, which was a great workout!...

When I first started ryer's I was only giving it month, and If I didn't see results I was going to quit. But it turns out that I am seeing changes in body that I never thought would happen without plastic surgery, my cellulite is actually going away!!! This is a miracle!! I love Ryer Martial Arts, it is the best workout ever. I will never join a gym again. Keep kicking our asses Josh.

Specializing in several martial art disciplines including American Kenpo Karate, Counterpoint Tactical System and Doce Pares Eskrima, Ryer Martial Arts Academy offers adult and children classes, cardio kickboxing and private training as well as online training.

Ryer's Academy is the best Martial Arts School anywhere.

I have been taking real cardio Kickboxing for over 1 month now. I was nervous about trying it, but it may have been the best thing I've done for my health and my goal to make exercise a permanent part of my lifestyle. Josh and his team are highly professional, and they put together a workout that varies from day to day and is very challenging. The class is diverse in age and fitness levels, and despite this, the instructors are able to maximize everyone's workout. The class is fun, and although every time it's the hardest workout I've ever completed, I leave feeling a great sense of accomplishment, and can't wait to go back for more! I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to get in shape or take their fitness to the next level. This place is incredible!

I have been attending the adult martial arts class for about a year now and wish I had started sooner. The class develops practical self-defense skills as well as physical and mental conditioning that help in almost any aspect of everyday life. I find myself more confident and more able to meet challenges than a year ago. The instruction is top-notch and the instructors genuinely care about each student's individual progression both in terms of self-defense and development as a martial artist. I have also had the chance to observe some of the kids karate classes and would recommend them to any parent. The kids learn respect (for themselves and others,) discipline and self-confidence in addition to physical conditioning and self-defense. There is no better investment you can make in terms of physical conditioning, mental well-being and character building for anyone, of any age.

All classes from children and adult karate to aerobics classes are run with the utmost professionalism. I am extremely satisfied with everything this Academy has to offer and would suggest that anyone looking for Martial Arts or Fitness classes to check it out.

I started cardio kick as a new years resolution to amp up my workouts. This class is incredible. It is very challenging, but leaves me wanting more each time. The music is very motivating and the instructor is great and very fit. Everything about it class is just awesome. I would encourage everyone looking to lose weight or looking to improve their fitness level to try this class.

My child takes martial arts at Ryer Martial Arts Academy and it is the best thing I could have ever done for him. I can't thank Mr. Josh enough for all his patience and all the development skills he has taught my son. My son not only can focus better, but has better discipline, respect, and best of all, leadership! Thank you to all the instructors for being positive role models, not only to my son, but to many other children. I would reccommend this place to any parent looking to better their childs life.

I've been taking the Real Cardio Kickboxing class here for a few months, and it has been a very positive experience. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive. (I have been pretty slow to learn the exercises, but the instructors and fellow students are always patient, never intimidating.) The workout is good,, tough. I saw results in a few weeks -- weight loss and stronger muscles. The workout is varied class to class, so it is never boring. The music is good, too.

I joined this place a month ago and have fallen in love with it. The workouts are hard and will puch you to the limit, but in the end you will keep coming back for more. The environment is very friendly. Josh (the owner) will sit down with you and outline your goals and will remind you of them when you find yourself slacking during the workout. Coming to this place in the evening is the highlight of my day. If you want a great workout and a serious stress reliever, I suggest you definitely try this place!

I have been taking cardio kickboxing at this place for less than a month, and I am already seeing results. The instructors are great and very motivating, and I actually look forward to exercising when I know I'm going to kickboxing class. The owner is also very good with the kids karate class (and is definately an outstanding role model for youth these days), that I sometimes observe the end of, since kickboxing classes are right after. Friendly staff, knowledgeable instruction and very clean. I would highly recommend this martial arts school to anyone for both kickboxing and karate.

Over the past few months I have been a regular kickboxing student at the United Parker Kenpo School in Shadyside. I have not only lost 15 lbs in the past couple of months, but I have also gained a confidence I never had before. Every instructor at the school is amazingly motiviating and they really do make fitness fun. When I am done with class I usually stick around and watch the adult Kenpo class, and let me tell you, the techniques they use are very practical for street defense and very easy to pick up. As a matter of fact, I am planning on taking a few Kenpo classes soon, and I will comment again on how much my butt gets kicked:) Overall, I highly recommend this school for both fitness aspects as well as learning the Martial Arts.. Have fun!!!

I am not one to write reviews, I believe that everyone should experience things for themselves and draw their own conclusions, but after reading a quite disturbing review on this Martial Arts studio, I felt it was my duty to stand up for what I know is correct. I am no longer a student at UPK, but I studied there for a little over a year before relocating to a different city. Kenpo was the most practical Martial Art I have ever learned. To say that it is just "okay" for self defense is an opionion that can only come from an observer, and not someone who has actually studied Kenpo. Not only do you learn a series of techniques, practical for every situation that may arise varying from basic hand strikes, to kicks, attacks from behind, knives, guns etc...but counterpoint is a HUGE part of the ciriculum, which teaches you how to use your instincts to act in a counter attack if your first attack goes wrong, or the opponent throws an unexpected strike. Grappling was also practiced at le... Read more

Well, here I am, 2 years later -- still going strong, and I stand by every word below -- except for the fact that it is easy to park now, since the wine store closed ... *wink* Unbelievable to have a karate instructor of this caliber in an unassuming, friendly, and affordable karate school. Not a chain, no gimmicks, just real self-defense and fitness instruction for kids, men, women of all ages and backgrounds. I found this school because I was a woman looking for some self-defense classes, and someone from my gym recommended Josh Ryer. I knew nothing about karate, nor had I ever heard of Josh, but I was inspired by that movie where JLo learns self-defense and kicks her ex-husband's butt. Anyway, I was heartened by the fact that the school was NOT a chain where you pay money to get through each belt level (sorry, Carol -- my sister belongs to one of those and is almost a brown belt ... after 1 year!) When I saw Josh teach his children's classes, I knew I was in the right place. ... Read more

It was a year ago I decided I would give kickboxing a try, and I am VERY happy I joined. Not only am I pleased with the new friends I have made at the school, but the workout is great! If you want to meet some smiling faces and have a great workout at the same time, please give United Parker's a try! Josh is the lead instructor, he is VERY friendly and he wants to see you accomplish your goals! Thanks again Josh! Veronica

I originally walked into this karate school to enroll my son in the kids karate program. The level of instruction he is receiving is amazing. Not only does he look forward to going to class because it is fun, but I look forward to the other things he is learning such as dicipline and respect. After being there a few months, I took interest in an aerobic class being offered there called kickboxing. After my first class, I could barely walk out of there. I have never experienced such an intense workout in all my life. The class was challenging at first, but the energy level in class makes the time go quickly. The level of instruction is very professional, yet fun, and the class times and prices are very reasonable. Whether you are looking to learn martial arts, or just to get an awesome workout, I would definately recommend this karate school to anyone!