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November 2023 by Jessica Outlaw
Wally and Lara use their background as educators to create an awesome and engaging learning environment for kids. It’s way more than just martial arts here - there’s lessons on social-emotional well-being, caring for your body and your mind and respect for self and other.
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September 2023 by Miranda Doyle
Updated 9/3/23 - I've been going to BJJ classes for 3+ years now and I can't recommend this gym highly enough. And now in one big convenient space.There are so many options for classes. I love the yoga class as well. Come try a free week!What a wonderful place, with the best people! I was super nervous about going since I’d never done any martial arts before and I didn’t have any idea what to expect (or even what to wear). But everyone made me so welcome. I tried the free week and was instantly hooked. I never thought I’d do something like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but it’s so much fun and great exercise. Great pricing and many classes to choose from, as well. If you’re considering learning something new, definitely drop by to try this place out! Wally is fantastic and the other coaches as well. April’s women’s class on Saturday is also a favorite of mine and a great way to begin.
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July 2023 by Amy Mccoy
My daughter has been taking lessons for nearly a year and we LOVE Southwest Portland Martial Arts! The classes are a great value and my daughter's confidence has noticeably improved. She especially enjoyed the movement camp this summer and the hip-hop classes in the spring. Lara and Wally are great at working with kids and we plan to be enrolled for years to come!
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July 2023 by Meredith Isordia
My boys loved their summer camp experience here! The staff is so kind and wonderful with kids. Both my sons are neurodiverse and they navigated their needs beautifully!
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April 2023 by Kathy S.
My husband and I have been doing CrossFit at CrossFit Hillsdale for over five years and we really feel at home here. The workout is hard, but the results are rewarding. Wally is a good coach and provides support to all levels of students without judgment. The best part is the down-to-earth vibe. The banter and camaraderie among the Hillsdale crossfitters are entertaining and welcoming. It is unusual to find a gym where you can work out and make friends at the same time. I highly recommend CrossFit Hillsdale.
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November 2022 by Jessica Johnson
Update: Two years on, we love SW Portland Martial Arts. Our kids have gained skills and confidence beyond anything I imagined when we started. They're learning what it means to work hard at something over time, and their belief in their ability to do so carries over into other aspects of their lives. Hats off to Lara and Wally for maintaining this awesome learning environment.Original review post: My kids recently started doing martial arts here. What sets this place apart is that Lara and Wally are really attentive and effective teachers who connect well with my two shy kids through intentional, thoughtfully structured lessons. In my experience with kids' activities, this is quite unusual. I can tell they put a lot of effort into maintaining a positive learning environment, and this effort is reflected in the details. I feel lucky that we have this place in the neighborhood.
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November 2022 by Danielle Heinlein
We love SW Portland Martial Arts. My son started when he was 4 in the height of covid, because he needed to get his energy out and I felt that SW PDX Martial Arts was taking all covid precautions seriously. They gave us a free first session to see if it was a good fit, which was fabulous. I love that it’s run by people who are invested in the community and understand children and their movement needs and most importantly their development. I highly recommend trying this martial arts practice out.
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November 2022 by Jeannette Taylor
We are honored and grateful to be a part of the SWPDXMA community. Lara and Wally are exceptional professionals and care deeply about what they do and it shows in every aspect of their business. I have recommended SWPDXMA to every single one of my friends, especially those seeking the highest quality martial arts instruction and just an overall healthy and community-oriented environment for their children and their families.
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November 2022 by Monica Smiley
Lara and Wally run a great gym. Lara is positive and patient with my son who has lots of energy and impulsively. The classes are helping him gain confidence and body control in an indoor, group environment. All safety protocols are in place. Thank you for your kindness and support!!!
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November 2022 by Bret Farrell
The best gym experience I've had. A community of wonderfully kind and supportive individuals led by coaches with your safety, success, and overall well-being at front-of-mind. Highly recommend.
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October 2022 by Shoshana Baird
Friendly, relaxed, and supportive. I avoided crossfit for years based on my sense of other places' vibe for intensity over safety, but this one seems focused on ensuring proper form, self-paced improvement, and avoiding injury -- all with upbeat and energized instruction. Plus lots of classes and great value!
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August 2022 by Holly Fulton
I recommend this gym in the highest possible terms. I've gotten the best weightlifting instruction of my life in this setting (bar none ;) ) and the welcoming, supportive energy of the gym is exceptional. The classes are challenging yet scalable, and just plain fun.
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January 2022 by Mary Samuels
If you are looking for a hyper-competitive gym where everyone is sizing each other up, this gym is not for you. If you are looking for a welcoming, lively gym where people work out hard but have fun and support each other, this is the place for you. The coaching and mentoring are first rate for all levels of ability, with small class sizes and lots of personalized attention. I am not an enthusiastic exerciser or natural athlete, and this gym keeps me coming back for more. Highly recommended for real people!
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July 2021 by Jessica B.
Wow, what can I say about Wally and CrossFit Hillsdale! Definitely the early embodiment of the early CrossFit boxes with the DIY touches, where you could tell Wally had his hand in every aspect of the gym. His coaching style was positive, upbeat, and had a critical eye on your technique without without calling you out in front of the class. He really cared to make sure you didn't have any prior injuries before lifting or doing the WOD, and rotated through the students giving enthusiastic support during the workout. Definitely glad we were able to drop in for a couple of workouts while we were visiting family, and will be back when we're in the area again. Thanks again, Wally!
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March 2021 by Gregory Meyer
CrossFit gym with a martial arts spin (their other business) seen during stretches and skills training, and, in this COVID era, more safety measures than other nearby gyms I've noticed- at times doing online videos, outdoor workouts, and, when allowed, indoor (spaced and ventilated) workouts
