I definitely do NOT recommend this place, but especially do not if you are either a woman or a child. Brian Johnson has both obvious control and temper issues, and has a history of behaving inappropriately to female members, myself included. On top of that, the place is old, has shoddy equipment and dressing rooms, and smells bad. There is no ac. I recommend locking up your personal electronic devices and to STRONGLY listen to your intuition when you go inside and especially when interacting with the owner, Brian Johnson, who is, incidentally, a former Tumwater, WA police officer. But, don't take my word alone...there are plenty of other negative reviews online reflecting similar sentiments, such as: 1) "Warning, do not sign the contract, they tell you false lies to get you to signs. This is a dirty business." -Yellowbot Review. 2)"This is a bad place for kids. There are a lot (sic) scary people in there. It is a money hungry business." -Yellowpages Review. 3)"My girlfriend attended the academy of Brian Johnson and after the free week we decided to enroll her. It wasn't long before the older gray haired instructors started staring at her and it made her extremely uncomfortable. Like licking there (sic) lips and putting out there tongues sort of thing. I've heard negative things about instructors there abusing there (sic) power to get with the people who go there so we decided to have her quit. On top that the floors were very dirty with body hair on the ground and it smelled like stale socks. If you are a man maybe its for you, they seemed to have a lot of people sparring and stuff, but I'm not sure if the coaches are even qualified instructors in any shape or form. For a 7 time karate black belt master the owner didn't have any trophies, medals or belts of his own to speak of. Or, any schooling or paperwork behind his credited instructors. Very suspect and a school that has a very sexual innuendo type things going on. Very suspect." -VerView Review. 4) "Negative Professionalism". Gave 1:5 stars. -Google Maps Review. 5) "This guy is completely unprofessional and likes to threaten people after assuming that they hang up on him." Gave 1:5 stars. -Google Maps Review. 6) "My son is 4 and Brian assured me that wasn't to (sic) young so I signed him up for karate. After the first 2 months my son was all over the place and not paying attention. I asked if I could pay a cancellation fee or something because it was getting frustrating watching my son run all over. Wouldn't let me pay a fee or try to work with us at all." Gave 1:5 stars. -Google Maps Review. 7) "Poor customer service, poor quality instruction, this business is in it for the money, it won't last long. It is a very negative environment. I would never recommend any one signing your kids up here. What a waste of money. Prices are low, but you get even less of what you pay for." -Yellowbot Review. 8) "This is a very bad business. They are very unprofessional and not good with kids. They even have temper problems. You will be stuck paying on the contract for a year no matter how unhappy you are." -Yellowbot Review. 9) "Too bad I can't give you ZERO stars. Your customer service is crap. You (sic) 6 month contract is a bullshit 7 month contract. Your have inadequate facilities for women. You let people not in classes interrupt ongoing classes. You have no respect for the people who PAY you to go there. Your ignorance is unsurpassed. The fact that your unclean equipment gives people skin rashes is disgusting. It's..."" -Yellowbot Review.
Might I recommend a competitor to Brian Johnson's Academy of Kickboxing? (I am in no way affiliated with them). I fervently wish that I had checked them out prior to going to Brian's Academy, instead of after. I heartily recommend them. The place is clean, much newer, and neither the owner nor the members ever made me the slightest bit uncomfortable. And, it's not that far from Brian's Academy. It's: Hammerhead Mixed Martial Arts Gym @ 3534 6th St. SE, Olympia. Phone #971-708-0238.
