Raven's Post Gym & Gaman Dojo

Can't recommend Raven's Post gym enough. I joined because I am terrible at making myself work out, and wanted some structure and accountability. Now I'm someone who works out three days a week and loves leg day. Rob and Alex truly care about each of their clients--helping us create habits and achieve goals using their knowledge and experience. It's a great, inclusive community and an overall very supportive environment. If you've been put off by a traditional gym atmosphere in the past, Raven's Post may be just the place for you.

The ravens post is an inclusive and welcoming community perfect for everyone. Rob and Alex create a supportive plan to help reach your goals. They are super mindful of everyone’s levels and can help you work around personal challenges. Love going here and would highly recommend for beginners!

I've been working with Rob and Alex at Raven's Post for about 2 years now, and I've never been stronger, healthier, or happier with a gym/trainers. They hit that perfect balance of pushing your limits without going to the point of injury, and really emphasize health as a lifestyle. I'll be here for a long time.

Robert and David are excellent trainers, with a focus on safety, form, and adaptability. Formulating nutritional plans and exercise regiments tailored to my specific goals and to also invest into a healthy and more functional body for the future. For 3 days of small group classes, each one specific for different muscle groups, endurance, and designed around my capacities, with a single 1 on 1 day where we can focus on either recovery, athletic performance, or agility. For less than 20 dollars a session, it also feels like a steal, but only proves to me thier dedication to helping other succeed and thier commitment to thier clients as the focus, rather than thier wallet. If you're on the fence about joining a gym, look no further,. Even with a recent ankle injury, Robert and David hel get me back into shape, spread some fat, and get my strength back. Give them a try and you won't regret it.

I started going to this gym over a year ago and since then it's become one of my favorite places. The owners, Rob and Alex, have made not only a fun place to work out but a place with a strong sense of community.

I've never been one for exercise or physical activity, but I've been coming here for two years now for martial arts training and have recently started weight training as well! Rob is a very knowledgeable trainer and understands the capabilities of his students, working with us at our own individual levels and also pushing us to improve. I couldn't recommend this place enough- if someone as lazy as I am keeps coming back, you know it's gotta be something special!

Also there's a dog 🥰

Me and Robert Bigley stumbled upon each other by chance since late October of 2021 and I must say it has been an absolutely amazing experience so far. I have trained in several arts on and off throughout the years but there is nothing I have done that can compare to the Bujinkan budo taijutsu that Rob has been teaching me. I can promise anyone interested that you will never get bored . Rob is the cream of the crop when teaching both the physical and historical aspects of every single movement he shows you. He also will not allow you to short change yourself. He goes above and beyond to make sure you have an absolute understanding of what you are doing at whatever current rank level you are at. I can't say enough good things. His wife Alex is also an extremely kind and humble human being that also goes out of her way to help with whatever questions you have regarding the more business side of the gym. If you are interested in these arts and you have some kind of means to attending classes here I beyond highly recommend doing so. Its not exactly an easy task in this day and age finding people this awesome to learn from.

As you all start those new year resolutions, this is your place! I am 61 years old and started working out with Robert in September! I have always hated working out! I can not believe first of all what I am doing and that I look forward to doing it!! Started out attempting squats and now Robert has me doing”German Volume Training”! He is very knowledgeable and encouraging. No body shaming here! Come with some goals! You set them , he does what he can to help you reach them!

Been training here for over a year now -- and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in martial arts. The instruction is quite different from other dojos I've been to -- I would describe it as 'meditative' as distinct from the 'pumped up' atmosphere that many dojos have. Not to say that the physical activity is not intense (it is), but there's a lot more attention paid to technique & precision rather than simply working up a sweat. The concepts & body mechanics of the movements you practice run through the entire art & reveal themselves in new ways as you continue to practice. It's very hands on, but safety is highly emphasized, as we all want to keep training and avoid injury.

The main instructor is well-versed in all aspects of the art with decades of experience, and it shows! He's also flexible & interested in helping you reach whatever goals you have through your training -- whether that's fitness, self-defense, better mental well-being, or some combination. My training has improved all of these aspects. Class size is often quite small (very small at time of writing, but even before pandemic times, it was usually 2-4 students) so there's lots of room for personalized attention. Everyone I've met & trained with at the dojo has been considerate, helpful, & lovely.

As a bonus, there's also a fully equipped gym & workout area! Prices are quite reasonable & competitive with other dojos -- especially considering the quality of instruction. Can't recommend this place enough!

Studying Japanese with Alexandra was a really positive experience for me! She made learning new words and phrases memorable with adorable tricks and offered solid resources for gaining new vocab and listening practice to work on the little passive vocabulary I was bringing to the table as a newbie. Her approach and resources were both culturally informative and super entertaining! She's patient and gave me a huge confident boost as well...I highly recommend her.

I've been training here for a little over a year now. I've spent a few years across different styles, including traditional Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Chinese Kempo, and a little BJJ, but this has been my favorite by far. It has a harmony of movement that starts to carry over into how you hold yourself in daily life in a way that's almost like dancing.

It's not entirely fluid or performative like Shaolin styles nor is it rigid the way Karate kata are, but it doesn't lack those things either. The nine different Japanese schools it descends from blend well together between kata, combatives, weapons work, throws, rolls, grappling, footwork, and a deescalating mindset to a comprehensive art I'm only just starting to understand and could see myself devoting many years of training to.

Rob, the main instructor, has a true passion for martial arts in general and an unparalleled understanding of the mechanics that make this style work. When you show up consistently with a good work ethic, you're bound to make progress quickly under his tutelage and with the advice of the more seasoned practitioners. They're all committed to making sure you learn at your pace with safety and your personal goals in mind.

Although the pandemic has us limited to one-on-one sessions for the time being, the dojo is always looking for ways to improve the students' experiences and innovate to address our ever-changing world. I've been very impressed with how seriously they've taken health considerations and concerns. During lockdown, we had some training regiments set up we could do from home and Rob has since started recording sessions occasionally and taking notes for us to review. While I admittedly get more from the current individual attention (which was also an option before all this), I genuinely miss the nerdy and kind people who seem to gravitate towards the atmosphere our dojo has. I really do feel like the other black belts and senior green belts were more than just casually helpful, they shared a desire to train, see others improve, and explore what lies just beyond the edge of our current abilities. I'm slow to make friends, but they're all people I genuinely look forward to seeing.

If you drive by, try not to judge a book by its cover. It may look like a warehouse next to a pit stop garage, but they take excellent care of the facilities. We share the parking with the garage, but it's almost never an issue and there is street parking all around. There's a gym space on one half, bathroom, changing room where you can keep a spare gi, foyer with cubbies for shoes and coats, weapons racks, thick mats, and Japanese-inspired decor. What more can you ask for?

Training here has been the most physically demanding thing I've ever done. It's also the most I've ever enjoyed any form of exercise, and I'm someone who absolutely adores doing nothing.

Everyone at Gaman Dojo is patient, supportive, and helpful every step of the way. In my three years there I've gotten in the best shape of my life, my weight is the lowest it's been since I was 16, and I've gained a family of some of the best people I've ever known.

The Gaman Dojo is welcoming to everyone, but not everyone may be into the energy during our training. There isn't a competitive attitude and the only trophy in the building is for foosball. Training is focused on individual goals and achievements and it's a slightly more casual, fun atmosphere than most dojos. Every injury and bruise happens by accident since we don't do active sparring.

And they have a dog!

From my experiences at Gaman the past few years, the focus is personal growth through traditional martial arts training. The diversity of techniques, mental strategies and body movements sets the Bujinkan apart from alot of other martial arts. Physicality is always partnered with humility and safety. Sensei paces training in a way that always gets back to the basic form while simultaneously becoming more fluent and aware, even with weapon work and other combatives
A great dojo with great people, it feels more like family after a good training session

Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Excellent resources for your training needs, and very flexible payment options. I drive over 70 miles to train here, and it's worth it!

Great people! Great atmosphere! I love how my Individual goals are being attended to in a group setting. Helps me get the most out of my workouts

Great place always feeling welcome and just all round great place to workout at. The trainer Rob will push you because he knows you could do it .

Great instructor with plenty of equipment around to take your training to another level!! Changed my life!!