Auburn Krav Maga

I joined Auburn KM during a very difficult time in my life. Struggling with crippling anxiety, I almost didn't walk through the front door that first day. But I'm so glad I did. This place has changed my life for the better. LD, the owner and head instructor, is extremely knowledgeable in his field, and that knowledge combined with patience and a genuine desire to see his students succeed, in class and in life, makes him a phenomenal teacher. He opened the school with the intention that we would all be a family, and I've found that to be true. My classmates welcomed me with open arms from day one, and I could not ask for a better group of people to train with. There is no judgement or negativity here. Just an incredibly kind and supportive group who will push you (gently) to step out of your comfort zone, help you up when you fall, and cheer for you like crazy when you succeed. And in an environment like this, success is inevitable. I am gaining the skills and knowledge needed to protect myself and my children. My anxiety no longer prevents me from living the life I want to live, and my confidence has grown by leaps and bounds in just a few short months. And the best part is, this is only the beginning. Joining Auburn KM is definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made.

The instruction here is phenomenal. Truly a world class gym with a world class instructor. LD is a great guy who genuinely cares about the classes he teaches and the individuals in those classes. The atmosphere here is one that is highly approachable and welcoming while at the same time maintaining a professional quality. If you enroll in this school, you will be surrounded by friendly people who are invested in each other's success. I really cannot recommend this school enough!

I started attending classes in September because I wanted to try something I’d never done before, meet new people, and gain skills that could protect me in the future. What I found was a group of people who welcomed me with open arms, despite having no prior experience. The environment LD harbors is really special, everyone is extremely supportive, pushing others to do their best without fear of judgement. I cannot say enough positive things about my time here, it is one of the best parts of my week!

I love this school! I joined a few months ago to get to know new people, stay fit, and learn some new skills. The people here are incredibly kind and it is a welcoming environment. LD, the instructor, knows his stuff and you will feel more confident in yourself after each class. We have a ton of fun while getting a good workout and learning important skills. There are people from all walks of life so you will fit right in. I will continue to go here for the foreseeable future!

I want to learn about different ways to protect myself in case I was in an undesirable situation. I chose this program for the high level of expertise of the instructor and the supportive environment from the peers. LD, the instructor, is highly skilled and passionate about the subject, taking the time to explain every technique and how it works. Additionally, everyone who goes there wants you to succeed since we have the same drive and goals. Overall, I highly recommend this place for anyone that wants to pick up some practical skills.

This place has surpassed any expectation I could’ve had. LD has created an environment that is fun and highly conducive to learning. The community that has grown out of his efforts speaks for itself, and I’m so glad to have found it. Coming into class I was certainly anxious, but LD and the other students were incredibly welcoming. Going to class is now my favorite part of the week, and I’m looking forward to continuing for many years to come!

Great experience for my first time learning this kind of skill.

The Techniques taught in class are practical and realistic. LD knows his stuff and is patient with beginners.

A lot of different people from early 20s and up to older generations. Glad there is a good place for all people to learn a vital skill

I have been in attendance for almost a month, there is flexibility with class times, and scheduling is straight forward. Everyone I have had the pleasure to meet has been awesome! Each class is limited to a certain amount of people, I don’t feel rushed when trying to process demonstrations and explanations of the techniques, which is wonderful for someone like me who has extreme anxiety. It’s a great place to learns new and useful skills plus it’s a nice workout.

When I began searching for self-defense training in my area I contacted LD and was extremely impressed with the time and attention given to answering my questions. Being 40+ and not an athlete, I was concerned this might be too much for me physically. The classes allow you to start where you are physically and go from there which is fantastic! I decided to give it a try and it has exceeded all of my expectations. LD provides detailed instruction on the techniques in a safe environment and shares examples for how you could apply the skills in real world situations. I highly recommend this program!

If you think about it, there is a good chance that you or someone you know has been in a dire situation with limited opportunity to remove themselves safely. It exists around us everywhere and the situations keep hitting closer to home. That's why I joined... To better protect my self and the those around me. I have some formal training but that was 30 years ago. What we learn in class is practical. The way we learn is hands-on, provides a great workout, and is a lot of fun. Not only do we gain life-saving knowledge and skills, but the friendships formed during training are lasting. This has far surpassed my expectations. Thanks LD for this opportunity.

I joined about 6 months ago and OAKM has exceeded every expectation I had for a martial arts school. The techniques are not only extremely effective, but they are not overly complex or unnecessarily intricate. LD is an amazing instructor, he’s always very open to questions and entertains thoughts/concerns about anything he teaches. Apart from being extremely open and qualified, LD is also a great guy who actually cares for his students, I have found our relationship to be less about customer/service provider and more about friendship. That brings me to my final point and what has been my favorite part of my time at the school so far. The people I have met and trained with here haven’t been just people that are also interested in learning how to protect themselves and their loved ones, they have been genuinely good friends who care for each other and for me. It may sound cliche, but I say this with 100% conviction; OAKM really is not just a school where you can learn extremely effective skills and get in shape, it’s also a very tight knit community where people care for and help each other both on and off the mat!

As a petite woman who had previously found herself in, let’s say a precarious position, I had lost a lot of self confidence. I was welcomed in to a safe environment where immediately some of my fears were addressed regarding past situations. LD teaches from a place of understanding, knowledge, and patience. In a very short time I’m already feeling more confident. Being older I felt soft and I already feel stronger. I feel like in a real world self-defense scenario I have more tools to protect myself. Definitely a class for any skill level, so I would not let a novice status be a deterrent in trying these classes out!

This place is excellent. It has been by far the best decision I’ve made in a bit. I have been looking for a school like this going on 8 years but never found one that fit the bill. I’ve tried other arts but I never really fit. I defiantly fit here and it’s all I have been looking for. The instructor LD is excellent. Most schools have certified instructors that hold belts in other arts. LD is certified but the difference is he holds a black belt which is a huge plus and what lead me to go with this school. If you want a no nonsense straight forward effective training this is the way to go. LD is great and a wealth of knowledge. If you have been thinking about it just stop thinking, make the call, and come train. You won’t regret it.

I joined this place several months ago. It has been phenomenal. There's good camaraderie with everyone, making it fun while learning everything I came to learn. My confidence level for certain situations or scenarios has grown and will continue to grow if I stick with this. The owner/instructor is legit and takes it seriously while making it fun and fitness oriented too.

I first heard about KM from a friend a few years ago, I was intrigued and thought it might be something I’d like to try. Well, fast forward a couple of years and I discovered OA KM, So a recently divorced friend and I signed up for a few trial classes. Woah. I LOVED it! Typically, I get bored after working out, doing the same thing all the time. And yes, I want to be fit, but the gym, including “cross-fit”, never kept my attention more than a couple of weeks to the longest, a few months.

THIS IS DIFFERENT.

It gives me a Purpose To Train: I’m training so I don’t have to walk around in fear waiting for some bad guy to take me, my kids, or my life.

It’s Empowering: As a woman, I am often concerned that I will end up in a situation that I am woefully unprepared for. I am more prepared now than ever.

It’s Engaging and Never Boring: Each class is always different from the last. LD makes sure the warmups challenge us, often with some friendly competition, and doesn’t mind if we need to scale or modify an exercise so we can complete it. I have never felt like I’m being judged for my lack of skill or ability. Instead, we all encourage one another to get better, stronger, faster!

Finally, it has impacted my entire life. I feel physically, mentally and emotionally stronger. My confidence has improved, and I realize I am discovering and growing a personal strength I only ever saw glimpses of in the past.

Excellent teaching and facility. LD the instructor and owner is an honest, great guy who is very well informed in the practice. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn self defense and looking for a challenge.

Excellent workout and instruction! Highly recommend to develop defensive and offensive skills. Diverse group of students with many veterans. Several options for classes and packages for every budget.

This place is beyond amazing!! If you want to learn to protect yourself and your loved ones, this is definitely the place. Come check it out and be trained to expect the unexpected!

Do you love your family & friends? Do you want to live? Well then you better come soak up LD's knowledge or else you're gonna be the first one to die in the apocalypse. 5 stars. 😁

Very rude person and disgusting attitude, please don't go here. I simply asked how much and he told me don't come here it won't be for you . What a disgrace