Reviews of America's Best Karate East Coast

Yes, America's Best Karate is now FUSION Martial Arts. The Irelands decided to ditch all of their former students and reinvent themselves. I guess that certificate and belt I have is even more worthless than before. It's obvious that these people are just trying to make a quick buck by printing their own certifications and taking advantage of people who don't know any better. The fact is, The Irelands have never gotten themselves certified to teach TaeKwonDo or Hapkido or Kumdo. My advice is to stay away from these people's part-time hobby.

One thing about changing your name and location every 3 years, you can avoid negative reviews. ABKEC is now Fusion Martial arts. They packed up and left Manheim with no warning. The students were left hanging. The poor kids that just completed testing now find that their certificates are completely worthless. I'm sure it's not much effort for the Ireland's to change a name on their FAKE certificates using Printshop, but they should have thought of the kids and former students that are now holding worthless ABKEC certificates. It's obvious that this is not a real school. I only hope the owners of Fusion figure out the Ireland's game before too many kids get burned by their scam.

Don't give these people your money. The MA instruction is for children not adults. Even for children, this place is inadequate. They promote anybody just so they can make money. Not to mention the place is embarrassing to be in. I feel like it used to be a pawn shop or something. Not exactly a premier school.

They are in Manheim and it's a joke. The head instructor is fat and demands you yell out "Yes Sir" "No Sir". Like they're trying to be the Cobra-Kai. After talking to some of the other parents, I took my son out of the program. As a martial arts program, they don't offer anything worthwhile and the kids don't look like they having any fun. I just hope the big instructor doesn't have a medical issue in front of the kids.

I trained with Gary in San Jose, CA. He was just out of the Navy and had a little weight to him. I don't remember him ever getting a black belt from America's best Karate. When I heard that he opened up his own Dojo on the East Coast, I was shocked. He actually had a website promoting himself as having studied everything from Hapkido, to Shaolin Long Fist. I don't think he would have had the time. Incredible ! To not offend anyone, he then said that he created his own system. So he is the master of his own system, , (that's good to know). For the record. .. this man has no affiliation with America's Best Karate.

BTW, I agree with the other comments regarding this schools credentials. Gary and Janine are nice people. I've known them for several years. But even they have to admit they are not teaching a practical self-defense. They offer a good exercise program, that is basically just calisthenics and approx 10 TaeKwonDo forms, which Gary altered for some unknown reason. There is no Hapkido. Kumdo was added a few years ago after Janine read a book. I would rank this school as an expensive baby sitting service. Actually, this school might not be in business anymore. They took their facebook and website down. I wish them well, but I would never recommend them for martial arts training.

Imagine if someone decided to invent their own martial arts program. . and call it TaeKwonDo. That's what this is. Although they are very nice people, this is not a real martial arts program. Any certificates you receive are created on a laptop with photoshop, For the record, TaeKwonDo, Hapkido and Kumdo are from Korea. Karate is from Japan. This school is neither. It has no real affiliation with . . well . .. anything. It's as if they picked up a book and decided to start a Dojang. The Irelands have played this martial arts game on Lancaster for a long time because there really isn't any enforcement of MA ethics. Virtually anyone can open up a DoJang and teach JOE'S KARATE. The real tragedy is students who worked hard for nothing.

Don't waist your time. There are better places for less money. ABKEC is a mom and pop shop. Created by a former mediocre black belt from the defunct America's best karate in San Jose, who obviously watched too many kung fu movies. Your degree will be worth as much as the paper it's printed on, because it's not affiliated with any central association or higher ranking organization. ABKEC has been kicked out of the Universal Athletic Club and is replaced by an official, accredited school. You can find them in Manhiem in a strip mall behind the Dollar Store. Here's a tip, watch the movie "The Foot Fist Way" before going,

Learning martial arts with the Ireland's has changed my life for the better. I am proud to be a member of this martial arts family.

Learning martial arts with the Ireland's has changed my life for the better. I am proud to be a member of this marital arts family.

Quality dojo in Manheim for all skill levels. My whole family studies with these instructors; they are experienced martial artists and caring people. The curriculum is a combination of taekwondo and hapkido that teaches practical and challenging techniques for both sport karate and personal self-defense. The students have fun while getting into fighting shape. Check it out.

Classes are always fun even when they are hard and the instructors take the time to get to know you.

Unfortunately this school is not connected to a true accreditation. Also, some of the certifications listed on their website simply are not true. Very disappointing.

Unprofessional.