KERR MMA

He does NOT offer yoga, there is NO cardio NOR any training other martial arts, nor does he have any certified trainers anymore other than those that he designates as «trainers». Deano is not there. Do your due diligence on Unilocal & the internet. The majority of Unilocal reviews are years old and most reviews are not from regular Unilocalers.
KERR says, «there are no egos because egos are checked at the door.» The reality is there is no room for any egos other than his massive ego. The name says it all, KERR MMA. His «instructors» are students with no teaching credentials whatsoever, nor have they been taught how to teach by anyone, including Kerr. Kerr is very open that his studio is the cheapest in the area. Remember the phrase, you get what you pay for, he does not pay his instructors. He does NOT take credit cards and prefers cash.
The Kerr studio is not Kerr’s sole business and it’s evident as he treats it such. He’s frequently late & he will leave early. He is known to frequently have students open and close the studio for him and sometimes not be at his classes at all. You can wear athletic shoes or socks on the mat, so be aware that the mats are rarely cleaned.
There are no uniforms, but he does sell you a Kerr MMA t-​shirt.
You don’t have to wear the Kerr shirt when you attend the studio, but Kerr prefers it, yet, he seldom wears it himself. This is indicative of Kerr’s lackadaisical and contradictory character & attitude.
Although, he does have a «great deal of knowledge to share», his system is unstructured and constantly changing. There is no sash system, belt system, nor testing «to save the students money, it doesn’t mean anything.» BUT he displays a «rating system» which has been posted on his whiteboard for over 6 years. Yet not a single student has ever been rated on it nor attained his «highly advanced ratings.» The rating system is arbitrary, going by years, advanced level starting at 5 years & most students leave by then. Those that put in the years never «qualify» that upper advanced level. It’s strange that not a single student that has spent required time has attained any of these advanced levels. It’s obvious that this hole in the wall is a hole for a reason.
I was more than a passing student at KERR and fully devoted myself to Kerr, the Kerr MMA studio & his training system. I «drank the Koolaide,» as Kerr likes to say and was «part of the Kerr family.» I believed in Kerr, his studio & training system. I could not have made a bigger mistake. That is one family you want no part of, take my word for it. I trained in martial arts for over 24 years in 5 countries. I was made many promises from Kerr. Those promises were never fulfilled. I did learn some things from him, but I’m a pretty good student and believe that one can learn from anyone, anything, anywhere, at anytime, no matter how little they have to offer, even from the worst case situations and people. I can honestly say with all my heart, I WISH I NEVER MET KERR. I WOULD BE BETTER OFF HAD I NEVER MET HIM AND WASTED SO MUCH TIME ON KERR & KERR MMA.

The place was very no frills and is rather dark with no fresh air. It isn’t visually appealing nor is it designed for anything but to

I’ve been coming here for a month now and I can tell you this is a great place if you are serious about learning martial arts.
What I like the most is that all teachers really care about martial arts and passing their knowledge to us. I’ve tried other places where the teacher just doesn’t seem to care about the arts anymore and it’s all just business. The other thing that I like is that all the lessons are very practical, more real life situations.
Great place, highly recommended!

Fantastic group of instructors. Welcoming environment. Flexible training schedule. Training is tailored from the very beginning to help you make use of martial arts you may have studied previously, and integrate them into your overall technique. I am consistently surprised and impressed how each of the instructors and higher level students eagerly takes time from their own training to help me work through my sticking points, often spending a lot of one-​on-​one time with me in the process. Dedicated, smart, hardworking group of folks that are just great people on top of it all. Great attitude in this place.

First time I’ve tried any martial arts training. I’m not the most outgoing person & was a little nervous walking into Kerr MMA. I needn’t have worried.
Kerr MMA has a welcoming, friendly, comfortable atmosphere with quality affordable training. Whether it’s self defense, street or mma fighting you will learn the skills here. They are also safety conscious.
They have a wide variety of class hours & also do private lessons so there’s no excuse not to train!

Top notch instruction is what you’ll find at Kerrmma. You’ll learn a practical style with no wasted motion. Just as you’ll learn a style with no wasted motion, you’ll also learn in an environment that wastes no time either. Your time in class is very efficient and classes are longer than at most other schools. Morning and evening classes make the dojo more accessible as well… maximizing what you can learn.
Striking, grappling, takedowns, and practical self defense are all part of the program. If you want to learn a truly unique style then this is the place for you.

I’ve been training at Kerr MMA for a year. The instruction in Wing Chun based mixed martial arts is top notch. Sifu Kerr is passionate about sharing his knowledge, and his fighting system emphasizes practical applications and draws techniques from many different styles of martial arts. The other instructors are also a pleasure to work with and have complementary areas of expertise, for instance, boxing and body mechanics. Good folks all around. The environment is very positive without the attitude you find in some studios.
Classes emphasize techniques and partner drills, and also include strength/​cardio training (heavy bag workouts). Plenty of individual attention, and the instructors are great about answering questions.

I’ve been attending Kerr MMA for a few weeks now and I have to say I’m very impressed! I’m new to martial arts and I was looking for a place where I could fit in fast and learn some valuable things and this is it. First of all the trainers really know what they are doing and explain things clearly. They pay attention to you and are very easy to work with. Second of all, the environment is fantastic! Its off the beaten path and I really feel at home there. Everyone there is easy going and helpful so you can really get the most out of your training. I already like I have learned a lot and I will definitely keep coming back!

As a person who’s had memberships to several boxing and kickboxing studios, Kerr MMA is the best one I’ve joined. I came across Kerr MMA while searching for Muay Thai and boxing gyms and studio; they had excellent reviews and great business hours. I was impressed with what I saw in the video clips on their website, so I gave it a try. I went in for my intro with Deano, trainer at Kerr MMA, & I had a blast! It is a boutique studio that teaches a lot of self defense tactics and techniques, with the benefits of getting a complete cardio workout while training.
One of the greatest perks at Kerr MMA is that the classes are small, so students get lots of detailed instructions. Additionally, all the trainers are so knowledgeable and patient. In the beginning it took me a while to learn how to use some of the techniques being taught; Deano didn’t let me give up, he worked with me & paired me with advanced students when partnering up for drills. One of the greatest things about this place is that everyone is eager to help anyone. There’s no egos inside Kerr MMA; the trainers & students are friendly and encouraging.
This place focuses on technique, intimate instructions, practical self defense and getting an awesome workout. The place might be hard to find the first time you go there, but once you get in the door, you’re pretty much good to go. Also, they have a parking in which you can park your car, so it’s super convenient.
If you’re looking for a place you can work-​out to lose weight, get fit, learn self defense and much more, while having fun doing all of it, you should check this place out.

I joined Kerr MMA recently and have to say they have far exceeded my expectations. I was initially just looking for a way to work out and get some regular exercise, perhaps learn more about how the body works. I used to do wushu, and thought, why not try another martial arts out?
Kerr MMA offers incredible, no-​frills, down-​to-​business instruction in self-​defense. They are influenced by several arts, like Wing Chun and Jiu-​Jitsu, but they are ultimately about what’s natural, and what works. Deano, the instructor who I’ve mostly worked with, always emphasizes that what works is different for everyone, and he has the attention-​to-​detail and insight to help everyone find what’s right for them. The clarity of his instruction is a testament to how thoroughly he understands his art and the body, and I like how he breaks everything down into natural concepts and ideas that really help one understand the spirit of self defense — I think this is critical to one’s maturation as a martial artist. One doesn’t learn moves, one learns an approach. it’s pretty cool. The other instructors seem similarly knowledgeable and are also great to work with.
Just as important, though, the community of students who train at Kerr MMA are just as delightful to work with. They really welcome new students right in, and I have learned something from everyone I’ve met. Students really help each other to be their best.
I highly recommend Kerr MMA! They’re kind of out-​of-​the-​way, and they’re literally a «hole in the wall», but it’s truly a great, humble place to be! I actually almost didn’t join them after the free trial class (with just one trial class it was kind of hard to assess/​gather what I could expect to learn — one trial class really only gives a little snippet of the whole experience, which is a little more free form and organic), but I’m really glad I stayed. Do ask any questions you might have when you drop by!

I’m 43 years old. Two years ago I decided to get into MMA. I was interested in the practical application of martial arts, but I was not so much into cage matches, ridiculous biceps, chest bumping, or doing a cardio boot camp for an hour with 10 minutes of Tai Chi forms thrown it at the end. That I knew.
What I didn’t know was that I also wasn’t really interested in getting boxed (so to speak) into a particular style. I tried a few different places in and around Pasadena before I found David Kerr. I knew enough to avoid the testosterone posturing masquerading as skill. What Sijo Kerr saved me from was getting lost in years of practicing a particular style only to be able to fight other people in that style.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with studying Wing Chun, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, or any other style by itself. I may one day wander off to do a bit deeper study in Wing Chun. But inevitably studying one style exclusively trains you to anticipate fighters in that style.
Sijo Kerr has developed a system that honors Bruce Lee’s original philosophy: it selects the best of all styles, tailors them to the fighter, and endows him or her with the knowledge and skill to be fearless in front of any fighter trained in any style.
The Kerr MMA dojo is essentially a small, private facility where students who are respectful and committed get together to learn and practice real-​life fighting scenarios. It’s 100% asshole-​free, which was maybe my primary criterion before I even understood how much I resonated with the overall philosophy.
I highly recommend you spend at least a couple of months here. It’s unlikely you’ll want to leave. The prices are frankly a bargain for unlimited monthly training, and the community is patient and inspiring. Even if you’re currently training in a particular style, being exposed to Sijo Kerr’s approach will change the way you use your power in combat, guaranteed.

4.5 — 5 stars for KERR MMA.
I’ve been engaged with martial arts in some respect since I’ve been a teenager. My background has focused on more traditional arts, but, I don’t have a ton of time to dedicate to traditional technique based arts at the moment (though I really do love them and appreciate the process). More recently, I’ve been interested in finding a dojo that teaches effective, practical fighting techniques; basically a no-​nonsense gym with high return. I stumbled upon KERR MMA while « Unilocaling» one day.
The things I was looking for: well-​priced (I’m a graduate student, thus I am broke), non-​intimidating atmosphere (places like this can be testosterone driven), and great instruction. KERR MMA hits all of this and is exactly what I searching for. I contacted Dave, the owner of KERR MMA, and he was very enthusiastic and encouraging for me to try out a class — the first one is free, so you have nothing to lose.
My first introduction to KERR MMA was with Deano, one of the main instructors there. I quickly learned that the art taught is rather unique, given the make-​up and background of the owner, Dave. It’s mostly Wing Chun, but with Dave’s unique twist on the art after years and years of extensive training, so what you’re learning are tried and true techniques.
I can’t speak for many of the other instructors since I primarily have worked with Deano, but, he’s is a tremendously nice and approachable person, and very patient (especially when I ask a ton of questions). Despite my working knowledge in some martial arts, the art taught here is basically new to me. I’ve vaguely dabbled in some of the techniques and concepts prior, but for the most part, the movements are new. Given this, as a beginner, the classes are very approachable, and Deano makes sure everyone, no matter their skill level, is taken care of in class, working on what is appropriate for them. He’s extremely knowledgable about the art taught at KERR MMA, from the physical movements, to the concepts behind them, to the philosophy. I always walk away from his class with something to think about and work on at home.
I’ve so far really enjoyed my experience at KERR MMA, and I’m looking forward to my schedule opening up soon so that I can take more classes. The price is affordable, especially given the length of classes (90 mins), and the instruction is top-​notch, with a very approachable staff. This gym is straight to the point: practical fighting techniques, no frills. I can imagine after training here for a while, to be able to walk away very confident about self-​defense.
This place is literally a hidden gem, as some others have pointed out. Finding it for the first time can be a challenge, I’d call and ask for proper directions before going!

I was referred to Kerr MMA by a friend. Looking for alternative options for cross training, I decided to give it a try. As a petite female, I also wanted to brush up on self-​defense.
We often say the best food is served in «hole in the wall» restaurants. Well, this analogy applies here. The studio is unpretentious and somewhat hidden. It reminds me of the old school boxing gyms you’d find in downtown Los Angeles or in the Rocky movies. They are need of some new mats, but otherwise the instruction is top notch. Dave Kerr, Deano and Evan have distinct personalities and training background, and incorporate that into their training style. They also teach how these techniques relate to real-​life experiences. I’ve trained at various different studios over the years and have found that smaller locations place more emphasis on training techniques and less on appearances.
Whether you are looking for self-​defense or variety to your daily routine, you will get a workout here. Beginners and seasoned athletes, alike, will like the training and attentiveness offered. What I really like about this studio is that there is no ego. Fellow classmates are just there to train. Don’t feel intimidated if you are a beginner. The instructors will welcome you, and have you up and running in no time. They will also work around your injuries. Young or old, male or female, beginner or skilled. you will leave this gym having more flexibility, strength and knowledge than when you began.

You know what the extent of my martial arts knowledge was three weeks ago? The Karate Kid. And that was pretty much it, with an occasional Jean Claude Van Damme movie thrown in for good measure. I have ZERO experience in martial arts. Like, none.
I found KERR MMA while looking for a self-​defense class for women, but preferably one with a little more substance than the ‘aim for the groin and run’ variety. I was a little unsure about the place when I arrived. It’s basically a warehouse space they’ve made into a studio, but don’t let that deter you, they have all the necessary equipment and a number of instructors. This is a no frills place, filled with people serious about MMA (added bonus, no creepers here, at all. Everyone is there to train and that’s it). So far I’ve worked mostly with Evan and Deno, and both have gone out of their way to teach me the basics so I can work with other students.
I paid for a month of lessons, and have already decided to re-​up (which, by the way, is a plus. No contracts). Everyone is professional, and the place has an excellent mix of students at various levels. I’m at the bottom of the totem pole, and it’s interesting to watch other students who have been there longer.
Bottom line is this: If you’re a complete novice and a little nervous about signing up for MMA, this is the place for you. Classes are small, at least during the day when I go, and instructors are really on the ball.
Likewise, there are a lot of advanced level students, so if you’re already into MMA and searching for a new studio, I would imagine you’d find KERR challenging.

I’ve just joined Kerr MMA and feel am already learning how to think and defend myself in real situations. Each technique that is taught is broken down so that you understand the movement and why the technique works, making it easier to adapt to different situations. David Kerr and all his instructors know what they are doing and are patient at showing you the right way to perform the movements while also allowing for flexibility as most encounters do not go as «planned».
The students here have a board range of martial art experience from extreme novice to many years of training and all are supportive in helping each other meet their own personal martial art training goal. As an older female student, I am happy that Kerr MMA provides an open, fun atmosphere to learn while being free of ego trips and tough-​guy mentalities.
An added plus is that class rates are very reasonable, there are no uniform requirements, and no contract is required to participate. This studio is not based on formality but rather in teaching techniques that work.
If you are interested in either starting a martial arts program or continuing advanced martial arts training I recommend putting Kerr MMA on your short list of studios to try.

I already have 24 Hour Fitness so what am I doing here? Because this little gem of a gym/​studio has stuff that 24 doesn’t! I was brought her by a friend that goes here regularly, first lesson is FREE so why not. Well I signed up for classes for the rest of the month since I had such a good workout.
Be stronger? Learn how to fight? Lose weight? Learn self-​defense? Whatever you’re goals is, they ask for it right away and then help you obtain those goals. This is why when people ask me about my resolutions I say I have none. «Don’t talk about it, be about it.»
At KERR MMA I get a complete workout, sessions are almost two hours long. Two hours?! Yes, from the warm up, the session and then to cool down, that’s how long it takes. The instructors don’t want you to get injured, so warm up and stretching is necessary. Every time I go to this place, I know when I leave it’s after I have worked up a good sweat. The people at KERR are superb, I can’t stress this enough.
One example of this is when, Evan and Deno noticed that I was slightly wobbling on my ankles as I was doing this calf-​raise workout, the immediately noticed my fatigue and made me switch to different but similar workout right away. The attention paid to students and with the small class size it’s almost like having personal trainer! You cannot get a personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness that is this amazing and knowledgeable at the price paid, I don’t care what package deal 24 Hour Fitness has this place is better hands down.
Also they don’t teach you how to fight at 24 Hour, KERR MMA brings the punching bags and gloves! From the short time I’ve been here I’ve learned some: boxing, wing chun and yoga. The instructors all have different backgrounds but have worked with each other so much that they provided consistent training for whatever level you’re at. Since I’ve had zero boxing experience and rarely spar with others they took all they into account, showing proper form so I don’t hurt myself and deliver maximum kickass-​ery. Nothing gets rid of stress faster than, delivering blows to a helpless punchbag followed by sparing with other classmates. :D
I would say this place is like that Shaolin temple in kung-​fu movies, hard to find but worth it. It’s located in a small-​warehouse storage area of Pasadena across from PCC’s Extension Center. I don’t know if I should call it a gym, since it’s MMA its a mix of stuff, but I highly encourage those in the area to check it out and see what KERR MMA is all about for themselves.

A couple months ago I wanted to start expanding my martial arts education, so I started looking around and stumbled onto the Kerr MMA website. I went to a trial session and decided to stick around for a month to see if I liked it. If you decide to come here, I have to say, the first couple of weeks is pure cramming to catch up with the guys who have been here for ages. After you get the basic knowledge down, it’s pure FUN. Also, no uniform needed. Most people show up in shorts and t-​shirts.
If you are looking for light exercise, go somewhere else. The cardio here is great but intense, and sometimes fighting IS the cardio. This place is pretty good about taking injuries into account, too — I’ve got a few of them, and haven’t had many issues. You see a good age range here, too; the youngest I’ve met has been 12, the oldest somewhere above 50.
Even starting here in decent shape, it will be challenging for the first few weeks. I lost a few pounds without trying to and gained tons of muscle (and I’m still sore after every other class…). Also, if you are a woman, be prepared for a month or so of awkwardness with the guys before everyone gets used to you being around and sees that you’re not fragile.
One of the funny quirks about this place: almost everyone gets a nickname. We’ve got Groundhog (surprise! he usually teaches ground fighting), DMA, Doc, Stryker (apparently also known as Scuba?), and a bunch of others. Personally, I like it.
The location is a little weird the first time you try to find it, but don’t let that stop you! It’s a good place to go.
My only complaint: some nights, there’s quite a bit of standing around during lessons. The breaks are nice, but only if they’re short enough that you don’t cool down. Everything else — totally great. Fantastic stress reliever.

You are reading this because you want to better yourself. Great. That is step one.
That is where we all started. If you want to get into fighting shape regardless of what shape your in, form a marshmallow body to a rock climber, our Dojo will get you there. I call it ours because I take ownership in my training here, I learn from those more experienced then me and assist other in any way possible.
If you have the will to fight, if you want to better your striking, grappling, conditioning, martial arts skills, you will learn that here, but you need to stay dedicated and commit time and effort, you also have to have a positive attitude, this place does not have a rainbow belt system, we all wear what we want and the atmosphere is very casual yet respectful. We work on different things everyday, you need to attend at least 20 plus classes to really start enjoying and advancing at this Dojo, until then you have to take it day by day and not look into details of what is scheduled and what you are doing. If you hang in there you will realize that you have learned allot.
Day one is important as your every day, start and keep a solid pace whatever that is once a week, twice a week, everyday, you choose your level of commitment.
Theres people here from all walks of life. There are cage fighters, and there’s people here that come in once a week. They all advance at their own pace.
The quote below sums it up.
«I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who had practiced one kick 10,000 times.»
Bruce Lee

My friend has been learning MMA from Sifu Kerr for more than 10 years. I asked if Sifu Kerr would accept female students when I first heard about his classes. Unfortunately, the answer was no years ago. Finally that has changed. I have only taken 3 classes so far, but I am loving it already. Despite his unquestionable MMA skills, Sifu Kerr got a lot of interesting things to say. I probably shouldn’t compare Martial Art to Tango, but Sifu Kerr and my Tango teacher are the same, they don’t just teach you the moves, the punches, the kicks, they tell you life experiences and philosophy, which is why he is called a Sifu. Another thing that I must mention is that if you have no martial art experience like me, you have nothing to worry about. In Sifu Kerr’s classes, Sifu Kerr would make sure that your learning experience is at the most comfortable level.

I love going to class, it has given me such a great foundation. He also has a new cardio class which kicks butt, but in a good way. Been in different styles of martial arts since I was 16 but I love Kerr Mma the most. This is my family away from family. Thanks Kerr Mma for all you have done for me