Grappler Station image

Grappler Station

Gym Martial arts school Jujitsu school Wrestling school Judo school Freestyle wrestling

One of the Top rated Gyms in Saint Paul


Address

2015 Ford Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55116

Website

www.grapplerstation.com

Contact

(612) 356-2408

Rating on Google Maps

5.00 (126 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 5 to 8 PM
  • Saturday: 7:30 AM to 2 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 8 AM to 2 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 4 to 9:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 4 to 9:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 4 to 9:30 PM
  • Thursday: 4 to 9:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Station (18) kids (18) Grappler (12) Sensei (11) great (11) class (9) experience (9) students (7) classes (7) confidence (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 robert s. 2 years ago on Google
    Grappler Station quickly went from being a place where we train to being an extension of our home. My daughter's level of enthusiasm for every kid's judo class is truly off the charts. This reflects teachers that are welcoming, respectful, and serious (kids want to be taken seriously) all while keeping it both FUN and challenging. Finally, the community reflects a truly inclusive and spirited space. You would be hard pressed to find a more dynamic and diverse group of kids empowering one another. Grappler Station is phenomenal.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emily S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great Experience at Grappler Station so far. We took advantage of the 2 week trial and recently joined as regular members. Sensei Max and his team are great at drawing my shy child in to the activities and encouraging them to participate in things that they feel unsure about. Also, the other kids in the group show great patience and leadership with new students and help and encourage them in their journey. It is a positive environment, where we look forward to watching our child grow. Thanks!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Megan H. 1 year ago on Google
    We LOVE Grappler Station!!! A great martial arts option for all kids and you can start them as young as 4 years old!!! Sensei Max does a great job of creating a classroom environment that makes kids feel comfortable and empowered to learn and lead.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charles T. 8 months ago on Google
    Fantastic Jujitsu Experience at Grapple Station I cannot express enough how thrilled we are with our experience at Grapple Station, where my son has been taking Jujitsu classes for the past month. This place is a gem, and I feel compelled to share our positive experience. From the moment we walked through the doors, we were welcomed with open arms by the dedicated Sensei's. Their enthusiasm and commitment to engaging with each child is truly commendable. Here's a breakdown of what makes Grapple Station stand out: Warm-Up and Leadership: The classes begin with a unique warm-up routine where a student is chosen to lead the workout. This approach not only gets the kids physically prepared but also helps build leadership skills and confidence. Skill and Technique Learning: The core of each class involves learning a specific skill or technique. The Sensei's are excellent at breaking down complex moves into understandable steps, ensuring that every child can grasp the concepts. Partner Practice: After learning the techniques, the class breaks up into partners, allowing the students to apply what they've just learned. This hands-on approach enhances their understanding and mastery of Jujitsu techniques. Sparring and Free-Style Practice: My son particularly enjoys this part of the class. It's a controlled environment where the students can practice their skills in a safe and supervised setting. It builds confidence and improves their Jujitsu abilities. Fun and Inclusive Games: At the end of each session, the Sensei's organize fun games that not only entertain the kids but also bring them back together after competing against each other. It's a fantastic way to end the class on a high note. The instructors at Grapple Station have created an environment that fosters not only physical growth but also character development, discipline, and teamwork. I am so impressed with the positive impact it has had on my son in just one month. We are so thrilled with our experience that I'm seriously considering joining the adult group myself. If your child is energetic, enjoys physical activities, and thrives on physical contact, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Grapple Station a try. They even offer a free 2-week trial period, so you can test the waters and experience the excellence of this place firsthand. Thank you, Grapple Station, for making Jujitsu an unforgettable journey for my son! Sincerely, Chuck Turner
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Benjamin D. 1 year ago on Google
    My daughter started judo here 8 months ago, and I cannot overstate how life-changing it has been for her. She has developed skills that giver her a sense of pride, confidence, and respect for her peers and adults. Most importantly, she has learned how to learn. The structure of the curriculum here is masterful. I have never seen pedagogy so thoughtfully planned and expertly taught, with each technique broken down into fundamental movements, yet with details taught to make sure the technique is learned well, then practiced in a controlled way, and then practiced in more open, improvisatory way (sparring). The kids learn. The sensei, especially Max, Bibi, Papi, and Keith, are exactly the kind of adults you want your child to know. They are caring but never patronizing. They push them to learn well and give individual attention when needed. When the inevitable bumps and bruises happen, they teach the students resilience by keeping them on the mat (almost always) to shed the tear or two and keep at it. Finally, they teach care for their peers, even in a combat sport. They teach the students how to perform throws safely--to "take care of their partner"--especially when throwing them to the mat. I cannot recommend the Grappler Station highly enough. It has changed my family's life for the better. (And now I'm on the mat in adult classes!)

  • 5/5 Phillip C. 1 year ago on Google
    My son has been coming to the Grappler Station for several weeks now and I’m really impressed with how well the school is ran and how much time is taken for each kid to feel comfortable and confident. I’ve also noticed a huge improvement in my 6yo’s energy, endurance and strength already. He absolutely loves coming here to play and train. Our 3yo daughter is champing at the bit to join:)

  • 5/5 Ying J. 6 months ago on Google
    New to this dojo. Very welcoming atmosphere for beginners. Friendly instructors and good variety of classes and times. Would recommend to any kids/families interested in martial arts.

  • 5/5 Gabriel L. 9 months ago on Google
    Sensei Max runs a fantastic shop. My 4-year old is loving everything about his classes and I love the skills and confidence he's building as part of the community. Highly recommend.

  • 5/5 Anne H. 6 months ago on Google
    Sensei Max and his team are awesome. They are very welcoming and great with kids. I think they remembered our kid’s name after the first lesson and welcome him directly every time we come in. I would definitely recommend giving them a try and I bet your kids will have a great experience.

  • 5/5 Cesar G. 6 months ago on Google
    This place is amazing. Sensei Max is really gifted at what he does and has this natural ability to teach and to be positive and pleasant in the process. I've been pleasantly surprised by how great these sessions have been and I truly look forward to watching my son gain skills.

  • 5/5 Laura W. 1 year ago on Google
    Wow! For a family with no experience in martial arts, we are impressed. Our daughter is always excited to go to class, and leaves with a smile. The sensei’s are friendly yet firm. We love how not only are they teaching the techniques but also how to work with others respectfully and safely. Sensei Max is very flexible and a great communicator, which makes them easy to work with. Definitely would recommend!

  • 5/5 John D. 1 year ago on Google
    Grappler Station is an amazing environment for physical and athletic development, as well as confidence and discipline. Sensei Max is fantastic with students of all ages. The flexibility of the membership is great for our busy family, and our 8-yr old is more confident, responsible, respectful and disciplined because of his experience. We love Grappler Station!

  • 5/5 pede0348 University of M. 1 year ago on Google
    We love Grappler Station! It’s fun and friendly, and the Judo programming for kids is spot on. Sensei Max knows everybody by name and sincerely makes every kid feel included, valued, and respected. Our family has two very different kiddos enrolled. One is an active and physical kid who has a chance to burn some energy and scratch her competitive itch in a super positive setting. The other is a reserved and quiet kid who is growing in confidence and is so thrilled to learn each new skill with support and encouragement from the instructors and teammates around her (these folks are awesome at having kids work together). The instructors have high expectations and then provide kids a lot of support to get there. Importantly, every class is super fun! I can’t say enough good things about our experience. Thank you, Grappler Station!

  • 5/5 Erik B. 1 year ago on Google
    Tough to articulate just how great this place is for kids. Sensei Max brings enthusiasm to his teaching that keeps kids engaged and makes them feel special. The pedagogy is creative and smart. He doesn't just talk at kids but gets them involved in teaching each other, which really is the best way to learn and build confidence.

  • 5/5 Kevin L. 1 year ago on Google
    Both of our daughters, 7 and 4, have taken up class with Sensei Max! They've been taught to treat others with respect, to focus and act with consideration in all things (school, family, with friends). The core values modeled and mentored by the team at Grappler Station mirror how we want to raise our kids! They love their judo classes! It's a fun, warm and inviting family environment. 10/10 would recommend to any and all.

  • 5/5 NickTeresa S. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a great learning experience. Judo is an excellent exercise for the mind and body. Sensei Max keeps it fun when building up the skills of his students. And the Grappler Station is always full of eclectic music during workouts. This place rocks!

  • 5/5 Angela V. 1 year ago on Google
    I have been so impressed from the start! The communication has been clear, the availability of classes is flexible, and everyone is so welcoming. My 7 year old loves going to class and has learned so much. We’re happy to be a part of the Dojo community!


Call (612) 356-2408 Open on Google Maps

Trends



Last updated:

Similar places



Similar Gyms nearby

Planet Fitness image
1
Planet Fitness
Gym
😐 Very dark inside, needs more lighting, bathrooms are dirty with one urinal not working, all the showers had hair On the floor, and look like they never have been scrubbed. Water fountains were in poor condition, dirty. Definitely needs an overhaul, some of the machine handles are in poor condition....
4.30 (650 reviews)
St. Paul Midway YMCA image
2
St. Paul Midway YMCA
Gym
😠 TL;DR: I was billed/bilked for 3 months of membership ($112) after cancelling over the phone. Attempting to get a refund was simply ignored by Membership Manager named Brandon. Here's my story: February 26th '22 i call in to cancel my membership. I give the employee over the phone some information,...
4.40 (577 reviews)
LA Fitness image
3
LA Fitness
Gym
😠 I like the convenience of the location of the gym however the gym is always filthy. I play basket ball there nearly everyday since I have been going to the gym since summer I have never seen the floors cleaned once. There are dust bunnies and garbage on the floors all the time. The dust can be as sl...
3.30 (486 reviews)
St. Paul Eastside YMCA image
4
St. Paul Eastside YMCA
Gym
😠 I have visited many YMCA’s. But when it comes to Saint Paul they really don’t have any good ones. I visited Y’s in downtown, east side and west side. They have huge place but they really need to upgrade them. On East side I was told they didn’t have barbell racks with different weights and was asked...
4.10 (287 reviews)
Last updated:
()