Why train at the MacDonald Academy of Martial Arts? We offer classes for all ages and abilities with highly trained, certified instructors. Whether you are looking for a program that will help your child improve his or her focus in school, hoping to find to find an interesting and enjoyable alternative to the gym, or you are on the front lines of our military or law enforcement community, we.
Our Award-winning Youth Karate Program empowers students to become leaders in martial arts and in life! We offer a variety of class levels. MacDonald Academy of Martial Arts is an official training center of Krav Maga Worldwide located in the Boston Metro area. The Law Enforcement Only training class is designed to teach police officers a Krav Maga program that is designed specifically for them.
Our Award-winning Youth Karate Program empowers students to become leaders in martial arts and in life! We offer a variety of class levels. MacDonald Academy of Martial Arts is an official training center of Krav Maga Worldwide located in the Boston Metro area. The Law Enforcement Only training class is designed to teach police officers a Krav Maga program that is designed specifically for them.
Services
The seminar is designed for anyone interested in trying Krav Maga, anyone new to the Krav program, or advanced students looking to refresh the basics. The seminar is open to the general public, and space is limited to 20 participants! Depending on the number of students, the test typically takes 3-4 hours with minimal breaks.
It's been a very busy week for us as we've been mapping out how to respond to the shifting landscape we find ourselves in. We've been consulting with many other school owners and consultants in our industry to try and figure how to best serve our students as we all ride out the next few weeks and possibly months ahead.
Previous training in medieval European longsword fighting, walking away battered but victorious from a number of tournaments. Enjoys training Krav Maga and challenging herself, and teaching others what she knows of the system. Currently training and teaching as a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Prof. Roberto Maia, Boston BJJ.
We've been voted "Best of the Best" Martial Arts in Watertown - from 2003 through 2013! MSA and GKM are survey companies independent of any newspaper or magazine publication. Their "Best of the Best" winners are determined by tallied public ballots taken throughout each specific region, and on their website.
Our Award-winning Youth Karate Program empowers students to become leaders in martial arts and in life! We offer a variety of class levels appropriate to the student's experience and skill level. Our belt system follows the typical Kenpo Karate modern belt system, beginning with white, and working through the colors yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, brown, and finally black.
Reviews (12)
Steve
Mar 17, 2021
Report
Reagan Moulis
Mar 04, 2021
Report
My daughters and their friends did a group class with Brian and learned so much. Everyday they came so excited to show us what they learned. Brian did a great job keeping them engaged and always learning. This was such a great experience for our kids. They also did a great job with COVID protocols. I felt very safe having our kids go there all winter. It was really a great experience!!
Jeez Christ
Sep 24, 2019
Report
Great school. When I was in high school I was at a Halloween party. I was chased by bullies in skeleton costumes and ended up by the academy, and after being beaten very very badly, Sensei Macdonald jumped over the fence and beat the bullies one by one with his Karate skills. The next day he went to the bullies' karate school with me, and entered me in a tournament to ensure I would no longer be beaten by the students of a twisted Vietnam veteran. Sensei Macdonald also has many bonsai trees and has helped my karate skills since then, by having me clean his car collection. Muscle memory is key folks
Helluva Dip
May 24, 2019
Report
This man was motivated my life. Started with him 20 years ago. Wish I still lived in the area I’d be there every night. You can’t go wrong. The macdonalds are good people. Brian and Tara are class acts. Glad to see they are still there.
Ruben and Minh hope they are doing well
Btw. Read the negative review. The only one.
Dude you were in the wrong Cliff go away.
Ruben and Minh hope they are doing well
Btw. Read the negative review. The only one.
Dude you were in the wrong Cliff go away.
Josh Passell
Sep 30, 2018
Report
My children spent years here, and enjoyed every class. Students learn how to have fun, how to defend themselves, and the values of respect for themselves and others. These are traits that the one-star reviewer below sadly lacks. What a pity he never studied here as a child. He would be a gentleman today.
Cliff
Jul 31, 2018
Report
Aggressive Owner: Pulled over into parking lot in front of enterance for a couple mins, with car on. Owner comes out, OPENS my car door and tells me to get out (it's his private parking lot). Slams my car door shut when he departs.
Shame on me, heads up to unintentional trespassers, and probably not a place where you want to bring impressionable younger kids to learn martial arts disciplines.
Shame on me, heads up to unintentional trespassers, and probably not a place where you want to bring impressionable younger kids to learn martial arts disciplines.
Melissa M.
Jun 09, 2018
Report
Katie Sbay
May 10, 2018
Report
The Macdonald Academy of Martial Arts is an AMAZING place.
The husband and wife owners are extremely talented, kind, patient, generous, genuine and dedicated.
I have 2 daughters who have taken classes at the Macdonald Academy for approximately 1.5 years. When they began, they were terrified. Slowly but surely they have been gaining confidence and skill. They love coming to class!!
The Macdonalds do a great job with each kid— it doesn’t matter if you are super athletic and coordinated or if you’re the kid who is always picked last for a team. They nurture and encourage each kid— while
The husband and wife owners are extremely talented, kind, patient, generous, genuine and dedicated.
I have 2 daughters who have taken classes at the Macdonald Academy for approximately 1.5 years. When they began, they were terrified. Slowly but surely they have been gaining confidence and skill. They love coming to class!!
The Macdonalds do a great job with each kid— it doesn’t matter if you are super athletic and coordinated or if you’re the kid who is always picked last for a team. They nurture and encourage each kid— while
Josh P.
Oct 13, 2012
Report
My son started at MacDonald's Academy when he was six, and left only last year, two black belts later (junior and adult), when he went to college. My daughter was not far behind, earning her junior black belt at age 10. Needless to say, we have been impressed.
What was good enough for them is good enough for me. I have taken both kenpo and krav maga at MacDonald's Academy, and have found it to be life-changing. From a fighting neophyte to a rock-em sock-em robot! Brian and his other teachers are patient, kind, engaging--and lethal.
And it's no longer located in the auto body shop
What was good enough for them is good enough for me. I have taken both kenpo and krav maga at MacDonald's Academy, and have found it to be life-changing. From a fighting neophyte to a rock-em sock-em robot! Brian and his other teachers are patient, kind, engaging--and lethal.
And it's no longer located in the auto body shop
Julie C.
Mar 11, 2011
Report
The Academy has just moved across the street to a great new space at the corner of Watertown Square.
Now, a light, airy, and well designed space is combined with awesome classes and instructors. AND, dedicated parking spaces. What's not to love.
Am not familiar with their adult classes, but the children's classes are excellent - a good combination of really learning, discipline, and fun. Kids really love the classes, while they learn self discipline, perseverance and self respect. Having run classes for over 18 years, they also know what parents are looking for, and their new space
Now, a light, airy, and well designed space is combined with awesome classes and instructors. AND, dedicated parking spaces. What's not to love.
Am not familiar with their adult classes, but the children's classes are excellent - a good combination of really learning, discipline, and fun. Kids really love the classes, while they learn self discipline, perseverance and self respect. Having run classes for over 18 years, they also know what parents are looking for, and their new space
C. S.
Nov 10, 2010
Report
Ive done different types of martial arts for years and its always the people that make it fun or terrible. Brian is one of the nicest people ive ever met and a great instructor. The classes are for every skill level and there is a class for every age group as well.
Even if you are even slightly interested in martial arts, i suggest you try Bran MacDonalds Academy and see how great it is.
Even if you are even slightly interested in martial arts, i suggest you try Bran MacDonalds Academy and see how great it is.
David S.
Apr 19, 2010
Report
MacDonald's Academy shares a wall with an auto body shop right in Watertown Square, and has a large plate glass window looking into a well-padded instruction area. This functional, open appearance is in pretty stark contrast to the myriad martial arts dojos who have dark lobbies with strange weapons hanging on the walls, and people ducking in and out in strange costumes.
When I heard they trained people in Krav Maga, however, I showed up to check the place out. It's hard enough to find a Krav studio in the Boston area (I tried to go to one in the South End, but they had closed the
When I heard they trained people in Krav Maga, however, I showed up to check the place out. It's hard enough to find a Krav studio in the Boston area (I tried to go to one in the South End, but they had closed the
