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Ares Athletic Club and Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 119 Google reviews · Krav Maga school in Manahawkin, New Jersey

Krav Maga school Free intro Beginners welcome Kids & teens Women's classes

Plan your first class

  • Free intro class most schools welcome newcomers with a free intro or trial class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Membership memberships run around $25/mo — many schools also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Women's self-defense dedicated women's self-defense classes — a welcoming, no-pressure space to learn practical skills and build real confidence
  • Kids & teens Krav Maga classes for kids and teens (ages 6) — built around confidence, focus, and staying safe
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule aresathleticclub.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 609-831-4513

Hours

Monday 5 am–8 pm
Tuesday 5 am–8 pm
Wednesday 5 am–8 pm
Thursday 5 am–8 pm
Friday 6 am–8 pm
Saturday 7–11:30 am
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Krav Maga classes on the schedule at Ares Athletic Club and Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Krav Maga 4 mentions

“Wonderful place for children also, parents are able to get a work out and children are cared for.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Each day is a new challenge with a one of a kind, full body workout that is conducive for any age or fitness level, whether you are a beginner or advanced.”

All schools that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

Krav Maga schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Ares Athletic Club and Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, or firearms defense alongside your Krav Maga, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 119 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, real-world instruction 5 mentions

“Coaches Damian and Viktoria are amazing coaches, with years of experience, knowledge and are committed to all their athletes who walk through the door.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“They are warm and welcoming and even in a group setting have cracked the code on how to bring out the best possible physical and mental experience of each person.”

🤝 supportive, no-ego gym 13 mentions

“They're always taking seminars and classes to further expand their knowledge and improve upon what they can teach to their clients which seem to become family pretty quickly.”

🔥 great workout & conditioning 9 mentions

“The camaraderie with the other members is an awesome motivator, helping to keep you accountable while making the classes fun and getting a great workout.”

🤲 patient, hands-on coaching 2 mentions

“He was super on point with intended stimulus, cues, and really went the whole nine yards to explain the why of each movement.”

From the reviews

I have been through working out at home and I’ve had my fair share of gym memberships. After my first few days of becoming part of CrossFit A-Game, I have found something beyond a gym. The staff along with the folks I train with feel like family.

★★★★★ — Will, Apr 2022

I'll preface this by stating that I'm a coach with 10 years experience, so what I'm looking for may not line up with what everyone else is looking for. TLDR: Great way to get in a sweat, but you'll also walk out with not just what to do, but a better understanding of why you do it.

★★★★★ — Rommel, Mar 2022

I cannot say enough amazing things about my experience at CrossFit A-Game in the short time that I have been a member. From day one, Damian and Viktoria took an interest in helping me achieve my personal fitness goals, whether it is teaching a new workout or suggesting a way to improve my technique or modify an…

★★★★★ — Scott, Apr 2022

I recently started taking the 55+ classes. I was really intimidated to even take a class. I figured it would be way above my abilities & physical limitations. I was wrong. The instructor Viktoria is very knowledgeable.

★★★★★ — Christine, Feb 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 119 reviews →

New to Krav Maga? Start at Ares Athletic Club and Martial Arts

Ares Athletic Club and Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a self-defense class, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or athletic to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build the fundamentals (stance, movement, and core self-defense techniques) over weeks, and controlled pressure-testing eases in gradually so every drill stays safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or Level 1 class time so your first session is alongside others who are also just starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first Krav Maga class at Ares Athletic Club and Martial Arts

Nervous about walking into a Krav Maga school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling a few core techniques with a partner — controlled and at your own pace, not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move in — there's no uniform or special gear you need to buy to get started. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — most schools have everything else you'll need for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call what to bring. Pressure-testing eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid — you won't be sparring hard on day one. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Krav Maga is a contact activity. Ease in, train at your own pace, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Ares Athletic Club and Martial Arts

609 E Bay Ave suite 7, Manahawkin, NJ08050

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.