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Ronin Martial Arts Academy
5 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Krav Maga school in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- LE & military training for law enforcement, military, and security professionals — ask about dedicated or group programs
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule roninkravmaga.org — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (616) 901-9529
Hours
| Monday | 6–9 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 6–9 PM |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Master Craig is a very talented instructor who has a lot of skill conveying information to students, including newbies to martial arts / practical self defense.”
Other martial arts here
What students say
“Craig is an insanely talented instructor, but also an amazing human being.”
“I've learned so much in a short amount of time and people go out of their way to be friendly and considerate at this gym.”
“Master Craig is a very talented instructor who has a lot of skill conveying information to students, including newbies to martial arts / practical self defense.”
“The class is challenging yet empowering as he teaches skills with ethical clarity and the class culture embodies a Protector community.”
“He's patient, supportive, and creates a learning environment that's inclusive of all ages, genders, shapes, and sizes.”
From the reviews
I started attending the Academy in January 2019. Since then, I've attended classes, tested for my next belt (passed- yay!), learned how to protect myself & others, and made life-long friends. Craig is an insanely talented instructor, but also an amazing human being.
WORLD CLASS. My wife and I recently attended a seminar for self defense reasons and were blown away. The owner/teacher Craig Gray clearly knows martial arts but perhaps more importantly, he's an outstanding teacher.
Confidence and clarity are what I gain by training at the academy. What to protect, how to protect, and why we protect are themes that are interwoven throughout each class. And while physical fitness is not the primary focus, it's definitely a huge added benefit to attending classes.
I am a better person overall for training here! The class is challenging yet empowering as he teaches skills with ethical clarity and the class culture embodies a Protector community. Hopefully I won't have to use what I've learned but I am a much more confident person in the meantime!
New to Krav Maga? Start at Ronin Martial Arts Academy
Ronin Martial Arts Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. 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.
Your first Krav Maga class at Ronin Martial Arts Academy
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.
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