Z Ultimate Self Defense Studios

Sensei TIm, the owner, is a man of high integrity. Honest, trustworthy, great with people and kids and he inspires us all to reach our highest potential.

My son has been going here for over a year now and absolutely loves it. He wasn’t inspired by any other sport he has tried, but going to Z Ultimate has become his favorite part of the day now. He is energetic, and doesn’t always pay attention, but Tim is very good at getting the kids to maintain focus. I don’t know how he manages to be both fun and serious with them, but it works! He knows each kid and knows their quirks and switches up the classes so that they don’t get bored or ever feel they know exactly what is going to happen in class that day. It’s made a huge difference in my son’s confidence as well as his discipline.

My son has attended this dojo for going on two years now and has progressed nicely. (He goes to elementary school with poster Christopher H.‘s two children.) Initially I was nervous when Justin St. Lawrence left — transitions are usually challenging — but have been quite pleased with his replacement, Tim Carmona. Sensei Carrie has gotten more involved lately as well and it’s great to see so many happy, active children having fun, practicing and mastering new moves, and learning how to defend themselves. Most importantly, they are learning discipline and self-​control. From my standpoint the dojo is right near Whole Foods so I keep the holes in my pantry filled! All in all, highly recommended.

Well for those of you who read my prior review of Z Ultimate Self Defense Studios in San Mateo, I hope it was helpful. I thought I would write an update as most businesses do change, they get better or they get worse.
To date: April 23, 2013
As for the Z Ultimate Self Defense Studios in San Mateo, the prior Chief Instructor, Justin has left and a new Chief Instructor was hired. So for those of you now looking to sign up, Tim Carmona is now the new Chief Instructor. He has done a great job in coming in and shaking things up. As with the changing over from one instructor to another where will always be growing pains, and I feel the growing pains are over. Since Tim has taken over, he created for kids an Advanced Purple Belt Class for those students with purple belts and higher which push kids to use the skills they have learned, while being firm, but still fun. For those kids who are just beginning, Tim is able to lay down the basic foundation of self defense for kids, provide them with a sense of confidence, and have fun. I will admit there has been a lot of new kids signing up and its great to see so many new faces, and for those who are new, I feel Tim does a great job in teaching and making it fun and easy to learn.
As a parent, I will admit, I want my kids to learn how to defend themselves, be confident, and be physically healthy. But I also know they are still kids and like to have fun. My kids love participating in their private lessons, their weapons class, and the group classes. They always have fun, and I have seen them learn so many different moves to protect themselves and I’m glad I found something they both love to do.
The studio does offer a 30 day free trial for those parents who want to give a try it out and see how their kids like it.

For all of you that have searched for something to put your kids into i can only tell you this is it. My son is shy and has auto processing and Tourettes Syndrome, with in the last seven to eight months his self esteem has blossomed like I have never seen. This sport unlike others teaches them self displine, to protect themselves and they learn to work hard at what they do and enjoy it at the same time. This is a healthy sport where no one looses, they onl;y gain. There is a wide variety of weapon training, sparing and classes. Justin is a wonderful teacher and I have tried it all, and Im glad this is the right choice, and for all mothers and fathers that want something great for their kids I would check this out YOU CANT GO WRONG