My name is Netti and I started training last year in October. I am from Germany and I am a mother of three kids. It really is not the “normal place” to go in my position. but I did not want anything normal either. I was curious about what The PIT was about and I found exactly what I was looking for - a way to stay fit - in a way that I have never been fit before (I now can do pull-ups :-)) - but most important - all in a way which has a very high quality of purpose and a traditional background of so many years. It is fun and it is also challenging. I feel proud of what I have learned in such a short period of time. It is the passion and dedication of Kumu Rick that makes The PIT an exceptional place.

When my 4 year old son Jake told me he wanted to take karate, I wasn’t completely convinced he had any idea what he was talking about. (I’m fairly certain, he became interested in karate after finding a promotional card from The Pit Malibu in a stack of mail, which he insisted on carrying around for a few weeks and every now and then he asked me to read it.) Nevertheless, I told him we’d give it a try. To be honest, I was just thrilled that The Pit Malibu would be on our way home from pre-school, in it’s super convenient location on PCH. Little did I know, Kumu Rick would be so fantastic! It has by far become the highlight of Jake’s week. If it was an option, he’d go every day. He has since turned 5 and earned his yellow belt last month. Wow! The pride that I felt could only be matched by his own. He works hard and has so much fun in class thanks to Kumu Rick. He is simply a phenomenal instructor. Each week, I am in awe as I see how he challenges the kids in such a supportive environment, all the while earning their utmost respect. It’s truly a balance of focus and fun and so much more than I ever anticipated.

I highly recommend The Pit Malibu to anyone who wants to learn martial arts. I started taking my kids to The Pit when they first opened in Malibu about 10 years ago. Kumu Rick and his Wife Sharine own and run the school. They are amazing people! They are incredible with children. My kids still love going to the school. The Pit is like a hidden gem.

This is what a Martial Arts gym should be. Real people, no attitudes, real workouts, real learning, real teaching, it's the 'real' deal. A+++

We are so grateful to have found the pit. My son has been training since he was 11 yrs old(he is 17 now) . He didn't want to do any sports . As a parent I tried to convince him to do soccer, baseball, surf you name it but he didn't seem to be attracted to any kind of physical activity until we found the pit. From day one I knew we were in the right place. They welcomed him like one of their own. Their high ethics and principle is a contribution in building my sons character.

My son has been training since he was 11 yrs old(he is 17 now) . He didn't want to do any sports . As a parent I tried to convince him to do soccer, baseball, surf you name it but he didn't seem to be attracted to any kind of physical activity until we found the pit. From day one I knew we were in the right place. They welcomed him like one of their own. Their high ethics and principle is a contribution in building my sons character.

Their approach to the practice is in the most pure sense of what martial arts should be..No egos in the class, a humble yet confident attitude , encouragement and positive criticism , courage ,respect and values and above all, heart and love for mixed martial arts.

Kumu Rick, Sharine and their son Sage impart the perfect balance of discipline and caring. Both Sharine and Rick have backrounds in education and are adept at imparting the values of martial arts, while still remaining approachable and loved by the students. They also both have a passion, not only for the various disciplines they teach (Kempo and others), but for fostering the kids from wee little ones to adults.

We have been going to the pit for nearly 4 years now and my almost 9 year old son loves everything about it. It has been a wonderful experience in so many ways!

When I was younger, I practiced Tae Kwon Do. I really enjoyed it originally, but as I progressed further I developed two major qualms. First, the techniques I was taught were not all that useful in real life. Second, as a result of the emphasis on form during class, there was little time left for conditioning. After earning my black belt, I turned to traditional sports like soccer and basketball to increase my fitness level. After recently joining The Pit Malibu, I have come to regret the leave of absence I took from martial arts. The Hawaiian Kempo we practice is balanced, with traditional form mixed with techniques that are realistic for use on the street. Additionally, the conditioning is intense and rewarding. I was in pretty good shape when I joined, and my fitness level has increased exponentially in the past few months. More importantly, the environment is very positive and everyone is eager to help everyone else learn. As a law school student, I don't have a lot of free time in my schedule, but I'm happy to have the privilege of spending a few hours each week training at The Pit Malibu.

My wife, Lisa, and I came to Rick and Sharine Metzler from a different path -- When Rick and Sharine started The Pit Malibu a year ago, our son, Harry signed on immediately. Now, a year later, the love, discipline and support Rick and Sharine have given Harry continues to be one of the foremost reasons why, at 7 1/ years old, he is the beautiful, compassionate, and fine young man he is. I can say from this first hand experience that The Pit is a whole other level of martial arts and fitness; it starts in the heart and soul, and expands to the physical and the intellectual, with an emphasis on fairness, kindness and good will. Lisa and I consider it a gift and an honor to have Rick and Sharine, their son, Sage, and The Pit in our lives. Thanks, you guys, we love you

My name is Zackary Adler I am thirty one years old and I have been studying and training at THE PIT MALIBU under Kumu Rick for almost a year. I had previously trained at The Inosanto Academy in Venice Beach for some time. I can not say enough great things about Kumu and the Pit. I am a film director, a new father, and it is safe to say that a good part of my sanity, focus, peace and physical and mental health is very much maintained by my training at the Pit. Whether you are a parent, a athlete or someone who is hoping to improve their physical and mental health I can sincerely recommend The Pit as a safe, fun, professional and serious place to work to better you or your children's life. An honest personal testimony I can give is that while contemplating moving back to NYC or Europe a major factor that plays in me staying in LA is that I want to continue training at The Pit. Oh! Im not leaving... The Pit is a major reason why I want to be here.