"No other school provides the amount of one on one instruction you receive at the The Pit Malibu.  I've never trained with a group of guys so eager to help each other." 

-Troy Warren

"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."

-Jake's Mom

“I just moved into the area to attend school and was looking for a place to train but was a little nervous because I had only trained with my friends and was not sure how comfortable I would be training with strangers.  One of my friends suggested I check out The Pit in Malibu because he had worked with Kumu Rick before and told me there was nobody better to have train me.  After six months I am in the best shape of my life and my technique improves with every session but most importantly I feel like the Ohana has become part of my extended family. Training is the best part of my day, being part of The Pit Malibu Ohana has made my transition into a new city so much easier and more positive and I am indebted to Kumu Rick and the rest of the Ohana for their willingness to welcome me and teach me.  Kumu Rick has trained for so many years in so many systems and has given so much sweat and blood to hone his knowledge and techniques yet he is so willing to pass it on to us his students and that is a kind of generosity I have rarely found before.  Kumu Rick is always respectful, kind, generous and has a wealth of knowledge I have never before encountered and I feel privileged to be on the receiving end of it and could never say enough good things about my experience as a member of his Ohana.”

-John Barron

“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 dedictation of Kumu Rick that makes The PIT an exceptional place.”

-Netti

"My original inquiry into training at The Pit came with hesitation. I was in my later 30s, and my Dad said I was supposed to pick up golf at my age, not mixed martial arts. However, Kumu Rick assured me that The Pit is a family gym, and after a year training with the Ohana, I now understand how honest his words were. As Kumu told me, all of our journeys are different, and my only goal should be to be the best 'I' can be. The students at The Pit are not out to compete against other students, because they are already competing against themselves, trying to be the best they can be. There is comradery between students as we help each other achieve the best. I highly recommend The Pit Malibu to anyone, as it is a special place."

-Paul

“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.”

-Zack

“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.”

-John Lang-Writer-Malibu, CA

"The Pit Malibu is a place where everyone from young kids to elite athletes will learn the value of fitness, respect, and tradition through Hawaiian Kempo. If I had kids, they'd train at The Pit Malibu. Rick Metzler's passion, commitment, and knowledge is unparalleled. I'm constantly impressed by the core values he instills in his classes and programs. The sport-specific conditioning I've developed from his classes has been an excellent addition to my own training. Parents, kids, elite fighters, and everyone in between, will benefit by making The Pit a part of their life – I certainly have."

-Chad Waterbury-Neurophysiologist, Author, Performance Trainer

"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."

-Chris Trembly-Law Student Pepperdine University

"I have attempted virtually every type of sport imaginable and excelled at most of them.  However, I have never found anything that even approaches the elite level of fitness training at The Pit Malibu.  Expert instructor Kumu Rick Metzler has devoted more than two decades of his life adapting his classical martial arts mastery, modern innovations, and inspirational teaching into the most effective fitness program ever devised.  From young children to adults looking to get into the best shape of their lives to aspiring mixed martial artists, everyone who trains at The Pit Malibu learns to respect others, enjoys world class conditioning, and has fun every step of the way."