Dojo Zumba

Update: ⁴⁄₁₂ still receiving emails. Just got one for a special regarding $ 3 Mixxedfit classes.
Still one star. I don’t even know why this is called Dojo Zumba. There is no Zumba.
Anyway the reason for my note is that I keep requesting to be removed from there ‘newsletter’ but never get removed. Just remove me from the darn newsletter. Photo attached that I requested to be removed in 2013, and every year after that (photo of 2013 only). And there is no ‘unsubscribe’ on your automated emails.

Love this place! The Mixxedfit instructors are awesome!!! They are full of energy and make the class fun!

Love the mixed fit class!
I first came here because I had a Groupon. The classes are so fun and upbeat it doesn’t even feel like you are working out. I also like that they have classes back to back since I drive up from Auburn I like to go to two.
The only negatives are that the parking lot is a little crazy and the classes can get really crowded. It would be nice if they had a signup online and only took so many people so that you could actually move around and not worry about hitting the person next to you. Also, some of the classes are a little too easy for me so it would be nice if they had different types of classes like moderate and hard.

There is no Zumba at this Dojo Zumba
I was anxious to try Dojo3 club and bought a Groupon that allowed to try a number of classes that they offer (20 Zumba/​MixxedFit Classes with 10 Dance Classes, or 30 Zumba/​MixxedFit Classes at Dojo 3 (92% Off)
Sounds awesome, right?
Except when I actually showed up, it turned out that:
— Bourlesque group is too close to performing and are not accepting newbies
—. «but you are welcome to take a ballet class with young girls upstairs». Yes, thank you, I always wanted to go squat with a bunch of skinny teenagers and deliberately waited for that for almost 40 years.
— There are SOME «Latin Beat» classes available… (Note that they are NOT Zumba) — they are twice a week at 4:30 pm. Anyone who works regular hours is not going to be able to make to those classes.
— All other classes are «MixxedFit» — which is essentially an upgraded version of good old Jazzersize: you get to hop around the room stuffed with about 50 women, led by a trainer with leopard leggings over rather impressive behind (my eyes! my eyes!), prompting women in the class to move in the manner of an exotic dancer to 90x and early 00x club beats. «AWKWARD» does not even begin to describe that.
Bottom line is — I came in for Zumba. Zumba was not being offered. What was offered was nowhere near what I was interested in. Although I monitored the online schedule for 5 weeks, I could not catch a single «Latin Beat» class that I could theoretically make without skipping work.
My Groupon went to complete waste.
On a more positive note — the staff was courteous and greeted me very politely during first visit. The lobby was well-​equipped. Bathrooms were clean.
I’m giving the establishment a «2». The offerings, however, were not as advertised and classes were useless to me personally.
The owner, however, DOES NOT GIVE A HOOT. She sent me a marketing e-​mail that, I’m sure, all Groupon new customers get and prompted me to sign up for membership, trading in classes remaining on my Groupon. I inquired whether there would be any actual Zumba classes coming up. She never responded. Well, that’s what you do when you build business in the middle of a ghetto — you are what you do.

If I had the option, this would be a 0 star review. I recommend you to read the other less than five star ratings for a more realistic view of others’ experiences. I couldn’t agree more with their thoughts, as these are coming from consumers who look past the bribe of a «free class, free punch card, bring a buddy in for free» gimmick.
My first experience with Dojo 3 was in 2011 with the dance fitness program while on a Groupon deal. I later signed up for membership a few months after, and as more programs were introduced (CrossFit, Performing Arts & Dance) I joined those too. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed far too many negative experiences since 2011, as a student.
Fall 2012 — A Zumba/​dance fitness instructor left abruptly. I was still drinking the kool-​aid at this point so I didn’t connect the dots.
Summer 2013: The head CrossFit coach was terminated with no replacement that was CrossFit certified. The Performing Arts & Dance tap and kid’s hip hop instructor was terminated after the program’s first recital.
Fall 2013: Seven Zumba and/​or dance fitness instructors resigned.
Winter 2013 — Spring 2014: The Tahitian instructor along with a ballet barre instructor resigned.
May 2014: The Performing Arts & Dance program director, instructors, students (kids/​adults) and program was cut and kicked out extremely abruptly and publicly. This was two months before summer recital. What kind of establishment pulls an instructor out of her own class for 2 hours, leaving paying students with no instruction? Dojo 3 does.
The owner, Lori Chung (who makes it very well known that she owns the business) keeps reiterating that she had to get rid of the bad apples. In honest opinion, how did Dojo 3 get rid of the bad apples, when the bad apples quit? What kind of owner wants to bring a conversation to the parking lot?
I do give kudos to making people’s lives a little bit healthier, with cardio that aches your neck, back and knees in all the wrong places. If you’re bringing your mom, don’t. My mom quit because of lower back, neck and knee pain thinking she was sore. Incorrect. Stay away from the kool-​aid and their hype. There’s plenty other formats and facilities that can help better your health goals, and create bonds within the community. Everyone that fully invests their time here has a 2 year expiration date.
(Insert a generic quote that has nothing to do with the situation)

Since my last review, I did what I said I would do and ventured out. I tried out some of their specialty fitness classes, even signed up for a few workshops; one of them actually incorporated a little bit of everything this gym has to offer (and I was EXHAUSTED by the end of it!) Though they were fun, my heart stuck with the Performing Arts. It was just unlike any program offered there, let alone in the area. Dance was something I always wanted to be a part of growing up, and once I found it, it was hard to let go! So, of course, I found myself coming in often, and staff there would always be friendly towards me when I came in.
Anyone who reads my reviews knows I’m huge on customer service and professionalism. They’re two things I always take into account when I’m at establishments because they’re a factor in reputation, and having a good reputation = earning loyal customers.
Last week in the midst of one of the classes, our instructor was pulled aside for a meeting with management. It was frustrating since this happened in the middle of our rehearsal time for an upcoming recital. We’re all working adults and pay for this time to come in and practice since classes are only a couple times a week. Regardless, we continued on as best as we could. Little did any of us know we would be without instruction for nearly two hours! How would we have known with other students still coming in expecting to practice?
Tired and frustrated by the two hours lost, the next thing we know the owner comes upstairs and in an awfully rude tone says, «Everybody out, your program is cut». EH? We’re in the middle of a season for recital! You have customers working hard to make the performance run smoothly, adjust schedules, etc. for this and it’s just OVER? Anyway, without question, we all pack up our things and leave, only to have the owner standing in the doorway, watching all of us leave the premises. Why is that even necessary? We were leaving just as you told us, leaving as respectfully as we can considering the news we just heard. You were friendly when I came in just a couple hours ago, so what happened? What did *I* do in that span of 2 hours to be treated that way?
Through the grapevine, I had heard there was drama in the past, but I tried to not let that factor into my coming here because I enjoyed the program so much. After this though, there isn’t a chance I would step foot there again, let alone recommend it. Regardless of what goes on behind the scenes, I just don’t feel customers should ever see it, let alone be treated in such a way that doesn’t even involve them.

I wish there was a zero rating! I’ve heard lots of Negative things about this place. Not worth wasting your money here. The owners are full of drama. They cut programs left and right. They bicker with their employees over Facebook. They don’t treat their customers with any respect! I recommend running from this place. Don’t waste your money. Run people!

I am so sad to be writing this review. For more than two years I have been raving to my friends and family about this place, but I’m afraid that I will not be doing so anymore. I will warn people to stay away instead.
I started out at Dojo 3 with my mother with a gifted membership for their Zumba/​Mixxedfit program. After a while, I signed up for a two year contract because I loved the dance fitness program and teachers so much. I am really regretting that decision at this point because they charge you 60% of the remainder to cancel. Last summer 6 or 7 of favorite instructors abruptly left the studio at the same time. They were just gone! The gym didn’t offer any clear explanation and I was so disappointed. At this point they have recruited new instructors but it just doesn’t feel the same. I’ve noticed that some of the newer instructors don’t cue as well or give me the great workout I used to receive from the old instructors. The new instructors that seem more experienced, give me a great workout, and are great all around don’t get scheduled enough. The gym now mostly offers just Mixxedfit (their own new brand of dance fitness) with Zumba classes few and far between. I miss the variety. Even though my favorite instructors left and I was less motivated to attend the gym, I was still set on attending classes to finish out my contract. After an incident that occurred last week, I don’t think I will return at all.
Before my life got hectic, I attended classes in Dojo 3’s Performing Arts & Dance program. I absolutely loved it! It was such a fun outlet with no pressure to have experience or look the best. Everyone was learning something new. Since I have no longer been able to make classes I volunteered to help out backstage with the Performing Arts recital coming up in July. I was waiting to have a meeting with the program’s director last week when the gym owners pulled her into a 2 hour meeting in the middle of classes. I sat upstairs during this time watching her confused students trying to conduct class on their own and trying to figure out why they had no teacher. The worst part was that management and front desk kept checking people into classes without an instructor! After this long wait, I was still upstairs waiting when one of the owners came upstairs and told us all to «get out,» that the «program was cut,» and we needed to get all of our stuff and leave immediately. The owner walked us out of the gym and stood at the door of the building until we all drove away.
I have never been treated like that in my entire life. I am outraged that a business owner would come into a class that was in session and kick paying students out. I will not be returning to Dojo 3. There is obviously something going on behind the scenes with management that is causing all of this unnecessary drama and I want no part of it.

I started dancing here in their Performing Arts and Dance program. The Zumba was practically non-​existent, but they had their own brand of dance fitness which was okay.
I’ve been taking their hip hop dance class for about 4 months. Signed up for a membership and everything. I loved the class so much and was really enjoying it. Until one day, we were dancing and the owner stormed up the stairs to the studio and started shouting in his high pitched voice:
«OUT. GET OUT. EVERYBODY GET OUT!!!»
No explanation. There was no reason why a guy I never met before should treat me, a paying member, with unwarranted disrespect. It was also revolting to see him use his height to shout down to all the girls in the studio.
They shut down the Performing Arts Dance program with no warning. I loved this place, but now I’m disappointed at the level of sheer unprofessionalism and disrespect shown by the management.

I was a dedicated member of Dojo 3 for three years and loved coming to this place for Dance Fitness and recently fell in love with their Performing Arts and Dance program. But in the years I’ve been a member, I started noticing changes in the vibe/​environment for the worse since I first joined back in 2011.
I am extremely disappointed about recent events that took place at this establishment in which case the owners have been very unprofessional and unethical. I was a member of their Performing Arts & Dance program that, without any warning, last Monday they had dismissed the students during hip hop class and ordered everyone to leave the premises because our program has been cut effective immediately. And on top of that, we had a summer recital in two months that we have been preparing for which also included many children with ages ranging from 4 – 10 years old. Imagine those children finding out all of their hard work rehearsing for recital was now all for nothing. You can be sure their dance moms and dads are furious beyond belief.
Apparently, members of the dance program all received emails saying that the program was to be discontinued effective immediately and that all refunds would be given back to members for the month as well as an offer for a complimentary 3 months membership to any other programs offered at the Dojo for the inconvenience of cancelling the dance program. I wonder if any of the children will try Crossfit or Krav Maga? Anyways, I did not receive this email so I had to learn about the program being terminated on my own through word of mouth. Why didn’t I receive a formal notice of the program being terminated? Maybe because I had another membership to their Dance Fitness program that they wanted me to continue giving them my business but I made sure I cancelled that.
Save yourself from the unprofessionalism and drama. Last summer, multiple instructors all voluntarily quit within a month (at least 6 and most of them were favorites) due to the shadiness and drama unfolding behind the scenes. I didn’t think it was true until we experienced it first hand. No business should ever treat it’s employees/​customers/​friends this way. I will never step foot in this place ever again and hope to save all of my family/​friends/​others from doing so as well.

Very disappointed with the management of Dojo 3. I was a dedicated member of the Performing arts and Dance program for almost 8 months up until last week. Coming to class 3 – 4 times a week. If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would have easily given them 4 even 5 stars. I had been looking for a non competitive dance studio for adults for a long time and I was really excited to have found it here. I found not only a great instructor but also great friends.
Last week we were supposed to be rehearsing for our Summer recital when our instructor was pulled out of class and we had no instructor for almost two classes. After all the waiting the owner comes up to the class and rudely tells us to get out, get our stuff because the program had been cut. With no explanation as to why. We were even escorted out of the premises like we had done something wrong. We have been preparing for the Recital for almost 3 months now, along with 4 – 8 year old children, when all of a sudden we were told that the program will be discontinued. There was no warning that led up to this decision whatsoever. To compensate for what we lost they are offering us complimentary membership to their other classes but if this is how they treat and value their customers Then I am never going back to this place.
If this business wants to continue then they need to make a major adjustment in management.

On the Dojo 3 Facebook page they offered a free punch card for those people who gave them a «5 star rating» on Unilocal.Unfortunately, I don’t think this studio deserves a 5 star rating.
I started coming to Dojo 3 for dance fitness (Zumba and Mixxedfit) at the end of 2011. I didn’t become a regular student until the end of 2012 when they introduced their Crossfit and performing arts and dance program. A year and a half as a student is enough time to see what transpires within a business.
— Fact 1: August of 2013 a Crossfit coach was terminated.
— Fact 2: late August/​early September of 2013 approximately 7 dance fitness instructors resigned on their own and left the studio.
— Fact 3: Fall 2013 the tap dance instructor was terminated from Dojo.
— Fact 4: one of the instructors that resigned as an instructor in fact #2 decided to become a student in the Performing Arts and Dance program. After class one day a group of students were in the lobby when the owner Lori walked up to the group and forced this ex-​instructor to confront her about the issues going on. The ex-​instructor politely told her she wasn’t ready to talk. Lori kept pushing to talk and told her to meet her outside to talk if she still wanted to dance as a student. The conversation was then taken outside where aggressive hand movements from the owner towards the ex-​instructor were observed from the inside lobby. The conversation ended with the owner walking straight through the lobby sobbing uncontrollably. The next day the ex-​instructor received an email saying she was «banned» from coming into the studio.
— Fact 5: October 2013 a Tahitian instructor resigned from Dojo
— Fact 6: April 2014 a Ballet Barre instructor resigned from Dojo.
— Fact 7: May 2014 the Performing Arts and Dance program was cut mid-​class with the owner Richard telling everyone to grab their things and to get out because the program was cut. He then escorted everyone off the premises with no explanation as to why the program had abruptly been terminated. This happened 2 months before the summer recital for both adults and kids (5 years old and up). Due to the termination of the Performing Arts and Dance program the director, ballet barre instructor and the kids hip hop teach were terminated.
Based on observation there seems to be a re-​occurring trend. There seems to be some behind the scenes drama with the owners and their employees. I mean how do you lose so much employees at a «family oriented» studio within a 9 month period? I would say there’s at least 25 consistent instructors among dance fitness, Krav Maga, Crossfit and at the time Performing Arts & Dance (25 might be overestimating). But if that’s 25 consistent instructors and based on facts that’s about 14 instructors. That’s about 56% of your staff that left or needed to be replaced!
I do not recommend this place. If you decide to go you’ll save more money doing drop ins rather than a membership. The membership cancellation policy is ludicrous, you basically have to move more than 25 miles from their studio or terminal to avoid any cancellation fee. I have provided the link below for you to read:

**One star because I lost weight**
Let me start by saying that when I joined Dojo 3 (Zumba/​Mixxed Fit) I had one goal and one goal only: loose weight! I will say that I did achieve a good chunk of that goal and I loved that I had a fun outlet to make that happened. Last year they introduced the Preforming Arts and Dance program which was the best thing since sliced bread. To get to work on my fitness goals, tap into that artistic side of my brain, and to get to bond with a great group of people… cant go wrong. Within the past year there have been some not so positive things that have gone down that should have remained behind the scenes and ended up seeping over into the public. At the time, I tried to not let any of it interfere with my fitness goals. (plus I was locked into a contract).
That all changed last week when (once again) stuff that should have remained behind closed doors came out into the open. While I was supposed to be taking my Hip Hop Dance Class we were forced to conduct class on our own without an instructor (she was pulled into a meeting by the managers of Dojo 3 while class was in session) About an hour later when the meeting was over, the owner of Dojo 3 came up to our class and told us all to «get out» and that «the program had been cancelled». Just like that… WHAM BAM (no warning)!
Now like I said earlier, I participated in classes at Dojo 3 to achieve my fitness goals and I was not going to let things going on behind the scenes interrupt my workouts. When I am told (not asked) to «get out» not only was my workout régime interrupted, but I am now directly involved in the owners unnecessary drama! With that being said, I will not be returning to Dojo 3 because of those reasons. I think if the owner had conducted himself in a more customer friendly way things would be different. Me being a loyal customer for almost two years, and being told to «get out» of a place where I come to better myself is not a place where I would like to go during my free time!!!

I’m so disappointed to write this, because up until this month I had nothing but great things to say about this establishment.
I am incredibly frustrated with the management of Dojo 3. I’ve been a dedicated Performing Arts & Dance member (upstairs from Dojo Zumba) for 7 months. The instructors and choreography were wonderful.
Last week the owners of the studio called the instructor out of a class to have a meeting which ended up lasting for 2 hours. The owner then came up the stairs and told all students to «get out» because our program was cut. This is 2 months before the summer showcase. How unprofessional — pulling the instructor out mid-​way through a class (that we PAID for), and then ordering us to leave.
As disappointed as all of the adult students are, I can only imagine how heartbroken the kids are about no longer being able to participate in the recital.
The next day we were sent a bulk email saying they would be refunding the money for this month and terminating our contracts. I’m just lucky I wasn’t a member of any other program — they are making it difficult and costly to break any other contracts. We were offered 3 complimentary months for any other program. Sorry, I’m not interested in being disrespected.
Don’t be fooled by the 5-​star reviews. For a while they promoted a free 10 class punch card for giving them 5 stars on Unilocal

I had done zumba before, but had not been able to go for a while due to my work hours being changed and not being able to make the class time at my regular place.
I was on my lunch break on a Friday, and decided I really missed zumba so I started searching for a place that offered a later class time. Dojo 3 turned out to offer a great variety of class times and I was able to make the 8 P.M. class, no problem.
I was greeted right away when I walked in, and shown exactly where to go if I needed to change, as well as where to wait for the class to start. The ladies at the front desk were super friendly.
I didn’t realize the class I’d shown up to try was «club style». This means they shut all the lights off and disco lights come on! I was a little nervous because I had never done this kind before and wasn’t sure what to expect.
Once the class started though, I was no longer nervous. The instructor was great, obviously really loved teaching zumba, and was up on a platform so you could easily see what she was doing, even though the class was fairly large, aaaaaand I’m fairly short.
This was a really high energy, fun class. I think people were less self conscious because the lights were shut off. Even if you’re not amazing at zumba, you’re not as visible in this type of class so you don’t feel like you need to stand in the back of the room all shy just because you’re new.
The class was ten dollars for a drop in! I think they sometimes have groupons too so I would watch for that.
I would definitely recommend coming here for zumba!

I’m in love. I am just starting out and am so happy here! So far, my top and bottom don’t always match, but I’m sure I’ll get there. I love the instructors. Sometimes I’m a little thrown off that they allow/​invite «audience» members up to «teach» class, but then again its a great way to show off your hard work.
Plus, the price I paid to get 24 months is AWESOME. $ 20 a month!
And in regards to the chick that says that the eastside is full of upper middle class white women with low levels of rhythm, well I am a white woman with low levels of rhythm and I’m here… so… :0 }
(we follow you everywhere)

I’m not gonna lie — I felt like a dancing newb when I took my first class here, yet the awkwardness of being new to the studio easily faded away within the first fifteen minutes because it’s so fast-​paced and makes for great cardio if you don’t feel running on a hamster wheel.
My friend has been raving about this studio and how it’s a great workout, especially the Mixxed Fit Dance (MFD) classes. So a couple of girlfriends and I bought the Groupon, which is an awesome deal that is definitely worth looking out for unless you wanted to become a regular member.
MFD classes are practically a Zumba class with more elements of hip hop, which is pretty fresh for me (I honestly can’t tell if I have the feet and hips for the more Latin-​influenced music). Instead of using music where a majority of the lyrics are in Spanish, MFD classes focus on hip hop or R&B music with repetitive rhythms — mainly a lot of music that you would probably recognize from a nightclub like Trinity or Pnk. Now, choreographed dance has never really been my thing, but at least it was repetitive enough and the steps were simple enough that you can at least follow along and still break a sweat even if it’s the first time you’ve ever heard a song or routine. And because of these classes, it’s reawakened that urge to just go out dancing (and skip the alcohol) so I can show off some moves!
To be quite forward, I think I’ve fallen in love with MFD classes so much that I can’t imagine dancing in a regular Zumba class again. Believe me, I’ve tried to attend one of the Zumba classes in LA Fitness, and the difference is huge! And I love it because it got me back into that silly idea that I can dance like a crazy person without worrying about who’s watching — because you know, in class, everyone else is too focused on their own dancing that they don’t have time to watch how you’re doing.
Also, just note that unlimited monthly members appear to have priority of getting into class before Groupon/​LivingSocial students. But of the couple of times I’ve gone, finding a good spot in the room isn’t that hard as long as you come early enough.

I have been going here for several weeks. Aside from the occasional very crowded class– it’s amazing. The instructors are amazing. Tracee and Lori are my favorite.
Get there early or you might not get in– which is great that they limit capacity.
Great exercise.

Since my last review, Dojo Zumba has certainly improved. Their deals on groupons has definitely made more people want to try it out and stick with it. I got a groupon deal and it’s probably one of the best investments. There are many more classes and different classes to try with various times that is suitable for everyone. There are even kids’ dance classes. Dojo Zumba Renton is certainly growing and you always have to come extra early to ensure you get a spot. It’s a great place to meet people in the community just trying to have fun and dance off some stress just like you. I would definitely recommend this! There are also deals if you have a punch card and want to trade it in for membership.
All the instructors are super friendly and everyone has a different taste in music so each class is pretty unique. I really enjoy all of the instructors’ energies and efforts. If you just want to try a class, a drop in is just $ 10 bucks! It’s also connected to a martial arts studio so if you have children or others who are interested in martial arts, it’s also very easy to join.
Parking can be a little difficult with so many people and the limited amount of space, but there is also excess parking across the street. Just always, get there early!!!

I originally bought 20 classes for $ 25 on a groupon to try this place out to see if i liked it.
And i have to say i am freaking HOOKED on this place, I current go three to four times per week, and I really enjoy it. i have since bought 30 more classes with their $ 99 promotion they offered in January.
The best part about Dojo Zumba:
The instructors
They are so awesome and happy! They are not all teeny tiny little blonde women in spandex shorts with full make up, they are real curvy and beautiful girls that get up in front of the class and show us a good time. Every class i have been to i have smiled through the whole thing. the teachers are always so happy an upbeat and so supportive of their students, hey even invite them up to show of their dance moves, they stay after class to chat and help with any questions or moves you cant perfect!
Even though you are working out, you are so focused on getting down the dance steps that you sort of forget that you are working out, and you are getting a bit tired. the whole experience is fun. As you keep going you form a little community with a lot of the other women that go, we all have a great time, laugh when we make a mistake on the moves, and support each other, even if you don’t know your neighbor, you are still going to smile at them and think «work it girl» when the class is over:)
I would recommend trying a class and seeing for yourself, you will leave smiling and coming back:)