NAK Academy

Issaquah, United States

5

Closed now

10 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 425-295-7077
Website:
www.nak2.com
Address:
1740 19th Ave NW Ste 4, Issaquah, WA, 98027
at Poplar Way
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.6 miIssaquah Transit Center
1.9 miNewport Way SW & W Sunset Way
1.9 miFront St N & NE Alder St
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Closed now
Local time (Issaquah) 03:31 Wednesday, 25 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Tuesday 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Wednesday 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Saturday 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

We specialize in martial arts and fitness. We teach Muay Thai kickboxing, Gracie Jiu-​Jitsu, and Gracie Bullyproof.

Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. Known as the «King of the Ring» in combat sports. Muay Thai uses kicks, knees, elbows and punches along with world class conditioning to dominate the stand up game in mixed martial arts.

Gracie Combatives is our adult Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu program. We specialize is street ready self-​defense with a highly organized curriculum. Our classes focus on creating a safe and cooperative environment for students to learn how defend themselves from bigger, stronger, and more aggressive opponents. All lessons are reinforced with free online access from the Gracie Academy headquarters.

Gracie Bullyproof is our youth program. Little Champs (kids ages 5 – 7) will have fun learning basic Jiu-​Jitsu movements while also focusing on life skills. Jr. Grapplers (kids ages 8 – 13) will be challenged with a modified variation of our adult combatives program while also leaning life skills and conflict resolution techniques to counteract bully behavior. We teach kids to be strong, confident, and capable of defending themselves in a way that will not hurt the bully. Both age groups have full online curriculum support from Gracie Kids.

History

Established in 2012.

NAK Academy is the product of a life changing turn in the Nakayama family. Barry and Jen Nakayama are life long martial arts and fitness enthusiast who decided to make a full time commitment to their passion.

In 2011 our family changed everything. Barry quit his job as a sales manager, Jen took over home schooling the three kids, we sold our house and moved to Thailand. This was a huge opportunity to shed everything in our old life and begin again.

The changes that we made in our lives give us a unique perspective on chasing dreams and living each day to the fullest. We offer our student an environment to find the best in themselves through world class martial arts and fitness training. We set goals but we also live and train with focus in the moment.

Join our team and see for yourself all the benefits our programs can offer both on and off the mats!

Meet the Business Owner

Barry and Jennifer N.

Business Owner

Barry: I’ve spent most of my life as an athlete and martial artist. I’m the proud father of three beautiful daughters and I am highly focused on my love of teaching and living a productive life by giving everything I can to my family and students. I’ve trained with world champions in both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu but I also pay special attention to people I consider master coaches. I believe that talent IS hard work and high level goals can be achieved by anyone with desire and discipline.

Jen: I met my husband training Muay Thai 17 years ago. Since then, I’ve battled injuries and become a full-​time mom of three feisty children; to say my training has had some hiccups would be a gross understatement. However, I’ve managed to log over 200 hours of certified yoga teaching instruction, taken teacher training courses in TRX, BOSU, cardio kickboxing, spinning, and stability ball; all to get ready to lead a killer Boot Camp program! If I can do it, so can you!

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10 reviews of NAK Academy

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
I highly recommend this gym. I’ve trained at 3 other gyms in Seattle and this one has been my very favorite. It is a family business, which I’m really drawn too. I’m very turned off by gyms who feel like just another fitness club and who could care less who steps onto their mats. I trained at a gym this morning and even made myself known to the instructor after class. He never told me his name and he never asked me my name. It’s the little things that really make the most difference and you really get all the little things that matter at Nak2. Jen and Barry are very personable, knowledgeable, good people who care a lot about Muay Thai and Gracie Jiu Jitsu and most of all, about their students. The facility is clean, safe, and has zero tolerance for ego. The community at Nak2 is very friendly and welcoming, which I think is fostered by the instructors they have as role models. They have great classes for all levels and fitness goals. Definitely check out this gym.
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
For those who don’t know: Muay Thai is Thai kickboxing. It is, in my opinion, the best combat sport to learn if you’re interested in increasing your conditioning a LOT, learning an excellent skill, and meeting awesome people. Alos, Muay Thai is addictive. So, be prepared for that.
I’ve gone to three other Muay Thai gyms in the area and this is, by far, the best. I did Muay Thai for a year at a another gym before coming here. I’ve been here for two months and have learned more than I ever did in that one year at the other gym.
This is the best gym because…
Reason #1: The instructors actually care about making sure that you learn the proper technique in a safe way. Barry and Jen are a good team (obviously, they’re married) and really try to hone in on what to tweak to make you a better fighter. They have invested extra hands-​on time with me to make sure that I kick juuuuuust right. I really appreciate their focus and dedication. They take teaching seriously and have a goal to help their students progress. I’ve been to other schools where teachers just let students do things half right and over time, end up with a gym where ¾ of the students aren’t quite in control of their punches, kicks, knees and elbows. That’s a really scary scenario when it comes time to spar and it is not the case at this gym. The instructors know your level and don’t let you do anything you’re not ready for.
Reason #2: There are great Muay Thai classes 6 days a week and there are Jiu Jitsu-​options 6 days a week (I haven’t taken Jiu Jitsu here so can’t speak to it). Two days a week they have an extension Muay Thai class for high-​level students to learn more. The classes are varied, meaning that the instructors do a good job of prescribing techniques, doing free rounds, drill rounds and sparring here.
Reason #3: There are no egos here. There are people here who have done Muay Thai for years and have fought before and there are people who just started. The experienced people are really friendly and always willing to help. The instructors foster this good attitude.
There are many more reasons but this review is long enough. Seriously, just go to Nak2. You won’t hate it.
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
I’ve always wanted to learn martial arts and decided to take up Muay Thai. I’m so glad I did and was a little disappointed that I haven’t found this place sooner! It’s a cool school because I really appreciate that we got to try out a free class first before committing. I thought that was important because I was afraid I might not like it (never a fan of going to the gym with so many people or strangers). People are friendly here, especially the instructors: Barry and Jenny! They’re very skilled and you can tell they love what they do. They teach us how to practice Muay Thai safely with other fellow students. Classes are divided into two groups usually so even though we are completely new to this, we never felt alone, because they accommodate all skill levels. Also, Barry won’t partner you up with people you’re not comfortable with and I love that. Class hours work out wonderfully with our work schedule. My partner and I are able to attend several times a week. We always leave class feeling like we got an intense yet good workout. I also appreciate that the gym is very clean (I’ve never met anyone who is more of a germaphobe than me!) and gear and mats get cleaned daily. Would highly recommend this gym!
Place rating: 5
Sammamish, WA
I started attending muay Thai classes here shortly after the school opened. About a year later, I also signed up for Brazilian jiu-​jitsu. The mats and equipment are cleaned daily, which is a huge plus. Most importantly, though Barry and Jenn are great teachers and there’s a great sense of camaraderie among the student body. I always try to encourage people to try muay Thai or jiu-​jitsu, and everyone always assumes that new students are going to get picked on, pushed around, or humiliated in some way. Maybe other gyms do that, but that’s not the case here. Everyone is so welcoming to new students and willing to help them settle in. Another awesome thing about the school is you can attend any day that they’re open. At the last martial arts school I attended, classes were 2 days a week and that was it. If you missed a class – too bad. Here, if I can’t make it to class on Monday, I can go on Tuesday. You can go to all the classes all week if you wanted. It’s a great school and I’m really happy to be a part of it!
Place rating: 5
Issaquah, WA
Super friendly gym that focuses on technique and safety. Coach Barry and Jen are very patient and easy to get along with. A great place to help people of all fitness and skill level to develop a great lifestyle.
Place rating: 5
Bellevue, WA
This is a great gym! I have been to alot of different gyms and this is one of my favorites. The facility is extremely clean and all of the equipment is top notch. This gym is a very positive environment to learn in no matter what level you are. Berry and Jen are great instructors. Everyone at the gym is very friendly and I’m happy to say that I have made some new friends. I always have a great workout and I learn something new every time I attend a class. This gym is a must for anyone looking for a great workout or for someone looking to learn the art of Muay Thai and jujitsu
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
This is a review for the Gracie jiujitsu courses only. I do not attend the Muay Thai courses currently, but look forward to joining later. My rating does not reflect my experience with other jiujitsu gyms because this if my first attempt at learning jiujitsu.
I love being part of this jiujitsu community! I have been attending 2 – 3 times a week for about 6 months. I joined to learn how to defend myself.
The instructors, Barry and Jen, make a great team. I like having a male and female perspective at every session. They spend countless hours continuing to hone their own skills while training others. Their instruction is consistent and clear, and they are infinitely patient with all levels of ability. They work hard to communicate and demonstrate moves effectively. I learn something new no matter how many times I see the same combination demonstrated.
I feel safe at all times to explore what I don’t know and practice what I do. Barry and Jen cultivate a safe space for all levels. They teach mutual respect while encouraging conscientious proactive communication to limit injuries.
I enjoy the camaraderie I experience with some partners but feel comfortable practicing with anyone. That says a lot about the gym culture that Barry and Jen continue to cultivate.
Barry and Jen work hard to keep the gym and bathrooms remarkably clean. I appreciate their attention to hygiene.
I appreciate that they offer beginning jiujitsu 5 days a week, which means it is easier to make it to 3 classes a week more often than not.
I can’t imagine attending a different Gracie jiujitsu gym in the Issaquah area.
Place rating: 5
Sammamish, WA
Great, very clean facility. The instructors are very friendly and knowledgable. The environment is great for beginners and experienced fighters alike. Everyone who attends the classes are super friendly and very willing to help you learn. You learn and advance at your own pace, so there is no negative pressure to preform better than you you are able to. The muay thay classes are great for everyone; whether you’re an aspiring fighter or just looking for a fun workout. Jiu jitsu classes are great for challenging yourself mentally and developing a higher level of fitness while also learning an incredible self defense oriented martial art. 10⁄10 for sure, highly recommended.
Place rating: 5
Sammamish, WA
This is a great gym to learn Muay Thai! There are all skill levels in the school but you will never be «fed to the wolves». The gym is very clean and instructors Barry and Jenn love what they do and it shows in how they train their students.
If your looking to get in shape or plan to step foot in the ring this is a great place with a lot of one on one attention. Five stars all the way!
Place rating: 5
Mercer Island, WA
I’ve been searching for months for a school like this for my son. Everything I’ve found has been either too big/​loud of a class, too long of a drive, too specialized for a specific martial art, taught by a teenager, or a «belt factory» type place all about the testing ($$$).
Barry is a super coach & teacher! My son warmed up to him immediately, which was quite unique for my typically shy and reserved kid. I liked the variety of activities in class, along with strong fundamentals of BJJ & Muay Thai that are brought down to a kid’s level. It seemed truly about helping the kids develop a love of the sport at an early age.
The studio is really nice, clean, and organized. The location is also perfect because it’s right off the freeway (with easy HOV lane on 90 the entire way). So, so happy we found Nak!