Todd’s studio has such a warm inviting vibe. Todd is very professional, friendly, encouraging, a great teacher and role model. His energy is motivational and his attitude is contagious in a positive way. I highly recommend the studio, the teaching and the atmosphere of the studio to train, learn and grow!
This gym is incredible. Todd Aimer is the owner and main instructor. The respect shown and given in the studio is unlike any others. The studio is immaculate and has such a good feel. The kids are learning and they’re super excited to be there. If you feel your kids need a tune-up or a little education about respect and caring for others this is the best place to send them. I’m so excited my son is a part of it!!!!
I was looking for something to give my youngest son an athletic outlet during this COVID time when so much of youth sports are suspended and we are in a daily battle to keep screen time down. Coach Todd spent the time and energy to make sure he had a great first class. Now this is all my formerly Roblox obsessed kid is talking about!
If you're looking for a safe, clean, fun place to get a good workout and meet great people, this is it. A great spot for kids and for adults. Evolve achieves a perfect balance of being beginner friendly while also providing high-level, competitive instruction that will keep you coming back and growing every week. Coach Todd and the coaches all care about seeing you learn and have fun all while pushing yourself to the next level. Give it a try, and you'll be hooked!
With immense confidence, I can wholeheartedly say that joining Evolve is one of the best decisions I've made for my son. Evolve's gym not only holds amazingly talented coaches, but the quality of the actual gym itself is superior. It feels brand new and meticulously clean, has a great spacious mat layout, has an ideal ability to fully open up to fresh air, has modern equipment, and often times has good music too... if Professor Todd turns on his playlist for you! Professor Todd isn't only beholding his own extremely high levels of expertise in martial arts, but he is also gifted with an outstanding coaching style and the ability to fully lead children. Professor Todd is an ideal role model for my son, I love how he coaches him, speaks to him, and influences him. For me, Professor Todd is helping me shape my son from a boy into a confident and well respected man. It's been very rewarding watching my son emerge into the dedication of self defense, self control, self confidence, but also self realization of the fulfillment that emerges when you're training to be the best you can be. My family, as a whole, is very grateful for our continued experience at Evolve taking group and private Jiujitsu and Muay Thai classes.
I brought my teenage son to Evolve for the very first time last week. He was angry that I had "forced" him to join. Within minutes of meeting and working with Coach Todd, my son's entire demeanor changed. Coach Todd is heavily skilled, patient and is clearly respected by his staff and members. Although we have only been working with him for a short time, I have already noticed a positive change in my son. I highly recommend Coach Todd and his incredible academy.
Professor Todd is an amazing instructor who is truly passionate about teaching BJJ and is so hands on with all his students. He provides such a hands on approach and is always upbeat and encouraging...pushing us to be our very best. My daughter and I are so excited to be a part of such as a great academy and look forward to continuing our BJJ journey under Professor Todd and the Evolve Checkmat Family.
Without question this is an extraordinary place to bring your kid. Our four-year-old already is doing great in life and athletics. I know how important it is to be able to defend yourself for self-confidence and also for tough situations that might come up in life. Professor Todd is a perfect instructor for kids. Not only is he technically proficient but he knows how to teach a four-year-old in a way that the four year old has fun from the beginning of the class to the end. I cannot recommend this studio highly enough.
Love this place! My 4 year oId started classes here a few weeks ago and things have gone great. We are very pleased. The facility is immaculately clean and Coach Todd has been very welcoming. My son was having trouble with rough play with other boys his age. He would get scared and not want to see them again. After just a few classes he seems like he is more confidant and skilled in dealing with this situation. A friend of his was pushing him around at a play date and my son just sat on the boy instead of getting scared or upset and it ended. Also, its a great workout for him to get out some of his endless energy. We are hooked!
I’m so lucky to have found Coach Todd. His patience, discipline and devotion to our 6 year old who is a special needs child is truly impressive. Our son is shy, unsure of his abilities and not the loud, athletic type. But he is enjoying his one-on-one weekly sessions with Coach Todd who is funny and engaging. The classes are a mix of warm ups, stretches, light weights, basic Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai moves. If you’re the parent of a special needs child and looking to help them gain strength, confidence and become more coordinated, I suggest reaching out to Coach Todd. You will not be disappointed :)
This is great gym and happy that it's a part of the community. I have both my sons (8 and 6) in the Jiu Jitsu class. Coach Todd and team are supportive and provide the right level of instruction, discipline, and encouragement for the students. I'm also a student training Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai and can tell you this school, its coaches, and students here have all been helpful and really foster a positive environment.
Recently moved to the RMV area and came from another gym. I was immediately welcomed by such a great group of people of all levels to train with and such a nice training facility. Professor Todd is a great teacher, he breaks down moves well, and I always feel that I get personal clarification for anything that isn’t sticking with me. I mainly practice Jiu Jitsu but Evolve also has a great Muay Thai program so you get a very well rounded and battle tested martial arts education here at Evolve. If you’re brand new or have years of training this is a great spot to start or continue your studies!
My wife and I had recently moved to California and were looking for a new gym to continue training jiu jitsu. One of our major concerns was finding a gym similar to our previous one with a tight knit family environment with great technical instruction by someone that deeply cares about their students progression. After about 5 minutes of being at Evolve we knew the gym had all the important characteristics we were looking for. From everyone’s welcoming demeanor, the massive mat space and most importantly, Todd’s great instruction and willingness to dive deeper into the topic to ensure it’s clicking for everyone, there really isn’t anything else we could ask for in a gym.
My nine year old was confronted with his first bullying incident. And as Professor Todd believes “One time is one TOO many”. Enough is enough. Every child has the right to protect and defend themselves and it starts with self esteem. Thank you Evolve for taking my son and uplifting his spirits and starting him on this new journey. It takes one incident to change a child but if you are lucky, you will have a Professor Todd in your corner to help rise you up. Thank you Evolve- my family is forever thankful to you.
Im 47 years old and was very intimidated to start my journey in Jiu Jitzu. I can't say enough great things about Evolve in Rancho Santa Margarita! From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and part of the family. The studio is impeccably clean, creating a comfortable and professional environment for training. Coach Todd is truly amazing – his expertise, patience, and dedication to his students are unparalleled. The community at Evolve is friendly and supportive, with fellow students always willing to lend a hand and share their knowledge. If you're looking for a top-notch Jiu Jitsu studio where you'll feel right at home, Evolve is the place to be!
This place is an absolute blessing! I came into jujitsu on the heavier side, thinking that I wasn’t ready and of course I needed to wait for the right time until I lost weight to begin my journey. But I took the leap of faith, jumped out there and realize this is exactly what I needed, not only am I learning so many valuable lessons I’m enjoying every minute of it as I learn and grow as a family man and as a professional, because many of these lessons can be applied towards every day life. Thank you to Todd and the amazing environment that you’ve created, this place is going to continue to flourish and I look forward to being a part of it and growing in my jujitsu journey. I cannot recommend this place enough I’m not only in the best shape of my life three months after beginning this journey but I continue to pursue, my development to climb up the rankings. Just know when class is over. You’ll continue to look forward to the next class. It’s simply that fun!
Absolutely amazing!!! I walked in for my first class and immediately felt at home. It is a professional and clean environment with people that genuinely care. I was not only blown away by the instructors but fellow students. I will be recommending Evolve Checkmate to everyone! I can’t wait to join their family.