Zarko Academy

Brooklyn, United States

4.1

12 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 347-983-0734
Website:
www.zarkoacademy.com
Address:
5805 Ave N, Brooklyn, NY, 11234
Mill Basin
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
590 ftB41
1.8 miFlatbush Avenue-Brooklyn College (2,5)
2 miBrooklyn College
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Brooklyn) 6:04 PM Friday, May 30, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Our unique and proven to be the best there is system, links the world’s most effective martial arts styles. It links critical elements of self-​defense training, striking, wrestling, grappling, and weapons, which together with the energy of the mind, body, and spirit leads to overall personal development and well being. Everything has been tested through battle in various rings. It’s the real deal! Learn the best techniques from Kyokushin-​kai Karate, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Judo, JuJitsu, Krav Maga, free style wrestling and many other styles.

History

Established in 1990.

Over the years, Zarko Academy has contributed to the community they have been a part of for so many years. Some of those contributions have been financial and others have been improving the community lifestyle. We have given free self-​defense classes to woman and children as well taught safety in schools and community centers. We have a great reputation and success with the surrounding communities.

Zarko Academy continues to be the original martial arts school of Mill Basin, Bergen beach, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Fillmore, and Marine Park areas. Though other martial arts schools have opened their doors to the public we have continued to be the one true constant martial arts school within these communities in Brooklyn. We welcome any and all students ranging in all ages as well as special children with difficulties.

Meet the Business Owner

Raanan Z.

Business Owner

Zarko Academy was founded 20 years ago by Shihan Raanan Zarko. After many years of training with the best masters around the world Shihan Raanan has brought his own exclusive method to America. He has combined countless systems into one undeniably unique, effective and result producing system. Many other Martial Arts schools over the years have tried to emulate Shihan Raanan’s system by trying to implement some of his ideas to make their own schools and systems more successful and effective in the fighting world. Zarko Academy has been the cornerstone and foundation for other schools by students who have trained under Shihan Raanan. These students have grown to be great champions due to Shihan Raanan. They now own their own martial art schools which are a complete replica and copy of Shihan Raanan’s fighting system and Academy. However, Zarko Academy led by Shihan Raanan remains the best in its field second to none.

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12 reviews of Zarko Academy

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Zarko academy is the #1 place to go. My son loves shihan, the class, and the kids who attend. He is an amazing teacher. Zarko academy is more like a family. Your children will learn confidence, respect, and how to defend themselves. I would recommend all parents to enroll their child (ren) here you will be extremely satisfied
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Speaking as a 19 year old looking to get in shape while also learning self-​defense, I found the right place for me. Classes are challenging and intense and the small classes force you to really focus on what you’re doing. I’m seeing results both physically and mentally so quickly and I’m so surprised at my abilities. Thinking about exercising used to put me in such a low mental state but now I look forward to 8pm every day. Highly recommended class for anyone from beginner to advanced!
Place rating: 2
Brooklyn, NY
Bought a living social deal to take kick boxing classes here. After getting a schedule online and riding my bike ten miles to the studio, I found out the hard way that the studio was not open. Got my money back from the deal, but disappointed to miss out on taking classes.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Love! Love! Love!
I am a mother of 4 and I’ve been working out at Zarko Academy for the past 6 years and I enjoy every workout. Classes are always different and never repeated, he plays the best music and he has 3 women’s classes a day (Morning, Afternoon and Evening)…so i never have a reason to miss a workout.
All of the teachers are great, motivating and full of energy. Your always encouraged to workout at your own pace, if needed .This is a Kick-​Ass workout that will leave you drenched in sweat.
I would highly recommend Zarko Academy :)
Place rating: 5
Financial District, Manhattan, NY
My son has been attending Zarko Academy for a little over a year. I enrolled him, because he was shy and I was worried that he would be a prime target for bullies. My fears went away, when I went to Zarko on a Friday and met Sempie Devon. He is patient, but firm with the kids. He takes the time to ensure that the kids are using proper form, even if this means he has to become a practice dummy and be on the receiving end of kicks and hits by the students. He gives real life examples of why martial arts are important and how it has changed him for the better. He always has the time to talk with any student who may be misbehaving at home or school. I have already seen the difference in my son; he is more confident, physically stronger and not as shy. Sempie Devon is by far Zarko’s best teaching asset.
Place rating: 5
Mill Basin, Brooklyn, NY
If your looking for a great workout then Zarko academy is the place for you! I’ve not only been a client but also a friend to raanan (the owner/​instructor for the past 12 years. Let me start by saying he is a knowledgable, true professional when it comes to martial arts. He has brought his training and practice to the next level in his women’s kickboxing classes. The classes are small so it’s more like personal training. Raanan works with every student to modify instruction where needed but also to make it challenging. He has helped me to not only reach my fitness goals, but exceed them. You will learn proper form, endurance, strength, and self defense training through his classes. Each class is different so it never gets boring but the one thing that never changes is that you’ll always leave Zarko drenched in sweat! I have seen some wonderful results training at Zarko. I’ve noticed toned muscle groups I didn’t even know existed, my flexibility and stamina dramatically increased, weight loss, and a stronger mind due to the challenges I’ve faced and conquered through training with Ranaan. Zarko academy is well worth the money if you are serious about exercise and want to see some great results. Undortunately I moved so I can no longer go to Zarko but I have tried multiple kickboxing places in the area I live in now and none have even come close to being as challenging, fun, and exhausting as Zarko academy’s women’s kickboxing class. Give it a shot you won’t regret it!
Place rating: 4
Jamaica, NY
I’m a born athlete. I’ve been playing sports literally all my life, with basketball as my main sport. I’ve played basketball on a collegiate level (Division II). Sports and fitness is a part of me and part of who I am. I graduated college 10 years ago and of course it was time to join the real world and the work force. We all know how easy it is to get caught up in work, tend to neglect yourself and forget what it is that literally keeps you energized and physically productive in everything that you do. Well a year ago I reached that wall. I needed to get moving again, being physically active again, wanted to feel alive again… but this time it was time for something new and different. Now c’mon. I’ve done the basketball thing all my life so I know that routine. I don’t want to do that again. I needed a spark, something I haven’t tried before but most important something that will challenge me. Something that will force me to a plane of training that I sort of havent experienced or done before. My best friend referred me to Zarko Academy. She had literally nothing but great things to say about Zarko Academy. Now she is not an athlete but she was CERTAIN that I would love Zarko Academy. She told me that she thinks it’s just what I’m looking for… and she was right! The women’s kickboxing class is terrific. It was just what I was looking for. Shihan Raanan is knowledgable, committed, professional, and friendly. What I love most about it is that the classes are small so you actually get a 1on1 personal training feel. The class most certainly challenges me. It’s truly a FULL body and mind work out! I walk out of EVERY class literally drenched in sweat! I’m working on muscle groups that hasn’t been tapped into in YEARS. It’s truly refreshing and rewarding. Shihan Ranaan care about his students and members. He wants to get the best out of you by YOU pushing YOURSELF to new heights. One has to appreciate that. I’m very pleased and glad that I found Zarko:))
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
My 4 year old son loves Zarko Academy and Shihan Ranaan. Since taking the classes, he has become more respectful, confident, and a better listener. He has also become more physically fit and enthusiastic about physical activities. Shihaan Ranaan is a very good teacher, strict but patient and encouraging. He wants every child to succeed and to develop respect for themselves and others.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I’ve been working out regularly for over 20 years, and I’ve never had a better workout than I do at Zarko Academy. The women’s cardio kickboxing is extremely challenging, but the instructors work with each student to modify based on their level of fitness and experience. The facility and classes are small, so it feels very personalized. Even though I had two children and gained 60+ pounds with each of them, I am once again wearing the same dress size as I did in high school! I couldn’t have done that without the motivation I received from trainer and owner Ranaan Zarko. I highly recommend these classes.
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
I’ve been going to Zarko Academy for 4 years now. Previously, I tried the gym and working out from home, in which I was always unsuccessful. Training with Ranaan has put me in the best shape of my life. He is motivating and inspiring, definitely we’ll worth the money. Classes are small which allows for a personal training feel. I highly recommend Zarko Academy for your mind, body and health!
Place rating: 1
Brooklyn, NY
If you find yourself enjoying working out at Zarko Academy, enjoy the class, enjoy the people who are working out with you, but do not get close to Raanan, especially if you are a woman. Speaking out 3 years too late, but I was young and was a teenager with emotions. As an adult now and learning from the situation, I tell you that even though I enjoyed the work outs there immensely, you won’t really benefit from being taught by Raanan. Tell me, whats the point of doing push-​ups on your wrists? There are other much better instructors that will not only teach you correctly, but will definitely be more respectful to you.
Place rating: 2
Brooklyn, NY
Recently when my friend and I were looking for a womens cardio-​kickboxing class, one of the places we looked at was Zarko Academy. We were fortunate to meet Master Instructor Shihan Raanan Zarko and to observe a class in progress. Zarko’s qualifications are truly impressive. He became a martial arts expert in the Israel Defense Forces, serving in Lebanon, and his father was Israel’s first Navy Seal. Hearing all this in the context of his small, dark, hot Brooklyn storefront dojo, however, left me feeling less than enthralled. It actually felt like self-​aggrandizing overkill. The class did have a military feel with Zarko as the drill sargeant, and the women, who were all young, fit and focused, did fine with it. It’s very serious training for very serious people. All I was looking for was a class that would be challenging but also lighthearted and fun. When we said we thought the prices were a bit steep compared to other local women’s kickboxing classes, Zarko said that we won’t find anyone better, and that you get what you pay for if you go anywhere else. Either Zarko didn’t understand the audience he was selling to, or he really didn’t want the likes of us to join at all.