Find a martial arts school near you
34126 martial arts schools across the United States — Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, taekwondo, muay thai, kickboxing and mixed martial arts, with addresses and phone numbers. The right school is the one you can actually get to twice a week.
Browse by state
- Alabama338
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- Delaware97
- Florida2565
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- Hawaii203
- Idaho195
- Illinois1266
- Indiana531
- Iowa245
- Kansas265
- Kentucky321
- Louisiana382
- Maine142
- Maryland630
- Massachusetts933
- Michigan802
- Minnesota456
- Mississippi193
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- Nevada345
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- New York2149
- North Carolina1060
- North Dakota57
- Ohio938
- Oklahoma386
- Oregon440
- Pennsylvania1301
- Rhode Island168
- South Carolina458
- South Dakota54
- Tennessee619
- Texas3040
- Utah345
- Vermont80
- Virginia950
- Washington790
- Washington DC33
- West Virginia133
- Wisconsin544
- Wyoming53
Popular cities
- New York, NY390
- Los Angeles, CA255
- Houston, TX249
- Chicago, IL234
- San Diego, CA204
- Miami, FL193
- San Antonio, TX178
- Las Vegas, NV176
- Austin, TX168
- Brooklyn, NY137
- Phoenix, AZ136
- San Francisco, CA120
- Orlando, FL119
- San Jose, CA110
- Seattle, WA107
- Colorado Springs, CO104
- Philadelphia, PA104
- Tampa, FL102
- Tucson, AZ99
- Jacksonville, FL98
- Albuquerque, NM97
- Dallas, TX97
- Portland, OR96
- Indianapolis, IN82
Picking a style: Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling are grappling — close range, no striking, hardest on the body's joints but safest for the head. Muay thai, boxing and kickboxing are striking, with sparring that involves head contact. Karate and taekwondo are traditional arts with belt curriculums, forms and structured discipline, which is why most parents start kids there. Mixed martial arts blends all of it. Trial classes are free at most schools — take three before you commit to a contract.
Common questions
- How much do martial arts classes cost?
- Most schools run $100–200 per month for unlimited classes, with big-city academies and premium facilities reaching $250 or more. Kids programs often cost slightly less, and family rates are common. Watch for extras that are not in the advertised rate: uniforms ($50–150), belt testing fees ($40–100 per rank), and competition team dues. Ask whether the agreement is month-to-month or a 12-month contract before you sign.
- What martial art is best for kids?
- Karate and taekwondo are the most common starting points: belt curriculums give visible progress, classes are structured, and striking is controlled. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the other strong choice — it is grappling only, so there is no head contact, and it teaches kids to handle being physically controlled, which is what most schoolyard trouble actually looks like. The instructor matters more than the style: watch a kids class before enrolling.
- Do martial arts schools offer free trial classes?
- Most do — a free first class or a trial week is the standard way schools introduce themselves, and reputable ones will not pressure you to sign the same day. Go in the time slot you would actually train, not a demo hour, and watch how the instructor handles beginners. Our listings mark schools that advertise a free trial.
- What is the difference between BJJ, karate and muay thai?
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu is ground grappling — control, positions and submissions, no striking. Karate is a traditional striking art with forms, belt ranks and a strong emphasis on discipline and technique. Muay thai is stand-up fighting with punches, kicks, knees and elbows, trained hard on pads and in sparring. They train different bodies and different mindsets: BJJ is chess on the floor, muay thai is conditioning and impact, karate is structure and repetition.