Find a martial arts class in Columbia, SC

Find martial arts classes in Columbia, SC

Find martial arts classes in Columbia, SC

Confirm your location to see the best martial arts classes near you.
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Find martial arts classes in Columbia, SC

Confirm your location to see the best martial arts classes near you.
Zip code

Top 10 martial arts classes in Columbia, SC

Students agree: these Columbia martial arts classes are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Fitness144

Fitness144

5.0(2)
13+ years in business
Serves Columbia, SC & Online
Patrick M. says, "Excellent trainer, i would recommend pmafitness1 to any serious and dedicated regular clients/athletes and others. Thanks" Read more
AGOH Fitness

AGOH Fitness

5+ years in business
Serves Columbia, SC & Online
I'm a boxing and martial arts coach. I specialize in teaching others how to box the right way and in the process get a good workout . I enjoy helping others learn the art of boxing and develop confidence. I can teach anyone the sweet science of Boxing.
Reflex & Reaction Integrated Self Defense

Reflex & Reaction Integrated Self Defense

5.0(1)
1 hire on Lessons.com
11+ years in business
Serves Columbia, SC
Constance T. says, "Awesome place, and cool instructors. You can learn regardless of your experience level. " Read more
Deep Waters Jiu Jitsu

Deep Waters Jiu Jitsu

Serves Columbia, SC
Deep Waters Jiu Jitsu, located in Columbia, South Carolina, offers specialized training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for both kids and adults. They're committed to teaching self-defense, promoting sport, and enhancing overall life quality through their programs. Their approach ensures you can gain confidence, maintain fitness, and learn valuable self-defense skills in a supportive and friendly environment.
Capital Karate

Capital Karate

19+ years in business
Serves Columbia, SC
Capital Karate, founded in 2006, is a premier martial arts school based in Columbia, SC, and serves the surrounding areas. They offer a variety of self-defense training for both kids and adults, including martial arts, Krav Maga, fitness, and life skills. Their head instructor, a 5th-degree black belt holder, enhances the learning experience. Capital Karate also hosts summer camps and birthday parties, promoting discipline, health, and fitness in a fun, safe environment. They prioritize teaching self-protection, physical fitness, healthy eating, respect, and discipline, valuable techniques for success in life.
TNT Martial Arts & Fitness

TNT Martial Arts & Fitness

9+ years in business
Serves Columbia, SC
TNT Martial Arts & Fitness, founded in 2016, is a premier martial arts and fitness facility based in Cayce, South Carolina. Owners Tim and Tamayah Goodwin, each with decades of experience, specialize in teaching a variety of martial arts, including karate, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and MMA. They also offer fitness kickboxing, personal training, and classes for children aged three and up. Known for their commitment to providing quality fitness and self-defense training, they strive to positively impact their community.
Legacy Martial Arts

Legacy Martial Arts

Serves Columbia, SC
Legacy Martial Arts, located in Columbia and Irmo, South Carolina, and their surrounding areas, is a dedicated martial arts center. They are committed to helping both children and adults gain confidence and strength through the learning of martial arts and self-defense. Additionally, they instill important life skills in their learners. Legacy Martial Arts also runs the best summer camps in Columbia and Irmo, providing a fun, safe, and affordable experience for children aged 5-12.
SC Commando Krav Maga

SC Commando Krav Maga

Serves Columbia, SC
SC Commando Krav Maga, located in Columbia, South Carolina and its surrounding areas, is a premier martial arts institution. Embodying the principle that simplicity is genius, they have crafted a unique approach to self-defense training. Their expert team is dedicated to teaching techniques that are simple, effective, and easy to learn. They strive to empower their students with skills that can be used in real-life scenarios, ensuring their safety and confidence.
Palmetto Jujitsu Academy

Palmetto Jujitsu Academy

30+ years in business
Serves Columbia, SC
Founded in 1995, Palmetto Jujitsu Academy and Healing Arts Center is located in Lexington, South Carolina, extending its services to surrounding areas. Specializing in DanZan Ryu Jujitsu and Kodenkan Judo, they provide martial arts training along with the healing arts of Master Henry S. Okazaki. They also offer Okinawan Karate on off nights. Emphasizing tradition, Palmetto Jujitsu Academy ensures to instill the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation style of Kodenkan DanZan Ryu Jujitsu and Judo in their instruction.
Common Sense Self Defense Club

Common Sense Self Defense Club

1 hire on Lessons.com
8+ years in business
Serves Columbia, SC
My service stands out because my curriculum is designed to build a fighter from the ground up. Ensuring they have all the fundamentals necessary to guarantee their survival in the exposure of a life and death encounter that would entail them or their love ones. I believe that my service also stands out due to my passion to teach and my approach to how I teach. The material covered in my curriculum is sensitive to its methodical foundation and is scientifically sound in all reguards to self-defense in the Martial Arts. I enjoy the entire essence of teaching Martial-Arts. It feels as though I'm welcoming someone into my own world. Along with th...

Your Martial Arts Classes questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.com.

What is mixed martial arts (MMA)?

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat spot that incorporates striking, footwork, and grappling techniques from boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai. Many MMA fighters also blend techniques from judo, karate, kung fu, kickboxing, and other martial arts.

Mixed martial arts competitions take place in an octagon-shaped ring, sometimes called a "cage", with fighters competing against others in their weight class. Fighters are free to punch, kick, knee, elbow, slam, and grapple their opponents. However, for safety purposes, biting, eye gouging, head butting, and certain other moves are against the rules.

How much do mixed martial arts classes cost?

Mixed martial arts classes cost $100 to $180+ per month on average, depending on the class age range, number of classes per week, combination of martial arts taught, and the coach's expertise and reputation. MMA gyms are typically more expensive if they have well-known coaches who are UFC champions on staff, with some membership fees reaching $300 per month.

Many MMA gyms offer a 1-day drop-in option for $10 to $20 to give you the chance to attend a class and see if the gym is right for you.

Is mixed martial arts good for self-defense?

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is ideal for self-defense training because you'll learn a combination of skills and techniques to help you escape dangerous confrontations without injury. MMA's "no holds barred" style is often considered the closest to real-life fighting when compared to other martial arts.

However, MMA does not teach you techniques like knife defense or how to disarm an opponent with a weapon. MMA training is also geared toward dealing with only one attacker at a time.

What does mixed martial arts training help with?

Mixed martial arts (MMA) training incorporates strikes—including punches, knees, and elbows—short and long-range kicks, groundwork, and grappling. You'll also practice controlled and supervised sparring. This training provides a wide range of benefits:

  • Build your confidence
  • Improve your discipline
  • Get fit and increase your endurance
  • Improve your strength, balance, and flexibility
  • Reduce stress and improve your concentration

Where can I learn mixed martial arts near me?

Follow these tips to find the best mixed martial arts gym near you:

  • Research the instructors' competition record and reputation.
  • Read gym and instructor reviews on Lessons and Google.
  • Confirm the gym offers classes for your experience level.
  • Visit the gym in person to confirm it is clean and well-maintained and the staff is professional.
  • Take advantage of their free one-day pass to take a class and ensure the gym is a good fit for you.
  • Get a copy of the membership contract in writing before making any payments.

What questions should I ask mixed martial arts gyms?

Before deciding on an MMA gym, be sure to ask these questions:

  • Is the gym beginner friendly?
  • What kind of membership contracts do you offer?
  • Do you offer a free trial class or one-day pass?
  • What is your class schedule?
  • How many students do you have?
  • How many students are in a typical class?
  • What is the instructor's competition record?
  • What kind of uniform or clothing is required?
  • Do your students and instructors compete regularly?
  • How often do you clean your mats?

Reviews for Columbia martial arts classes

Recent success stories from people in the Columbia area.
Carter D.
Coach Mack gives his athletes, a very organized and structured plan to achieve their goals, which consist of gaining weight getting stronger, attaining more flexibility, gaining speed, & gaining power.
Fitness144
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