Best Martial Arts Schools in Hartford

As Connecticut’s first parkour gym, AMParkour has provided professional training and guidance in parkour and free running since 2009. Located in New Britain, CT, the 13,000 square feet facility offers three different training spaces and a range of self-improvement programs in addition to parkour, including a variety of martial arts, yoga, breakdancing, and educational tutoring in math, science, and English. For students interested in martial arts, AMParkour specializes in Jeet Kon Do, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, taijutsu, tricking, and kickboxing, and designs programs specifically for teenagers and women-only classes. AMParkour lists all rates and courses via their website and offers a free introductory class to prospective students.

Founded in 1991, Connecticut Kenpo Karate endeavors to provide fitness, instill confidence and develop self-awareness in their students. Based in Newington, CT, chief instructor Wayne Tanguay holds a 6th-degree black belt in kenpo and a 5th-degree black belt in Modern Arnis, and has nearly two decades of experience teaching with the school. He works alongside a team of instructors to provide group classes for all age groups and abilities, as well as one-on-one private sessions. In addition to specializing in kenpo karate, the team offers a Modern Arnis program that utilizes lessons in Filipino stick fighting, small circle jiu-jitsu, and grappling. For interested students, Connecticut Kenpo Karate provides a coupon via their website for three free weeks of karate lessons.

For over twenty years, Cromwell Martial Arts has emphasized developing their students into a positive force in the community through discipline and a code of conduct. Founder Frank Shekosky holds a 7th-degree black belt in kenpo karate and a 6th-degree black belt in Okinawan weapons and was formerly a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He leads an extensive staff of instructors that work with children and adults in a variety of martial art traditions. They specialize in Modern Arnis, kenpo karate, and general self-defense, along with training students in Okinawan martial arts weaponry. In addition to private lessons and group classes, Cromwell Martial Arts also holds birthday parties and demonstrations, offers gift certificates, and provides a discount for families joining.

Olympic Taekwondo Academy Rocky Hill is an all-inclusive martial arts school that endeavors to train their students to become valuable and contributing members of their local community. Tae W. Lee, the owner and lead instructor, established the studio in 2010 after serving nine years in the United States Army. While serving in the military, he created a taekwondo program for the 2nd Infantry Division that taught over 25,000 soldiers and brings that experience to his studio in Rocky Hill, CT. Specializing in taekwondo, he instructs students to develop emotionally and mentally while using the physical tools taught in class. Clients remark how the school emphasizes kindness and respect for others as a tenet of their instruction, and also note the development of confidence seen in their children. Free consultations are available in person or over the phone, and Tae Lee offers a free trial at his studio for students to learn more.

Plus One Defense Systems provides a diverse range of martial arts courses and programs to their students in West Hartford, CT. Founded in 2002, owner and lead instructor Darin Reisler is a former police officer and licensed social worker that believes in encouraging a peaceful approach to learning self-defense techniques. In a state-of-the-art facility with two stories, Darin and his team specialize in many martial arts techniques, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, krav maga, kung fu, and aikido, in addition to karate, taekwondo, judo, and capoeira. They tailor each class to the abilities of their student, and clients can mix and match their lessons weekly to serve their interests. Plus One Defense Systems invites students to tour the facility and take a free introductory class to learn more.

Established in 1991 in Canton, CT, Sawyer’s Martial Arts seeks to instill a focused mindset in their students while also creating an active environment that increases flexibility and muscle tone. Using traditional Tang Soo Do forms and self-defense techniques, their group of black belt instructors works with both adults and children of all age groups and experience levels. Lead instructor and owner Mark Sawyer is a 6th-degree black belt in the specialty and holds over thirty years of experience practicing and teaching the style, and his team of instructors have over fifty years of combined experience they bring with them to every class. A member of the Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation, Sawyer’s Martial Arts does not require a long-term commitment and provides a free trial to interested clients.

Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness emphasizes the importance of maintaining a welcoming environment for all students at their school in East Hartford, CT, and strive to keep lines of communication open between instructors, students, and families. Owners and instructors Ed and Lynda Thornton bring decades of experience with them to every class and program they teach. Ed is a 2nd-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, which he earned under a grandmaster. Lynda holds a 4th-degree master belt in the same tradition and has over twenty years of experience teaching. In addition to Tang Soo Do instruction, the Thorntons and their team offer lessons in Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, and weaponry. As an incentive to prospective clients, they offer an introductory deal to all new students providing a complimentary month of classes after signing up for a month of lessons.

Located in Southington, CT, Tony Penna’s Extreme Karate endeavors to create a community environment among their students while preserving the traditions of the martial art methods they continue at their studio. The owner and chief instructor Tony Penna has nearly forty years of experience as a practitioner of Shorinryu Karatedo and has taught the art for over twenty-five years. He and his associate teachers instruct children, teens, and adults in classes, small groups, and through private lessons, and specialize in traditional Okinawan Shorinryu Karatedo, jiu-jitsu, Okinawan Kobudo, and ground grappling. Tony Penna’s Extreme Karate offers free trial classes for prospective students and does not require a long-term contract to join.

Centrally located in Manchester, CT, United Korean Martial Arts endeavors to provide a stress-free environment that emphasizes students relax and be themselves. Founded in 2009, owner and principal instructor RJ Botticello holds a 7th-degree black belt in taekwondo and a 4th-degree black belt in hapkido. He takes pride in teaching the authentic roots of taekwondo and hapkido, and his relentless belief in the techniques led the World Taekwondo Federation to present him an award for his dedication. Working with adults and children alike, the staff of instructors specializes in hapkido, taekwondo, kenpo, and aikido, in addition to offering classes for yoga, tai chi, and mixed martial arts. They list rates and fees for all courses via their website and provide a family rate discount for new clients.