Best Martial Arts Schools in Jacksonville

Arnett Sport Kung Fu Academy is a martial arts school in Jacksonville offering classes in sport kung fu, self-defense, and traditional Wing Chun. The academy is directed by Master Anthony Arnett, a 9th Generation Disciple of Grandmaster William Cheung. Master Arnett has competed in full contact and non-contact tournaments since 1974. He has won over 4,000 trophies and holds several division championships, including the 2004 Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame Martial Artist of the Year for Kung Fu. Anthony Arnett offers special events, workshops, and private lessons to martial artists of all styles anywhere in the world.

Karate America is headquartered in Jacksonville and offers martial arts training for students of all ages and levels at schools located throughout Florida. Classes for adults include karate, kickboxing, krav maga, and kali with weapons training. Classes for children focus on the traditional practice of Taekwondo with an after-school program for elementary school ages including daily transportation from school. The president and founder of Karate America, Chief Master Clark, holds a Ninth Degree Black Belt. Karate America is a member of the American Taekwondo Association.

Knuckle Up Martial Arts, Inc. has a free 10-day trial for new students to experience the training of skilled instructors in kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and self-defense for children. The academy in Jacksonville is a Jean Jacques Machado certified school promoting the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a larger assailant by using leverage and proper techniques. Knuckle Up Martial Arts also offer a no-contract payment option for classes.

Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy holds martial arts classes for kids and adults from its Ponte Vedra academy near Jacksonville. Self-defense and kickboxing lessons are available for students 13 years and older, while kids as young as four years old can enroll in Tang Soo Do programs, which introduce the basics of martial arts to children. Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy also offers programs that combine virtual learning with in-person training for clients who want to learn from home.

Smiley Academy Martial Arts & Fitness offers classes to children as young as three years old and adults of all ages and levels for fitness, self-defense, and competition in Orange Park. The Kid’s Programs include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, mixed martial arts, and karate while stressing the importance of life skills including self-discipline, self-confidence, attitude, focus, integrity, and more. Adult classes are available in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness, and more.

Watson Martial Arts offer a variety of training programs for students of all ages and levels of experience in Jacksonville. Classes for children welcome students as young as four years of age and offer a two-week trial membership with a free uniform. Adult fitness classes use a mix of high-intensity interval training and bag work in the FightFIT fitness program. Other adult classes focus on martial arts for self-defense or competition.

Wing Chun Fight Club is a martial arts training program in Neptune offering training in the counter-fighting martial arts style of Wing Chun used for self-defense. Group and private lessons are available in traditional Wing Chun and Wing Chun weaponry, empty hand, anti-grappling, single and double stick, single and double knife, and old school boxing. Classes are held in different venues on a variety of surfaces for a more realistic training style to prepare students for real life and death situations. Wing Chun Fight Club offers new students a free introductory lesson. Students reported “takes the friend and family aspect of training to heart,” “very comprehensive understanding of the science and the art of Wing Chun,” and “a patient teacher with a deep knowledge.”

Women’s Defense Company provides self-defense training skills designed specifically for women and children at their Jacksonville facility or on location at any business, school, or private venue. The company offers group classes and private lessons taught by highly trained and compassionate instructors. Their signature class is the Abduction & Rape Response Tactics course teaching women effective defensive tactics in response to an attempted assault, rape, or abduction. More advanced classes teach enhanced ground defense, dealing with multiple attackers, and defense against weapons. Other courses include an Active Shooter Seminar, Real Estate Professional Safety Training, and other corporate seminars on self-defense in the workplace.