Best Martial Arts Schools in Birmingham

Birmingham Academy of Martial Arts is a Trussville school that serves Irondale, Argo, Springville, Odenville, Clay, Pinson, Chalkville, Leeds, and other areas. The school offers programs for children three and four years of age, four to six years of age, and seven to 11 years of age. There is a program for teens 13 to 18 years of age and one for adults. Birmingham Academy of Martial Arts also offers a leadership program, Cage Fitness, and birthday parties. Students appreciate the atmosphere and the attentive and knowledgeable instructors.

Gracie Barra Alabama is a Pelham facility that provides classes to children and adults. The facility offers Muay Thai, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, cardio, and PurMotion. There is a future champions program, a fundamentals program, an advanced program, and private training. The instructors have brown and black belts and the head instructor, Kaliffa Oliveira, is Birmingham’s only certified jiu-jitsu and judo black belt. Students remark on the welcoming environment and knowledgeable instructors.

Heroes Martial Arts Academy is a Trussville facility that serves the Clay, Birmingham, and Trussville communities. The facility provides a youth program, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, combat submission wrestling, and a civilian tactical program. Heroes Martial Arts Academy offers group classes as well as private lessons. Coach Chris Mize is the head instructor and he has a black belt in Gracie jiu-jitsu and has been training for over 30 years.

HTA TaeKwonDo is a Hueytown facility that provides instruction to children and adults. There is a pre-school class for children four to six years of age, a beginner class for children seven to 12 years of age, and intermediate and advanced classes. There are also adult classes available for students 13 years of age and up and private lessons. HTA TaeKwonDo also offers specialty classes such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, hapkido, basic ground escape, and action flex swords. Danny and Angela Blake own the facility, and Danny is the chief instructor and is a 5th-degree black belt in taekwondo.

Kanzen Karate Do is a Moody facility that trains all ages and skill levels in Odenville, Trussville, Leeds, Pell City, and Moody. The facility provides classes for five- and six-year-olds, beginners, intermediate, advanced, and competition team. The training is in the traditional Japanese karate styles. The programs are the Little Dragons program, family karate program, home schooling students program, standard program, and after-school program. Kanzen Karate Do is a member of the Traditional Karate Do Federation. Students remark on the dedicated and welcoming instructors.

Kung Fu Birmingham is a facility that offers wing chun kung fu and tai chi chuan. The wing chun kung fu classes cover basic hand movements, basic stance including the centerline, and more advanced skills and partnership exercises. There is a tai chi chuan practice group that meets on Saturday mornings. It is free for the public to join in.

Life Martial Arts Center is an Indian Springs Village facility that provides holistic life skills through training. The facility teaches tang soo do and classes are for children six to nine years of age, 10 to 13 years of age, families, and adults. Life Martial Arts Center teaches tang soo do along with life skills.

LionHeart Academy Martial Arts is a Hoover school that provides classes to children and adults. The Little Lions program teaches kids Brazilian jiu-jitsu and anti-bullying. The adult program provides Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA striking. Chief instructor George Wehby II has more than three decades of experience in martial arts. He is a former marine, former federal air marshal, and a former police officer. George is also a black belt instructor in goju karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Nisei kito jiu-jitsu. Students remark on George’s skill, patience, and knowledge.

Master Scarsella’s Tae Kwon Do is a Birmingham facility that has been providing classes for children, families, and adults for more than 15 years. Master Scarsella is a 4th-degree Kukkiwon Certified Master Instructor and has been teaching taekwondo for over 15 years and has taught more than 10,000 students. Master Scarsella’s Tae Kwon Do offers a free trial program. Parents appreciate the friendly environment and Master Scarsella’s skill and way with children.

USA Martial Arts is a Hoover facility that has been serving students for over 33 years. The facility offers classes in taekwondo, karate, judo, aikido, and iaido, and offers a complimentary class. Guests are welcome to observe a class. There is a Little Dragons program for four- to six-year-olds, junior karate and taekwondo for seven- to 12-year-olds, junior aikido and judo for seven- to 12-year-olds, karate and taekwondo for teens and adults, and aikido for teens and adults. USA Martial Arts also provides private individual lessons and private group lessons.

World Oyama Karate is a Homewood facility that has been offering training to adults and children for over 40 years. The facility offers classes at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels and also provides self-defense classes and private lessons for adults. The classes for kids have a small teacher to student ratio to ensure the children get enough attention. World Oyama Karate offers a free trial class. Students appreciate the knowledgeable and dedicated instructors.