Martial Arts Schools near Maryland Heights

“Once upon a time I was devoted to kick boxing thinking with it I was equipped to defend myself against a bodily attack. After stepping into the world of Kenpo however I quickly discovered that in a real attack I was not likely to be wearing boxing gloves. I’ve never looked back and returned to kick boxing ever since. I’m a Kenpo student for life under the amazing instruction of Grand Master Bill Boyd.“

“If you’re looking for a place that is SAFE and also CARES about the PARENTS THIS IS IT!

My 4 year old son is on his third class now and as expected he loves it and I LOVE IT EVEN MORE.
I love how his behavior and listening skills is better with THIS than soccer. The fact that the teachers report to me that he’s actually not how I DESCRIBED his behavior to be almost brought tears to my eyes! Some athletic programs push misbehaved kids aside onto their parents, but THEY DON’T!

They make it their business for ME to NOT feel the need to step in because they care about us parents getting a break AND they can be TRUSTED to redirect children’s behavior! They make it an OPTION for this time to be “ME TIME”, so if I decide NOT to stay for class I don’t have to. Most importantly I’m grateful that I have PEACE knowing my son is SAFE when I am absent!“

“I've been training here for a bit over a year and highly recommend this gym to anyone. Instructors are always super nice and patient when explaining things.“

“I can’t speak highly enough about White Dragon Judo. It’s an outstanding environment for anyone looking to learn, grow, and truly immerse themselves in the art of judo. Even practitioners who are far more advanced than I am consistently demonstrate that this club prioritizes individual development, technical precision, and a supportive training culture.

As a complete beginner with no prior martial arts experience, I’ve never once felt out of place. The senseis and fellow judokas have shown remarkable patience and encouragement, creating an atmosphere where progress feels both attainable and motivating.

If you’re interested in beginning judo, or broadening your martial arts education, I wholeheartedly recommend White Dragon Judo.“

“My 2½-year-old son, Mason, absolutely loves Master Kim and all of the instructors! My son is a clingy little boy and often struggles with doing things independently, but at Master Kim’s, he confidently tells me bye and walks right in. He enjoys every second of it and has been learning so quickly.

Since joining about two months ago, I have seen noticeable progress in his discipline, perseverance, and confidence. Some people may think their methods are “strict,” but their approach truly works. The structure, care, and consistency make such a positive difference.

I love the variety in their teaching. Each class is different and the kids are so excited to be there and learn no matter what they are doing.

I couldn’t recommend this place enough. They already feel like family to us, and I feel honored to have them be a part of my son’s learning journey.“

“Master Cather is great at keeping things organized and at keeping the parents informed. She is really good with the kids. Her staff is very knowledgeable and are very patient with the kids. I would recommend this organization to others.“

“I love this place. They teach Chinese (Parker) Kenpo. All of the instructors are welcoming, supportive, and have great attitudes towards teaching. The group classes are as intense as you want them to be, and there is a great mix of younger and older martial arts students across all ages and skill ranges. I've been to several martial arts schools and studios in my life and this school ties for the number one spot.“

“They are friendly, kindness and the best martial arts in the city. My kids love Mr. Howard and especially the boss lady Kelsey. We love them and I bet you guys will love them too. Highly recommended.“

“I have been a member of XKM for just over two months. I joined because of knowing very little about self defense. The instructors and support are excellent. Longer term students have also been great with assistance. My goal was to learn something about defense and that’s been very productive.“

“Master Hardin and Master Marquart work very well with all of the students. Very strong focus on respect, taekwondo tenants, and self-defense. They’re always striving to improve students. Easy to speak to and will answer any question“

“We just started and my boys absolutely love it here and always look forward to going! The team here are so welcoming. The class for the littles is pretty big but the instructors are so kind and patient with each one of them. One thing I’ve noticed at every class is there are others who steps in and help with the littles when they see them struggling with something and show how proud they are of them when they got it. They sure do make every kid here feel important.“

“Our son has been going here for 3 years. We love the environment and other families! Mr. Baker is an exceptional instructor and makes classes fun. He promotes integrity and perserverance. As kids grow comfortable there is sparring available to them and he is always encouraging the class to go to tournaments to build their confidence. If you are considering Taekwondo this is the place to go! Highly Recommend!“