Times have changed and it has become mandatory to be equipped with self defense skills to feel confident and safe. Martial arts classes do not only give you those survival skills but also peace of mind, spiritual growth, and a better focus on various areas of your life. Here are the best five martial arts classes in Washington, DC.
BETA Academy
Address: 1353 Florida Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 538-0422
Website: http://www.betaacademy.com/
Hours: 6 am to 10 pm (Monday – Thursday), 7:30 am to 8 pm (Friday), 9 am to 1 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Opened in 2009 by life-long martial arts practitioner Nakapan Phungephorn, the Academy for Body Efficient Tactical Arts (BETA Academy) has been helping their members find physical, mental and spiritual strength through practicing the martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.
BETA’s world-class instructors offer more than 80 classes per week that cater to all skill levels from the absolute beginner to the advanced practitioner. They also provide classes for Mixed Martial Arts, kids kickboxing & grappling (ages five to 13), and wrestling. If you have a little one interested in martial arts, you may consider enrolling them in the children’s after-school program or summer camp for kids at BETA.
Urban Boxing DC
Address: 1116 24th Street, NW Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 621-8131
Website: https://urbanboxingdc.com/
Hours: 7 am to 9 pm (Monday and Wednesday), 6 am to 9 pm (Tuesday and Thursday), 10 am to 9 pm (Friday), 10 am to 3 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Urban Boxing DC has been serving martial arts enthusiasts in the DMV area since 2015. Once you sign up for gym membership, you get free and unlimited access to their boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes, as well as yoga, abs class, and strength & conditioning programs. Classes are led by certified trainers that include professional and amateur boxers, MMA and Muay Thai fighters, who provide both personal and group training.
More than 60 group fitness classes are offered per week. In addition, you can organize private events such as birthday or bachelor/bachelorette parties at Urban Boxing DC with a private space dedicated to your guests. The company also provides management services for professional and amateur fighters.
N-Flux
Address: 1722 I St NW Washington, DC (On the lower level across from 202 Strong)
Phone: (202) 340-7790
Website: https://www.staynflux.com/
Hours: 6:30 am to 8:30 pm (Monday – Thursday), 6:30 am to 6 pm (Friday), 8 am to 12 pm (Saturday), 10:30 am to 3 pm (Sunday)
One of the top martial arts schools in the District, N-Flux, offers a variety of self-defense classes, including Krav Maga, No-Gi Jiu Jitsu, Urban Ninja training, boxing & kickboxing, firearmed & CCW training, wrestling, judo, and Guerrera (one of the best women’s self defense programs in DC).
Their open gym, which is available for the use of members during open hours, features treadmills, air bikes, racks, barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, maces, SkiErgs, RowErgs, and more. At N-Flux, clients are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as N-Flux staff — unless they have a medical exemption.
DC Aikido Family Martial Arts Academy
Address: 2639 Connecticut Avenue, NW, C – 104, Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 629-2560
Website: https://www.dcaikido.com/website
Hours: 9 am to 8 pm (Monday – Friday), 9:30 am to 1:30 pm (Saturday), 11 am to 12:30 pm (Sunday)
With its programs for both kids (of all ages) and adults, DC Aikido is the perfect place for learning or practicing aikido as a family. Their adult programs are designed to strengthen the mind, body, and spirit, while teaching self-defense skills and improving your reflexes and concentration through the training of Aikido, which is a Japanese internal energy-based martial art.
Kids programs consist of fitness, fun, and exciting martial arts exercises that kids enjoy. Led by black belt instructors, the classes also help your child develop leadership and self-defense skills, in addition to providing them with a great workout that stimulates muscle growth and promotes flexibility.
Capoeira Barro Vermelho
Address: 3001 Sherman Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 838-3907
Website: https://www.capoeirafitnessdc.com/
Hours: 4:30 pm to 9 pm (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday), 3 pm to 9 pm (Wednesday), 9 am to 1:30 pm (Saturday), closed on Fridays and Sundays
Capoeira Barro Vermelho offers the Brazilian martial art capoeira, which includes elements of dance, music and acrobatics, and is performed to traditional Brazilian songs. The business offers classes both outside and inside with COVID-19 measures like social distancing and face masks.
Classes are taught by Mestre Bomba, who is originally from Bahia, Brazil and has practiced capoeira since 1980. No experience is necessary to enroll in the classes.