Best Martial Arts Gyms In Minneapolis Near Me

4worldlovers: Family owned by Chris and Jen Cichon, The Cellar Gym offers a variety of martial arts classes for adults and youth. Our adult programs include Fitness Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Youth classes include Kids BJJ and Kids Muay Thai broken into three age groups: Pre-school martial arts for 4-5 years old, Kids martial arts for 6-9 years old, and Teen martial arts for 10-15 years old.

4worldlovers: “Since Mr. Arnebeck incorporates complete mixed martial arts and jiu jitsu, I was able to learn them both at the same time. I took my first professional fight after 2 years of training at the Cove.”

“I have evolved into a better athlete, fighter, and a more humble, balanced individual. These progressions have been instrumental in my personal & professional development. In its totality, I consider BJJ training for life, not merely battle.”

“I’ve encountered dozens of styles and systems of defense. Their system of martial arts cross training is by far the most enlightened I’ve come across in my 11 years of law enforcement.”

We have received hundreds of “Five Star” reviews from our members!

For over 30 years the Warrior’s Cove has provided the highest quality instruction for men, women, and children in a variety of self-defense, fitness and competition level programs. We maintain a friendly & safe training atmosphere, with clean & modern training facilities, in the Minneapolis & Saint Paul area. Our martial art schools in Minnesota are located in Saint Louis Park (serving West Minneapolis area), Burnsville (South Minneapolis) and Little Canada (Saint Paul).

Our classes are designed for everyone! Our new members range from the total beginner, to professional fighters and high ranking martial art instructors. Everyone starts at a level appropriate for their existing skills, and advances at their own pace. No matter what your skill level or fitness level, our instructors will make your transition into class easy and enjoyable! Click Here if you want to read over 150 Reviews from Warrior’s Cove Members!

If you are in the process of selecting a martial arts school, we encourage you to carefully compare, and find the best school for you. We suggest that you read the “Our Advantages” section to learn about the many important advantages our schools & classes provide to you.

You are welcome to take one FREE class in each program we offer, to see which one is best for you. Details of each program is listed under the “Classes” menu. Below is a short summary of our main classes.

We offer a revolutionary system of training for our MMA Classes that you won’t find anywhere else! It has been refined by over 40 years of testing and training!! Our MMA program seamlessly incorporates Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing and combat-proven techniques from other styles, so you can learn everything you need to know about real fighting and self-defense in one class!

We offer the highest quality Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training under the legendary Rickson Gracie!

We offer Free Level 1 Women’s Self Defense Seminars! We also have Free Ongoing Seminars in Women’s Self Defense for developing effective self defense skills far beyond what can be achieved in any one-time self defense seminar!

Our Family Martial Arts Classes For Kids & Parents develop discipline, fitness and self defense skills for children, and they offer a convenient training time for parents!

Tired of boring gym workouts or videos? Experience the “burn” of our 800+ calorie per hour Kickboxing Workouts that are both fun and safe! Learn how to kick, punch and move while getting in shape! This is not a sparring class so no one will be kicking or punching at you.

4worldlovers: Request more information today to find out how you or your child can start training!

A month ago I walked into WJJA with my eight-year old daughter with a plan of introducing her to some sort of physical activity, as a long winter quickly approaches here in Minneapolis. I thought martial arts would be a great way for her to stay active… it was a soft sell. Just checking the place (WJJA) out, completely unannounced. Well, needless to say, what a difference a month makes. I (not my daughter) joined and if only I joined many moons ago. What a great time! Prof. Anderson and his team have really created a welcoming environment that adds up to the best workout and fellowship that money can buy. I’m 45, with zero martial arts or wrestling experience and never watched MMA. I truly can’t wait to get to class work up a great sweat, compete and learn. Hat’s off Prof. Anderson.

This is THE place to get your kids into. Professor Jeremy is OUTSTANDING with the kiddos, teaching them focus and discipline as well as life skills. My husband and I are so grateful for Professor Jeremy and all he has taught to our kiddos and will continue to do so in the future.

I’m a 40+ year old, 9-5, family guy that’s been training at WJJA 3 – 4x / week for the last 7 months. On any given day a guy like me trains with young national champion wrestlers, a world combat submission grappling champion and many larger, stronger talented guys and I have never had any fear for my safety. That is not the case in all gyms and it comes straight from Professor Anderson and filters down to everyone else in the room. He has built in our gym a strong sense of community and a real team that trains together and looks to improve each other every day through safe but intense training.

Professor Anderson has not just the qualification to teach but also the ability to transfer that knowledge in easily grasped blocks that he links together in a movement chain.

The consistent training has allowed me to see significant improvements in my flexibility, strength and overall durability. I haven’t felt this good since I was just out of college!

Started a month and a half ago, and turned out it was the best choice. Not only you work out, but learn self defense techniques while having fun. The environment at WJJ is more than friendly. Team members help each other out and Professor explains in detail the techniques. It is an excellent place to grow mentally, socially, and physically. Would recommend in a heartbeat!

Can’t say enough good things about this place. I was fortunate enough to train here for two weeks while in town for work. The environment was friendly, welcoming, and safe, without a hint of ego. Their programs for both kids and adults are fantastic, and the instructors are equal parts passionate and knowledgeable. If you’re in the area and have been considering trying jiu-jitsu, wait no longer - you won’t regret going to World Jiu-Jitsu Academy!

Professor Jeremy and his staff are great with kids. Very encouraging and good at building confidence. And based in the number of adults who appear for the next class, I'd guess he's good with them also. We drive 20+ miles round trip for each class, and WJJ is well worth it. Try it.

I was a bit nervous before I entered the academy for the first time. I had no prior martial arts experience and had no idea how I would fare. Professor Anderson and the students made me feel very welcome from the start. Learning Jiu Jitsu (something completely out of my wheelhouse) has been a humbling and incredibly rewarding experience so far. Each time I go, it is one hour that completely frees my mind of any issues that might be swirling around in my noggin. It's my form of meditation. And I just received my first stripe on my white belt and cannot wait to continue my journey!

4worldlovers: Unified Martial Arts Academy offers the highest quality training for kids and adults in Karate, Ju-jitsu, weapon arts, and fitness kickboxing. The focus is not on competitions or trophies, but simply applying the discipline and health benefits of training into one’s everyday life. Training strengthens both mind and body, improving mindfulness and physical fitness, calmness, patience,

4worldlovers: Enrique Muniz was born in Mexico City, Mexico . A byproduct of a broken home, he sought out martial arts as a way of coping with a negative family environment and as a way to change his life. He started martial arts at age 15 in the Polynesian Martial Arts. From there he moved on to train at the IMB Academy Mexico City under Guro Jerry Arrechea where he learned Filipino stick/knife fighting, Muay Thai and Jiu jitsu/grappling. There he fell in love with Jiu-Jitsu, which has been his passion and lifestyle ever since.

He has trained at renowned academies such as Alliance, CheckMat, Marcelo Garcia Academy, Gracie Barra, under many Jiu jitsu greats and World Champions.

Enrique is a black belt and trains under Professor Adrian Ricci of Team Sukata. He has also competed at a high level, having won several national and state tournaments.

A native of Honolulu, Nik began his BJJ journey in 2009 while attending college at the University of Hawaii in Manoa, and received his brown belt in 2019 from Edmund Li ( Sapateiro Bjj), a Nova Uniao black belt. In 2017, Nik moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota, and started training at Southside BJJ. It was here that he discovered his passion for teaching as a way to not only empower others but also as a way to give back to an artform that has taught him so much throughout life. Nik recently graduated with his Masters in Security Technologies in 2018 and now works full time for a local security consulting agency here in the Twin Cities. Nik brings with him years of life experience and BJJ techniques, and can relate to students from the university looking to train as well as longtime learners of BJJ looking to get back into the sport.

4worldlovers:

This program offers children a strong foundation in essential character qualities such as courtesy, respect, and discipline.


Karate for kids classes: positive mental attitude, high goal setting and confidence!


Adult programs focus on high-intensity fitness and real self-defense that applies in today's world.


Jeff Sidner began his martial arts training in 1989. After trying several schools, he found the Maplewood National Karate School in 1992 and immediately knew he’d found his martial arts home. He was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt in 1995 and currently holds the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt.


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Never miss an important event at our Martial Arts School. We update all activities and programs regularly, so students and parents can plan accordingly.

Our cutting-edge mobile app offers convenient access to class schedules, open training times, special events, and other activities taking place at our dojo.

Watch our training videos on our mobile app. These videos help students master their martial arts moves by providing training while away from the dojo.

Watch our training videos right from our mobile app to practice at home.

We offer a variety of martial arts camps ideal for students of all ages and fitness levels. Interactive and engaging, our camps promote fitness, health, and developing self-defense skills.

We hold belt tests at our dojo on a regular basis. Our mobile app contains details of all upcoming test days and time so our students prepare and train for the evaluation.

Since 1973, the National Karate Academy has been dedicated to helping men, women and children discover the benefits of martial arts training.

Physical strength, flexibility and weight control are developed through high repetition natural body exercises.

NK’s black belt professional instructors are highly trained and dedicated to help all students achieve their life goals.