Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, HSTS Taekwon-Do is an ITF-style martial arts school that also runs classes in Hitchin and Barton-le-Clay. Training is offered for kids, teens and adults, with a Little Dragons class for ages 4 to 7, Cadets for 8 to 12, an adults and 13+ group, and a ladies only class. The club is a member of the UTA, UKITF and BTC, and its calendar includes gradings, competitions, courses and workshops.

Taekwon-Do is a Korean martial art known for its kicking techniques, and classes generally focus on building fitness, confidence and practical self-defence skills. Students usually progress through a coloured belt system towards black belt.

Classes for all ages

Ladies only class

ITF Taekwon-Do

Three local venues

Gradings and competitions

Association membership

ITF Taekwon-Do in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with classes for children aged 4+, teens, adults and a ladies only group.

HSTS Taekwon-Do - Martial Arts - Stevenage

Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, GPC Mixed Martial Arts runs classes covering kickboxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing, fitness and conditioning, and self defence. Programmes are split by age, with groups for children aged 4 to 6, children aged 7 to 11, and adults and teens, plus family classes where people can train together. The club also teaches in St Neots, Cambridge and Huntingdon, and a free trial is available for newcomers.

A mixed martial arts club is generally a good fit for anyone wanting to build fitness, confidence and practical self defence skills. Training typically blends striking and grappling, so sessions tend to offer plenty of variety for both beginners and more experienced students.

Free trial available

Classes for young children

Junior programme

Family classes

Mixed disciplines

Several locations

Mixed martial arts in Stevenage for kids, adults and families: kickboxing, BJJ, boxing and self defence, with a free trial available.

GPC Mixed Martial Arts

Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, this martial arts school (Aikido Academy England, established in 2017) teaches its own dynamic style of aikido known as Aikido Dōteki. Alongside aikido, the club also offers kickboxing, self-defence and adaptive boxing. It is a member of the Kyudokai Martial Arts Association and the Polish Martial Arts Federation.

Aikido generally focuses on blending body and mind, using evasion, joint levers and throws rather than strikes to deal with an attacker. It is often seen as a martial art open to people of all ages, and many find it a good way to build coordination, balance and confidence while learning practical self-defence skills.

Established in 2017

Distinct aikido style

Several disciplines

Open to all ages

Federation membership

Martial arts school in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, teaching Aikido Dōteki plus kickboxing, self-defence and adaptive boxing since 2017.

Aikido Dojo & Self-Defence School

Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Matsuri Dojo is a martial arts club teaching traditional Okinawan Shorinryu Ryukyukan Karate alongside Kobudo, the Okinawan weapons art. The dojo is part of Matsuri Karate Academy, which also runs a Welwyn dojo, and its instructors are registered with the Shorinryu Ryukyukan federation in Okinawa, Japan. Classes continue through the school holidays.

Traditional karate generally suits people looking for structured progress, with a grading system that breaks the path towards black belt into manageable steps. Alongside fitness and self-defence skills, students can usually expect an emphasis on discipline, kata and respect for the art's history.

Free first lesson

Karate and Kobudo

Federation registered instructors

Safety checked team

Open in school holidays

Step-by-step progression

Traditional Okinawan Shorinryu Ryukyukan Karate and Kobudo classes in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with a free first lesson for newcomers.

Matsuri Dojo Stevenage - Karate & kobudo

Based in the heart of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Andy Nugent's Academy of Martial Arts is a full-time, purpose-built martial arts centre offering classes for both adults and kids. Tuition covers Jeet Kune Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Filipino Kali, kickboxing, Muay Thai, submission wrestling and judo. It is also within easy reach of Hitchin, Letchworth, Luton and Welwyn.

The academy caters for everyone from complete beginners to advanced students, including people training for fun and fitness, martial artists after a fresh challenge and athletes preparing to compete. Martial arts training in general is a good way to build fitness, confidence and practical self-defence skills, whatever your starting point.

Multiple disciplines

Kids and adult classes

Trial class available

Purpose-built centre

All levels welcome

Central Stevenage location

Martial arts academy in Stevenage, Hertfordshire offering BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do, Kali and judo for adults and kids.

Andy Nugent's Academy of Martial Arts

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Submission Grappling and MMA are all taught at Sabre Grappling, a martial arts club in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The coaching centres on practical, effective technique rather than flashy moves or tradition, and classes are open to all levels. Members train for a range of reasons, from self defence and competition to fitness and personal development, and newcomers don't need to arrive already fit or confident.

Grappling arts like BJJ generally focus on control, positioning and submissions on the ground, often with regular live sparring (known as rolling). Many people find this kind of training a good full-body workout that also builds problem-solving skills and resilience over time.

BJJ, grappling and MMA

Practical coaching focus

Varied training goals

No fitness required to start

Based in Bedwell

Sabre Grappling in Stevenage teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Submission Grappling and MMA for all levels, from self defence to competition.

Sabre Grappling

A full time martial arts centre in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Basement Martial Arts welcomes everyone from complete beginners through to competitive athletes. Training covers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts, alongside strength and conditioning, with dedicated classes for women and children.

Whether you are looking to build fitness, gain confidence or learn practical self defence, a martial arts gym like this offers coached sessions in a friendly setting. Newcomers can generally expect structured instruction that builds up from the basics at a comfortable pace.

Beginner friendly

Disciplines taught

Strength and conditioning

Women and children

Free trial session

Purpose built venue

Basement Martial Arts in Stevenage, Hertfordshire offers BJJ, Muay Thai and MMA classes for all levels, with a free trial.

Basement Martial Arts

Traditional Shotokan karate is the focus at Stevenage Karate Club, a martial arts club in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, affiliated with the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Training takes place at two local venues, Barclay Academy Sports Hall and The Valley School, with separate classes for children and for adults aged 16 and over. Newcomers can book a free trial, and the club welcomes both beginners and those with previous experience.

Karate clubs in general offer a structured way to build fitness, coordination and self-discipline. Shotokan training typically combines basics, forms (kata) and partner work, with progress marked through a grading system, making it a steady, long-term activity for all ages.

Traditional Shotokan karate

Children's classes

Adult classes

Two local dojos

Beginners welcome

Traditional JKA Shotokan karate club in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with children's and adult classes and a free trial for newcomers.

Stevenage Karate Club

Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Lightning Kali Combatives is a martial arts club focused on FMA, the Filipino Martial Arts. If you live locally and have an interest in Kali, this listing is a useful starting point for getting in touch and finding out more about training.

Filipino Martial Arts are generally known for their emphasis on weapons work, such as sticks and blades, alongside empty-hand techniques. Training in this style typically develops coordination, timing and footwork, and many people find it an engaging way to build fitness while learning practical skills.

Lightning Kali Combatives is a Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) club in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, offering Kali training for local martial artists.

Lightning Kali Combatives Stevenage - FMA

Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Stevenage Karate (ESKA) is a martial arts club focused on karate. It gives local people a place to take up the art or continue their training closer to home. The club has its own website, which is the best place to check current details before visiting.

Karate training generally combines basic techniques, set sequences known as kata, and partner work, with an emphasis on discipline, fitness and steady progress through a grading system. Many people find it a good way to build confidence, coordination and strength, whatever their starting point. If you are curious, getting in touch with a club to ask about watching or joining a session is a sensible first step.

Stevenage Karate (ESKA) is a karate and martial arts club in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, offering training for local people.

Martial Arts clubs in Stevenage