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Traditional Martial Arts Schools in Boston, MA

18 of the 39 martial arts schools we list in Boston have traditional styles. A basic map listing can't tell you whether a "martial arts" result teaches lineage-based traditional forms like karate, taekwondo, or kung fu, or runs a modern fitness-kickboxing class under the same label. Every school on this page has its traditional style confirmed from its own website or class listings, not inferred from the business name.

Body Mind Systems Muay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

1739 Centre St, Boston, MA 02132-1550

+16173275100 Website Directions

Boston Aikikai Karate / taekwondo

98 Business St, Boston, MA 02136-2126

+16179420773 Website Directions

Boston Budo Karate / taekwondo

74 Joy St, Boston, MA 02114

+16177770641 Website Directions

Boston SKA Karate Dojo Karate / taekwondo

125 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111-1843

+16177522780 Website Directions

Champion Taekwondo Center Karate / taekwondo

413 Bowdoin St, Boston, MA 02122-1827

+18572647555 Website Directions

City Aikido Boston Free trial classKarate / taekwondo

90 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111

+16178346625 Website Directions

East Coast School of Combined Martial Arts Karate / taekwondo

7 River St, Boston, MA 02126-2928

+16173221563 Website Directions

Genesis Academy of Traditional Taekwon-do Free trial classKarate / taekwondo

98 Business St, Boston, MA 02136-2126

+16178045774 Website Directions

Ippon Sports Academy Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

14 Green St, Boston, MA 02129-3002

+18572378411 Website Directions

Jae Hun Kim Taekwondo Institute BJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

102 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215-3905

+16172665050 Website Directions

Modern Taekwondo Center Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

618 Gallivan Blvd, Boston, MA 02124-5404

+16175007232 Website Directions

One Step Beyond Martial Arts Training Center Karate / taekwondo

1 Westinghouse Plz, Boston, MA 02136-2075

+16173649563 Website Directions

Save Another Youth Taekwondo Inc. Karate / taekwondo

1565 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02122

+18573968458 Directions

Swaby's Tae Kwon Do Academy Karate / taekwondo

172 Neponset Ave, Boston, MA 02122-3338

+17813647027 Website Directions

Wah-Lum Kung-Fu Athletic Association Karate / taekwondo

17 Edinboro St, Boston, MA 02111-2109

+16173507530 Website Directions

Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy Karate / taekwondo

70 Beach St 4th Fl, Boston, MA 02111

6178761982 Website Directions

Woo Ching White Crane Kung Fu Karate / taekwondo

90 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111-1811

+16178269385 Website Directions

Yang's Martial Arts Association Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

756 South St, Boston, MA 02131-1729

+16173639622 Website Directions

Ask exactly which style and lineage the school teaches before your first class. "Traditional" covers very different systems — striking-focused styles like karate and taekwondo, grappling-focused styles like judo and aikido, and internal styles like tai chi — so the right fit depends on what you actually want to train.

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Good to know

What's the difference between traditional and modern martial arts schools?
Traditional schools generally follow a set curriculum tied to a specific style's history, forms, and belt-ranking system, often with added emphasis on etiquette and philosophy. Modern or hybrid schools tend to blend techniques from multiple styles or focus more narrowly on fitness or competition.

How long does it take to get a black belt in a traditional martial art?
Most traditional styles take about 3-5 years of consistent training to reach black belt, though the exact timeline varies by style, school, and how often a student trains. A school that awards black belts much faster than that is generally worth a closer look before signing up.