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Traditional Martial Arts Schools in Columbia, MO

9 of the 14 martial arts schools we list in Columbia 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.

Bu Ting XI Kung Fu Academy Karate / taekwondo

315 N 8th St, Columbia, MO 65201

(573) 489-9150 Website Directions

COMO Karate Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo

701 E Ash St, Columbia, MO 65201-4434

+15738649318 Website Directions

Columbia Academy of Taekwon-Do Karate / taekwondo

1907 Hillcrest Dr, Columbia, MO 65201-6205

Directions

Gracie Humaita Columbia Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo

2010 Chapel Plaza Ct Suite B, Columbia, MO 65203-6382

+15735546601 Website Directions

Hockman's ATA Martial Arts Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

2601 Rangeline St, Columbia, MO 65202

+15738755425 Website Directions

Hockmans ATA East Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

Break Time, 2709 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201

+15738755425 Website Directions

Jaguar Self Defense And Fitness Free trial classKarate / taekwondoMMA

3410 Broadway Business Park Ct, Columbia, MO 65203-0397

+14175697114 Website Directions

Mid Missouri Judo Karate / taekwondo

4250 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201

+15732688997 Directions

Rifkin Professional Karate Center Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

502 Cooper Dr N, Columbia, MO 65201-7121

+15734420668 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.