Finding a Martial Arts Club in Amsterdam

Essentially Amsterdam Life · July 21, 2026

Whether you want to get fit, learn to defend yourself, or simply find a community after moving to a new city, Amsterdam’s martial arts scene has something for you.

From boxing gyms to grappling academies, the city offers a deep and welcoming range of disciplines for every level and goal.

Martial arts clubs to try first

The directory’s martial arts listings run heavily to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing and kickboxing, so two of the six below teach something else entirely - aikido and Poekoelan kung fu - even though both clubs are small.

Training times matter more in this category than anywhere: most of these places open only for class hours, and four of the six are shut on Sundays.

Carlson Gracie Amsterdam

Brazilian jiu-jitsu and nothing else, from Burgemeester de Vlugtlaan in Nieuw-West, with morning mat time on three days as well as the usual evening classes.

Of its 122 reviews, 99 per cent are five-star, the strongest record in the category, and it closes for both weekend days.

Team Ramzi

Kickboxing and boxing with personal training attached, on the Insulindeweg in Oost, and the only club here open from seven in the morning and on both weekend days.

Its 77 reviews are 97 per cent five-star, and the training is pitched across levels rather than at fighters alone.

PTBoxing

Boxing put together with strength work and sold as one-to-one or pair sessions rather than group classes, from the Westerdoksdijk on the water west of Centraal.

Seven in the morning to ten at night on weekdays is the longest day on this list, with 98 per cent of its 121 reviews at five stars.

UCT Academy Amsterdam

Jing Wu kung fu and jujitsu are taught on the Zamenhofstraat in Noord, with a programme built for children from four to fifteen around motor skills, concentration and self-defence.

Classes run to nine or ten midweek and there are Saturday and Sunday morning sessions, on 48 reviews at 5.0.

Chu Shin Dojo

Aikido and Katori Shinto Ryu, taught to children and adults on the Donarstraat in Zuid, are the only Japanese arts anywhere in this category.

A free trial lesson is offered and the timetable is scattered across the week rather than fixed, with just 12 reviews behind the 5.0.

Poekoelan Kung Fu

One style, Poekoelan kung fu, is all this club on the IJsbaanpad in Zuid teaches.

The doors are open ten to nine six days a week, unusually long for a martial arts school, and its 23 reviews sit at 4.7.

A city of fighting traditions

The Netherlands has a genuinely world-class reputation in combat sports, particularly kickboxing, and that pedigree runs right through Amsterdam’s gyms.

You will find everything from striking arts to grappling, taught by coaches who take their craft seriously.

That depth means beginners train in the same rooms that have shaped serious competitors, which raises the standard everywhere.

If you are also weighing up broader options among the city’s gyms and fitness studios, a martial arts club offers something they often cannot: skill, structure, and a tight-knit community.

Boxing and kickboxing

Boxing and kickboksen (kickboxing) are the beating heart of the local scene, and they make a superb full-body workout even if you never plan to spar.

Expect pad work, bag rounds, and conditioning that will leave you genuinely fitter.

Well-regarded gyms like Tinca-Tinca Boxing Gym and PTBoxing cater to a real mix of members, from cautious first-timers to committed competitors.

Many people start with these disciplines precisely because the cardio and stress relief are so immediate.

A typical class mixes shadow boxing, technique drills, and rounds on the pads or bag, so you build coordination and fitness together without needing any prior experience.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling

For those drawn to the ground game, Brazilian jiu-jitsu has grown enormously in popularity across the city.

It rewards technique and timing over raw strength, which makes it accessible to a wide range of body types and ages.

Academies such as Carlson Gracie Amsterdam carry serious lineage and a strong beginner culture.

The problem-solving element, often called “physical chess,” keeps people coming back, and the training builds a calm sort of confidence that carries into daily life.

Most academies run dedicated fundamentals classes so beginners learn the basics safely before rolling with more experienced partners.

Traditional and mixed styles

Beyond the combat-sport heavyweights, Amsterdam offers plenty of traditional and mixed options.

Judo and karate clubs teach discipline and etiquette that suit children and adults alike, while mixed martial arts gyms blend striking and grappling for a complete skill set.

Some practitioners like to balance the intensity of combat training with calmer, more mindful movement, which is why many also drop into the city’s yoga studios for mobility and recovery.

The two disciplines complement each other beautifully, one sharpening focus and stillness while the other builds power and reflexes.

Many clubs welcome children too, making martial arts a rare pursuit a whole family can share.

Choosing the right gym

The best club is usually the one you will actually show up to, so look for a convenient location, a beginner-friendly class time, and a coaching style you respond to.

Most gyms offer a trial class or two, which is the surest way to judge the atmosphere.

Pay attention to how instructors treat newcomers and whether the room feels supportive rather than intimidating.

Check practical details too, such as whether the gym provides loaner gloves for your first sessions and how drop-in versus membership pricing works.

If you want extra focused attention, some members supplement group classes with sessions from the city’s personal trainers to sharpen technique faster.

Recovery and staying consistent

Martial arts is demanding, so recovery matters as much as training.

Give sore muscles time, stay on top of hydration and sleep, and consider the occasional visit to one of the city’s spas to help your body bounce back between hard sessions.

Consistency beats intensity in the long run, so aim for a schedule you can sustain through the gray Dutch winter.

Ready to throw your first jab or learn your first takedown?

Browse the full range of Amsterdam martial arts clubs to find your gym.