The 5 Best Martial Arts Gyms in Calgary for All Skill Levels
Finding a great gym to kickstart your fitness journey can feel tough.
Calgary has tons of spots for combat sports, but you need a space that fits your lifestyle, maybe to learn self-defense or to get your kids into a structured routine.
So I did the heavy lifting to find the gyms offering the best martial arts classes in Calgary. These places pair great coaches with clean mats to help you succeed. Here are my top local picks to match your goals.
How much does martial arts training cost in Calgary?
Monthly martial arts fees in Calgary typically run from $100 to $250, depending on your age and the type of program.
| Program Type | Monthly Cost |
| Kids programs | From $125 |
| Standard adult (unlimited) | $150 to $200 |
| Competitive adult programs | Up to $250 |
1. Elite Martial Arts Academy
Website:calgarymartialarts.com
Address: 4750 106 Ave SE
Contact: (587) 225-0337 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Wednesday, 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Friday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Saturday, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Elite Martial Arts Academy sets a high standard with classes led by active competitive fighters and certified coaches.
They run specialized foundations classes so beginners can learn without feeling intimidated.
I dropped by their Shepard facility last month and saw firsthand how welcoming the vibe is for new students.
I also like that parents can train side by side with their kids during the unique family Muay Thai blocks. One membership gets you access to three modern facilities across South Calgary.
That said, the class structure leans heavily on intense physical conditioning rather than deep technical detail. There are also no North Calgary locations, so a cross-city commute may be needed for some students.
Customer Reviews
Our son fell in love after two classes
We took our 5 year old to a few different martial art gyms. He was not interested in the other gyms, but fell in LOVE with Elite Martial Arts after 2 trial classes. It is a great space with awesome instructors. We are officially signing up today! Highly recommend.
– Erica & Don Shumansky |Google Review
Nothing but positivity
I absolutely love this place. First off the environment is nothing but positivity from everyone there, whether that be the teachers or the other students. I also love the fact that there are different teachers for the days of the week, because they all teach and train in their own unique ways covering different aspects of the martial art. I myself only do the Muay Thai class, but I would highly recommend this to someone also interested in jujitsu. Overall I love this place and would recommend you check it out.
– Cameron “Angus” Bews |Google Review
2. Straight Blast Gym Calgary
Website:sbgcalgary.com
Address: 401 33 St NE, Unit 8
Contact: (587) 742-2022
Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM; Friday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Straight Blast Gym Calgary stands out by grouping youth students into precise developmental stages starting at age three, with specialized classes for distinct age brackets, so the training matches each child’s growth.
Homeschool families can even use their daytime physical education classes during the week.
They provide an ego-free environment by isolating beginners in a structured foundations curriculum. High-level black belts lead the classes, including dedicated women’s self-defense sessions led by an experienced female coach.
The facility sits inside a sports complex with great parking and clean showers, and it can help to pair your training with a local personal trainer in Calgary to round out your fitness.
Just note that you won’t find striking styles like Muay Thai here, since they focus mostly on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). The Northeast location can also feel out of the way for South Calgary residents.
Customer Reviews
Welcomes all skill levels
If you’d like to get into martial arts or you’re simply looking for a new workout, check out SBG Calgary! Coach Mike and Becca are not only experienced, but they are warm and welcoming. Everyone I have met is super friendly, patient and kind. Whether you’re an amateur or a black belt, SBG welcomes all skill levels and classes are quite affordable. I’m really enjoying the BJJ classes, and after a few weeks I have already recommended SBG to friends and family, as SBG offers a free intro class. Check them out!
– Long For The Weekend |Google Review
Treats you like family
I have never done martial arts before and when I saw a BJJ gym open near my house, I had to check it out. By the first interaction with Mike and Becca, I knew I wanted to sign up for lessons. In just a few short months I’ve gained the ability to defend not only myself but my wife and kid. Straight Blast Gym is a must if you are looking for a gym that treats you like family.
– Ben Hapip |Google Review
3. Affinity Academy Calgary
Website:affinityacademy.ca
Address: 5403 Crowchild Trail NW #215
Contact: (587) 316-2473 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Affinity Academy Calgary makes starting out simple with separate four-week introductory courses for adults.
My close friend trained in their Ground Zero program and raved about the gentle, step-by-step guidance from the staff.
They focus on logic and core concepts instead of raw aggression, and parents will appreciate the distinct age groups for youth classes that match a child’s exact skill level.
I like that they also offer supportive women-only spaces for grappling and self-defense. Members can cross-train at both Northwest locations on a single membership.
If your kids enjoy active weekend hobbies like indoor climbing walls in Calgary, this community will fit your family well.
The main drawback is that both facilities sit strictly in the Northwest quadrant. You also face a narrow selection, since they only teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing.
Customer Reviews
Great progress and life lessons
As advertised. My son has been attending Affinity for about 4 months. It’s his first time taking a martial art. He is enjoying the classes, learning lots and making great progress toward his first belt. The coaches are top notch following a structured teaching approach with curriculum and monthly tests to assess progress. They provide a positive learning atmosphere while also instilling discipline in the kids. They finish each class by pulling the kids aside and sharing life lessons. As a parent, I’m super happy with our choice to have our son attend Affinity.
– S. Kiss |Google Review
Great instructors and flexible classes
Just recently started training here and it’s been great. I knew no jiu jitsu prior to joining this place, didn’t even know how to tie the belt. However, it has been great. Great instructors and friendly individuals in the gym who helped me by pointing out my mistakes and helped me up my game. For someone with a busy schedule the classes are spread out throughout the day so you can choose what classes and when to attend. The martial art is so technical, the way to improve is to keep attending classes.
– Muhammad |Google Review
4. Western Canada Martial Arts Academy
Website:wcmartialarts.ca
Address: 500 Royal Oak Drive NW, Unit 210
Contact: (403) 909-5278 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM; Tuesday, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM; Friday, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM; Saturday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Western Canada Martial Arts Academy brings unique history to the city, carrying a direct lineage to Bruce Lee.
Their curriculum blends multiple distinct disciplines, including Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do (JKD) and Wing Chun.
The head coaches train directly under global martial arts legends to keep the instruction authentic, and children in the youth program study a special blend of multiple styles.
I like that the facility runs classes seven days a week, making it easy to find a convenient weekend slot. Adult and youth schedules also stay fully separated for focused coaching.
However, because they balance five separate arts, individual styles like Silat are only offered once or twice a week, so training one discipline several times weekly can feel limited. They also have only one facility in Royal Oak in the far Northwest.
Customer Reviews
An outstanding, dedicated instructor
My daughters have been training at this martial arts academy, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience they’re having! Sifu Marvin is an outstanding instructor, patient, professional, and truly dedicated to helping every student succeed. The other instructors are just as amazing, always kind, encouraging, and great at keeping the kids motivated while teaching discipline and respect.
– Rabiah Al Jishy |Google Review
Learned a lot in a short time
Amazing institution. I was able to learn a considerable amount in a short period of time thanks to the focused environment and skilled tutelage of Kru Marvin and the others. They do a good job involving fighters of all ages and coaching their skills to improve.
– Nesta Meshkati |Google Review
5. Arashi Do Martial Arts, McCall Lake
Website:arashidomartialarts.ca
Address: 1120 53 Ave NE
Contact: (403) 612-4050 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Arashi Do Martial Arts has been teaching students across Alberta since 1985 and operates multiple locations in the city.
They offer full, structured tracks for disciplines like Karate and Muay Thai under one roof.
Every school features full-time professional staff who train regularly as professional educators, and their programs line up with recognized athletic bodies, including a government-approved karate association in the province.
I like that families can also take advantage of cost reductions, like a 25% discount for a second family member. Having branches across major quadrants makes finding a nearby class convenient.
That said, sharing mat space among three large disciplines means weekly slots for any single sport are limited. The McCall Lake gym also sits in an industrial park, so public transit access is a bit tough.
For families juggling different interests, the multi-style tracks and discounts still make it worthwhile.
Customer Reviews
He felt right at home
My son has been attending Arashido since March 2021. We moved from Airdrie and had to find a new dojo. We went to different places and tried different martial arts in the city. As soon as we left Arashido, his face lit up and he felt at home. He begged to start classes right away. The instructors are great. Fair, open and honest. My son leaves tired but feeling great. Great communication with everyone in the office. We love it there.
– Crystal Thring |Google Review
Family atmosphere second to none
We have been long term clients of Arashi Do Martial Arts. Not only do they have incredible instructors, the family atmosphere is second to none. My kids and I all train here and absolutely love it! Highly recommend Arashi Do!
– Lisa Mosiewich |Google Review