Looking for a fun way to stay active with the entire family this winter? Check out the martial arts studios in and around Plymouth.
Eclectic Martial Arts stands out for its high level of physical fitness, manager Adrien Vanderhoef-Oxley says. The studio offers karate, taekwondo and jiujitsu.
Cost: $130/month (includes equipment, private lessons and group classes.) Discount for families.
Ages: 4 and up, depending on the child.
Contact: 1400 N. County Road 101; 763.432.3194.
National Karate Academy has been in Plymouth for more than 15 years. Self-defense and the discipline of karate are emphasized, says manager Steve Levine. “We see a lot of families.” Not surprising, since NKA is family-owned.
Cost: $114/month for unlimited workouts.
Ages: 4 and up.
Contact: 16725 County Road 24; 763.551.5905.
Dojo Karate specializes in working with families. “[We focus] on discipline, control and respect,” instructor John Morse says. Dojo works by karate-belt levels to teach self-defense and form, building skills belt by belt.
Cost: Introductory rate of $14.99 for one month.
Ages: 3 and up.
Contact: 212 Clydesdale Trail, Suite 1020, Medina; 763.478.4968; 15615 Maple Grove Circle N., Maple Grove; 763.955.3656.
World Taekwondo Academy teaches Olympic-style taekwondo, jujitsu and kickboxing, and was voted best in the nation in 2009 and 2010. The 10,000-square-foot facility is perfect for family classes, says instructor Eui Lee, who was a U.S. coach in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Cost: $79–$169 per month.
Ages: 3 and up.
Contact: 6463 Sycamore Court, Maple Grove; 763.559.7091.
White Tiger Martial Arts teaches traditional taekwondo rather than Olympic-style, which is less combat-oriented, says master instructor Rob Frankovich. The studio also offers Haidong Gumdo, a discipline using a traditional Korean sword.
Cost: $80/month. Family rates available.
Ages: 8 and up for taekwondo. 12 and up for sword class, or two years’ experience.
Contact: 6201 Noble Ave. N., Brooklyn Center; 612.554.7458.
American Karate Studio stands out for its individualized attention. “We make sure that every student is improving physically and mentally,” says owner and instructor Dennis Melnik. Its traditional martial arts program ties practice to real-life situations.
Cost: $119/month for unlimited classes.
Ages: 4.5 and up.
Contact: 9428 36th Ave. N., New Hope; 612.562.9975.
USA Karate focuses on developing the health of mind and body, says master instructor Allen Kunstmann. “Our instructors have a positive outlook on teaching,” he says. The studio offers classes at least once a week focused on families.
Cost: First trial month is $14.95.
Ages: 5 and up for family classes
Contact: 7498 E. Fish Lake Road, Maple Grove; 763.420.8333.
Ultimate Martial Arts has been in Plymouth since 1997, offering classes from basic self-defense to taekwondo. Family programs are popular, says owner and instructor Tom Malone.
Cost: $104/month.
Ages: 3 and up.
Contact: 147 Hamel Road, Hamel; 763.647.9755.
