Best Martial Arts & Karate Classes for Kids in Pasadena
7 martial arts reviewed · 5★ average · 435 parent reviews · Updated 2026-06-10
Pasadena's martial arts scene is diverse and competitive, with specialist BJJ academies, Krav Maga, and kickboxing studios clustered around Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. SBG SoCal and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena both have strong reputations for kids' programmes — Coach Marco at SBG is cited by multiple parents as the reason children stay engaged year after year. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu's Bullyproof programme is a standout for ages 5+, and Classic Kickboxing recently launched a dedicated tween/teen class. Fees are generally monthly, with grading and uniform costs listed separately at most academies.
💡 Pasadena's standout for young beginners is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena's Bullyproof programme — staff Fred, Aida and Crystal are praised by name for transforming nervous children as young as 5 into confident students within a few months, the most documented confidence-building track record in the area.
The 7 martial arts studios, ranked
Ordered by overall rating and review volume
01
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Pasadena
75 W Walnut St Ste 110, Pasadena, CA 91103 · ★ 5.0 (46 reviews)
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena's Bullyproof programme is highly rated by parents of children as young as 5 — reviews describe daughters who went from nervous to confident in a matter of months, and staff (Fred, Aida, Crystal) praised by name for creating a safe, encouraging environment. The Women Empowered course attracts teens and adult women, which makes this a versatile family choice.
Parents love
Bullyproof programme for young kidsconfidence transformationfriendly welcoming staffWomen Empowered for teens
02
SBG SoCal
603 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101 · ★ 5.0 (60 reviews)
Coach Marco and the SBG SoCal team draw consistent praise for making MMA and BJJ fun for children — parents of 8-year-olds who have trained for over a year describe remarkable social and physical growth. The gym is noted for its clean facility, multiple coaches (Dakota, Beto, Becca), and a community that reflects the quality of instruction.
Parents love
Coach Marco praised for kids' engagementfun and educational MMA/BJJstrong coaching teamvisible physical and social growth
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03
Classic Kickboxing
91 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103 · ★ 5.0 (46 reviews)
Classic Kickboxing recently added a dedicated tween/teen class that has drawn enthusiastic parent reviews — a daughter described gaining confidence and using her skills for self-defence. Head instructor Mauricio is praised across all age groups for being approachable and technically excellent; the historic building on Union St adds a distinctive training atmosphere.
Parents love
dedicated tween/teen classMauricio praisedconfidence building for girlsclean well-organised gym
04
Krav Maga Unleashed
772 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91101 · ★ 4.9 (45 reviews)
Krav Maga Unleashed runs a youth programme that parents describe as detail-focused and practically oriented — reviewers specifically mention children learning useful real-world self-defence skills. The gym's supportive community is noted as a retention factor for families, with everyone encouraged regardless of skill level.
Parents love
youth Krav Maga programmepractical self-defence skillssupportive communityknowledgeable instructors
05
Roger Machado Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena
977 E Colorado Blvd #2, Pasadena, CA 91101 · ★ 5.0 (42 reviews)
Master Roger Machado brings a renowned 'art of movement' philosophy to BJJ that long-term students (5+ years) say sets this academy apart from chain studios. Reviewers note the price is higher than other local options but consistently say the quality of instruction justifies it — Professor Lv and Professor Kevin are cited for welcoming new students.
Parents love
Master Machado's art-of-movement approachworld-class lineagewelcoming to beginnershigher price justified by quality
06
FitSport Kinetics
801 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 · ★ 4.9 (65 reviews)
FitSport Kinetics covers the whole family — kids, teens and adults train together in sports performance and martial arts conditioning. Parents of daughters on travel softball teams note measurable speed and strength gains; reviewers describe it as a second home with client-focused coaches and a welcoming atmosphere.
Body & Brain is primarily an adult-focused tai chi and yoga studio — reviews are highly positive for stress reduction and body-mind practice, with Master Sunny praised for excellent instruction. It is not a dedicated kids' martial arts programme, making it better suited for teen and adult family members seeking mindful movement rather than sport-focused martial arts.
Parents love
tai chi for stress and wellnessMaster Sunny praisedbody-mind integrationbeginner friendly
Five questions to ask before you enrol
Based on recurring patterns across Pasadena martial arts reviews
01
Does your programme include a dedicated Bullyproof or anti-bullying curriculum for young children, and at what age does the programme start — can my child join if they are 5 or younger?
02
What does the monthly or term fee include — are belt grading tests, uniforms, and sparring gear charged separately on top of tuition, as some Pasadena studios charge significantly more when these are included?
03
Does the studio keep children's sessions entirely separate from adult training, with age-appropriate instruction throughout — or are children mixed into adult classes once they reach a certain level?
04
How many coaches are typically on the mat during a children's class, and is there a dedicated instructor for the kids' programme rather than one coach managing adults and children at the same time?
05
Is the programme focused on competitive BJJ or sport martial arts, or is the children's curriculum oriented toward self-defence, confidence building and discipline rather than tournament performance?
Frequently asked questions
Which Pasadena martial arts school has a dedicated programme for children under 7?
Recur's review of Pasadena martial arts options for young children found that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena is the standout — the Bullyproof programme starts as young as 5 and parents describe visible confidence growth within months. SBG SoCal is a strong second choice, with Coach Marco's kids' MMA/BJJ classes praised specifically for keeping young children engaged.
Is BJJ or Krav Maga better for a child's self-defence in Pasadena?
Recur's review of Pasadena self-defence options for kids found both are well-taught. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and SBG SoCal focus on ground-based BJJ that is highly practical for smaller children; Krav Maga Unleashed's youth programme emphasises real-world awareness and stand-up self-defence. Many Pasadena parents enrol children in BJJ first (age 5+) before adding Krav Maga in the teen years.
Do Pasadena martial arts academies charge separate grading and uniform fees?
Recur's review of Pasadena martial arts fee structures found that Roger Machado Jiu-Jitsu is noted as the priciest option overall — reviewers acknowledge fees are above average but say the lineage justifies it. The other top-rated studios (SBG SoCal, Classic Kickboxing, Krav Maga Unleashed) do not have specific reviewer complaints about surprise grading fees. Always request a written fee schedule before enrolling, including belt-test and uniform costs.
Are there kickboxing classes for teens in Pasadena?
Recur's review of Pasadena teen martial arts found that Classic Kickboxing recently launched a dedicated tween/teen class that has gathered strong early reviews — a parent noted her daughter built confidence and practical self-defence awareness from it. FitSport Kinetics also runs conditioning-based martial arts for teens alongside family fitness programmes.
Last updated: 2026-06-10 · Data from Google Maps & parent reviews · getrecur.app