Which martial art is best for kids in Somerville: karate, jiu-jitsu or Muay Thai?
It depends on the child. Brazilian Martial Arts Center (BMAC), at 700 Mystic Avenue in Somerville, teaches all three, so your child can try each with a free first class: jiu-jitsu for controlling a situation without striking, karate for structure and focus, and Muay Thai for energetic kids who like hitting pads.
How the three compare:
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu (ages 3 to 17): grappling with no striking. Good for self-defense, handling bullying and kids who like to wrestle.
- Karate (ages 6 to 17): Wado Ryu style, with forms, discipline and a clear belt system. Good for kids who like structure.
- Muay Thai (ages 6 to 12): punches, kicks and knees on pads and bags. Good for energetic kids who want a workout.
Class times:
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ages 3 to 5: Monday and Wednesday at 5pm, Saturday at 10:15am
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ages 6 to 17: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm; Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm
- Karate, ages 6 to 17: Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm, Saturday at 11am
- Muay Thai, ages 6 to 12: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5pm
See the full class schedule.
Kids classes are taught by Alex Marshall, who holds a degree in physical education and is CPR/AED certified, and Nate Oses, who grew up training at BMAC and went on to win a world championship.
Head instructor Marcelo Siqueira holds black belts in jiu-jitsu, karate and judo and a Muay Thai prajioud, so kids can move between styles under one roof. BMAC holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Parents are welcome to watch the trial class and every class after it.
BMAC is at 700 Mystic Avenue in Somerville, right off I-93 at Exit 21, with free parking. Outside rush hour it's about 5 minutes by car from Union Square, 6 from Davis Square, Charlestown and Medford Square, 8 from Everett, 10 from downtown Boston, 12 from Harvard Square and Arlington Center, and 15 from Belmont Center. There's no T station nearby. MBTA bus 95, which connects to the Orange Line at Sullivan Square, stops at Mystic Ave @ Moreland St, a short walk from the door.
Your first class is free. Book it with the form on the Kids page or call Marcelo at (617) 628-3800.
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