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Brazilian Martial Arts Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 124 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Somerville, Massachusetts

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes (ages 3) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule bmacboston.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 617-628-3800

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Brazilian Martial Arts Center, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 5 mentions

“Professor Marcelo runs a great curriculum not only for adults but also kids / teens of all ages.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“The instructors are highly skilled, patient, and truly invested in your progress—whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner.”

All dojos that run beginners →

Teens

“Professor Marcelo runs a great curriculum not only for adults but also kids / teens of all ages.”

All dojos that run teens →

👤 Private Lessons

“I had the opportunity to take a private lesson with Professor Marcelo Siqueira today, and it was an outstanding experience.”

All dojos that run private lessons →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Brazilian Martial Arts Center — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu 11 mentions

“For the girls- I’m a small girl, but I grew up with older brothers who wrestled me any chance they got and that is why the idea of BJJ stood out to me.”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🥊 Kickboxing 5 mentions

“BMAC in Somerville has a very nice facility and they don't just offer BJJ, but they can train you in muay thai, karate, nogi submission grappling.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 124 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Love this place, great teachers and a very welcoming atmosphere.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“The instructors are highly skilled, patient, and truly invested in your progress—whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner.”

friendly, respectful dojo 16 mentions

“Technical clarity and friendly students are not only what make BMAC a school worth my time and money its the essence and elements of true grit.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 6 mentions

“With all the technical knowledge and seriousness of this school, the instructors are trying their best to form a community.”

clean, welcoming dojo 4 mentions

“BMAC in Somerville has a very nice facility and they don't just offer BJJ, but they can train you in muay thai, karate, nogi submission grappling.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“I know it can be intimidating, especially for females in a male dominated sport, but you will find nothing but love and hard work at this place.”

From the reviews

Love this place. I’ve been doing Muay Thai here for the last 6months and am hooked. I was going to another dojo not far from here and also loved it, but it came to the point where I felt like I wasn’t growing anymore in the sport there. I made the choice to switch gyms, and I am glad I did!

★★★★★ — Sarah, Mar 2023

I love this school. The instructors are very knowledgeable and very welcoming. With all the technical knowledge and seriousness of this school, the instructors are trying their best to form a community. We hang out for UFC matches and it’s always great to find company to watch these.

★★★★★ — Rutayan, Mar 2023

I LOVED VISITING BMAC WHILE IN BOSTON! I had the best tome handing out with Professor Marcelo and his team! They made me feel right at home and gave me the privilege to teach a class while visiting to promote American Grappling Federation! Thank you guys!

★★★★★ — Brian, Feb 2022

For the girls- I’m a small girl, but I grew up with older brothers who wrestled me any chance they got and that is why the idea of BJJ stood out to me. Despite that, I am petite and weak, no athletic background at all. I was terrified of joining.

★★★★★ — A, Nov 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 124 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Brazilian Martial Arts Center

Brazilian Martial Arts Center comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Brazilian Martial Arts Center

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Brazilian Martial Arts Center

700 Mystic Ave, Somerville, MA02145

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.