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Professional Martial Arts Academy Merrimack

5 ★★★★★ 15 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Merrimack, New Hampshire

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 — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule kicknh.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 603-429-0008

Hours

Monday 9 am–10 pm
Tuesday 9 am–10 pm
Wednesday 9 am–10 pm
Thursday 9 am–10 pm
Friday 9 am–10 pm
Saturday 9 am–10 pm
Sunday 9 am–10 pm

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 Professional Martial Arts Academy Merrimack, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 9 mentions

“The Owner Chris is phenomenal with kids.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“All the classes from kids karate, kids Jiu Jitsu, adult Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu are formatted to fit all levels of experience.”

All dojos that run beginners →

👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“They also have personal training and private lessons!”

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 Professional Martial Arts Academy Merrimack — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu 9 mentions

“All the classes from kids karate, kids Jiu Jitsu, adult Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu are formatted to fit all levels of experience.”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🥊 Kickboxing 5 mentions

“All the classes from kids karate, kids Jiu Jitsu, adult Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu are formatted to fit all levels of experience.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🏟️ MMA

“I have been to a few BJJ and MMA/Kickboxing schools in my lifetime.”

Other dojos that also teach mma →

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 15 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 3 mentions

“Sensei Chris is not only the best martial arts instructor I've ever seen, but also one of the best teachers in general.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“All the classes from kids karate, kids Jiu Jitsu, adult Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu are formatted to fit all levels of experience.”

friendly, respectful dojo 11 mentions

“The students are always welcoming and excited to have new students join the school!”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 3 mentions

“He highly respects even his youngest students, and his thoughtfully crafted "mat chats" encourage kids to develop qualities that equip them to achieve their goals.”

From the reviews

I have been attending classes at this academy for roughly half a year and I enjoyed every class. The students and staff are friendly and motivating. They are extremely beginner friendly and not forceful at all.

★★★★★ — Yan, May 2015

I always recommend PMA Merrimack to my friends. Sensei Chris is not only the best martial arts instructor I've ever seen, but also one of the best teachers in general. It's amazing to see how quickly every individual progresses no matter what level they're starting from.

★★★★★ — Heather, Jan 2020

I have been training here for just over half a year. I have been to a few BJJ and MMA/Kickboxing schools in my lifetime. I can honestly say that the atmosphere in this school is Second to none. Chris Shelton is as friendly an owner as you will ever meet.

★★★★★ — Steve, Feb 2018

Wonderful Martial Arts school for all levels and ages! I train as part of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program and absolutely love it! The school also has great muay-thai and karate programs as well! The teachers are great and very patient. The students are always welcoming and excited to have new students join the school!

★★★★★ — Nicole, Feb 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 15 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Professional Martial Arts Academy Merrimack

Professional Martial Arts Academy Merrimack comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and students’ reviews. 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 Professional Martial Arts Academy Merrimack

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 Professional Martial Arts Academy Merrimack

501 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack, NH03054

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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.