Photos coming soon — this gym hasn’t been verified yet.
Martial Way Self-Defense Center (BJJ and Karate)

Martial Way Self-Defense Center (BJJ and Karate)

521 reviews
Is “Martial Way Self-Defense Center (BJJ and Karate)” your gym? Claim it free and make it stand out.✓ Verify Your Gym

About Martial Way Self-Defense Center (BJJ and Karate)

At Martial Way Self-Defense Center, we have been serving the Greater Burlington, Vermont community since 1988 — nearly four decades of developing disciplined, confident, and capable martial artists. Located in Colchester, Vermont, our academy offers world-class instruction in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Karate for students of all ages, from young children to adults.

Under the leadership of Sensei David Quinlan and a team of dedicated black belt instructors including Chris Dutil, Craig Davis, Drew Bloom, and others, Martial Way provides a structured curriculum that builds real skills and real character. Our BJJ program covers all levels from beginner through advanced, and our Karate classes for children, teens, and adults are among the most respected in the region.

We also offer our ThinkSafe program — a specialized self-defense curriculum for women and children — and run seasonal camps for youth and adults. With a free trial class available, we invite you to come experience the Martial Way difference. When you walk through our doors, you're joining a tradition of excellence that has shaped thousands of students over nearly 40 years.

Reviews

5
21 reviews
Justin Dao
2025-12-23

I was warmly welcomed as a drop-in for adult BJJ classes this December and would highly recommend this gym. The instructors and students are clearly passionate about jiu jitsu and the gym has a great culture. Big thanks to Dave, Chris, Serge, and the team for a great experience! Will definitely train here again soon.

mindy pariser-schmidt
2023-12-16

My kids (ages 6 & 8) have been here for over a year, Sensei Dave is magic. He is literally the best teacher we've ever encountered, he is knowledgeable, patient, encouraging but creates solid boundaries and sets expectations and goals. I can't imagine doing martial arts with anyone else.

Megan Carmichael
2023-04-12

What a gem! This is a wonderful studio with committed teachers and a remarkable philosophy. My rambunctious 5 year old looks forward to his class each week, and I get to see a side of him that I don't usually see -- he is focused and determined, takes his practice s9 seriously and has a ton of fun. Dave (Sensei) & Mr. E are so calm and encouraging, they lead with positivity and it inspires my kiddo to achieve. I'm so glad we found this studio and I expect we'll be returning for many years. Highly recommended, especially if you're looking to introduce your kids to the world of martial arts.

Chrissy Rose
2022-08-10

We had such a great time at Martial Way! My partner and I both train in different martial arts (karate and capoeira) and are visiting friends in Burlington who train with Sensei Dave at Martial Way. We asked if we could attend class with them, and Sensei was incredibly welcoming to us. The class was wonderful, really informative with a great mix of techniques as well as flow from one exercise to the next. We would love to come back and would definitely recommend Martial Way to anyone looking to try martial arts, whether experienced or brand new to it.

Gina Stevensen
2022-08-10

I’ve been coming here for over a year and absolutely love it. I had never taken martial arts before, so I was a little nervous about whether or not I would feel comfortable. Martial Way is such a welcoming, inclusive, and genuinely fun place to learn martial arts. I feel empowered through all the practical self-defense techniques I’m learning, and I always look forward to coming to the mat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long have you been in business?

Yes! Come try your first class at Martial Way Self-Defense Center (BJJ and Karate) at no charge. No commitment required.

Do you offer a free trial?

No experience needed. We start from the fundamentals and welcome all levels.

What programs do you offer?

Athletic shorts and a t-shirt work great for your first visit.

Where are you located?

Two to three sessions per week is ideal for steady progress in BJJ.