Martial arts
10 martial arts – such as karate, taekwondo and MMA – in one membership. With classes at USC Universum in Amsterdam East. Little or no experience? Check out the beginners’ course!
Martial arts at USC
- Access to training sessions in 10 different martial arts, plus free training in the dojo and the ‘Rumble’ group class.
- All training sessions take place at USC Universum at Science Park in Amsterdam East.
- Little or no experience? Take the beginners’ martial arts course (9 sessions) and find out which sport suits you best.
- (Kick)boxing at USC School of Boxing and ClubWest is not included in this membership; for that, you’ll need the boxing membership.
Fees change per 1 November 2026
As of 1 November 2026, many of the fees of our ongoing Year and Flex memberships will change. Check which monthly fee you will pay from November.
Locations
Beginners’ course
New to martial arts? In the beginners’ course, you’ll be introduced to all the martial arts available at USC over the course of nine sessions. You’ll learn the basics, train at your own level and discover which sport suits you best.
The courses start twice a year: in September and November. Check out My USC!
All martial arts
BJJ focuses on ground fighting whilst wearing a gi. This allows for techniques that are not possible in the version without a gi (MMA). Classes consist of technique training and sparring.
- You’ll learn to feel comfortable in close-quarters combat situations, where physical contact is already taking place.
- You’ll learn how to take a fall.
- This martial art is open to everyone, regardless of martial arts experience.
Wear and gear
Comfortable sportswear. A gi can be borrowed from the instructor. After the trial period, you can purchase your own gi from USC.
Gongkwon Yusul is a dynamic form of Korean mixed martial arts. The focus is on fluid transitions between punches, kicks, throws and ground techniques. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their martial arts experience!
Jiu-Jitsu is a Japanese combat sport/martial art. You learn how to punch, kick, apply locks, throw opponents and perform chokeholds.
- A traditional Japanese martial art of the Samurai, characterised by great respect and discipline.
- A comprehensive martial art that begins standing up and ends on the ground.
- You’ll learn the basics of falling, punching and kicking.
Clothing and equipment
Comfortable sportswear that allows you to move easily. During the initial period, you can borrow a gi from USC. After the initial period, you can purchase a gi through USC.
Karate is the best-known Japanese martial art. During the lessons, you build up strength and fitness, and learn how to kick and punch, with a focus on the Kyokushin-style of karate.
- Discipline and respect are very important in karate.
- The instructors encourage personal growth, and having fun is very important.
- Very accessible, even without any martial arts experience.
Clothing and equipment
Wear comfortable sportswear. We train barefoot in the dojo (please bear this in mind). After the trial period, you can buy a karate uniform from USC.
Haedong Kumdo is a Korean sword-fighting art in which you use one or two swords. It is a very comprehensive martial art comprising sword forms, sparring, cutting exercises and meditation.
- You learn to achieve harmony between your body and your sword(s).
- You’ll also learn to spar with the swords and to cut paper or bamboo.
- This martial art is open to everyone, regardless of martial arts experience. However, the classes are mentally and physically challenging.
What to wear and bring
Comfortable sportswear that allows you to move freely. You can borrow a training sword from the instructor. If you wish to sit exams, you can order your own sword and uniform (dobok) from the instructor after the trial period.
MMA is a spectacular combination of ground fighting, throws and kickboxing. The focus is on wrestling and ground fighting (nogi grappling). Classes consist of technique and sparring.
- You’ll learn to feel comfortable in close-combat situations, where there is already physical contact.
- You’ll learn how to fall.
- This martial art is open to everyone, regardless of previous martial arts experience.
Clothing and equipment
Comfortable sportswear, preferably long trousers and a long-sleeved top. Women should wear a high-necked T-shirt or rash guard.
The nunchaku is a Japanese weapon, but nunchaku-do is a sport developed in the Netherlands. Learn how to use this unique weapon in our nunchaku classes. You’ll learn sparring with nunchaku, freestyle and self-defence.
- The nunchaku became famous thanks to Bruce Lee and the Ninja Turtles.
- It is a unique martial art that revolves entirely around this Japanese weapon.
- You’ll learn how to handle the weapon through basic techniques, sparring and tricks set to music (freestyle).
- Suitable for everyone, even without any martial arts experience. We use a safe nunchaku (made of foam).
Wear and gear
Comfortable sportswear that allows you to move freely. You can borrow a nunchaku from the instructor during the trial period. If you wish to take exams, you’ll need your own nunchaku and gi. Ask the instructor!
At USC, you’ll take part in several fencing training sessions a week, with participants of all levels mixed together. No experience? Start with the beginners’ fencing course!
Shorinji Kempo is an accessible, modern Japanese martial art, based on a philosophy of inner strength and compassion (Kongo Zen, Buddhist philosophy).
It combines hard techniques (punches and kicks) with soft techniques (locks and throws). The sport focuses on effective self-defence, personal development and the balance between body and mind.
- Physical health: Every session combines physical exercises with a warm-up, meditation and a cool-down. You’ll improve your fitness, flexibility, strength, coordination and balance.
- Self-defence: You will learn to defend yourself effectively and react quickly to attacks by utilising an opponent’s balance and strategy rather than relying solely on brute force.
- Mental resilience: The training helps you to grow personally and become mentally stronger, calmer and more self-assured (through discipline and meditation).
- Inner harmony: Shorinji Kempo teaches you to balance inner strength and compassion, fostering a peaceful and respectful attitude towards yourself and others (both inside and outside the dojo).
Clothing and equipment
For your first few lessons, please wear comfortable, full-length sportswear.
Later on, you can choose to purchase a uniform (Dogi) through your instructor.
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and is known for its many kicks. But you learn much more than just kicks. You also learn punches, holds and defensive techniques. At USC, you learn the WTF style of taekwondo.
- A dynamic martial art featuring lots of kicks and punches.
- You’ll learn sparring as well as forms (poomsae).
- WTF is the Olympic style of taekwondo.
- You’ll also learn techniques influenced by the Korean martial art Hapkido.
Clothing and equipment
Sportswear that allows you to move freely. You can purchase a dobok from the instructor after the trial period.
Extra info
Initial payment: pro rata
When you sign up for Martial arts YEAR or Martial arts FLEX, you pay a pro rata amount.
Direct debit
Thereafter, an instalment will be debited via direct debit in the first week of every month.
Cancelling is simple
Send an email to usc@uscsport.nl, or cancel your membership yourself via the ‘My USC’ website. Your membership will then end on the last day of that month.*
*If you cancel a FLEX membership in the same month in which you took it out, the FLEX membership will end on the last day of the following month. This means that at least one monthly payment will always be deducted via direct debit before a FLEX membership expires.
Booking
- You can book – provided there are places available – right up until the start of the class or training session.
- You can book up to 6 days in advance.
- You may have a maximum of 3 active bookings in your name for the next 6 days.
Check-in
- Download the My USC Amsterdam app (Android or iOS) to gain access to USC.
- On arrival, simply scan the QR code on the access gate at the USC venue using the app.
- Still having trouble? Please speak to the trainer or instructor, who will check you in.
- Please note! You are responsible for checking in yourself. If you haven’t checked in, we’ll record it as a no-show.
Check all the house rules at USC.