Business Details
14 Years
experience
Your Premier Martial Arts School in East Providence
EP Martial Arts was founded in 2012 by three longtime friends and training partners committed to delivering exceptional martial arts instruction to Rhode Island's aspiring martial artists and families. Our mission extends beyond self-defense, focusing on fostering confidence, discipline, and healthier lifestyles through diverse martial arts training. With programs ranging from Sanda Kickboxing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we emphasize safety, personalized instruction, and community building.Our experienced instructors, including certified Krav Maga professionals and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts, have helped students win local and national tournaments while maintaining a supportive environment for all skill levels. We prioritize adaptability in teaching methods, ensuring students develop technical proficiency and mental resilience in a controlled setting.
Services
Sanda Kickboxing
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Krav Maga
MMA
Kids Kung Fu
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of combined experience across multiple martial arts disciplines
- Our instructors include certified Krav Maga professionals and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts
- We provide personalized one-on-one instruction in a safe, controlled environment
- Our curriculum combines traditional techniques with modern competition preparation
- We maintain a supportive community with classes 5-6 days weekly for all skill levels
Associations and certifications
- KAMI (Krav Maga Association of Israel)
What people say
Helpful and positive coaches
Quality of instruction
Supportive community
Variety of different arts
Experienced instructors
Services
Sanda Kickboxing
Sanda Kickboxing combines striking, wrestling, and takedowns in a dynamic training environment. This Chinese martial art emphasizes adaptability through deceptive techniques and timing across different combat ranges. Students develop physical fitness, self-defense capabilities, and competition readiness while learning to transition seamlessly between stand-up and ground fighting techniques.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on ground fighting and submission holds using leverage-based techniques. Our program teaches positional strategy, fluid transitions, and defensive tactics that enable practitioners to overcome larger opponents. Students build physical conditioning, mental resilience, and competitive skills through structured drills and controlled sparring sessions.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga provides practical self-defense techniques derived from Israeli military combat training. Our certified instructors teach threat neutralization, situational awareness, and defensive tactics against armed and unarmed attackers. The program emphasizes instinctive movements, stress response training, and real-world scenario preparation in a supportive learning environment.
Mixed Martial Arts
MMA combines striking, grappling, and wrestling techniques from multiple disciplines into a comprehensive combat system. Our program integrates Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Catch Wrestling fundamentals to develop well-rounded fighters. Students train in full-contact scenarios while learning competition strategies and injury prevention techniques.
Kids Kung Fu
Kids Kung Fu introduces children to traditional martial arts through structured, age-appropriate instruction. Our program teaches discipline, focus, and self-defense basics while promoting physical coordination and confidence. Classes emphasize character development through traditional forms, partner drills, and non-competitive skill progression.
People
Bart Axelrod
Co-Founder, Krav Maga Instructor
Krav Maga expert with KAMI certification since 2013. Holds a 3rd degree Uechi-Ryu karate black belt and judo background. Trained under Tyre Wesley since 2004 and co-founded EP Martial Arts in 2012.
Ariel Tyre Wesley
Co-Founder, Sanda Instructor
30+ years martial arts experience. Level 10 Wing Chun instructor certified under Master Anthony Arnetta. Founder of EP Martial Arts and certified Sanda specialist. Teaches traditional Chinese martial arts to families in Rhode Island.
Marco Ferrer
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Head BJJ instructor with black belt under Tim Burrill. Judo brown belt under Wayne Dickinson and 10 years wrestling experience. Focuses on technical proficiency and competition preparation for adult students.
James Cherivtch
MMA Instructor
17 years martial arts experience across Muay Thai, boxing, and BJJ. Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 5 years teaching experience. Specializes in MMA competition preparation and technique development.
Wayne Dickinson
Judo Instructor
Judo expert with extensive teaching experience. Co-founder of EP Martial Arts and judo brown belt instructor. Focuses on traditional Japanese grappling techniques and competition training.
Questions
Does EP Martial Arts offer trial classes for new students?
Yes, we offer a one-week free trial allowing you to experience multiple classes before committing to membership.
What martial arts styles are taught at EP Martial Arts?
We offer Sanda Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, MMA, Judo, Wing Chun, and Kids Kung Fu programs.
Is prior martial arts experience required to join?
No prior experience is needed. Our instructors welcome beginners and provide technical instruction at all levels.
What safety measures are in place during training?
We require protective gear for sparring, limit new student sparring until technically prepared, and emphasize proper technique over power.
Can students compete in martial arts tournaments?
Yes, we offer a Fight Team membership with specialized training for local and national competitions.
What are the class schedules like?
We offer classes 5-6 days weekly with varied times to accommodate different schedules and skill levels.
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